All Fairbanks Tours &amp; Excursions in 2026

Go on an aurora hunt from Fairbanks and maximize your chances of seeing one of nature’s most spectacular light shows. Head out to a high-elevation lodge at Cleary Summit, ideally positioned for watching the lights dance overhead. Stay warm inside with floor-to-ceiling windows for easy northern lights viewing, or step outside for a closer look, while your guide helps spot the aurora and advises on photography.

Riverboat Discovery Tour

3 hours

4.6

(1,390)

from US$131

Aurora Glass House – Northern Lights and Photos at Cleary Summit

Aurora Glass House – Northern Lights and Photos at Cleary Summit

5 hoursFree Cancellation

Grab your camera and prepare to see some of winter’s best work as you venture into the Alaskan Arctic Circle and go aurora hunting, without needing to lift a finger. Capture snow-capped forests, ice fields, and gushing rivers–and, of course, that obligatory photo at the Arctic Circle sign. As the sun and moon swap shifts, get ready for a spectacular display of aurora dancing in the night sky.

(224)

from US$99

1 Day Shared Tour Arctic Circle and Aurora Viewing in Alaska

1 Day Shared Tour Arctic Circle and Aurora Viewing in Alaska

12 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.5

(69)

from US$329

Likely to Sell Out

Alaska Railroad Fairbanks to Denali One Way

Riding the Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star Train from Fairbanks, just getting to the national park is a grand adventure. Over roughly four hours, you’ll take in one of the country’s most scenic train routes from your reserved seat, learning about Alaskan history from your onboard guide. At the terminus, you’re dropped off adjacent to the visitor center, where you can start your Denali exploration.

Alaska Railroad Fairbanks to Denali One Way

4 hours

4.5

(28)

from US$102

Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs Tour

Explore beyond Fairbanks city limits—and enjoy an exciting but relaxing array of activities at the Chena Hot Springs Resort—on this small-group tour. Admire ice sculptures at the Aurora Ice Museum, unwind in the resort’s hot mineral springs, and upgrade to enjoy drinks or a meal on site. If the conditions are right, you can then cap off the experience with a northern lights viewing before returning to your hotel.

Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs Tour

10 hours

4.6

(1,338)

from US$275

North Pole Express Shuttle to See Santa Shops and Photo Ops

It may or may not have been the main reason that you came to Fairbanks, but your trip wouldn't be complete without a trip to Santa's House and other local shops. Let your experienced local guides take you on a stress-free shopping trip to meet Santa himself if he's not busy in his workshop. Just a 30min drive from the center of Fairbanks, North Pole will surely get you into the holiday spirit and make you feel like a kid again. We will make time for you to get some great photos with the World's Largest Santa statue and other wonderful photo ops. In addition to Santa's house, your guide will be glad to take you to other LOCAL shops and/or sites along the way at their discretion. Additional stops are dependent on store hours, road conditions, time constraints and your interest level.

North Pole Express Shuttle to See Santa Shops and Photo Ops

Free Cancellation

5.0

from US$65

Likely to Sell Out

Reindeer Meet and Greet

30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.2

(19)

from US$40

Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience in North Pole

30 minutesFree Cancellation

5.0

(1,611)

from US$115

Experience Alaska in one of the most capable off-road machines in the world. Arctic Fat Truck Tours takes you deep into the scenic boreal forest near Fairbanks in a fully enclosed, heated, amphibious Fat Truck designed for Arctic terrain. Travel across snow, mud, water, rolling hills, and rugged wilderness trails while surrounded by towering spruce and birch forests and wide-open Interior landscapes. Along the way, your guide shares insights about local wildlife, the boreal ecosystem, and what life is really like in Alaska's far north with scenic photo stops built into the journey. As a locally owned and operated business, we focus on delivering a personal, memorable experience that blends comfort, capability, and authentic Alaskan adventure. If you're ready to explore Alaska in a way few travelers ever do, Arctic Fat Truck Tours offers an unforgettable ride through the Last Frontier.

Operated by Heart of Alaska Tours. Fairbanks City Highlight Tour stands out because it's led by passionate locals who know Fairbanks inside and out. Rather than just visiting popular landmarks, you provide an insider's perspective, sharing personal stories, lesser-known facts, and hidden gems that most visitors miss. Your small-group approach creates a personalized experience, making guests feel like they're exploring the city with a friend rather than just following a scripted tour.

