I would absolutely recommend the Chena hot springs tour! This was simple to book and I so…read moreappreciated that they picked us up right at our hotel - very convenient! The driver we got, Dillon, was incredible! He was professional, helpful, kind, genuine, and a great DJ! He played tunes on the ride to and from the hot springs and made the long drive along a bumpy road part of the actual experience and fun! He coordinated everything at the springs and was always around and available if needed. He was great! The Chena hot springs was an unforgettable experience. The actual hot springs were so beautiful and relaxing (even in the summer). The grounds were well kept the restaurant was convenient and food was delicious. We did a tour of the geothermal plant and gardens which was also very interesting, impressive, and unique. And finally, the ice museum!!! This was so fun to see. Getting a drink in an ice glass and smashing it afterward was a fun touch. Overall, this was a great experience and I would definitely recommend if you have an extra day in the Fairbanks area. Great experience and value for the price.

Based on our experience (4 adults) I would NOT book any tour done with Alaska Wild Lights. Our…read moretour was the Arctic Circle Day Tour and was the worst experience in our whole two weeks in Alaska. I booked this tour in February for a June 2026 trip to the Arctic Circle Day Tour. Before booking this tour, I called to confirm the information shown on their website stating a maximum of 8 people would be allowed on the tour as well as the type of vehicle would be a Sprinter (bus type vehicle allowing guests to fully stand up and also have ample leg room). Two weeks before our tour, I called again to confirm max number of people and the vehicle type in which I received an email confirmation stating 8 people max traveling in a Sprinter. The day we were picked up for the tour, it was NOT a Sprinter but an old passenger van AND there would now be 11 people on the tour. The passenger van was horribly uncomfortable with that many people crammed into the space and very difficult to get in and out of (could not stand up). There was absolutely no leg room or room to move around while traveling. Not only that, the air conditioning was not working and the passenger windows did not open at all, it was a very warm day. They provided a snack which was ONE bottle of warm water, a very small snack bag of chips and some sort of granola bar. This for a 15 hour road trip and there was no ability to buy water/snacks along the way. We did stop at the Yukon River Camp, no snacks or water available there to purchase either but you could buy a hamburger to eat there. We only stopped at port-a-potty locations when needed and at the Arctic Circle wood sign, no walks across the tundra as shown on their website, no stop at the Hilltop Restaurant & Marketplace just port-a-potties. I reached out to the owner of the company several times before writing this review with NO RESPONSE.

The Riverboat Discovery in Fairbanks offers an exceptional way to experience Alaska's wilderness up…read moreclose. The river cruise is scenic and relaxing, winding through lush forests and along the sparkling Tanana and Chena Rivers, with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife like bald eagles, moose, and even bears from a safe distance. The staff are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, sharing fascinating stories about Alaska's history, culture, and the gold rush era, which makes the journey both educational and entertaining. The boat itself is comfortable, spacious, and perfectly suited for viewing the surrounding scenery without feeling crowded. Whether you're interested in nature, history, or just a peaceful river ride, the Riverboat Discovery provides a memorable, family-friendly adventure that highlights the beauty and heritage of Alaska.

I'm so glad I got the chance to cruise along the Chena river on the Riverboat Discovery before the…read moreend of season. This is a must when visiting Fairbanks during the spring/summer months. The 3 hour tour paddles up and down the Chena river, with some fun stops along the way. You'll get a fun history lesson about dog mushing and the Iditarod, see a float plane takeoff and land, then disembark for about an hour to walk around the "Chena Village". A delightful experience that submerges you into the Alaskan bush and culture. The whole experience is narrated by the captain and crew, and was just amazing! There's plenty of complementary donuts, coffee, and tea, along with a full snack bar on board if you get hungry. Getting to Riverboat Discovery was easy. There's Ubers, hotel shuttles, tour buses, taxis, and depending on where you're staying, it's even walkable. Everyone we interacted with was delightfully pleasant and helpful. Be sure to do the -40 BELOW experience! All in all, this is a great way to spend your day, and add some great Fairbanks memories.

One of the nicest visitor centers that I have ever been to! This one is free and has a great…read moremuseum. My favorite section was on the beading. Definitely take some time to visit when you are in the area.

Free facility for general information of the culture of the area and general information of the…read morelayout and businesses of Fairbanks. Also has National Park Service in the building. Well maintained facilities. Helpful staff. So if looking for a laid back place to learn a little bit more of Fairbanks and its native culture, this is a good place to come.

Mary Shields, you are a saint!! This very sweet woman is a…read moregem to be around! Not only is she a sweet woman, she is a tough survivor with deep knowledge of everything Mushing related. We were greeted with hot drinks and home made brownies as she shared with us her story, which is beautiful. Her love for dogs surpasses anything I have ever experienced, to include each night before she goes to bed, howling to her pups from her wheelchair and listening to them respond from the outdoor kennel. We had tears in our eyes as she got choked up numerous times about her sheer passion for these beautiful animals. The first ever woman finisher of the Iditarod!! What an honor it was to meet you, spoil your furry children with love, and listen to your life story. I highly recommend anyone to spend this amazing experience with Mary and her dogs.

