My wife and I will be in Fairbanks early November for a week , and are looking for interesting things to do that wont break the piggy bank.

Surely someone can point us in the right direction?

Sorry Man, but I don't think Fairbanks is the sweetest in November. Lots of dark, not a lot of snow or ice.

In Dillingham November is one of those transitional months where you can't use a boat and you can't use a snow machine so you catch up on chores like painting inside and laundry. Read books.

I think Fairbanks is fantastic for the summer and fall months and id think late winter and spring would be great.
November sounds like a work on the car in the garage month.
Sorry.

The idea of the trip is to see Alaska in the winter , especially the aurora .
We are booked on the Train from Anchorage to Fairbanks but beyond that we have no firm plan.
Being Kiwis this is a whole new adventure , and its unlikely that we will be coming back in the future so trying to make the most of it.

It sounds like you are already planning to see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). I would also recommend a trip to Chena Hot Springs. https://chenahotsprings.com/
There is the Santa Claus House in North Pole about 10 miles away from Fairbanks.

If you check out some travel blogs like this one https://travelingbeebryantrn.c...o-visting-fairbanks/ you may get some other ideas for things to see while you are here.

We usually have snow by November and it could be below zero fahrenheit by the time you arrive so dress accordingly. Fairbanks is a friendly community. Enjoy your trip!

Thanks , sir!

I think we are covered now on touristy things to do - have a couple of day tours booked and a free day to mooch and explore.

Coming in from South Carolina so the temps will be very differant from our previous month ;-)

The car museum is incredible.
The museum at the University if also good.
Chena Hot Springs is also a great overnight trip.
Should have snow, so snow mobile trail riding could be on the table. Also dog sled rides is there is snow.

Also muzza,

If you'd like to get together, drop me a private and we can coordinate. I might be gone pare of November.

I've enjoyed New Zealand and Kiwis seem to be misplaced Alaskan's.

Pm-ed you a couple of days ago ;-)

Muzza,

I went back about 2 weeks and I cannot the PM. Typically i get them, but who knows, it could have been swallowed by our virus software.

Could you try again, I keep an eye on my phone and when I'm in my office my computer.

I have been out a bit, but I still should have seen it on my phone.

Oh our weather is outstanding right now, should be close to 80F this weekend.

I'm headed out of town fishing for the weekend.

Not sure what the go is - have resent original PM to no avail.

Just shout it out here on the forums. None of us will look

This is a nice place to eat


https://pumphouse.com

Also the Turtle Club is a must. Outrageous decor and great meat.

Mark

Thanks for the suggestions .

We arent really fine dining folk - the local diner is more our style but we will check it out whilst in town ;-)

Muzza,

Believe me the Turtle Club does not have a fine dining atmosphere at all but the food is excellent.

Picture four nuns sitting in a booth with a huge black light nude staring down at them from just above the salt and pepper shakers. That's the Turtle Club's decor. Weird but fun.

Mark

I shall add it to the list of local 'attractions" then :-)

Muzza,

I should be in town the first part of November. Hopefully you'll have some time to get together.
Turtle Club and Pumphouse are both known for good food, Turtle Club is prime rib mostly and Pumphouse is typical dining menu food. Pumphouse used to be a large water pumping station that supplied water to the Ester area for gold mining. It's a hilly area and there were no rivers to sluice gold so the early miners built the pump house to be able to wash gold. Kind of cool history for that building.
Look forward to seeing you in couple months
AH

no problems . Will be in touch :-)

I would like to say a huge thank you to Alaska Hunter Mike for his kind hospitality during our visit to Fairbanks. Its always nice to meet locals - when you stay somewhere as a tourist you generally only meet tourists ......

glad you enjoyed a little of the hospitality of the north and luckily it was not cold despite receiving early deep snow mid ocotober at least here in the south lol ...

It was cold for us - coming in from South Carolina....

It was a great trip , and we can cross Alaska in the Winter off our bucket list now ;-)

quote:

Originally posted by muzza:
It was cold for us - coming in from South Carolina....

It was a great trip , and we can cross Alaska in the Winter off our bucket list now ;-)

since you left winter is finally coming ... but yes it can be a shock for some over there.