Fairbanks, Alaska: The Last Frontier

Cozy Cabin, Northern Lights, Dog Sleeding, Hot Springs and Arctic Circle

We’ve definitely started a trend of picking travel spots that are a little off the beaten path. One day, I’m sure we’ll end up on a classic European vacation, sipping wine and eating cheese in the countryside — but for now, it’s all about chasing unique adventures. This time, we found ourselves wandering through Fairbanks, Alaska.

The idea came from my mother-in-law, who had seeing the Northern Lights on her bucket list. She invited Meghna and me to join, and without hesitation, Meghna signed us up for our first official family vacation.

Getting to Fairbanks Fairbanks is located deep in the interior of Alaska, making it one of the best places in the world to see the aurora borealis. Flights from major U.S. cities connect through Seattle or Anchorage, and while it’s a remote destination, getting there was relatively seamless. Be prepared for cold temperatures—winter lows can drop to -40°F (-40°C), so packing the right gear is essential.

Packing List for Fairbanks

• Clothing:

  • Men

    • Base Layer: Uniqlo HeatTech Ultra Warm

    • Mid Layer: Patagonia Quarter Zip

    • Outer Layer: Spyder Jacket and Ski Pants

    • Head Covering: I would recommend highly recommend something to cover your ears. Halfway through the trip I lost my ear warmers and wore a thin ski mask I got off Amazon.

  • Women

    • Base Layer: Uniqlo HeatTech Ultra Warm

    • Mid Layer: Quarter Zip

    • Outer Layer: North Face Bib Ski Pants & North Face Jacket

    • Boots: Merrell Women's Moab Waterproof Boots

Upon arriving in Fairbanks, we quickly realized that Uber and Lyft are not widely available. After waiting about 20 minutes without success, we reached out to our hotel for assistance. Fortunately, they promptly arranged transportation and sent a driver to pick us up. We spent our first night at Hyatt Place Fairbanks before transferring to the cabins to officially begin our adventure.

Day 1 Fairbanks, Walmart & Northern Lights

Our first day in Fairbanks felt like stepping back in time, with a nostalgic charm found in its small boutique stores and cozy coffee shops. As we explored the town, we stumbled upon Bahn Thai — one of Fairbanks’ 13 Thai restaurants — and were pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was.

Bahn Thai

After lunch, we returned to the hotel, ready to begin our adventure with Alaska Aurora Adventures. The tour company picked us up and made a quick stop at the local Walmart. With Alaska Aurora Adventures, all lodging and activities are turnkey — you simply choose a package, and they handle the rest, including transportation. The only catch is that meals aren’t included, so we had to stock up before heading to our cabin. We grabbed essentials like rice, bread, deli meat, and plenty of chips to fuel us through the trip.

The cabin was a cozy two-bedroom, one-bathroom duplex complete with a full kitchen, washer and dryer, and strong Wi-Fi. It had everything we needed to feel right at home—including a great collection of board games and a generous stock of snacks provided by the host. We settled in comfortably, enjoying the warmth and coziness as we eagerly awaited nightfall and the chance to witness the anticipated aurora borealis.

Aurora Borealis

On our first night, we were picked up and taken to a dedicated viewing cabin to hunt for the Northern Lights. The space was warm and welcoming, outfitted with endless snacks, drinks, cup-a-noodles, and fresh coffee—plus, the most important thing: heat.

They provided helpful support like camera rentals, tips on adjusting camera settings for optimal aurora photography, and even a mini lesson on what causes the aurora borealis. The guides closely monitored aurora trackers and frequently stepped outside to check the sky on our behalf.

Suddenly, the door flew open, and they shouted for us to come outside. We rushed out and were instantly stunned—there it was. The sky came alive in vibrant swirls of green, slowly dancing and shimmering across the horizon. It was a surreal moment that made the cold and the wait completely worth it.

Day 2: Dog Sledding & Chenna Hot Springs

Dog Sledding: A Frigid Joy Ride

From the moment Meghna told me we were going dog sledding, I was all in. She was a bit hesitant since she had done it before and warned me how cold it could get—but since it was part of our package, there was no turning back for me.

We got to meet the energetic sled dogs outside, and soon after, we hopped onto the sled guided by the owner. The ride lasted about 8 minutes, and it was absolutely frigid. I had been warned to be careful using my camera since ice would kick up from the dogs' paws—and they weren’t wrong. We had our faces completely covered, with only our eyes peeking out to watch the trail unfold.

I managed to sneak in a few quick photos on the turns when I felt safe enough to take the camera out. As we pulled back into the starting area, our faces were bright red from the cold. Any longer, and this joy ride might’ve started to lose some of its charm—but for those eight intense, exhilarating minutes, it was an unforgettable adventure.

