Things to do in Fairbanks with kids
Fairbanks is the biggest town in interior Alaska, and it’s a friendly one for families. It’s spread out, so plan by area and drive between them, and check opening times before you go: plenty of places open only in summer, and some only on certain days.
Summer
The University of Alaska Museum of the North. Start here if you only do one thing. It tells the story of the whole state in one building, and the dinosaur and big-animal displays hold small kids’ attention. It’s on the university’s hill, with a view south to the Alaska Range on a clear day.
A riverboat on the Chena. Sternwheeler cruises run down the Chena River in summer, with stops along the way. It’s a long-running Fairbanks favorite for a reason: you sit, the kids look out of the window, and the commentary covers bush planes, sled dogs and life on the river.
Pioneer Park. A free park with old buildings, a little train, playgrounds and room to run. Good for an easy afternoon between bigger plans.
Musk oxen and reindeer. The university’s Large Animal Research Station keeps musk oxen and caribou, and there are farms around town where kids can meet reindeer. Ask locally which are open for visits.
Creamer’s Field. A wildlife refuge on old farm fields right in town. In spring and late summer, sandhill cranes gather there in big numbers. The trails are flat and short.
Winter
Sled dogs. Fairbanks takes dog mushing seriously, and several kennels around town offer rides and visits in winter. Even a short ride is a big memory.
Chena Hot Springs. About an hour and a quarter east of town. Sitting in hot water with frost in your hair is a very Alaskan thing to do. Check the age rules before you go.
The northern lights. The main reason most people come in winter. See our northern lights guide for when and how.
Ice and snow. In March, Fairbanks hosts an ice sculpting event that families love. Check dates each year.
North Pole
Twenty minutes down the road, the town of North Pole leans into its name, all year round. Small kids will want to go. Older ones will roll their eyes and secretly enjoy it.
Where to stay
Stay out of town if the northern lights are on your list, and closer in if they aren’t. Aurora House is about twenty-five minutes north in the Goldstream Valley, dark enough for the sky and close enough for the museum.