Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Fairbanks?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Fairbanks?
Many travelers spend two to four days in Fairbanks during their visit. After all, the Arctic city has plenty to explore such as the gorgeous scenery, the hiking, and the famous sights and museums.
Fairbanks is the largest city in the interior of Alaska and for many it serves as a gateway to the Arctic. It's a popular destination for seeing the northern lights, but it also has a unique culture and great hiking.
Do you have one or two days to visit Fairbanks? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Fairbanks?
Fairbanks is a fun city that is somewhat popular with tourists because of its great list of sights and attractions. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the Arctic city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to four days to fully enjoy the city. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
How to spend a day in Fairbanks
When visiting Fairbanks, you can't miss the Northern Lights as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.
Fairbanks is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The city offers access to Alaska's interior, as well as the Arctic. The scenery is spectacular and the wildlife is abundant. Fairbanks is also the best place in Alaska to see the Northern Lights. They are best seen between the months of August and April.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Fairbanks?
A weekend is generally not enough time to take in the beautiful scenery, go hiking, wander through the museums, and browse the shops in Fairbanks. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to enjoy popular activities such as the gorgeous scenery, the hiking, the famous sights and museums, and the many shops. To genuinely appreciate the highlights of the Arctic city, a more lengthy visit is typically recommended. Many tourists opt for two to four days here. After all, With a variety of sights and attractions, Fairbanks is a fairly popular choice for tourists. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.
Fairbanks, Alaksa
How to spend 2 days in Fairbanks
With a weekend (two to three days) in Fairbanks, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
Known for it's hiking, Fairbanks sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. While the town serves as a gateway to the Arctic and all that it has to offer, there are also hiking trails both in town and nearby. There are trails that connect the city's historic sites as well as day hikes that start at the edge of town.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Angel Rocks Hike and Chena Hot-Springs Soak Guided Tour ($195)
- Winter Hiking Set for Snowshoes and Trek Poles ($22)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Fairbanks, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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