Arctic Fat Truck Tours

1 hourFree Cancellation

5.0

(2)

from US$100

Fairbanks Top City Highlights Tour Summer/Fall

Fairbanks Top City Highlights Tour Summer/Fall

5 hoursFree Cancellation

4.9

(71)

from US$160

Northern Lights - Aurora with FREE Photos - Arctic Night Tours

8 to 12 hoursFree Cancellation

4.9

(547)

from US$215

Arctic Circle Day Tour

13 hours

At Heart of Alaska Tours, we believe the best way to experience Alaska is with someone who truly calls it home. We're a locally owned small business, not a large tour company running guests through a script. When you travel with us, you're not just another seat on a bus. We keep our groups small so we can share the places, stories, and experiences that made us fall in love with Alaska in the first place. Our guides have spent years exploring Alaska's backroads, trails, wildlife areas, and small towns. We know where to stop for the best views, where wildlife is often seen, and how to adapt each day to make the most of your adventure. We focus on authentic Alaska experiences, genuine hospitality, and personal service. There are no rushed schedules,—just unforgettable adventures led by people who are passionate about sharing the true heart of Alaska. Our goal is simple: to help you experience Alaska the way locals do and leave with memories that last a lifetime.

(728)

from US$335

Midnight Sun Magic Chena Hot Springs Soak and Ice Museum Tour

Midnight Sun Magic Chena Hot Springs Soak and Ice Museum Tour

6 hoursFree Cancellation

Journey deep into the Alaska Range on an unforgettable Castner Glacier adventure from Fairbanks. Travel the scenic Richardson Highway with stops at the iconic Trans-Alaska Pipeline and a breathtaking Mt. Hayes viewpoint. Watch for moose, caribou, bald eagles, and lynx along the way before hiking through Alaska’s wilderness to Castner Glacier and exploring its spectacular ice cave. An incredible day of glaciers, mountains, wildlife, and true Alaska adventure! Licensed by Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior permit #2025-00197

(55)

from US$220

Castner Glacier Ice Cave Adventure from Fairbanks

Castner Glacier Ice Cave Adventure from Fairbanks

9 hours 30 minutes

Try your luck spotting the northern lights inside a cozy countryside cabin, where you can wait for the lights to (hopefully) appear in the sky while saying warm and comfy. Located on a hilltop near Murphy Dome, the cabin has several windows offering 360° views of the night sky, giving you the best chance to see them. Your guide monitors the aurora and assists with photography and spotting.

(58)

from US$275

Mountaintop 360° Best Alaskan Cabin with Photography @Aurora Camp

Mountaintop 360° Best Alaskan Cabin with Photography @Aurora Camp

4 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Embark on the ultimate northern adventure with our Arctic Circle Day Tour from Fairbanks. Travel deep into Alaska’s untouched wilderness along the famous Dalton Highway, one of the most remote and scenic roads in North America. Your expert guide will share captivating stories about Alaskan history, nature, and culture as you journey across the Arctic Circle. Witness dramatic changes in landscape—from boreal forests to Arctic tundra. Stop to photograph the mighty Yukon River, catch views of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and take in panoramic vistas of untouched wilderness. At the Arctic Circle marker, celebrate with a photo op and receive your official Arctic Circle Certificate, a memorable token of your achievement. In winter, you may be treated to the magical dance of the Aurora Borealis on your return trip, a breathtaking way to end your Arctic adventure.

(352)

from US$109

Likely to Sell Out

Arctic Circle Day Tour Adventure

12 hoursFree Cancellation

4.6

(77)

from US$300

Aerial view of downtown Fairbanks, Alaska, showcasing the Chena River and cityscape.

Fairbanks City Highlights: Guided Golden Heart Tour

5 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Original Arctic Circle Drive from Fairbanks

(38)

from US$185

16 hours

Experience the thrill of Alaska’s gold mining history at Gold Dredge 8! Start with an up-close look at the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and discover the story behind its construction and operation. Then, climb aboard a replica of the Tanana Valley Railroad and enjoy entertaining stories from the conductor about the thousands of prospectors who flocked to the gold fields during the gold rush. Your scenic train ride delivers you straight to Gold Camp, where you can explore the dredge and try your hand at gold panning—with gold guaranteed! Enjoy complimentary coffee and freshly baked cookies in the gift shop, and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and stories of Alaska’s gold rush before returning to the station.