Chena Hot Springs: A Bit of a Letdown

Chena Hot Springs turned out to be much farther from Fairbanks than expected. After a nearly two-hour journey, we finally arrived and began with a tour of the Aurora Ice Museum. If you’ve been to ICE at the Gaylord Hotel—skip this. Even if you haven’t, you might still want to skip it. The museum features a few ice sculptures, an igloo, and the highlight—apple martinis served in glasses made of ice, which was admittedly very cool. But overall, the experience was short and underwhelming.

The facilities at Chena Hot Springs felt quite outdated. Considering the amount of tourism it draws, I expected something a little more modern and better maintained—especially the bathrooms and changing areas. Our tour company even warned us in advance: “Bring sandals unless you want athlete’s foot.” Unfortunately, I didn’t pack any and had to buy a pair on-site for about $20.

The cramped bathroom, complete with a 50-cent locker fee, made for a rushed and awkward changing experience. I quickly got into my swim trunks and made the most of it, enjoying the hot springs water, which did feel amazing after the long trip.

Afterward, I took a quick shower, threw on my base layer, and finished getting dressed in the main lobby area near check-in. It felt pretty chaotic, with people crowding around the few lockers and water puddles everywhere.

For such a major tourist destination, I expected a more polished and welcoming environment. That said, there is an on-site restaurant where you can grab a meal and drinks if you’ve worked up an appetite.

Overall, Chena Hot Springs felt overrated. It’s not something I’d personally recommend unless soaking in the springs is a bucket list item for you.

Aurora Borealis Day II

On our second night, we returned to the viewing area, though the aurora forecast didn’t look promising based on the metrics. After waiting a while with no activity, we decided to head back to the cabin early. But I wasn’t ready to call it a night just yet — I stepped outside to try capturing some Milky Way shots, and that’s when I noticed faint hints of green starting to dance in the sky. I ran inside to grab the family, and sure enough, the auroras had returned — bouncing and swirling across the night sky.

Day 3: Arctic Circle

Arctic Circle

The adventure to the Arctic Circle was not quite what we originally envisioned. It turned out to be a five-hour drive each way, just to cross the latitude line at 66° 34′ N. We were picked up bright and early and made a quick stop at a gas station to load up on snacks and drinks for the road. With a cinnamon donut from the gas station and a bottle of Gatorade, we hit the road.

The drive, while long, was filled with breathtaking scenery. We passed a moose and other wildlife, and as we got closer to the Arctic Circle, the landscape transformed into a winter wonderland of snow-covered trees—like something straight out of Instagram.

As we approached the Yukon River, we stopped at a small, family-run rest stop to warm up with some coffee before making the final push.

Our guide, Art, made the journey much more enjoyable. Along the iconic Dalton Highway, he shared fascinating information about Alaska’s wildlife, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, the land, and its rich history. It felt like we were taking an immersive "Alaska 101" class on wheels.

While crossing the Arctic Circle might not have come with fanfare, it was still a memorable moment to stand at that imaginary line and take in the surreal surroundings.

On our last night in Fairbanks, we prepared one final meal together in the cozy cabin, savoring both the food and the memories we had made. We took a few family photos, laughed about the highs and lows of the trip, and reminisced on the adventures from the past few days. It was a peaceful and heartwarming way to wrap up a journey we won’t soon forget.

Final Thoughts:

Fairbanks is a quick trip, and aside from a wildlife tour to seek out more Alaskan animals, there wasn’t much more we could have added to our itinerary. The wildlife sightings along the route to the Arctic Circle are unpredictable—sometimes you get lucky and see lots of animals along the way.

One of the highlights of our trip was Alaska Aurora Adventures, which made everything seamless. They provided comfortable transportation to each activity, a cozy cabin, and a prime location for aurora viewing. The overall setup allowed us to enjoy the northern lights in warmth and comfort, unlike the many van chasers we saw huddled outside in the cold.

However, while the company has a lot going for it, one of the owners could benefit from hospitality training. I debated mentioning this, but in the spirit of honesty, it’s worth noting—Jason was not the most welcoming. Reading online reviews about Alaska Aurora Adventures became part of our evening entertainment, and we quickly realized we weren’t alone in that sentiment.

That said, the convenience of their service was a huge advantage. They handled all the logistics, making the experience effortless. Had we rented a car, we would have faced challenging driving conditions. Coming from Texas, where even a hint of ice shuts everything down, navigating Alaskan roads in the winter was not something we felt remotely comfortable doing. Having a chauffeur made the trip stress-free.

Would I return? Probably not. Fairbanks is a once-in-a-lifetime destination, perfect for a weekend getaway but not a place I feel the need to revisit. However, experiencing a world where electricity stops, cell phone reception vanishes, and people live off the land was incredible. It was a stark contrast to suburban life—a glimpse into a completely different way of living.

Overall, it was an unforgettable trip, one I’d recommend to anyone looking for a unique adventure and the chance to witness the magic of the northern lights.