5 Super Cool things to do when you visit Fairbanks to see the northern lights
This sculpture, titled Heart of the Universe, won 1st place at the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks in 2020.
Being in Alaska is like being nowhere else in the U.S.
The mountains? Bigger. The rivers? Bigger. The snowfalls? Bigger. The beauty? So. Much. Bigger.
It’s just big up there, y’all. Big nature energy.
And, while we haven’t taken Camper Van Beethoven to Alaska yet, we have been there.
Twice together — Sitka, Juneau and Ketchikan in the summer of 2013 (these are often stops on an Inside Passage cruise, but we were flying) and Fairbanks in the winter of 2020, right before the COVID lockdowns.
I also went once with my family the summer before high school. We visited Anchorage and Denali, went on a glacier cruise from Seward and more.
For this blog, I’m spotlighting Fairbanks in the winter. Because it’s a great destination for a northern lights bucket list trip.
Where to see the northern lights in Fairbanks, Alaska
Some common ways and places to view the lights include:
In town — sometimes you don’t even need to leave Fairbanks to see the aura borealis. Although, getting away from the city lights typically makes for a more dynamic display.
Drive 40 or so minutes north of town and find a place to pull off the road, such as Cleary Summit or Murphy Dome.
Visit or stay at Chena Hot Springs Resort — lodging reservations fill up fast for the season.
Join a tour and leave the driving to someone else.
While you’re in Fairbanks, you might as well enjoy more than just the northern lights. We have five Super Cool ideas for you.
Top 5 things to do on your winter trip to Fairbanks
1 See some seriously stunning ice sculptures
The Spirit of the Forest sculpture won 5th place at the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks in 2020.
The Legend of Black Mamba sculpture, a tribute to Kobe Bryant, won 4th place at the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks in 2020.
Ice Alaska / World Ice Art Championships
icealaska.com
@icealaska.official
The best of the best ice artists from around the world come here to compete. And, you can take it all in, walking through a frozen forest to see their creations.
In 2020, that included mystical beings, Alice in Wonderland and even Kobe Bryant dunking at the net — all rendered in ice. We’re talking a nearly life-sized Kobe, by the way.
The event typically runs from mid-February through the end March, weather dependent. And, here’s the pro-est of pro tips: You need to go twice. Once in the daytime and, later that same day, at night when the sculptures are lit. Your single-day ticket allows for reentry, or you can buy a season pass.
If you need to warm up, there’s a small building with snacks, merchandise and restrooms.
2 Soak your bones in steaming-hot water
Steam rises from the warm water of Chena Hot Springs on a subzero day in February 2020.
This ice-encrusted tunnel connects the locker rooms and hot springs at Chena Hot Springs Resort.
Chena Hot Springs Resort
chenahotsprings.com
@chenahotsprings
Does it seem strange to change into your swimsuit, walk barefoot through a tunnel and then go outside into the water when the temps are well below 0 degrees Fahrenheit? Yes, it sure does.
Should you do it anyway? Absolutely (at least if it’s safe for you to do so).
Some areas in the hot springs are hotter than others, so be sure to move around and explore it all. Find the spot that’s just right for you.
If it’s the first time you’ve ever had frosty eye lashes and eyebrows, you’re not alone. It’s a cute look, trust us.
The resort also has lodging, dining, an ice museum, excursions and more.
3 Explore Alaskan art and history
The light-filled lobby of the University of Alaska Museum of the North in Fairbanks featured a dinosaur exhibit during our visit.
American architect Joan Soranno created a standout design for the University of Alaska Museum of the North in Fairbanks.
University of Alaska Museum of the North
uaf.edu/museum
@alaskamuseum
You’ll fall in love with this museum before you even step inside — especially if you’re an architecture enthusiast. The sleek, white, curving building stands alone atop a hill, like some far-off arctic outpost. It’s simply stunning.
Then, step inside and explore Alaska’s history and art.
We don’t always add museums to our travel itineraries, but we consider this one a must-visit.
4 Eat pie like an Ice Road Trucker
Hilltop Truck Stop in Fairbanks is a great place for breakfast, followed by a slice of delicious homemade pie.
You can order a slice of pie at the counter in the back, or grab one from the to-go case, at Hilltop Truck Stop in Fairbanks.
Hilltop Truck Stop
Facebook page
This place may not look like much, but it’s reality TV famous. It was featured on Ice Road Truckers, which aired on the History Channel from 2007 to 2017.
If you don’t want to go just for the delicious homemade pie, then go for breakfast. And, treat yourself to a slice afterward. There’s also groceries, t-shirts and other merchandise to browse.
While you’re there, think of those truckers, about to embark from that exact location on a 400+ mile drive north, across the frozen tundra, to deliver essential goods. It’s not reality TV for them. It’s real life.
And, be glad you’re turning around and heading back south, into the warmth and lights of Fairbanks.
5 Join a 100+ year-old tradition of predicting when the river ice will break
My entries for the Nenana Ice Classic 2020 didn’t net me a win.
Nenana Ice Classic
nenanaakiceclassic.com
@nenanaiceclassicofficial
Every winter, the Tanana River freezes over. And, since 1917, people have been predicting when the ice will break — and putting money on it.
The tradition evolved into the Nenana Ice Classic, which sells pool entries each year. The cost for one entry for the 2025 pool is $3 each.
The 2024 prize pot was $210,155. Not bad, right?
You can buy as many entries as you like. On each, you’ll write the exact day and time when you think the ice will break.
But, there’s a catch.
You can only buy the entries in Alaska — at locations around the state, including Hilltop Truck Stop.
The ice is considered broken when a tripod placed on the frozen river near the small community of Nenana moves downstream by 100 feet.
Entries go on sale around November 1 in Nenana and around February 1 in the rest of the state. Sales typically end in early April.
Planning a trip to see the northern lights in Fairbanks, Alaska
Planning a northern lights trip can be a little tricky because there’s no guarantee you’ll actually see them. If you can be flexible with your dates, you’ll have a better chance. Keep an eye on aurora forecasts. Then, book your trip when your chances are looking good.
But, with scheduling time off work and booking all your travel and lodging, a last-minute trip isn’t always possible.
So, try to book a trip for several nights to up your chances. February and March are often active months for northern lights in the Fairbanks area. It’s also helpful to go during the new moon to minimize light pollution.
Leading up to and during your trip, keep an eye on aurora forecasts. Several websites and apps provide forecasts, as well as real-time monitoring. And, be prepared for some late nights or very, very early mornings.
We struck out our first couple of nights, trying to see the lights between about 10 p.m. and midnight. Thankfully, our friend checked a real-time monitoring app around 1 a.m. one morning, and he caught a glimpse of the lights. So, we bundled up and headed out. And, it was oh so worth it.
The aura borealis is truly otherworldly.
Light seems to appear out of nowhere and dance across the sky before disappearing again. It’s the most mesmerizing and hypnotic thing I’ve ever seen. And, it’s just nature doing her thing. Her very beautiful thing.
A huge shoutout to my amazing aunt for hosting us during our Fairbanks adventure. Not only did she welcome us with open arms, she also introduced us to all of these incredible spots and all of this unforgettable fun.