Jenny’s Guide to Fairbanks
Food scene
**temporarily closed**
Hands down the best food in Fairbanks! I eat here about once a week. My favorite is the Tandoori or Butter Chicken with cauliflower rice. The flavors are amazing and the staff are always very attentive and friendly.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Spice It Up
3226 Airport Way**temporarily closed**
Hands down the best food in Fairbanks! I eat here about once a week. My favorite is the Tandoori or Butter Chicken with cauliflower rice. The flavors are amazing and the staff are always very attentive and friendly.
A staple of our community, this is a great spot for lunch or to pick up a loaf of bread or yummy treat. My favorite, you-must-try sandwich is their Denali Cobb. I also love their chicken salad salad.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Great Harvest Bread Co.
1990 College RdA staple of our community, this is a great spot for lunch or to pick up a loaf of bread or yummy treat. My favorite, you-must-try sandwich is their Denali Cobb. I also love their chicken salad salad.
This is my go-to spot for Thai food. You can find many Thai restaurants in Fairbanks, but this is the biggest (never a wait and great for groups) and they have fast and reliable service. Their Bahn Thai Rama locations are also great. My favorite dish is red curry with halibut.
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bahn Thai
541 3rd AveThis is my go-to spot for Thai food. You can find many Thai restaurants in Fairbanks, but this is the biggest (never a wait and great for groups) and they have fast and reliable service. Their Bahn Thai Rama locations are also great. My favorite dish is red curry with halibut.
This place gets pretty busy at lunchtime, but is also a great Fairbanks eatery. Their homemade fries are fantastic when dipped in their house ranch. The Garden Delight salad is my favorite with the Chipotle Chicken sandwich as a close second.
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Blue Roof Bistro
13 Timberland DrThis place gets pretty busy at lunchtime, but is also a great Fairbanks eatery. Their homemade fries are fantastic when dipped in their house ranch. The Garden Delight salad is my favorite with the Chipotle Chicken sandwich as a close second.
I love this little cafe--they're baked goods and herbal tea are wonderful and its the perfect ambiance to relax on a cold afternoon.
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Little Owl Café
1755 Westwood WayI love this little cafe--they're baked goods and herbal tea are wonderful and its the perfect ambiance to relax on a cold afternoon.
Amazing crepes, lots of space and natural light, and right downtown. If you like crepes, this is stop is a must!
45 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Crepery
523 2nd AveAmazing crepes, lots of space and natural light, and right downtown. If you like crepes, this is stop is a must!
The best local ice cream you will ever taste. Open seasonally, so check for availability before making the trip. Don't miss their best flavors: Prudhoe, AK Blueberry, Ginger Shower or Nanook Nosh.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hot Licks Homemade Ice Cream
372 Old Chena Pump RdThe best local ice cream you will ever taste. Open seasonally, so check for availability before making the trip. Don't miss their best flavors: Prudhoe, AK Blueberry, Ginger Shower or Nanook Nosh.
Lavelle's is probably the most upscale restaurant in Fairbanks. It is on the pricier end, but the food is very nice and the atmosphere is lovely. I'd consider it our "special occasion" restaurant.
101 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lavelle's Bistro
575 1st AveLavelle's is probably the most upscale restaurant in Fairbanks. It is on the pricier end, but the food is very nice and the atmosphere is lovely. I'd consider it our "special occasion" restaurant.
Sightseeing
This is a great place to visit to learn more about the arctic and Fairbanks. Lots of great resources for visitors and a lovely gift shop too. Walk along the river walk behind the Morris Thompson Center and don't miss the antler archway for a unique photo op!
114 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center
101 Dunkel StThis is a great place to visit to learn more about the arctic and Fairbanks. Lots of great resources for visitors and a lovely gift shop too. Walk along the river walk behind the Morris Thompson Center and don't miss the antler archway for a unique photo op!
Locals come here to picnic, play on the playground or a round of mini golf, and grab an ice cream, but we also love to ride on the historic train, visit the original gold-rush era cabins, and see the SS Nenana. Tourists will find plenty to do here!
126 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pioneer Park
2300 Airport WayLocals come here to picnic, play on the playground or a round of mini golf, and grab an ice cream, but we also love to ride on the historic train, visit the original gold-rush era cabins, and see the SS Nenana. Tourists will find plenty to do here!
