explore FAIRBANKS

Born from a gold rush in 1902, Fairbanks remains a frontier town in the middle of a vast wilderness. The Fairbanks North Star Borough, which includes the cities of Fairbanks and North Pole and neighboring communities such as Ester, Fox and Salcha, has a population that hovers around 100,000 residents. The people that call this spirited place home are tough as nails and independent yet creative and kindhearted—one of many reasons why Fairbanks is known as the “Golden Heart of Alaska.” Artsy shops and venues along with innovative attractions, activities and events celebrate the midnight sun, aurora borealis and life in the Far North, embracing the area’s Alaska Native heritage, historic roots and its sense of place. Downtown Fairbanks is a delightful blend of old and new. Gold rush era buildings mingle with a contemporary arts scene, an array of delicious eating and drinking establishments, museums, shops, the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center and iconic Golden Heart Plaza. Public art is found all around with colorful murals on buildings and whimsically painted steamheat vent pipes. Sculptures enliven green spaces and cheerful holiday-themed lights decorate lampposts in winter, beautifying downtown streets and businesses. The Chena River runs right through the heart of town and locals embrace the waterway as a venue for summer activities like floating, boating and fishing, as well as winter activities such as dog sledding, skiing and snowmobiling. Stroll the two-mile river walk beside the Chena River from the antler arch at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center to beloved Pioneer Park and enjoy the interesting sites, sculptures and flowers along the way.

Through the Years

Since Italian immigrant Felix Pedro found gold in the foothills nearby, sparking Captain E.T. Barnette to establish a trading post on the banks of the Chena River over one hundred years ago, gold mining has remained an important factor in the Fairbanks economy. Fairbanks holds tight to its colorful gold rush roots with attractions and fun-filled events that celebrate the historic quest for gold. See the largest public display of gold in the state at the university’s museum or tour a gold dredge. Try your hand at gold panning or visit a local jeweler to find a gold nugget souvenir to take home.

Over the past century, the area has grown and thrived in other industries as well. The Alaska Highway linked the state to the rest of the world and the city became a pivotal point for major projects throughout its history. As the northernmost post, Fairbanks played an integral role for the United States during World War II, enabling the US to assist its European allies. Our strategic geographic location is just as important today, with Fort Wainwright situated adjacent to the city and Eielson Air Force Base located just past North Pole to the south. Fairbanks was also a crucial staging area for construction of the 800-mile trans-Alaska pipeline that carries crude oil from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. Visitors can view and learn about the pipeline 10 miles north of Fairbanks near Fox.

The flagship campus of the state’s university system, the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) sits on a hillside overlooking the city and the Tanana Valley. Known as “America’s Arctic University,” UAF offers a variety of tours and attractions for visitors to enjoy, including the University of Alaska Museum of the North.

visit NORTH POLE

An easy 20-minute drive from Fairbanks will lead you to North Pole, Alaska, “where the spirit of Christmas lives yearround.” A visit to this cheery little town will leave you feeling the holiday spirit no matter the time of year. Drive along Santa Claus Lane and admire streetlights decorated as candy canes, holiday twinkle light displays and buildings painted with Christmas colors and festive motifs.

Visit the Santa Claus House to browse holiday-inspired gifts and take your picture with the jolly old elf himself. Meet Comet, Cupid and the other reindeer and have a letter from Santa sent to friends and family back home with an authentic North Pole postmark.