Oh man, was this the coolest experience? Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable as well and we…read morehad great conversations. Being able to have contact with such a majestical creature was so cool. They let you feed them as well. This definitely isn't one of those experiences where they are just trying to get you in and out. We didn't feel rushed whatsoever, and had such a great time. A heads up for any tourists out there like me. If you come closer to winter or in the break up season, there is a lot of hardened snow and ice on the roads. I would definitely recommend getting a rental car that has four-wheel-drive. It was my first time ever driving on snow/ice like that. It wasn't too scary. Other than a couple moments when I had to stop and turn around. I could definitely see myself getting stuck if I didn't have a car that had four-wheel-drive. So just be mindful of that. Overall, it was a really beautiful drive though. And if you're going in the summer, you shouldn't have any problem on the roads. You could always call ahead and ask the staff with the road conditions are ahead of booking. But you definitely need to book this! There is also a really cool building where you meet your instructor that has a really beautiful view. There are also a couple of walking trails nearby that you can go down. And there is a coffee shop inside that had a decent latte. I believe they also serve food, though we didn't end up ordering anything, I did see other people eating. When we were trying to find our way there, we did get a little bit lost. But there is signage on the road on the left-hand side if you're heading north. They are part of a larger event booking. You'll see something on the right hand side that looks like a bunch of viewing domes. Then right after that the turn is on the left.

When you are in Fairbanks, you must go to the Running Reindeer Ranch! It is a magnificent…read moreopportunity to see these reindeer up close and personal and learn all about them. We walked away with such a spectacular appreciation and just a wonderful feeling after being so immersed in this incredibly beautiful Alaska setting. The people who work there are knowledgeable and work very hard to make sure we had a really good day and we learned something. You have to go you will not regret it.

Visiting the Alaska museum was an unforgettable experience that beautifully showcases the state's…read morerich history and culture. The exhibits are thoughtfully curated, featuring everything from Native Alaskan artifacts and traditional crafts to fascinating displays on wildlife and natural history. The museum layout is easy to follow, and each exhibit includes informative descriptions that make learning engaging for both adults and children. Staff and docents are friendly and eager to share insights, which adds a personal touch to the visit. Whether you're a history buff, nature enthusiast, or just looking for an enriching day out, this museum provides a comprehensive, immersive look at Alaska's heritage. It's educational, visually engaging, and leaves you with a deeper appreciation for the state's unique culture and landscapes.

Beautiful museum inside and out. Although not huge, depending on how much you like to read the…read moreexhibit info you could spend a couple hours. We spent about 45 minutes wandering through. Lovely art, lots of local history and animal education exhibits. Paid (cheap) parking, a gift shop, and a small serve-yourself "cafe".

Professional, on-time, and efficient, Aurora in Alaska was our favorite part of our trip to…read moreFairbanks last December. The photographers provided professional photos 48 hours after our tour, at no additional cost! Overall, the roasting of reindeer dogs over open fires on a snow covered lake with the aurora dancing overhead was such a surreal experience. -- We were a group of 4 and booked the "Incredible Aurora Viewing Adventure" with Aurora in Alaska in December 2024. It consisted of a hotel pick-up and drop-off, very professional photography, roasting of reindeer dogs over campfires set up by the fleet, hot chocolate and tea, camping chairs set up around the fires, and access to a public park restroom. We stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suite Fairbanks, which is a bit outside of the city center. Some tours we viewed couldn't pick us up, but we had no issues with Aurora in Alaska. The pick-up communication was clear and was coordinated excellently. The pick-up was also on time. We did many tours during our week in Fairbanks, and Aurora in Alaska truly boasts the most comfortable vans, which also weren't overcrowded with passengers. The vans felt very new and clean, each of us had ample room, and it was only 6 of us in the van total. The driver did some introductions and some explanations about the night's schedule and about auroras in general, then dimmed the lights and played gentle music for the rest of our ride. Our first stop was the North Pole to reconvene with all vans in the fleet. It was a brief stop to let us look around and take photos here. The actual gift shop was closed that late in the night, but it was nice to stop by and see it from the outside. You could stay in the van if you wanted to. Afterwards, we drove to a frozen lake for the aurora viewing. Once we arrived, the Aurora in Alaska team spent maybe 10 minutes setting up the fires, food, drinks, and cameras. It was a beautiful site! It was only us there, and it was great talking to other travelers and watching the aurora with food and drink. If you ever got too cold, the vans were left running so that you could head inside to warm up before going back to take pictures, sit by the fire, or explore. There were three different photographers spaced out at different locations, so you could get photos taken with different angles of the aurora. Overall, it was a great experience, if not expectedly very chilly. I'd recommend bringing extra hand and foot warmers! Even though the vans were idling, it still wasn't enough for those who were underdressed.We were super lucky and had great aurora viewing, but we were happy that even if we hadn't seen much we would've had great memories roasting dogs and chilling by a fire in Alaskan wilderness.