Run by the Fairbanks Art Association, this gallery often has special exhibits but also has a lovely gift shop full of local artisans' work.
The Bear Gallery
2300 Airport WayRun by the Fairbanks Art Association, this gallery often has special exhibits but also has a lovely gift shop full of local artisans' work.
Creamer's Field is a community treasure. We come here to ski, dog mush, or fat bike in the wintertime and in the summer we love to hike, bike, and bird watch.
121 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
1300 College RdCreamer's Field is a community treasure. We come here to ski, dog mush, or fat bike in the wintertime and in the summer we love to hike, bike, and bird watch.
A must-see for visitors--so much to learn about the far north, interactive exhibits, and see amazing artwork.
127 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museum of the North
1962 Yukon DrA must-see for visitors--so much to learn about the far north, interactive exhibits, and see amazing artwork.
One of the premier x-country ski destinations in the country, Birch Hill is easily accessible year round. Check website for trail information and to learn about the disc golf course.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Birch Hill Recreation Area
101 Wilderness DrOne of the premier x-country ski destinations in the country, Birch Hill is easily accessible year round. Check website for trail information and to learn about the disc golf course.
Don't leave Fairbanks without a stop at the CHSR rock pool!! Adults only and best at temps below zero, you don't want to miss it!
221 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Chena Hot Springs Resort
17600 Chena Hot Springs RdDon't leave Fairbanks without a stop at the CHSR rock pool!! Adults only and best at temps below zero, you don't want to miss it!
A popular destination to paddleboard, canoe, fish, or swim. There are boat rentals at the beach in the summer. Wintertime there are ice-fishing huts, and sometimes a skating rink on the lake.
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tanana Lakes Recreation Area
4400 S Cushman St ExdA popular destination to paddleboard, canoe, fish, or swim. There are boat rentals at the beach in the summer. Wintertime there are ice-fishing huts, and sometimes a skating rink on the lake.
Tourists love making a stop at the Santa Claus House in North Pole to buy a unique Christmas ornament, take photos with the 70ft Santa, and see real reindeer.
133 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Casa de Santa Claus
101 St Nicholas DrTourists love making a stop at the Santa Claus House in North Pole to buy a unique Christmas ornament, take photos with the 70ft Santa, and see real reindeer.
Fairbanks is lucky to have such an ambitious and hard working concert association. Each year they bring fantastic shows and musicians all the way to Fairbanks! Check their website to find out details.
Fairbanks Concert Association
1755 University AveFairbanks is lucky to have such an ambitious and hard working concert association. Each year they bring fantastic shows and musicians all the way to Fairbanks! Check their website to find out details.
Shower Options
The Alaska Club Fairbanks South
747 Old Richardson HwyMary Siah Recreation Center
805 14th AveHamme Pool
901 Airport WayPlanet Fitness
1255 Airport WayB&C Laundromat
3677 College RdVip Dry Cleaners & Laundromat
510 Old Steese HwyWood Center
505 S ChandalarCity/town information
If you get a chance to make the 2 hour drive down to Denali National Park, its well worth the drive. Check the park website for details on how to explore the park. The Alaska Railroad runs a train from Fairbanks to the park in the summertime, which is a super fun way to see the beautiful scenery and make the journey. If your budget allows, helicopter tours are fantastic over the park. We also love to do white water rafting tours based in the area.
22 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
McKinley Park
If you get a chance to make the 2 hour drive down to Denali National Park, its well worth the drive. Check the park website for details on how to explore the park. The Alaska Railroad runs a train from Fairbanks to the park in the summertime, which is a super fun way to see the beautiful scenery and make the journey. If your budget allows, helicopter tours are fantastic over the park. We also love to do white water rafting tours based in the area.
Gear Rental
Our locally-owned Alaskan sporting goods store, Beaver Sports, rents bikes (fat bikes in winter), snow-shoes, x-country ski gear, and camping gear. A great selection and very helpful and knowledgable staff.
37 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Beaver Sports
3480 College RdOur locally-owned Alaskan sporting goods store, Beaver Sports, rents bikes (fat bikes in winter), snow-shoes, x-country ski gear, and camping gear. A great selection and very helpful and knowledgable staff.