(222)

from US$279

Gold Dredge 8 Historic Tour

2 hours

4.5

(986)

from US$92

Special Offer

Fairbanks Before You Fly: The Final Adventure

You asked, and we listened! Your Heart of Fairbanks Tour now has a 2 PM departure. Perfect after a late night of Northern Lights, for an open afternoon, or after hotel checkout before an evening flight. Skip the hassle of multiple Ubers, taxis, and shuttles while visiting Santa Claus House, Morris Thompson Cultural Center, UAF Museum of the North, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and Great Alaska Bowl Company with a knowledgeable guide sharing Fairbanks’ history and culture. Hotel drop-off is included, and departing guests can bring their luggage and request airport drop-off. Pre-approved restaurant drop-offs may also be available. Let us handle the driving while you enjoy Fairbanks! And don’t forget we have your established, highly reviewed Heart of Fairbanks Tour offers the same great stops with an 8:30 AM start. Check out the original Heart of Fairbanks Tour by AK Bucket List Tours and choose the time that fits your adventure best!

Fairbanks Before You Fly: The Final Adventure

4 to 5 hoursFree Cancellation

SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More

5 hoursFree Cancellation

Take part in a quintessential Alaskan outdoor pursuit with this dog sledding and mushing experience, without the hassle of planning logistics. Get acquainted with the huskies and malamutes with just your guide and a small group for company. Learn basic commands and take part in a dog-sledding experience along a 2-5 mile trail, with guided commentary on dog mushing history. Walk away with souvenir photos delivered online at no extra charge.

(779)

from US$335

Free Pickup/Drop off: Dog Sledding with Free Photo in Fairbanks

Free Pickup/Drop off: Dog Sledding with Free Photo in Fairbanks

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Set out in search of the natural phenomenon of the aurora borealis during your time in Alaska on this nighttime excursion. Depart from Fairbanks after dark and venture deep into the forest in search of locations with little to no light pollution. If you find the colorful, dancing lights, your guide captures photos of your group so you can cherish the moments forever. Hotel pickup from downtown Fairbanks is included for convenience.

(243)

from US$199

Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis Viewing) Chasing with Photography in Fairbanks

Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis Viewing) Chasing with Photography in Fairbanks

4 hoursFree Cancellation

Dogsled Adventure in Fairbanks with Homestead tour

(522)

from US$189

1 to 2 hoursFree Cancellation

Fairbanks Top City Highlights Tour Summer/Fall

(188)

from US$155

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Top Attractions in Fairbanks

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Attractions

What are people saying about Fairbanks

Robert_F, Aug 2026

Excellent tour of Fairbanks

Excellent tour that covers a lot of ground and provides a good overview of Fairbanks and its history. If you have more time in Fairbanks, it gives an idea on what you may want to go back to for deeper exploration. The Museum of the North is worth revisiting, and kids would like spending more time at Pioneer Park

Riverboat Discovery Tour

Donald_W, Aug 2026

Highly recommended if you...

Highly recommended if you find yourself in Fairbanks! The tour is well-planned and the crew are friendly, helpful, and very knowledge about the area and the history surrounding the Chena River. The ship is quite comfortable, and the experiences included on the cruise (float plane take-off/landing demonstration, sled dogs, Inupiat Village) were informative and enjoyable. A very nice way to spend a few hours while in Fairbanks!

1 Day Shared Tour Arctic Circle and Aurora Viewing in Alaska

Shree_S, Aug 2026

Sultan, Sultan, Sultan. Says it all

Sultan, Sultan, Sultan. Thats all you need to know. Book with him. Don’t bother with anyone else. The guy is a **genius**. He is a great explainer of all things Alaska, and he is a great communicator. We left at 1:30 pm from Fairbanks and we reached the Arctic circle at 6:45 pm after a 45 min lunch break at the Yukon River camp. He stopped at several interesting locations along the way both to and from the Arctic circle. He went out of his way to show us the Northern lights at midnight. It was a cloudy night alas and inspite of his best efforts (we tried 2 different locations) we could not see the Aurora. But, the Arctic trip and his genius level explanation of things stole the show. Booking w Sultan is a no-brainer. Just book off and count down to your experience!!

Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs Tour

TingYuan_C, May 2026

Once-in-a-lifetime experience, highly recommend!

We spent a few days in Fairbanks and were fortunate to see the lights nightly, but our evening at Chena Hot Springs was the absolute highlight. We got incredibly lucky—right after we stepped into the springs, a rare, intensely strong aurora storm started, with fast-moving lights in different colors. While we know nature is unpredictable, and you can't plan this exact timing, soaking in the springs during such an epic display was unforgettable. The tour itself was well-managed and a fantastic way to visit the springs. Highly recommend!

