Really fun. Don't miss the Running Reindeer Ranch. You'll learn a lot and get to spend up close…read moretime with Reindeer and take a walk in the woods with them. Jane and her team are super nice and extremely knowledgeable. I also didn't expect the Reindeer having such distinct personalities. We were there in late May and had a great weather day and there were three new babies - so cute. Thanks to Jane and her team. We had a great time!!!

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.

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".

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.

Experience with Alaska Journey Tours on 12/27…read more Background: I came to Fairbanks on 12/24 but failed to capture any photos of the aurora over three days. Then I stumbled upon Alaska Journey Tours' Instagram account, where they posted photos taken on 12/24 and 12/25. With nothing to lose and a strong desire to make the most of my last day before returning home, I booked a tour in desperation. - Booked Product: 2-hour tour (USD 149/person × 4 people [2 adults, 2 children] = USD 596 via bank transfer). Review: 1. Although we booked a 2-hour tour, the actual time at the site was just 1 hour (1 hour spent traveling round-trip between the pick-up and observation locations). - Recommendation: Opt for at least the 4-hour tour (actual observation time: 3 hours). The online price is USD 229 (USD 199 via bank transfer). We chose the shorter tour due to an early morning departure. 2. The quality of the experience greatly depends on the assigned guide, as their spot selection and photography skills vary. - Tip: Confirm via text message whether the assigned guide is a professional photographer by checking their recently shared photos. 3. Read the text message instructions carefully. - The first message (7 points) did not include any disclaimer about aurora sightings not being guaranteed, but the second message (8 points) clarified this with additional instructions. 4. Avoid booking if the weather forecast predicts clouds. - Although the guide tried to relocate to better spots during the tour, the cloudy skies prevented us from seeing the aurora, and the 1-hour duration proved too short. It would have been better if they had honestly warned us about the low chances of success, rather than immediately confirming the reservation with "Yes, we do," which gave us false hope. 5. Since we couldn't see the aurora, we didn't receive any photos. - The package included photography, but no aurora meant no photos were taken. Not even a family photo commemorating the aurora-chasing tour was provided. Conclusion: This experience taught me that seeing the aurora depends heavily on luck and conditions. While the effort to chase the lights was appreciated, the tour left much to be desired, especially for the price($600). For future travelers, I recommend thoroughly checking the weather forecast and ensuring realistic expectations before booking such tours.

If you want a tour to see the northern lights.. this is your company. David and Joy are top notch…read morein customer service. They actually care about their customers and make sure you are comfortable. David makes sure you get lots of pictures with the lights and he delivers them to you quickly. Do not pass this company up!!!!

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.

Booked an artic flight with my cruise company for while we were in Denali. This flight departs…read morefrom Heely and takes you over the Yukon River to Wiseman and Coldfoot. The main focus is to get you past the arctic circle and to visit Jack a permanent long term resident in Wiseman who lives off the land. It is about 8.5 hours. The van driver picked us up at our hotel. The flight was great in a small Navajo plane with pilot and five people. They do not want you to have more than what you can carry. No large packs, but if you have an item because you didn't know. Then you can sometimes get them to store it in the plane or lock it in the office. The Heely Airport is just an office, old gas truck and portapotty. You can purchase some merch to document your trip. You can also order a meal to pickup in Coldfoot, that helps to support the community. Jack is the main attraction. He shares about the history of his family and shows you around areas of Wiseman. It is a very rough home and life. He will show you how he survives including hunting and gardening. Lots of skins and animal parts. His home is a tight squeeze and our group arrived with another 6 person group from another location. He will show you pictures but make sure to ask to have them pass it around. He is on a schedule so he goes quick and then leads you outside to tour. Very uneven and wet terrain with mosquitoes. TAKE A NET and BUG SPRAY or ask for the spray. There is an early flight that ends at about 5pm and ours departed shortly after and returned a little after midnight (still light in June). Unfortunately, our focus was to get a visit to the Interagency Visitor Center to say we made it to the nearby Gateway to the Arctic National park. Apparently the early flight makes a stop. The visitor center closes at 8pm, so it just closed when we arrived and it was not part of our trip. If they would have arrived half hour early that would have been AMAZING, but it wasn't to be. However, on the way back we talked our driver into making a quick stop so we could get pictures at the visitor center. My biggest recommendation is for the company to realize most people want to not only cross the artic circle but also have bucket list to get to the Gateway to the Arctic National Park, so they should move the schedules around a little to allow both groups, morning and afternoon, to get to the visitor center for at least 15-20 minutes. I liked Jack, but he was not why I took the trip, he was a great bonus. Make sure you bring tip money for the pilot, driver in Coldfoot and Jack. There is also a winter tour where Jack will help you photograph the northern lights, which Jack will correct you to call it the aurora borealis.

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.

Every detail of this experience as well thought out. It's relaxing and informative. It's not Disney…read moreWorld but it's not supposed to be. What a beautiful and perfect day on the river. The fishing camp experience was well thought out and beautiful. It's like going back in time 50 years when family owned businesses were normal and the care that they put into this showed their family pride as they really take good care of their customers. We also went to the dining experience and were surprised that the meal tasted like something you would experience at a family dinner and grandma was at the stove. I am gluten-free and I ate well. I would rate it higher if I could.