UAF Rec Center has summer and winter rentals to the public. They have everything from sleeping bags to kayaks, x-country ski gear and downhill ski gear. Their prices are very reasonable.
University of Alaska Fairbanks Student Recreation Center
1910 Tanana Loop EUAF Rec Center has summer and winter rentals to the public. They have everything from sleeping bags to kayaks, x-country ski gear and downhill ski gear. Their prices are very reasonable.
Locally owned ski shop, yoga studio, and paddle board rental center. If you want to learn to x-country ski, Mike (the owner) is awesome and will give lessons and provides rentals. A great store with a local vibe.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Trax outdoor center
310 Birch Hill RdLocally owned ski shop, yoga studio, and paddle board rental center. If you want to learn to x-country ski, Mike (the owner) is awesome and will give lessons and provides rentals. A great store with a local vibe.
Drinks
This is a relatively new establishment in Fairbanks that has great reviews for drinks.
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Library Bar & Bites
603 Lacey StThis is a relatively new establishment in Fairbanks that has great reviews for drinks.
A popular microbrewery in Fairbanks, they often hold events or have food trucks nearby.
133 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
HooDoo Brewing Company
1951 Fox AveA popular microbrewery in Fairbanks, they often hold events or have food trucks nearby.
Lavelle's Taphouse
412 2nd AveA popular local taphouse
Lots of great reviews for this small brewery
38 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Black Spruce Brewing Company
3290 Peger RdLots of great reviews for this small brewery
Known for using locally sourced ingredients, this is a popular place with locals
27 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hoarfrost Distilling
3501 Lathrop StKnown for using locally sourced ingredients, this is a popular place with locals
Shopping
Blush Moon Boutique
505 Illinois StAn adorable boutique with lots of great gift ideas and many locally made.
The Roaming Root is like a year-round farmer's market. They sell everything from artwork to local produce. Definitely worth stopping at to bring home Alaskan gifts for friends and family.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Roaming Root Cellar
1651 Old Chena Pump RdThe Roaming Root is like a year-round farmer's market. They sell everything from artwork to local produce. Definitely worth stopping at to bring home Alaskan gifts for friends and family.
Open on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the summer months, the farmer's market is a go-to lunch destination for visitors and locals. Lots of produce in the late summer and fantastic artisans, crafters, and bakers.
64 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tanana Valley Farmers Market
2600 College RdOpen on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the summer months, the farmer's market is a go-to lunch destination for visitors and locals. Lots of produce in the late summer and fantastic artisans, crafters, and bakers.
We come here often for our animal feed, but they have a cute "human food" section too where you can find local eggs, farm fresh milk, and more. Also a really nice gift section.
Alaska Feed Co
1600 College RdWe come here often for our animal feed, but they have a cute "human food" section too where you can find local eggs, farm fresh milk, and more. Also a really nice gift section.
A great selection of winter gear if you need to bulk up your winter wardrobe while visiting. This is where the locals go.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Prospector Outfitters
1512 S Cushman StA great selection of winter gear if you need to bulk up your winter wardrobe while visiting. This is where the locals go.
Big Rays
507 2nd AveGreat selection of winter gear
There's something about living in a remote place that makes our thrift stores fantastic. Value Village is full of treasures!
Value Village
3023 Airport WayThere's something about living in a remote place that makes our thrift stores fantastic. Value Village is full of treasures!
If you want to find locally made winter gear that will keep you warm and toasty at -50 degrees, look no further than Apocalypse Design. This is where locals that spend a lot of time outside in the wintertime get their coats, especially dog mushers. They also make fantastic canvas travel bags and totes. A bit on the pricier side because you pay for locally designed and sewn products that will last a lifetime. One of their custom-made parkas is a lifelong investment for Alaskans.
Apocalypse Design Inc
201 Minnie StIf you want to find locally made winter gear that will keep you warm and toasty at -50 degrees, look no further than Apocalypse Design. This is where locals that spend a lot of time outside in the wintertime get their coats, especially dog mushers. They also make fantastic canvas travel bags and totes. A bit on the pricier side because you pay for locally designed and sewn products that will last a lifetime. One of their custom-made parkas is a lifelong investment for Alaskans.