Northern Lights - Aurora with FREE Photos - Arctic Night Tours

Eric_C, Apr 2026

I highly recommend this tour

Our original tour cancelled because of the weather. The guides on this tour consulted a weather map and found a place outside the cloud cover. They drove us three hours to get there. There was no guarantee we would see the lights even then, but we saw a spectacular light show that defies description. At times there were streaks and swirls and curtains of light that involved much of the sky. Our guides had great cameras and took many gorgeous photos with the lights behind my husband and me. There is no extra charge for the photos. The guides are really lovely people and even brought snacks and water for us. I highly recommend this tour!

Aurora Glass House – Northern Lights and Photos at Cleary Summit

Angela_H, Apr 2026

Warm, Comfortable, and Truly Memorable Aurora Experience

Our tour guide, Michael, was prompt, friendly, and very helpful, especially when it came to taking photos for us. The glass viewing house itself is new, spotless, and beautifully warm — a huge advantage in the cold. What really stood out was the flexibility: we could relax inside with clear, panoramic visibility, then step outside instantly when the lights started dancing more intensely. That balance of comfort and immersion made all the difference. Experiencing something this magical without battling the cold allowed us to fully take it in. We left feeling both amazed and grateful — it’s a night we won’t forget. Thank you, Michael!

SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More

Pamela_O, Apr 2026

Amazing tour! Best chance to see the Northern lights with photos!!

These guys are experts!! They took us to a great place for viewing the Northern lights near Birch Lake. They took professional photos, and provided several heated areas to hang out to warm up when it got too cold. We would not have been able to see the Northern lights as vividly or at all without this tour. We tried. We highly recommend this tour!!! I also wanted to say that we had a lot of trouble making it to our tour due to mechanical issues with our first airplane, leading us to be re-routed through Portland and Anchorage. Nicole was absolutely wonderful about working with us to help us join the tour. It also happened to be the best viewing during our entire stay. We are very thankful. This tour was wonderful and the guides are nice people.

Spectacular Hot Spring Experience with Northern Lights

Jeffrey_R, Mar 2026

Thanks Chris!!

Chris was a great guide! He seems like a very caring person to everyone around him. He was very informative about Alaskan culture, Alaskan flora/fauna, the auroras, the museum, and especially about food. He also had a great attitude and sense of humor. We loved hearing his stories. Thanks again Chris for taking us on the tour!

Northern Lights & Arctic Circle Tour

Elaine_H, Mar 2026

Up to the circle with Jessica.

First we would like to start with our guide Jessica. She was extremely knowledgeable, very friendly, accommodating, adaptive and prepared. She kept us very informed of the route we were going on and what to expect. Unfortunately, the Northern Lights did not accommodate us but Jessica tried. She stopped so many times to see if they were showing and did everything possible to find them but it was not to be. Her driving was extremely safe. The condition of the highway with the snow and ice could have made the drive trechararous but at no time did we feel unsafe. As far as how to dress, check the weather and dress appropriately. It was -11 and we had on thermals, coats, gloves and scarves and were as comfortable as could be. The only negative we have to say is, because it was so cold out, except for the windshield and front side windows, all the others were iced over on the inside so we couldn't see out at all. We tried the scraping with a credit card as Jessica suggested but it really didn't work. Maybe wipe them down with shaving cream or have a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and rags to wipe them with. This was a bucket list that we definitely will remember and was totally worth it!

Arctic Circle Day Tour Adventure

james_w, Mar 2026

Amazing Artic Experience

It was a great tour with a fantastic guide. It was a very scenic ride with multiple stops. We got to see the Alaska pipeline. Our driver and guide, Cody, was very personable, friendly, and accommodating. Getting to go to the Artic Circle was an amazing experience. We were able to see 2 moose and a bunch of ptarmigans. This tour was well worth it!!

Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis Viewing) Chasing with Photography in Fairbanks

Min_s, Mar 2026

Our Bucket List Accomplished.

Cole, Joy, David were our incredible guides. Their knowledge and photography expertise made our bucket list experience so worthwhile. They took many wonderful photos to capture this surreal and spiritual experience. They did not give up until we saw the beautiful Northern Lights. Worth every penny. We couldn't have accomplished this in our own. Highly Recommended.

Spectacular Chena Hot Springs Northern Lights Experience

Ching_P, Mar 2026

Soaking in hot spring and seeing Dancing Aurora

Tour guide Kevin spotted moose on the side of freeway when drove to Chena Hot Spring so we were able to take picture of moose. It’s good experience soaking in hot spring with below zero temperature. Kevin was diligently looking for Aurora after we finished hot spring, and all suddenly he spotted it and stopped the car. We all were wowing and staring to the night sky seeing the DANCING AURORA! That’s so amazing beautiful !