If you do not believe in the existence of Santa Claus, a visit to this tiny city is in order. North Pole, Alaska, ensures that the spirit of Christmas is intact throughout the year. The community is only a short drive from Fairbanks and is known for its vacation trimmings and decorations all through the year even in the scorching heat of July. Visitors will love driving down streets such as Santa Claus Lane, Mistletoe Lane, and Kris Kringle Drive. Alternatively, they can opt to stay at Santaland RV Park. The town becomes vibrant in December and hosts an annual event called North Pole Christmas In Ice Contest. The event draws innumerable ice sculptors from all over the world. Crowds participate with great enthusiasm in the Winter Festival, which is known for its fireworks and several other activities. The town has also created a niche for itself for its interesting dining scene. To plan your vacation better, check out these top things to do in North Pole, Alaska.
1. Get to know Fairbanks on a city tour (from USD 140.0)
If you are interested in knowing the city of Fairbanks well, book yourself on this exciting sightseeing tour, which will last for five hours. You will be taken to Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center to get introduced to the history of this beautiful city and marvel at the jaw-dropping architecture at the Museum of North. The tour also includes a visit to the largest pipeline in the world called the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. The tour ends at the famous Santa Clause House located in the North Pole. There will be an experienced guide to describe all these attractions.
Fairbanks City Highlight Tour
Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
2. Watch car racing at North Pole Speedway
If you are fond of watching car racing at really close quarters and you are vacationing in and around the North Pole, a visit to North Pole Speedway should definitely feature on your travel itinerary. Also referred to as the farthest north paved race track, racing takes place each Thursday night here during the months of May to August. A Pit Side Access costs 10 USD for each person irrespective of their age, while the cost of the Spectator side for an adult is 5 USD and a child is 3 USD while also featuring a special concession stand with tidbits like soda, hamburgers, hot dogs, and nachos among others.
North Pole Speedway
Address: 2488 Lions Rd, North Pole, AK 99705, United States
Website: North Pole Speedway
3. Take your kids to Zip Zaps Laser Tag
Laser Tag has become an extremely popular game for all age-groups. If you wish to play it with your family, corporate team or even throw a fun-filled birthday bash for your little one, Zip Zaps Laser Tag is the ideal place to be in North Pole. This Laser Tag center in the town comes with two birthday rooms and it is ideal for hosting kids’ parties. The staff is helpful and friendly and there are attractive packages and discounts made available making it an affordable place to be in.
Zip Zaps Laser Tag
Address: 3121 Badger Rd, North Pole, AK 99705-6118
Website: Zip Zaps Laser Tag
Opening hours: Fri: 5pm - 10pm; Sat: 12pm - 10pm; Sun: 2pm - 7pm (closed from Mon - Thu)
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4. Go shopping at North Pole Plaza
Located centrally in the park, North Pole Plaza has a huge Community Giving Tree and an Information Booth, which has event history, penny press machine, and a model train. The North Pole Plaza also has some novelty vendors and an excellent chance to take photos in a spot where you can get inside a mammoth San Jose postcard. The Santa’s Clock is a must-see while a cute Santa Train moves around their Community Giving Tree.
North Pole Plaza
Address: 301 N Santa Claus Ln #2, North Pole, AK 99705, United States
Website: North Pole Plaza
Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (daily)
5. Enjoy cocktails at Badger Den
Ready for one of the Christmas parties. Always booking for Christmas parties. The room is all decorated so all you have to do is just come in and enjoy your party.
Posted by Badger Den on Monday, 27 August 2018
Try out some of the finest cocktails at the Badger Den, which is located on Old Badger Road and is only a few minutes’ drive from Fairbanks. This pub serves some of the most delicious delicacies in the town of North Pole. You will fall in love with their beer on tap, pizzas, and calzones. It is an excellent spot to hang out with your friends and watch your favorite sports on television. The pub also has dartboards and a pool table for your entertainment. A visit to Badger Den is a must for you when you are in the North Pole.