We called this morning to go for the 10AM tour. When we got there we met one of the most…read morefascinating people I have ever met. We enjoyed playing with the dogs very much!! They are sweet, precious dogs. Mary was so personable!! She let us play with the dogs and then brought us into her house for coffee, cookies and questions. The house was absolutely adorable. Mary is well spoken, kind and gentle soul. I do hope she will write a biography.

This was the highlight of our trip. We were given freedom to go where we wanted with the sxs and…read morehad no set times to be back. It felt completely free and awesome. This had no tourist trap vibes and the staff were very down to earth and relatable. It felt authentic and like we were one of the locals. No upsells, no bs, no hidden fees. Just a really great experience.

Jeremy took us out a couple nights ago. He is very friendly and answered all questions we had…read moreabout Aurora and Alaska. He took us from North to South looking for clearer skies and stars. We did finally get a small glimpse of the aurora, and we were very happy with the process and results. He has a very honest business mindset because at one point we had so much snow going north, he offered a significant refund going home early. One our way back to Fairbanks, the snow died down and he asked if he wanted us to go south. He had me look up a few cities down south. Once I confirms better weather, we found an Aurora viewing at 1:30 am!

Jeremy took us out for couple trips. Definitely an awesome guy for your trips. We are actually…read morereally surprised that they work for Xmas eve and Xmas night. Jeremy is very good tour guide, he knows the areas pretty well, shares lots interesting stories, has lots good conversations, and most importantly, he is very flexible on things. Wish I can have the chance to come back Alaska and have Jeremy as my tour guide again!

Went exploring and came across Chatanika Lodge and wow is all I can say. From the eclectic interior…read morefull of everything Alaska to the wonderful women working the restaurant, I would recommend stopping in at some point during your stay in Fairbanks. The food was great and the owner welcomed everyone that walked in like they were family. We were there for lunch but it looks like a lively spot for a fun night out too. After lunch we walked across the street and a short hike through the beautiful rolling hills of snow we got the check out a really cool old gold dredge. It's places like this that make visiting new places so much more fun.

We stayed at the Aurora Borealis Lodge and drove down for breakfast October 24. When we got to…read moreChatanika Lodge we were the only patrons in the restaurant. we were warmly greeted by the cook. I had the Ronnie's 3 egg omelette and my wife had an omelette as well. The omelettes were perfectly cooked without being overdone. The omelette ingredients were fresh and delicious. Toast was perfect as well. The home fries were very seasoned and tasted unlike any I have had before, but they were very good. There is no way to convey the character and unique coolness of this restaurant. The owner spoke with us several times and was very enjoyable. All of the staff we encountered were very pleasant. This place is worth the drive and a highlight of our Alaska trip.

This place was exactly what we wanted! I encourage you to know what your booking. We wanted rustic…read moreand more of an Alaskan adventure rather than a upscale hotel. We came to Alaska to experience it as Alaska should be. I didn't want to walk out my door to a long hotel hallway. Instead I walked out of my cabin to a snow filled wonderland with wilderness and a pond. One where instead of needing a tour guide I could stand by the pond in front of the cabin and see the northern lights. Jim and Syd are amazing people with more hospitality than you can imagine. Jim made us a wonderful breakfast every morning from scratch not a frozen bag. The conversations were always exciting. They would both share their stories and experiences, tell us what not to miss and what the area held. When other guest joined us it was as fun to hear their stories. Way more interaction than at a typical hotel. Remember to read the description. These are dry cabins- no water, no toilet, no sink. Like I said earlier, know what your booking. However the shower house is less than a minute walk from each cabin and it is warm and clean plenty of hot water and toiletries. Not a big deal at all. I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and enjoy this! Listen to Jim and Syd and ask for their advice and use their expertise. Our last day Jim took us ice fishing on the pond which was amazing in itself, but then he invited us to the house as he cooked up the rainbow trout we had caught and made us lunch! Perfect ending to a perfect trip!

We can not say enough good things about our experience at Cabins on the Pond. The cabins were…read morewarm,clean,well appointed and just perfectly charming, as they should be considering our host , Jim Swearingin,built them himself! The modern bath house are actually 2 full baths with showers, flushing toilets, and sink vanity. All very clean with plenty of hot water and a toasty temp of 78F. Even when it was -40below outside. The view is amazing. Outside of the city, so it's dark to highlight those Aurora Borealis that you can see right from inside your cabin. Or step outside for the real light show, all of your pictures will be perfectly showcased with spruce trees and snow banks . Jim even wakes you up so you don't miss the Northern Lights! Don't miss fishing with Jim and the tasty fish dinner he prepares later that night for you. And that rice, off the hook good. This experience will be a memory maker for you. Again, DON'T MISS IT! Every morning from 7-9 make your way up to Jim & Syd's breakfast table. He offers some of Alaska's best down home cooking! The chat with the two of them is wonderful. They both exemplify hospitality! The best was making new friends with these two super fantastic and gracious people! Their energy and love of the land is contagious. We will forever have them in our heart and WILL for sure see them again!