Fairbanks
Fairbanks is a lively city in the heart of interior Alaska, known as the golden gateway to the Arctic. It sits under one of the best skies on Earth for watching the northern lights dance.
Fairbanks is famous for the shimmering green and purple northern lights that fill its winter sky. Visitors also love the hot springs, dog sledding, and the ice sculpture festival where artists carve giant frozen castles.
Northern Lights
On dark winter nights, ribbons of green, pink, and purple light ripple across the Fairbanks sky. This magical glow is called the aurora, and it happens when tiny particles from the sun bump into the air high above.
Hot Springs
Nearby Chena Hot Springs lets you soak in warm, steamy water even when snow is falling all around. It feels wonderful to be toasty warm while your hair sparkles with frost.
Ice Art
Each winter Fairbanks hosts a world championship where artists carve enormous, glittering sculptures out of clear ice. There are even ice slides and thrones that kids can climb and play on.