Lights nice, guides nice, but not enough guides. Three vans of people were dropped off at this…read morefield. 42 people. No personal attention. Warming hut small for number of people. 3 fires. And vans were kept running. This is not a private or even small group tour. You cook your own food if you want it. No cautionary speech about the -34 weather. You are on your own. 90 minutes from Fairbanks with no back up plan if something goes wrong. Again. Lights nice. The photos the guides took were very nice. Guides were nice. But you are really on your own so make sure you know how to handle yourself in this extreme weather.

My partner and I had an incredible experience with Ronn and Marketa at the Aurora Chasers in…read moreFebruary 2026. We met Ronn & Marketa for the night tour at an accessible & central meeting spot in Fairbanks, as we were staying ~20 min away. Ronn drove the comfortable van while Marketa analyzed satellite data for cloud coverage and predicted the best places to see the aurora. We saw brilliant aurora from the moment we arrived in our spot for the night! I brought my own DSLR and my partner rented a camera; we loved the guidance on how to photograph the sky. Marketa also took stunning portraits of us. From the get-go, their communication was outstanding. The Aurora Chasers website fully prepared us for what to buy/wear to stay warm in -40 to -20F weather. If you're interested in seeing the Northern Lights, I highly recommend taking a tour. My partner and I were not equipped to drive on icy, snowy roads late at night and to navigate weather data on our own - Ronn & Marketa made it possible for us to experience clear skies and thus vivid, magical aurora during our trip to Fairbanks.

After reading all the reviews on Trip Advisor/Viator, and Google, I chose to go with The Aurora…read moreChasers, owned and ran by Ron and Marketa. Having a little bit of DSLR experience, I needed a tour company that didn't just drop me off into a warm hut with hot chocolate, but someone with photography expertise to help me operate in the raw elements of Alaska. I did my research with ALL the local Aurora companies. The Aurora Chasers are the only ones with professional educational videos of Aurora photography on YouTube, have an Aurora cam on their own very easy to navigate informative website. You can also rent cameras and tripods in advance from them. While on the way to a remote area with a beautiful private view to catch the Aurora, they educated us on everything about the Aurora. They played videos on a big screen inside the tour bus, which they produced themselves. They provided us information about the Aurora, and very specific instructions adjusting settings on your specific DSLR and cell phone. They have thorough knowledge of canon, sony, and nikon, and cell phone settings, and I'm almost positive they could figure out any other branded cameras. It blew my mind and excited the inner tech nerd in me. I really liked how although they gave us the freedom to shoot as we chose, they always checked up on us if we needed any help with our camera settings, and even provided hot chocolate. There were various people shooting that night spread out on different locations and they managed to get to every single one of us to make sure we were happy and comfortable. Marketa took amazingly beautiful portraits of my wife and I with the Aurora in the background! She got deep in the snow just to get the right angle! Thank you Ron and Marketa!!! You made this our favorite vacation!!!

This was a really fun experience overall. It was a nice, relaxing dog sled ride through a serene…read morepublic park. Our guide was fun to talk t, a nice guy who has been training and running sled dogs for years and had great stories. Checking in: When you arrive, you check in at a little house at the bottom of the long driveway downhill and then head over to the sled waiting area. Meeting the Dogs: While you wait your turn, you can pet and play with the dogs. It's a little bit sad at first because each dog is chained to a stake near their individual dog house. Some of them were really tired and just wanted to be left alone, but others were super friendly and eager to make friends. The Ride: When it's your turn, you just pop right into the sled and off you go! A quick heads-up: make sure you get completely comfortable before you take off, because there is no stopping to re-adjust once you start. Also, keep in mind the seating arrangement means the person in front is essentially laying back on the person in the back. While it was a fun bucket-list experience, it's probably a one-and-done activity that I wouldn't necessarily feel the need to do again. Pro tip: Warning (The Hill): To get to the rides, you drive down a long, snow-covered driveway hill, roughly 150 yards. As I was driving down, I couldn't help but wonder if my car would be able to get back up. Sure enough, afterwards, my SUV rental could not make it up the slope and kept sliding backward. Even though I was driving an All-Wheel Drive SUV, it only had standard tires instead of proper snow tires, which caused me a ton of grief and ultimately required a tow up the hill by AAA. (If you're curious, I rented the vehicle from Budget at the airport, you can read my separate review about that nightmare!). It's a fun, authentic Alaskan adventure. Just make sure your vehicle is truly winter-ready.

What an amazing adventure. We had a fantastic ride through snowy forest being pulled by beautiful…read moredogs!! We had a great chat with our musher about life in Alaska and she stopped for photos. Petting the dogs afterwards was a wonderful way to end the trip. Highlight of our trip to Fairbanks.

