Late October – early November in Fairbanks, Alaska, is a time in between. It’s not a vibrant fall already. Yet winter is barely at the doorstep. Subtle one week and incremental a few days later, the changes in weather set the pace of your trip and stay behind every choice you make while choosing activities to do and things to explore in Fairbanks in mid-fall.
Last updated: November 28, 2025
Reasons to Visit Fairbanks
Fairbanks was such a tempting idea a few years ago when we spent the last days of August in Anchorage. Located roughly 6 hours north by car or an hour by plane, the city is famous for quite a few things. For many, it’s a getaway to Denali National Park and the Arctic Circle, the land of midnight sun and polar nights. The main thing that lured us to Fairbanks in late October was the chance to see the phenomenal Aurora Borealis.
Located under the aurora oval, the city is known as one of the best places on Earth to see the dancing northern lights. Dark and clear nights that the area is known for also contribute to the desired sighting.
Why Should You Travel to Fairbanks in Late October – Early November?
Normally, the northern lights adorn the sky above Fairbanks from mid-August to mid-April. For one reason or another, we chose to wait a little bit longer and traveled to Interior Alaska only at the end of October. The top priority on our long list of things to do in Fairbanks in late October – early November was to see the spectacular display of the northern lights.
The temperatures in Fairbanks in late October are moderate, lingering in the low 30’s and high 20’s during the day. They drop to the low 20’s in early November. If you ask a local, it’s still pretty warm. For somebody who has lived in California for nearly two decades, it’s cold, but bearable.
READ MORE: 3-Day Fairbanks Itinerary: Aurora, North Pole & Chena Springs
THINGS TO DO IN FAIRBANKS IN LATE OCTOBER – EARLY NOVEMBER
1. Chase Aurora Borealis
The aurora borealis is the first thing visitors of Fairbanks expect to see in the city and its immediate surroundings during their October – November trip. The city indeed has a reputation to match and delivers what it promises most of the time.
Yet like any natural phenomena, the aurora borealis has its own way. In late October – early November, it may dazzle in the sky above Fairbanks every night you spend there or may never show up. The never-showing-up was the story of our trip.
TIP: You can do your research ahead of time and chase aurora borealis on your own or book an Aurora tour. Many first-time visitors chose the latter option.
2. Take a Walk with Reindeer
We softened our disappointment with a morning walk with reindeer. About a dozen reindeer comprise the big human-animal family of Running Reindeer Ranch. The ranch is a favorite destination for locals and visitors of Fairbanks to get up close and personal with the social animals.
How to Visit: Two daily tours are offered at the ranch. Each tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours and hardly ever gets cancelled. In late October – early November, when the weather in Fairbanks is relatively “warm”, the chances of cancellation are close to zero. Reservations, however, are required.
3. See Birds at Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge is one of the best places in Fairbanks to watch birds. They say more than 100 bird species can be seen in the area.
We didn’t have a lot of expectations. The majority of migratory birds leave Interior Alaska for warmer places by the end of September. In late October – early November, you can hear and see only some of the most cold-resilient species that stay in Fairbanks year round.
4. Visit the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center
The Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center is one of several museums you can see in Fairbanks all year round. The place is famous for its exquisite collection and the Moose Antler Arch. The iconic outdoor installation consists of more than 100 moose and caribou antlers and is located right next to the cultural center.
5. Learn the History and Culture of Alaska at the Museum of the North
The largest museum in Fairbanks, the Museum of the North offers more than 2.5 million artifacts and objects to explore on a chilly day in late October – early November.
The institution has been an essential part of the University of Alaska since 1917. Its early collection consisted of the artifacts collected primarily by local naturalist Otto Geist. Later exhibits came from field acquisition, donations, and transfer of collections from other institutions.
6. Meet More “Locals” at Large Animal Research Station
The Robert G. White Large Animal Research Station is home to two distinct Alaska animals: muskoxen and reindeer. As you visit the animal center, you get to learn about the remarkable comeback of muskoxen and start to recognize the differences between reindeer and caribou, two subspecies often mistaken for the same mammal.