Badger Den
Address: 1447 Old Badger Rd, North Pole, AK 99705, United States
Website: Badger Den
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 1am; Fri - Sat: 11am - 3am; Sun: 11am - 12am
6. Relish Chinese cuisines at Pagoda Chinese Restaurant & Bar
Savor some of the finest Chinese dishes at Pagoda Chinese Restaurant & Bar, which features a traditional Chinese ambiance. This Asian eatery has been tastefully decorated with paper lanterns and dragons to create an authentic Oriental setup. It serves staple Chinese food like chow mein and kung pao chicken among others. The restaurant has infused plenty of Hollywood flavor in their delicious Alaskan King Crab Legs with Ginger. If you wish to beef up this vacation, try out their black peppery Pagoda Steak. You should also try out their lip-smacking Walnut Shrimp.
Pagoda Chinese Restaurant & Bar
Address: 431 N Santa Claus Ln, North Pole, AK 99705, United States
Website: Pagoda Chinese Restaurant & Bar
Opening hours: 11.30am - 9.30pm (daily)
7. Wander around Trooper Scott Johnson Memorial Park
Today at 11:00 am, the North Police Department held their dedication ceremony for the Trooper Gabe Rich and Trooper...
Posted by Alaska State Troopers (Official) on Monday, 1 May 2017
This beautiful memorial park has been dedicated by the Noth Pole and pays tribute to Borough residents who sacrificed their lives while discharging their official responsibilities and serve their municipality, state or country. The park was dedicated in the year 2014. You may come here and pay your tribute to these brave hearts while visiting the city of North Pole. The park has benches and a walkway and is dotted with stone walls lit with LED onto which all Borough residents’ names will be engraved.
Trooper Scott Johnson Memorial Park
Address: 2874-2878 Doughchee Ave, North Pole, AK 99705, United States
Website: Trooper Scott Johnson Memorial Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
8. Bring your furry companions to North Pole Dog Park
Your furry companions will simply love to come to North Pole Dog Park with you. The park actually has two distinct dog parks in it. The larger space is meant for all kinds of dogs while the smaller fenced park is exclusively meant for smaller dogs who may not feel at ease when larger dogs are around. There are many waste collection stations inside this dog park so that the park can be kept clean and well-maintained. It also has picnic tables for the owners to enjoy a leisurely and cozy meal. There is also a parking space so that you can come here in your vehicles.
North Pole Dog Park
Address: 159 E 3rd Ave, North Pole, AK 99705, United States
Website: North Pole Dog Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
9. Enjoy a relaxed picnic at Terry Miller Park
Come on out to the Terry Miller memorial park in North Pole and help restore and replace equipment! Thanks to the North...
Posted by Doug Isaacson on Saturday, 14 July 2018
Terry Miller Park is located on North Pole’s Santa Claus Lane and it has a picnic area, a huge gazebo, and kids’ playground among others. You will also find many picnic tables as well as barbecue grills, which can be accessed on a first-come basis. The fence around the park makes the play area a safe one for your little ones. During summers, the park also offers toilet facilities. You may also see the Alaska Railroad while you are here. Terry Miller Park is a perfect place to enjoy a cozy picnic with your loved ones.
Terry Miller Park
Address: 445 S Santa Claus Ln, North Pole, AK 99705, United States
Website: Terry Miller Park
10. Explore Historic North Pole
One of a kind! The stands as one of the only 2 unsubsidised museums in Norway - together...
Posted by Del Garcin Photography on Monday, 2 September 2019
If you are a history buff and are vacationing in the city of North Pole, Alaska, a visit to the famous Historic North Pole Museum should be definitely on the cards. It is the ideal place to be to learn about the history of the city. The museum is a perfect family-friendly attraction and even your kids are not going to have a single dull moment while exploring it. Make sure that the museum is on your bucket list when you visit North Pole.
Historic North Pole
Address: 301-399 E 5th Ave, North Pole, AK 99705, United States
11. Drop in at the North Pole Alaska Visitor Information Center
Just like many other key cities in the state of Alaska, even the city of North Pole has its own well-equipped visitor information center. The North Pole Alaska Visitor Information Center is an excellent resource to contact when you are visiting the city of North Pole for your vacation. The staff can help you to plan your entire trip, can assist you with maps, and also offer valuable travel tips and the most popular attractions in the locality to check out.
North Pole Alaska Visitor Information Center
Address: 2550 Mistletoe Dr, North Pole, AK 99705, United States
12. Go jogging at 1st Sergeant Thomas Uptgraft Senior Community Fitness Trail
If you are a fitness freak, you will definitely have a great time at 1st Sergeant Thomas Uptgraft Senior Community Fitness Trail. Spanning across 3.21 km (2 mi), the trail features 20 different fitness exercises, which have been set up across five stations. Proper guidance is offered at each of these stations, on using the exercise equipment and ways of doing the exercises. Different user groups and people of all ages can access the trail. It begins, as well as ends in proximity to the town’s North Pole City Hall. The trail was built for promoting health and wellness in the city. Parking space is available at the City Hall when you wish to use the trail.
