Fairbanks is a town in interior Alaska. With 31,000 inhabitants (2019), and 98,000 in Fairbanks North Star Borough, it is Alaska's second-largest city. A junction of several major highways, will be a likely stop of most visitors to the state. Fairbanks may be like a smaller version of a large American city. There's a Walmart, a Home Depot and a McDonald's. Don't let this fool you: the greater Fairbanks area is true to its roots. There are plenty of Alaskan originals here.
Fairbanks' climate is subarctic bordering on continental, with frigid winters from October to April, short spring and fall seasons, and warm summers from May to September. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 73 °F (23 °C) and average lows of 54 °F (12 °C). On some particularly hot days, summer temperatures can climb upwards to around 82 °F (28 °C) with lows around 60 °F (16 °C) on such hot days. January is the coldest month, with average highs barely above 0 °F (−18 °C) and average lows of −18 °F (−28 °C).
By far, the easiest way to get around Fairbanks is by car. Major car rental companies are based at the airport. Multiple taxi companies provide transportation throughout the city. MACS. Mon-Sat. Although infrequent, there are public buses that provide transportation around the downtown area including to North Pole. Some buses only operate on weekdays. $1.50 or $3/daypass. (updated Jun 2021)
1 Creamer's Field, 1300 College Rd, ☏ +1 907 459-7307. Located in the northern part of town off of College Road, Creamer's Field Wildlife Refuge is a former dairy farm that is now a migratory stopover point for countless numbers of Canada geese, sandhill cranes, ducks, and other bird species. Numerous trails lead through the refuge and there is a visitor center located within the old farmhouse. (updated Jun 2021) University Of Alaska (UAF). (updated Aug 2021) 2 University of Alaska Museum of the North, 1962 Yukon Dr (University of Alaska campus), ☏ +1 907 474-7505, ua-museum@alaska.edu. Summer: daily 9AM-7PM; winter: Wed-Sun 10AM-6PM.
If you are visiting Fairbanks mid-May through the end of September, there are several tours that allow tourists to learn the history and culture of Fairbanks. The tours described below are the most popular and advised tours to take while visiting Fairbanks. All major lodges in the area can set you up on a number of local tours. 1 Riverboat Discovery, 1975 Discovery Dr, ☏ +1 907 479-6673, toll-free: +1 866-479-6673, info@riverboatdiscovery.com. Daily 2PM. This tour lasts three and a half hours. While enjoying a beautiful day on the Chena River, you will have the opportunity to see and learn a lot about Alaskan Native culture and Fairbanks.
1 Alaska Salmon Bake, 2300 Airport Way (at Pioneer Park), ☏ +1 907 452 7274, reservations@akvisit.com. Summer only, 5-9PM. Alaska Salmon Bake is the mother of all cheesy tourist stops and is heavily trafficked by tour buses filled with foreigners and senior citizens, but for the hungry budget traveler the salmon bake probably provides the best value in Fairbanks. This all-you-can-eat dinner of grilled salmon, cod, prime rib, lemonade, and blueberry dessert can be had for $60. $20-75. (updated Jun 2021) 2 Alaska Coffee Roasting Co, 4001 Geist Rd, ☏ +1 907 457-5282. 9AM-8PM.
One traditional Fairbanks cruise is known as The Bar Float. The Chena River runs right through the center of town, with several of the bars that may be accessed right from the river. You can start at the put in near Pioneer Park, where Peger Road crosses the Chena River. There, they also rent canoes and kayaks. From here, you can float downriver past the bars known as The Boatel, Chena's, Pikes Landing, and finally taking out at The Pumphouse.
Fairbanks had a somewhat bad reputation for crime back in the 1980s and 1990s. Crime rates have improved significantly since then and downtown Fairbanks is well policed. However, it is wise to avoid the area around South Cushman street after dark. It is the poorest and most dangerous area of Fairbanks, has high rates of drug activity, prostitution, sexual assaults and muggings, and suffers from urban blight, but attacks on tourists are very rare and there's little reason for tourists to be in this area at night. Other constant problems in Fairbanks are break-ins in parked vehicles, house robberies, and petty theft.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Oct, Fairbanks typically sees ~4°C daytime highs and 13 rainy days.
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