Attractions Nearby Fairbanks, Day Trips and Excursions

(Fairbanks, Alaska - AK, USA)

Many interesting and appealing Alaskan attractions are within reach of Fairbanks, including a series of exceptional national parks. Excursions to the Denali National Park are extremely popular, while closer to Fairbanks are the attractions of the amusingly named town of North Pole.

Located directly to the north of Anchorage and within easy reach of Fairbanks, the George Parks Highway passes through many extremely appealing attractions along the way. If you are happy to travel quite some distance, then you may like to pay a visit to the popular Alaskan tourist destinations of Anchorage and Talkeetna.

Anchorage

Anchorage is a sizable Alaskan city and lies around 360 miles / 579 km to the south of Fairbanks, where it has become something of a popular tourist destination. Although too far for a day trip, Anchorage is well connected to Fairbanks by road and rail, with the double-decker domed train carriages on the Alaskan Railroad running each way on a daily basis. The attractions of Anchorage are very family friendly, and the central downtown district is well pedestrianized. The Alaska Native Heritage Center is worth checking out, as is the hands-on Imaginarium science center, the Alaska Zoo, the Anchorage Museum of History and Art and the neighboring Eklutna Native Village.

North Pole

At just 11 miles / 16 km to the southeast of Fairbanks, the North Pole is a small town and certainly worth a look, being something of a suburb to the city and a leading summertime attraction. The North Pole is not to be confused with the actual geographical North Pole, although it does promote its strong name association with Christmas, having streets such as St. Nicholas Drive and Snowman Lane. The Santa Claus House gift shop is especially popular with children, being home to a giant red and white statue of Santa Claus.

George Parks Highway / Parks Highway (Alaska Route 3)

The George Parks Highway is often referred to as simply the Parks Highway and runs for more than 300 miles / 483 km between the Glenn Highway and Fairbanks itself. Ranking as one of Alaska's most important roads, the Parks Highway provides a simple way to reach the Denali National Park and Preserve, the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Cantwell, Healy, Nenana, Ester and the Clear Air Force Station.

National Parks / Denali National Park

There are a huge number of exceptional national parks in Alaska, and fortunately for nature lovers and those with a love of the great outdoors, most are easily reached from Fairbanks. The most noteworthy of Alaska's neighboring National Parks include the:

• Denali National Park and Preserve (southwest)
• Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve (northwest)
• Yukon Flats National Wildlife RFG (north)
• Yukon Charley Rivers National Preserve (east)
• Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve (southeast)

Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: charge, applicable for vehicles or individuals

Talkeetna

A small town situated on the south-central side of Alaska and approximately 279 miles / 449 km to the southwest of Fairbanks, Talkeetna is actually part of the expansive Anchorage, Alaska Metropolitan Statistical Area. The wealth of possible recreational activities and similar attractions is why so many people choose to visit Talkeetna, coming here to enjoy everything from mountain biking, kayaking and rafting, to hiking, rock climbing and fishing, as well as camping.