Unlike at Running Reindeer Ranch, the animals at the research station are “wilder”. You can observe them only behind the fence. No patting or otherwise fraternizing the mammals is allowed or possible.
How to Visit: The facility is accessible via daily guided tours. Book your time slot in advance and enjoy this important part of Fairbanks during your late October – early November trip. The Large Animals Research Station is closed most of December and January due to the cold weather.
READ MORE: Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Yes, It’s Worth It
7. Check out Vintage Cars at the Fountainhead Antique Car Museum
At the end of October, the cars I was interested in while planning our trip to Fairbanks were 4×4 and not too bulky, in case the parking situation in the city wasn’t a thing to brag about. Vintage cars? Well, we’ve seen our fair share of them elsewhere in the world. But then I came across one picture that changed my mind completely.
Apart from displaying dozens of classic vehicles, the Fountainhead Antique Car Museum offers a rare opportunity to “immerse yourself” into Fairbanks’s pioneer or even Titanic era. The place expands its vintage car collection with an assortment of more than 130 dresses, suits, coats, and accessories from past decades.
In one of the exhibition areas, you are encouraged to pick your favorite outfit and pose in front of a replica of the original Sourdough Roadhouse. I had a feeling Dylan would love to dress up as an aristocrat from the previous era. Unfortunately, he didn’t get a chance to do it.
How to Visit: In late October – early November, like many other places in Fairbanks, the museum switches to the winter schedule. The place opens its doors for visitors two times a week for a few hours. During the summer season, the Fountainhead Antique Car Museum is open daily.
8. Ride the Aurora Winter Train
Ditching the car and taking a train heading south in late October – early November is an ideal solution for travelers like yours truly who don’t jump with excitement at the prospect of driving along the snowy roads. Or braving any other road conditions the late fall can surprise you with, for that matter.
On weekends and a few select weekdays from mid-September to mid-May, the AuroraWinterTrain travels between Anchorage and Fairbanks, passing through Denali National Park.
If you don’t want to commit to the 12-hour journey all the way to Anchorage and return back the following day, cease the opportunity to spend one day in Denali National Park and return the same day aboard the Aurora Winter Train.
READ MORE: Explore Kenai Fjords National Park from the Sea
9. Explore North Pole
Not the true north pole in geographical terms, North Pole is yet another popular place to visit during your October – November trip to Fairbanks. Located roughly 14 miles southeast of downtown Fairbanks, the place is famous for its devotion to Christmas festivities.
“Candy cane” street lamps, a gigantic Santa statue, and festive Christmas trees adorn the city all year round. The main attraction is the Santa Claus House, which in essence is a big Christmas-themed store.
Inside the store you can find anything and absolutely everything you need and don’t need for Christmas, including Santa letters. If you want to add a personalized message for your naughty or nice munchkin, I would suggest ordering it online, though, for faster processing.
10. Dine at Pagoda, North Pole
For many, being a vegan or eating primarily a plant-based diet is still considered a picky eater. Sometimes, I find it difficult to locate a restaurant I can eat at even outside Los Angeles, let alone Alaska.
So, I did my research thoroughly prior to traveling to Fairbanks in the last week of October. Fairbanks is famous for having more Thai restaurants than any other cities in Alaska. I don’t have anything against Thai cuisine. But on a cold fall day, I craved something different.
The Chinese restaurant Pagoda was just four minutes away from the Santa Claus House. So, naturally, it was our first choice (after a brief call to find out if they served any vegan/vegetarian dishes).
The place surpassed our expectations. Cozy ambiance, delicious food, a kettle of hot tea – a must-see item on your table at this time of the year – you can’t find a better place to warm up from the inside out.
Note: Their portions are humongous. Don’t order two dishes like Dylan did, unless you are a big eater.
