While the main attraction in Fairbanks is the Aurora Borealis lights, it’s no surprise that people are drawn to this city. But what else is there to do? When we first starting to look at things to do near Fairbanks, there were only a few small places to see in the city center that were budget-friendly, so we had to come up with our own ideas. As much as supporting locals is important, the costs can add up quickly. So if you’re in search of some some budget-friendly things to do in Fairbanks, here you go!
Photo credit: Natalie Conner
The Aurora Borealis/Northern Lights
Search for the Aurora Borealis lights for free! They can be seen from August 21st to April 21st. Due to longer nights, the months of January through March are regarded as the best time to view auroras. Our favorite spot by far is the Chena Lakes boat ramp. However, there are a couple of places near the boat ramp that are all great options. First, is a parking lot on the right just as you drive up to the boat ramp. The sky isn’t as open here with some trees surrounding the lot, but there are some breaks for viewing. The second place is actually on the frozen lake itself, which sounds scary, but just make sure to pay close attention to the weather and know when it is safe to do so! Some locals go down the ramp and around to the northwest end of the lake to view away from all natural light and trees, but they may not see as much of the lights coming in the west. We parked on the lake next to the boat ramp, facing northeast with views to the west including treetops and far enough from the fishing ice huts to be safe. Plus, if we heard any ice cracking (and we did. Boy, was that scary!) we could quickly get to safety. Lastly, to the left (north end) of the boat ramp, through a small wooded/picnic area, there’s a “jetty,” which in winter you can only see handrails. This spot has the most open sky, but is a five minute walk away. If it’s cold out you’ll want to bundle up well or stay in your car. This area typically has a narrow path, but if it has snowed recently, make sure you’re prepared because it gets deep quickly.
After visiting and searching several areas during our visit, we found that the higher elevation locations weren’t visitor/rental vehicle friendly and the lower level areas had too much light pollution. Pro tip: bring some dark personal clothing items to cover the dash lights to enjoy the lights and stay in the warmth of the vehicle. You can jump out easily and especially when they (hopefully) soar over your heads! Temperatures in January dipped down to -30 plus windchill, so be prepared with proper clothing (layers are key!) and try to have a vehicle with heated seats!
Sledding
Go sledding for less than $20! In winter, find yourself a good hill or go to the Chena Lakes Dam, where there’s a huge hill on the dam itself and a parking lot across the street. We bought two sleds, a disc style and a toboggan (two-person), at Lowe’s that were perfect for adults or children. Plus, when you buy instead of renting, you get to go as often as you want, when you want, and for as long as you want! We aren’t spring chickens anymore and the first time we went was such a total child-like high we stayed for over two hours. After that, it was more like 20 minutes. Pro tip: sell the sleds on Facebook Marketplace (we sold ours for $10, which made our out-of-pocket cost less than $10!) or drop off at a thrift store when you leave to pass on the fun.
Natalie feeling like a kid again 
Kevin having a blast
Explore Downtown Fairbanks
Walk around downtown for free. Any time of the year. Start out by parking at The Crepery, where you can take a picture (above) of the Alaska street art and eat a delicious crepe. Then, grab a cup of hot coffee or hot chocolate to keep you warm as you walk around. If you don’t like crepes, we found some of the restaurants have great deals which vary,. We even found BOGO tacos! Who doesn’t love tacos?
From the newer vibes of the Polaris art structure and local street art to historic monuments on the river walk to ten different museums (some not free), including Pioneer Park (10 minutes from downtown), all are a part of this city and something free to enjoy. Read more about the Polaris here.
(Window) Shopping
Go (window) shopping anytime of the year. There are many cute little shops in downtown Fairbanks and others just outside the city as well. Southeast of Fairbanks, we recommend checking out The Knotty Shop for locally-made jewelry, clothing, and kitchen goods. In the city of North Pole, there’s Santa Claus House. For those with a sweet tooth, try the local birch fudge there. It’s drool-worthy! For those looking to purchase goods, the Christmas decor options are plentiful, and for those window shopping, there’s some local history there to read about. Plus, the Antler Academy with real reindeer is a must-see for kids, although tours do cost $7.95 for kids (3-11) and $12.95 for 13+.
Watch the Sun and Moon Rise and Set
Watch both the sun and moon rise and set anytime of the year! For being the home of the midnight sun, Alaska doesn’t get enough credit for their sunrises and sunsets in winter. No matter where you are, whether it’s at a park, driving on the highway, or at home/a hotel, the sunset is pretty magical here. With winter months averaging anywhere from 4-6 hours of sunlight, it’s surprising to see that the amount of daylight before and after the sun rises extends that time at least an hour on each end. Unless it’s snowing heavily or incredibly cloudy, there is a lot of sunshine to see in the state during winter. What you don’t often see in other states is having both the moonrise and setting while the sun is still visible, which especially on a full moon can be equally spectacular! In summer time, you can watch the sun rise as early as 3:07 am and the sun set at 12:35 am the next day!
Chena Hot Springs
Chena Hot Springs can be enjoyed anytime of the year. We are saving this for last since it’s a little outside of Fairbanks. At just $15 per person, we’re sure this isn’t a surprise as it’s on many lists, but it really is a great spot to relax, get warm, and see some of nature’s beauty. If you aren’t staying at the resort, it’ll be $5 for a towel if you don’t bring your own, and another $0.50 per locker. Keep in mind that locker rooms are separated by sex. Walking around the resort property is free and the geothermal plant gives free tours daily as well. If you want some souvenirs, the gift shop here has some great locally made goods for purchase. Chena Hot Springs Resort is a solid 45 minutes northeast of Fairbanks, down the long road of its namesake and only one gas station, so prepare yourselves for the little journey. Check out https://chenahotsprings.com/healing-waters/ to see current pricing and discounts
We hope this list gives you lots of ideas and keeps you busy during your stay, while making the most of your time. Enjoy Fairbanks!
Photo Credits: All photos on this page taken by Natalie Conner