Excellent half-day tour from Fairbanks to Coldfoot and back. The tour lasted around 4 hours. The…read moreviews from the plane were gorgeous, our pilot was very nice. The Coldfoot guide was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot during our short visit. Would definitely recommend You also get a certificate to take home showing that you crossed the Arctic circle!

I went on an air tour of Gates of the Arctic National Park with Northern Alaska Tour Company. I had…read moreto be there by 6 and we left around 7. We flew to the town of Coldfoot, about an hour away and 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle. We landed, a guide picked us up and showed us around town then took us to the restaurant/general store. We got our preordered food, ate, visited the national park visitor center, then returned to the airport. At that point, we got back on the plane, did our air tour of the park, landed briefly at Coldfoot to let people off the plane, then returned to Fairbanks around midnight. This was a really cool experience and I'm glad I went. NATC did a great job lining everything up and making sure things went smoothly. The flight(s) were good and enjoyable. The park was beautiful and flying was a great way to see it - I'm sure I saw far more than those who trek in on foot. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed our stop in Coldfoot. It was interesting to see how people lived in the Arctic and I even saw one of the places we went on an episode of Ice Road Truckers since I got back, which was cool. I was happy with the whole experience and I would recommend them.

My friend and I had an incredible time with Grace! She made sure we were comfortable and safe…read morethroughout the hike to Castner Glacier! We even got to see some wildlife!! Overall, it was an unforgettable experience. I highly recommend booking a tour with this company.

They cancelled my trip without notifying me. I was waiting at the hotel and could not hold anyone.read more

It was a great time learning about the animals. The tour started on time, with lots of good info…read morefrom the student guide. We were able to see and hear about the reindeer, muskox, and bison. They've got a small gift shop and a variety of artifacts inside to see up close. Enjoyable tour.

This Large Animal Research Station was a pleasant visit while spending the day in Fairbanks,…read moreAlaska. I came here back in the middle of June 2021, and they opened at 10am for a 1 hour guided tour. When I walked inside the research station, I was able to purchase a ticket at the gift shop. From my memory it was $10. We waited a few minutes to see if anyone else would join me on the tour, but I was the only one. Cool! I got my very own personalized tour! And...this Large Animal Research Station is run by students from the University of Alaska - Fairbanks so yes, a student gave me a tour of the grounds and provided insightful information on everything about the two primary animals they house...the musk ox and caribou (or more commonly known as reindeer). In general, I'd say we spent about 35 of the 60 minutes hanging out and talking about the musk ox...a very interesting animal that I had never even heard about prior to coming to Alaska. The other 25 minutes were spent by the caribou (reindeer). Btw...lol, I know the difference between caribou and reindeer.... A caribou is a reindeer set out in the wild, and a reindeer is one that has been domesticated. Obviously, the reindeer were pretty cute, and it would've been fun to have had a chance to make nice with or possibly pet them. Unfortunately, they were behind a fence though they did approach us when the guide handed them some tree branch leaves to munch on. And same thing with the musk ox. They were exclusively behind the fence as well though just like the reindeer, they happily approached us when they spotted tree branch leaves being set beside their fence. I will say that the musk ox are dangerous to the point where they cannot be allowed to interact with humans and or tourists, but the reindeer are a different story. And that sort of leads me to my next point... Okay so here at the Large Animal Research Station you have featured these musk ox and reindeer. But actually, during my itinerary through Alaska I was visiting two specific farms solely dedicated to both the musk ox and reindeer. These farms were located in Palmer, Alaska...about 330 miles south from here in Fairbanks. Though, they fit in well with my entire journey, so I kind of felt like here at the Research Station it was a good introduction and "preview" to the main events out on the farms in Palmer, AK. Just briefly mentioning them, the Reindeer Farm in Palmer is totally hands on for the 1-hour tour where you can feed, pet and cuddle with all the reindeer. It was an absolutely beautiful and memorable experience for me! Meanwhile the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer was 1 hour as well but once again the animals are enclosed behind fencing due to safety reasons. And so, the Musk Ox Farm wasn't nearly as good as the Reindeer Farm, but I highly recommend both in Palmer. Finally, getting back to here at the Large Animal Research Station, it was still a worthwhile 1-hour tour where I definitely took away a lot of good info about the animals. And plus getting to speak with the tour guide and have their full undivided attention was great. I felt like a VIP and got to be as close to the musk ox and reindeer as possible without actually touching them. As the tour ended, I returned to the gift shop hoping to buy a souvenir but unfortunately when looking around inside never found anything that piqued my interest. Though...I did sign the Visitor Logbook saying that I officially made it here, lol. Regardless that I didn't get an opportunity to pet/feed the musk ox or reindeer, I still enjoyed my 1-hour tour on the grounds of this the Large Animal Research Station. For those tourists visiting Fairbanks, I'd certainly recommend making a stop here and getting a chance to learn more about these two distinct animals commonly found in Alaska. And for $10 it's also good to help fund students and their research here at the University of Alaska - Fairbanks.

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.

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.