11. Chase Aurora at Chena Lake Recreation Area
Chena Lake is not the most scenic place to put on your Fairbanks itinerary in late October – early November. The area is deserted at this time of the year. Surrounded by grey-looking forest, it’s far from inspiring or even welcoming… until the aurora borealis brightens up the sky above and reflects off the ice-free lake. During those moments, you don’t want to be anywhere else but at the shore of the 260-acre lake.
12. Stop at Alaska Pipeline Overlook
Spanning 800 miles, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline is an engineering marvel. You can get a close-up look of the massive silver structure at the Alaska Pipeline Viewpoint. The overlook is an easy pull-out, set about 9 miles east of Fairbanks city center.
13. Hike the Angel Rocks Trail
The 3.5-mile Angel Rocks Trail can be a perfect destination to stretch your legs on an early morning in late October or early November after an almost hour drive from Fairbanks. The trail is located in the Chena River State Recreation Area along Chena Hot Springs Road.
You can start and end your forest hike at the same location or venture all the way to Chena Hot Springs. The trip is 8.3 miles, one way, in this case.
14. Visit the Aurora Ice Museum
The Aurora Ice Museum is the world’s largest year-round ice environment. More than 1,000 tons of ice and snow was used to create the establishment of such size and grandeur.
The museum is an integral part of Chena Hot Springs Resort. It has been entertaining the hotel’s guests and day visitors since 2005. Among its exquisite exhibits are the Aurora Bar, an ice hotel, and many other ice sculptures.
To preserve all its exhibits, the museum maintains a cool 25° Fahrenheit (-7° Celsius) throughout the year. At the end of October, the temperatures inside and outside didn’t differ a lot. Yet somehow it felt much warmer outside of the ice-confined environment.
15. Soak in Chena Hot Springs
Another (or I should probably say, the main reasons) we left Fairbanks for the Chena River State Recreation Area during our October trip was Chena Hot Springs. The natural hot springs area is a beautiful place to visit year round. But during the cold days of October and November, this little gem, located roughly one hour away from Fairbanks, feels extra special.
You don’t have to stay at Chena Hot Springs Resort to enjoy the healing waters of the outdoor Rock Lake. During our visit, the adult day admission was $15. Once inside, you can spend as much time at the facility as you please. Lockers are available inside the Pool House. Make sure to have some quarters for the lockers and bring your own towels. Alternatively, you can rent towels at the resort for $5 each.
Rock Lake is an adult-only area. No children (17 and under) are allowed in the lake. Little visitors are welcome to swim inside a heated pool or warm up in two hot tubs.
16. Take a Tour to the Arctic Circle
Late October – early November is an excellent time to visit the Arctic Circle on a day trip from Fairbanks. Apart from scenic views and year-round sightseeings such as the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, by venturing further north you increase your chances of feasting your eyes on the dancing northern lights.
Two guided tour options are available for those who long to add a very special adventure to their Fairbanks itineraries: a fly/drive excursion and a ground tour. Each tour lasts at least a day. Several-day options are also available.
THINGS YOU CAN’T DO IN FAIRBANKS IN LATE OCTOBER – EARLY NOVEMBER
1. Dog Sledding
The end of October – early November is a transitional period in Fairbanks. It’s not winter with tons of snow yet. But the vibrant fall with moderate temperatures is long gone. While the city may get the first snow as early as the end of September, the white cover may not stay for long and probably won’t be deep enough for dogs to pull the sled. In Fairbanks, winter dog sledding tours normally start in mid-November.
The so-called “party on wheels” when huskies “pull” a vehicle with the motor on is a summer alternative to the winter dog sledding. The last “run” of the season is conducted before October rolls in.
If you visit Fairbanks in late October – early November, your only option to interact with Alaskan huskies is to visit a dog kennel.
2. Gold Panning
Gold panning, another cool thing to do in Fairbanks, ceases its operations sometime in mid-September. It resumes its seasonal activities only at the end of May.
