Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage

Destination 01

Chena Hot Springs

6 places

Hot springs resort at the end of the road; 2 nights for soaking and aurora watching.

• Rock Lake hot spring

  The resort's outdoor, rock-lined hot spring pool, fed by natural springs and steaming in air far below zero.

  Tip It is adults only; soak after dark and watch the sky for the aurora.

  Do$$1.5 hrAfter dark

• Aurora Ice Museum

  Year-round museum built from ice and snow, with carved sculptures, ice chandeliers and a bar serving drinks in glasses of ice.

  Tip Tours run several times a day; the museum is kept below freezing, so keep your coat on.

  See$$45 minEvening

• Aurora viewing tour

  Night tours from the resort by snowcoach to a ridgetop above the valley, with heated yurts to wait in between displays.

  Tip Book on a night with a good forecast; the higher ridge often sits above valley fog.

  Do$$$3 hrLate night

• Angel Rocks Trail

  Loop trail off Chena Hot Springs Road climbing to granite tors above the North Fork of the Chena River.

  Tip Carry traction devices for the icy climb, and start early to finish in daylight.

  OutdoorsChena River State Recreation AreaFree3 hrMidday

• Chena River State Recreation Area

  Large state recreation area along Chena Hot Springs Road with trails, frozen river views and public-use cabins.

  Tip Rent a public-use cabin through Alaska State Parks for a night on your own under the aurora.

  OutdoorsFree2 hrDaytime

• Chena Hot Springs Resort

  Geothermal-powered resort with lodge rooms, cabins, a restaurant and the springs, in a valley with little light pollution.

  Tip Rooms sell out on holiday weekends; book well ahead.

  Stay$$$

Destination 02

Fairbanks

7 places

Interior Alaska's hub under the auroral oval; 2 nights for museums, North Pole and aurora drives.

• Photo: Malcolm Manners · CC BY 2.0

  Museum of the North

  University of Alaska museum on a hill above Fairbanks, with Alaska Native art, natural history and a mummified steppe bison.

  Tip Visit near sunset for the light over the Tanana Valley from the plaza.

  SeeUAF campus$$2 hrAfternoon
• Photo: RadioKAOS · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center

  Free downtown visitor center on the Chena River with exhibits on Interior Alaska and Athabascan life.

  Tip Ask here about the night's aurora outlook and winter tours.

  SeeDowntownFree60 minDaytime

• Creamer's Field

  Wildlife refuge on an old dairy farm on the edge of town, with trails for skiing, snowshoeing and walking in winter.

  Tip Trails are flat and good for a first try at cross-country skiing.

  OutdoorsFree1.5 hrMidday
• Photo: Srishti Sethi · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Santa Claus House

  Christmas store in North Pole, open since the 1950s, with a giant Santa outside and letters from Santa you can order.

  Tip It is about 25 minutes from downtown Fairbanks on the Richardson Highway.

  ShopNorth Pole$60 minDaytime

• Cleary Summit

  High pass on the Steese Highway north of Fairbanks, away from city lights, with wide views of the northern sky.

  Tip Bring a thermos and wait in the car with the engine off between displays.

  OutdoorsSteese HighwayFree3 hrLate night

• Fairbanks Depot

  Alaska Railroad station on the edge of town, where the Aurora Winter Train leaves for Talkeetna and Anchorage.

  Tip Check in early; the winter train leaves in the morning and the trip takes most of the day.

  Do$$30 minMorning

• Pike's Waterfront Lodge

  Lodge on the Chena River near the airport, with rooms and cabins and a riverside restaurant.

  Tip Handy for a late arrival or an early flight.

  Stay$$

Destination 03

Talkeetna

6 places

Log-cabin river town and Denali base; 1–2 nights for flightseeing and a quiet winter Main Street.

• Talkeetna Historic District

  Main Street's old log cabins, roadhouses and false-front stores where three rivers meet.

  Tip Walk to the end of Main Street to the river for a view toward Denali on a clear day.

  SeeMain StreetFree60 minDaytime
• Photo: Laura Alier · CC BY 4.0

  Nagley's General Store

  Talkeetna's general store since the early days of the town, selling groceries, gear and local souvenirs.

  ShopMain Street$30 min
• Photo: Swampyank · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Talkeetna Roadhouse

  Roadhouse from the 1910s with a bakery, lodging and big breakfasts at shared tables.

  Tip Come early for sourdough pancakes and a cinnamon roll; winter hours are shorter.

  EatMain Street$60 minBreakfast

• Denali Brewing Company

  Local brewery with a taproom just off Main Street, a gathering spot on long winter evenings.

  Tip Check winter hours before you go.

  DrinkMain Street$$60 minEvening

• Denali flightseeing

  Small-plane flights from Talkeetna's airport around Denali and its glaciers, flown by local air services all year when weather allows.

  Tip Keep a flexible day in your plan; flights only go when the mountain is clear.

  Do$$$$2 hrClear day

• Talkeetna Depot

  Alaska Railroad stop where the Aurora Winter Train calls between Fairbanks and Anchorage.

  Tip The winter depot is a short walk from Main Street.

  Do$$30 min

Destination 04

Anchorage

8 places

Alaska's largest city between the Chugach and Cook Inlet; 2 nights for trails, museums and food.

• Photo: Paxson Woelber · CC BY 2.0

  Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

  Trail along Cook Inlet from downtown to Kincaid Park, groomed for cross-country skiing in winter.

  Tip Walk or ski out at sunset for frosted trees and views of Mount Susitna across the inlet.

  OutdoorsDowntownFree2 hrSunset

• Kincaid Park

  Large park at the end of the Coastal Trail with miles of groomed and lit cross-country ski trails and frequent moose.

  Tip Rent skis in town and ski the lit loops after dark.

  OutdoorsSand LakeFree2.5 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Bernt Rostad · CC BY 2.0

  Anchorage Museum

  Alaska's largest museum, covering art, history and science, with Alaska Native objects on loan from the Smithsonian.

  Tip Give it half a day; it is the best place in town for a cold afternoon.

  SeeDowntown$$3 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Skvader · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Alaska Native Heritage Center

  Cultural center with dance, storytelling and village sites representing Alaska's Native peoples around a small lake.

  Tip Winter hours are limited, so check the schedule before you go.

  SeeMuldoon$$2 hrDaytime
• Photo: Laura Alier · CC BY 4.0

  Lake Hood Seaplane Base

  One of the world's busiest seaplane bases; in winter the lake freezes and many planes switch to skis.

  Tip Drive the lakeshore road for planes parked on the ice against the Chugach Mountains.

  SeeAirportFree45 minClear morning

• Snow City Cafe

  Busy downtown breakfast and lunch spot on 4th Avenue, known for reindeer sausage and crab cakes Benedict.

  Tip Expect a wait on weekend mornings.

  EatDowntown$$60 minBreakfast

• Glacier Brewhouse

  Downtown brewpub with house beers and a wood-fired grill, a fixture on 5th Avenue since the 1990s.

  Tip Reserve ahead for dinner on weekends.

  EatDowntown$$$1.5 hrDinner

• Hotel Captain Cook

  Downtown hotel with three towers, a short walk from the Coastal Trail, and the Crow's Nest restaurant on the top floor.

  Tip Ask for a high floor facing the inlet or the Chugach Mountains.

  StayDowntown$$$