Activities for outside visitors:
Chena Hotsprings - approximately 1hr drive costs $10 per person or can buy a 10 visit/person punch card for $60 for pool. They also have the Ice Hotel/museum approx $15 per adult. Horse rides $80 per hour, 4-wheel rides among other activities. http://www.chenahotsprings.com/
Angel Rocks- approx. 45 min drive toward the hotsprings. Nice moderate hiking grounds http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/chena/angelrocktrl.pdf
Chatinika Lodge- approx. 30 min. explore the Gold dredge nearby for (free). http://chatanikalodgealaska.com/
Chena lakes - swimming, canoeing, kayaks, etc. approx 30 min just past the North Pole. http://www.co.fairbanks.ak.us/parksandrecreation/facilities/CLRA/clra.htm
North Pole / Santa Claus House - 30 mins. gifts + reindeer http://www.santaclaushouse.com/
University of Alaska Fairbanks Museum of the North - http://www.uaf.edu/museum/
Botanical gardens - (free) in town; nice for a walk http://georgesonbg.org/
Downtown guided history standing motor tour: approx $50-100 http://www.ecosegalaska.com/
Pioneer Park (free) - in town; also has cheap mini golf; Canoe rentals approx $50 for 2 hrs includes pick up. http://co.fairbanks.ak.us/pioneerpark/
Denali National Park - bus rides approx. $50 for 8 hr ride through Denali National park. Best to start from Denali visitor center at 7 am to have most chance of seeing wildlife in the park. It is about a 2.5-3 hr drive from Fairbanks to the visitor center so you must start out by 3:30am to get there in time. There are later buses but the later you go the less chance of seeing wildlife. http://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm
Riverboat Discovery - Your three hour cruise will take you into the heart of Alaska and the heart of a family who has made the rivers of Alaska a way of life for four generations. You will see a bush floatplane taking off alongside a "bush" style runway, visit the home and kennels of the late four-time Iditarod winner Susan Butcher, and gain insight into the ancient Athabascan Indian culture. Alaskan Native guides who have worked and lived in Alaska will take you on a personalized tour of the Chena Indian Village. http://www.riverboatdiscovery.com/
We recommend that you visit the Fairbanks Convention and Visitor's Bureau website for more info on what to do in Fairbanks. There are a lot of fun and interesting things to do in Fairbanks.
Local Choice / Favourite Restaurants
Great for Breakfast and Lunch:
* The Bakery Restaurant
* Sam's Sourdough Cafe
* The Cookie Jar
Mexican:
* Taco King
* Gallos
Thai:
* Bahn Thai
* Lemon Grass
Expensive but very good for steaks/salad bar/seafood:
* Pump House
* Turtle Club
* Pikes Landing
Good Chinese for take out:
* Bamboo panda
* Panda gardens
Good Burgers:
* Brewsters
Other:
* The Pita place
* Chena Hotsprings restaurant- all garden fresh veggies
Coffee houses:
* College Coffee
* Alaska Coffee Roasters
* Starbucks
Desserts:
* Frozen custard
* Hotlicks- ice cream
Great for Breakfast and Lunch:
* The Bakery Restaurant
* Sam's Sourdough Cafe
* The Cookie Jar
Mexican:
* Taco King
* Gallos
Thai:
* Bahn Thai
* Lemon Grass
Expensive but very good for steaks/salad bar/seafood:
* Pump House
* Turtle Club
* Pikes Landing
Good Chinese for take out:
* Bamboo panda
* Panda gardens
Good Burgers:
* Brewsters
Other:
* The Pita place
* Chena Hotsprings restaurant- all garden fresh veggies
Coffee houses:
* College Coffee
* Alaska Coffee Roasters
* Starbucks
Desserts:
* Frozen custard
* Hotlicks- ice cream
