Things To Do
Granite Tors
This is where Ti first pitched the idea of dating to Vickie, so it holds a memorable place in our hearts! As the name implies, there are several striking granite tors (rock pillars) to seek out at the top of a lush broad ridge, which is accessed via a 5-mile (one-way) uphill trail that includes a fun boardwalk. Bear spray is a good idea out here.
Alaska SeaLife Center
The sealife center is Vickie’s all time go-to in Alaska, and for good reason. It is a temporary home to some of the most iconic Alaska marine wildlife, such as an octopus, seal, sea lion, puffins, and more. It is located in Seward, which is about a 9-hour drive from Fairbanks, and 2-2.5 hours from Anchorage. It is far away, but if you plan to make a trip south as part of your travels to Alaska, it is absolutely worth heading over to Seward and checking out the sealife center!
Greens Bar & Grill
Very highly recommend! Food is amazing and the service is even better. It is also at the Fairbanks Golf Course so you can sneak in a round of marshy golfing pretty easily.
The Levee
25 miles of perfectly flat gravel will take you on a wondrous tour of Fairbanks best sites - the wastewater treatment plant, the landfill, several shooting ranges, and an abandoned oil refinery! Jokes aside - this is a nice nearby resource for running and biking that connects to the Tanana Lakes rec area.
Tanana Lakes Recreation Area
A nice local park that has seen a lot of new recent upgrades, including a sand beach, a disc golf course, and - of course - a couple lakes to boat in. Last summer, this place was perfect on a hot day to run the levee then jump into the lake to cool off.
Turtle Club
You have to be ~this~ turtley to enter Ok not really. The last time we ate here there was a kid wearing hockey skates. But you will be applauded as a local hero if dressed as a turtle. There is also delicious prime rib.
Richardson Highway
It’s a long haul but you won’t regret it The highway transects some of the most stunning and rugged peaks in all of Alaska. The Delta Mountains are about 2.5 hours from Fairbanks, and Thompson Pass is about 5-6 hours. The highway eventually terminates in Valdez, a beautiful coastal town hugging the Prince William Sound.
Denali National Park and Preserve
The crown jewel of Interior AK, Denali NP is a magnificent array of wilderness that offers adventure of all type. Drive the Parks Highway from Fairbanks - the main hub (Mckinley Park Village) for Denali is about 2 hours south/southwest. Campgrounds are available (reservations through NPS) within the Park, and there are many lodging options (potentially on the pricier end) in the Mckinley Park Village. Be aware that the Park Road has some red tape - it is closed to private vehicles past mile 15 (Savage River), and fully closed at Mile 43 due to a landslide from a couple years ago. You can take a bus ride (through NPS) to Mile 43 and on a clear day enjoy stunning views of the north side of Denali. The south side of the range is equally exciting (~4 hours drive from Fairbanks on the Parks Highway). For ultimate sightseeing, take a flight tour with Talkeetna Air Taxi. Kesugi Ridge is a great hike with some the best views of the range. There are great viewpoints from the highway as well.
Murphy Dome
This is where Ti was originally going to propose to Vickie, and if you make the drive up here you will see why! Sitting about 20 miles northwest of Fairbanks, this is one of the many domes surrounding the area. You can drive all the way to the top, where there is ample parking and a nice panoramic view of the Tanana Valley to the south and the White Mountains to the north. There are ATV trails off the top that make for nice running and mountain biking.
Chena Hot Springs Resort
July is a hot time of year in Fairbanks, so hot springs might not be the most desirable activity. However, the drive out there offers great options for hiking (Granite Tors, Angel Rocks) and mountain biking (Compeau Loop, Stiles Creek).
Ester Community Park
The headquarters of Vickie's famous Sports Camp of 2025. Our favorite park in town, complete with a kiddy excavator :)