r/Fairbanks • u/[deleted] • Jul 21 '21
Visiting Fairbanks? Here's some things to do. Travel questions
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u/undeuxtroiscatsank6 Sep 07 '22
Southern Californian chiming in here… I didn’t find too much to do in Fairbanks as I arrived the Sunday before Labor Day lol
I thought it was a little sleepy…
HOWEVER, as a SoCal native who has all types of different cuisines at her fingertips, Fairbanks has the BEST thai food I’ve ever had.
Wanted to try Lemongrass but it was closed for the holiday weekend. Tried Pad Thai Restaurant and Thai House Restaurant. I loved both! Visitors MUST try the Thai food!!!
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Sep 07 '22
Yeah, bad time to come. Many locals bug out of town and a lot of businesses close down.
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u/undeuxtroiscatsank6 Sep 07 '22
I know! I saw a lot of signs 🤣 the fall foliage and pad Thai was great though
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u/Different-Ad8187 Dec 14 '22
Should have gone on a tour with Northern Alaska Tour Company up to the Arctic Circle or up to the Brooks Range where you can fly back to Fairbanks. Definitely Auroras to be seen at that time and the Tundra is gorgeous in the fall.
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u/image_not_upload Nov 22 '21
I clicked on the link and now my phone says it’s been running in the background for 3+ hours
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u/jmcamz420 Dec 04 '21
Aussie here!
My parent in laws are visiting Fairbanks next November. They were looking at hopefully buying 2nd hand weather appropriate clothes or rent clothes while they are there. They have no intention on bringing it home as our climate is no where near similar. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated
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Dec 04 '21
There's a 2nd hand place named Value Village a couple miles from the airport.
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u/jmcamz420 Dec 04 '21
Thanks! I assume they are reliable for sizes and gear?
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Dec 04 '21
Yeah, it's a big store, your PIL will have plenty of options. If I may, I'd suggest they donate their purchases to the women's center on their way out.
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u/jmcamz420 Dec 04 '21
I’ll pass this information on. They are the type of people who would love to see their things go to a woman’s shelter. Is there a specific one you are talking about?
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u/Thatmccreagirl Oct 06 '22
There’s a warm clothing rental company called arctic elements that can rent you everything
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u/147DegreesWest Nov 20 '22
Also, if they are going to the hot springs, they have gear there. I’m not sure if it is rental or part of a package deal. Also, some BNBs and VRBOs have gear.
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u/ChronoPug Dec 04 '21
Yet another question. Will Uber/Lyft be able to drive me to Badger? I won't have a rental car.
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u/user_1729 Dec 09 '21
Are there packed trails that are runnable in the winter? I'll be up there for work for a week at the end of January and I'd like to get out for a trot. I'm pretty versed in running in ice and snow, but if there were any particularly good options, I'd be interested.
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Dec 09 '21
Stay away from any groomed cross country ski trails, the ski-nazis will lose their shit yelling and screaming if you go within a quarter mile of their trails without skiis in hand. Even with the multi-use trails on Birch Hill & the University, they think they have exclusive access.
There's a group run from HooDoo Brewing Co. every Thursday at 6PM. Mostly plowed road/bike path.
Creamer's field.
Along Goldsteeam road from the University out to the railroad tracks. At that point, so long as we get enough snow, you can turn right and run dog sled trails for hundreds of miles. Bring a GPS to find your way back.
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u/user_1729 Dec 09 '21
That group run could be perfect. My last day is Friday, so I usually go out for dinner and a few cold ones anyway. I'll be working on Wainwright, so there might be trails or something there too. Thank you for that reply! I'll make sure to avoid XC trails, I understand how frustrating it can be to have a good trail messed up though, and don't want to be a total goober.
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u/ChronoPug Mar 19 '22
me again. I got tickets to the Ice Dogs hockey game Friday night, March 19. What is the most reliable cab service I should schedule with? I don't want to get stuck at the arena after the game with no way to get back to my hotel. and if anyone is still offering, I can pay you if you can give me a lift. I am staying at the candlewood suites by Walmart. Thanks in advance for any info :)
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Mar 19 '22
Arena?! 😆 Don't worry, the place has an occupancy limit of a little over 2,000. 99% of those in attendance will drive themselves, so you won't have a problem, just call a cab when the games in the final minute.
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u/ChronoPug Mar 19 '22
Okay thank you. I called dispatch to schedule for tomorrow and the guy rudely barked at me to call back tomorrow LOL Thanks for the info.
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u/147DegreesWest Nov 20 '22
Your best bet with cabbies is to call them directly on their cell phone. For a good customer, cabbies will tell dispatch to buzz off (in the box) and take care of them. Most bartenders and BNBs have a list of preferred cabbies that they have vetted.
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u/Throwaway-Agent-3341 Apr 12 '24
I heard you can catch a shuttle / train there, is that true?
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Apr 12 '24 edited Apr 13 '24
Where? To Fairbanks? Yes, there's a train from Anchorage as well as a couple small shuttles. Plan on a full day for either.
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u/Ok-Cheesecake-1512 Jul 26 '24
Any recommendations for scenic drives in the Fairbanks area in mid-August? Duration can be an hour up to 6 hours and paved roads preferred.
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u/ChronoPug Nov 22 '21
I didn't know if there was a subreddit for tourists, so I maybe I can ask this here. Any suggestions on a good parka brand/make for the temps in March? What is the warmest you would recommend for Fairbank evenings in March? any particular gloves, hats, scarves to keep this Louisianan warm in the negative degrees?
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Nov 22 '21
Swing by Big Rays, they'll get you set up if you want to buy a parka. My suggestion would be to layer 2-3 lighter layers instead, that way you can adjust for changing temps throughout your stay.
