Advise for Fairbanks

[10mmg]

Seeking advise for my trip to Fairbanks next month. My wife has wanted to see the northern lights for years and that is the main goal. We might rent a car and drive to the Artic circle. We only have 4 night but i would be interested in others input for restaurants and must see spots in the area.

Thanks

[Sitka_Blacktail]

I'd plan on spending a day or two in the area between Ft Nelson BC and Watson Lake, Yukon. It's the most game rich and game diverse area of the drive up.  It includes Stone Mt Provincial Park, Muncho Lake Provincial Park and Liard Hot Springs.  On my recent trip home, I saw Bison, Black bears, Caribou, Mt Goats, Whitetail Deer, Mule Deer, and a Moose, all in that stretch of road. It's also possible to see Elk near both Ft Nelson and another herd near Toad River,  and Grizzlies in that stretch.

I did see a Grizzly this trip, but it was just north of Haines Junction.

[Bucks2Ducks]

I'd recommend staying a night at Chena Hot springs. Also worth going to North Pole for Chinese food, best I've ever had. A lot of stuff is shutting down right now from the summer tourist season. But you won't have trouble getting good food and service, at least I didn't.

[Taco280AI]

Chena hot springs. North Pole for Santa's workshop. The Crepery in Fairbanks.

[ganghis]

That's my home town. 

Are you and your wife into hiking?  If so, and you're headed out to Chena hot springs, throw in a hike to angel rocks or granite tors.  The upper Chena is also good for boating and okay for fishing.

University of Alaska museum is kind of a fun stop - they used to have a 14 foot (or least it seemed that tall) Kodiak griz in there among other things.

Check out if Denali National Park has their gate open - used to be you could drive in there for a bit after the busses stopped running in September.  There's a washout somewhere so you won't be able to go super far, but that's your best bet for wildlife viewing (though I've seen a lot of moose off Chena hotsprings road)

White mountains has BLM cabins and stuff for rent if you want to do a fall hike-to-cabin sort of thing.

Alaskaland (it's called Pioneer Park now but it will always be Alaskaland for me) is kind of cheesy and probably mostly closed by the time you're there but might make for a day excursion.

Restaurants are overpriced for what you get, generally.  They strangely have a bunch of good thai restaurants though (Lemongrass is really good).  If you're feel inclined to overpay, at least get a view by going to Pike's Landing or the Pumphouse.

Local bars with character: Golden Eagle (Ester), Skinny Dick's Halfway Inn (halfway to Nenana), The Boatel, Howling Dog Saloon (Fox)

Brewpubs: HooDoo Brewing

[10mmg]

Thanks all. I will give those locations a try. If i rent a car does it need to be 4x4

[kisfish]

Another vote for chena hot springs. Had a great time up there and took a sepsi to the top and saw the northern lights. This was in February.

[10mmg]

Thanks to all for the advise. We went to Chena Hot Springs, saw an awesome Aurora show. We drove the Dalton to the Artic Circle. Ate at the Cookie Jar, Lemon Grass, and The Banks Ale House. I can recommend all three as a must eat. Never saw a moose but thats a reason to go back. If you drive the Dalton take the extra insurance on the rental as those big trucks like to throw rocks.

[wadu1]

Talked to my dad about this post. He said you must go to the Polar Bear Bar and see if they remember the GI who traded watermelon for drinks. He did that in 1945 when they flew in on a C-47. I doubt if it's still an active bar or anyone there from 1945. Just an old timer talking about the war, he's 97. 

[Naches Sportsman]

Thanks to all for the advise. We went to Chena Hot Springs, saw an awesome Aurora show. We drove the Dalton to the Artic Circle. Ate at the Cookie Jar, Lemon Grass, and The Banks Ale House. I can recommend all three as a must eat. Never saw a moose but thats a reason to go back. If you drive the Dalton take the extra insurance on the rental as those big trucks like to throw rocks.

Sounds like a fun time was had and I bet you’re glad you were there when it was relatively warm. Go back in the dead of winter when it’s 50 below and drive a rental car up the dalton. Sure is an experience when it’s that cold viewing the Northern lights up there