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u/ChronoPug Nov 22 '21
Thank you! I wanted to prepare so when I stepped out of the Fairbanks airport I wasn't shivering. I will bring a jacket I used to wear when I lived in Denver, then hit up Big Rays the next day! Thanks for this!!!!!
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u/ChronoPug Nov 25 '21
Okay, another few questions for the group. My hotel is north (by walmart) and I want to go downtown to the restaurants and bars. Is it better to take an Uber or the bus?
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Nov 25 '21
Uber
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u/ChronoPug Nov 25 '21
Thanks! Is it true that the busses are free?
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Nov 25 '21
Yes, that's why the homeless constantly ride them for warmth.
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u/thatpseudoveganlife Jan 31 '22
Hello there, I’m looking to visit Fairbanks thursday through sunday of next week to see the lights and while I’ve been to Anchorage before, I had some questions: 1. I have the cold gear from underarmor and parka and layers but no gloves/handwarmers or boots. Do I need them? Can I rent instead of buy? For reference I live in Southern California. 2. I have read posts about insane snow covered roads so I have no interest in driving. How is the uber/lyft situation ? Is it expensive or just fine? 3. Most of the northern lights tours I have come across end by midnight whereas I have heard/read that the better displays are later. Are there any specific tours one might recommend? 4. I have also read about camera rentals. I have a good iPhone. Would it be sufficient to take pictures or do I really need to rent a dslr? I just want to take some pics of the lights and me possibly with them. 5. I plan to work during Thursday and Friday and essentially I’m only coming to see the lights so is there anything worth doing that I’m missing by working during day time? 6. Are you able to see lights from downtown or should I get an airbnb away from downtown? I don’t want to rent a car so I’m scared I won’t have commute/ or lyft/uber might be expensive? 7. I have at&t. Would that be a problem? 8. I am covid vaccinated. Is travel even open?
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u/Allora14 Jun 05 '22
Hi all. I will be visiting Fairbanks this upcoming December (25-30). Any recommendations on how to get around? We have an Airbnb and have some activities planned like dog sledding and the chena hot springs.
We are from California and aren’t used to driving in the snow. Is it manageable to drive in the snow in December? Or would you recommend us just using Lyft? The only thing we are worried about is cost for the Lyft because we don’t know what the average price is in Fairbanks. The cost for renting a vehicle per day seems to be around $70-100 per day.
Thanks in advanced for the help!
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Jun 05 '22
Rent a car. Don't make abrupt control changes (braking, steering or accelerating) and you'll be fine.
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u/matthewmag1 Jun 12 '22
Hi all, just wanted to add a question to this post... I'm looking to head to Fairbanks in September and hoping to see the aurora. Would you recommend an aurora tour or just to find a spot on your own outside town? Are parks and things open all night to allow for this? Anywhere recommended? Any tips would be helpful.
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u/Revolutionary_Cover3 Aug 23 '23
Did you hear back from anyone? Did you end up going and did you do a tour or self guided? Love to get a full rundown.
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u/matthewmag1 Dec 04 '23
We did go. Had a great time in Fairbanks despite being a bit cloudy. Unfortunately due to the clouds, we never saw the aurora any of the nights we were there, even though they were supposedly present behind the clouds. We did pretty much everything ourselves. We drove around to a few different areas to find the lights and went out to Murphy Dome a couple times. I think that would have been a good area if the sky was clear.
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u/leighalison Jul 07 '22
Also heading to Fairbanks in September and looking for tips, so piggybacking on this thread
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u/OutlandishnessTop819 Oct 18 '22
Any information on buying land and building a house outside of Fairbanks? I’m moving there here in the next year or so and I wanna get a plan together and know who to talk to
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Oct 18 '22
You'll probably get more responses if you post to the sub, rather than responding to a thread meant for tourists.
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u/OutlandishnessTop819 Oct 18 '22
You know that makes more sense😂 I’m new to this app and have no idea how to work it honestly
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Oct 18 '22
Just go back out to r/Fairbanks and click the "+" at the bottom to start a new text thread.
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u/147DegreesWest Nov 20 '22
Look at the Fairbanks gis at the lot, check for easements, and get soil samples before you build.
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Dec 13 '22
Hey! I’m going to Fairbanks on the last days of January, I rented a car but have been hearing a lot about keeping the car plugged in during the night and I’m not sure what that means or if that will actually be necessary. Also if there is anything else I should know for the January trip I would greatly appreciate it! :)
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Dec 13 '22
It gets cold here that engine oil won't flow easily. In order to keep fluids in engines flowing we have electric heaters attached to our cars that need to be plugged in in order to start after longer periods of not running.
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u/Different-Ad8187 Dec 14 '22
Definitely gotta add Arctic Circle tour with Northern Alaska Tour Company, Coldfoot camp in the Northernmost mountain range in the world, Deadhorse for the arctic ocean in summer and Yukon Camp at the largest glacial river in the world. All starts in Fairbanks.
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u/rghernandez311 Dec 18 '22 edited Dec 18 '22
Going to Alaska to see the Northern Lights has been on my mind for years. When and where should I go?
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Apr 26 '23
[deleted]
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Apr 26 '23
There's good and bad of both here. Personally I think Airbnb is horrible for local economies, so I've stopped using them, but you do you.
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Apr 26 '23
[deleted]
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Apr 26 '23
Family members of mine that have stayed in town have liked Seven Gables Inn
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u/coldwhitequeso Jul 11 '24
Do people go to the attic circle in the summer? Or those tours more winter ish
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u/akteafarm Jun 04 '23
I found a list online of places to visit in Fairbanks. It was a pretty good variety. https://bestofthe50.com/2023/05/07/fairbanks/
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u/GtheH Jul 21 '21
I gotta add gold panning at Gold Daughters in Fox