1st Sergeant Thomas Uptgraft Senior Community Fitness Trail
Address: Near North Pole City Hall, North Pole. Alaska
Website: 1st Sergeant Thomas Uptgraft Senior Community Fitness Trail
13. Have a picnic in 5th Avenue Park
The city of North Pole has several popular parks and 5th Avenue Park is one of them. It is a family-friendly spot and offers a wealth of things for people of all types. There is a bridge, which connects the Beaver Springs Nature trail with the park. There is a tiny park across the park and a play area for the little ones in your family. Other facilities in the park include picnic tables, restroom facilities, pavilion, parking space, natural wildlife viewing, pedestrian paths/trails and more.
5th Avenue Park
Address: 275 5th Ave, North Pole, AK 99705
Website: 5th Avenue Park
14. Be in the midst of nature at Beaver Springs Nature Trail
Beaver Springs Nature Trail is a trail in the city of North Pole, that covers a distance of 1.29 km (0.8 mi). It is an ideal place to be if you wish to indulge in natural wildlife viewing at leisure. A bridge connects 4th Avenue Park with this beautiful nature trail. Beaver Springs Creek is known for a flourishing population of muskrat and beaver, perching birds, waterfowls, and small mammals. Other wildlife you can catch a glimpse of here includes lynx and moose.
Beaver Springs Nature Trail
Address: 201-299 Snowman Ln, North Pole, AK 99705, United States
Website: Beaver Springs Nature Trail
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
15. Bring your kids to Highway Park Playground
The best part of being in North Pole, Alaska, is that there are so many beautiful parks where your kids can be engaged and thoroughly entertained. The Highland Park Playground happens to be a prominent one among them in the town. This kids’ park was the result of the cooperative initiative of the residents of the Highland Park Subdivision. The park features amenities including a picnic table, pavilion, barbecue grills, and playground equipment for your little ones.
Highway Park Playground
Address: NorthPole, Alaska
Website: Highway Park Playground
16. Have a great time in Skateboard and BMX Bike Park
Do you love skating and do not know where to visit while vacationing in the town? You have definitely come to the right place. North Pole City operates and owns Skateboard and BMX Bike Park. The park has been given ample skateboard equipment so that you will not have any problem in borrowing one and have a great skating experience. Some of the other attractions of this park are BMX Dirt Bike Jumps and a basketball court. In short, it is the perfect spot to be for outdoorsy travelers who are fond of BMX bikes and skateboards.
Skateboard and BMX Bike Park
Address: North Pole, Alaska
Website: Skateboard and BMX Bike Park
17. Play baseball in Morning Star Park
Posted by Morning Star Park on Tuesday, 3 February 2015
If you are an outdoor enthusiast, the town of North Pole in Alaska will not disappoint you for sure. You can access Morning Star Park to enjoy games like soccer and baseball. It is located on Monk Court Road and off Badger Road. The park features a soccer field and two baseball fields. The Parks Department of the Fairbanks North Star Borough is responsible for maintaining and operating the Morning Star Park in North Pole.
Morning Star Park
Address: 2965 Monk Ct, North Pole, AK 99705, United States
Website: Morning Star Park
18. Buy some souvenirs at Screaming Weasel Gift Shop
Wondering where to shop for souvenirs to take back home for your loved ones? Look no further as Screaming Weasel Gift Shop is the perfect place to be for your shopping spree. So, drop by and explore the interior of the most recent and yet highly popular shop in town. Check out their handmade and local authentic gift items and you may find something for you too. Each beautiful item is a beautiful Alaskan treasure. The shop can easily be considered as one of the most memorable experiences in the locality.
Screaming Weasel Gift Shop
Address: 2265 Peridot St, North Pole, AK 99705, United States
Website: Screaming Weasel Gift Shop
19. Have some coffee at North Polar Expresso
Happy Labor Day!! Today begins our Polar Mug Club! Come by today (9/2) with your Polar Mug, and we will fill it with...
Posted by Polar Expresso 2 on Monday, 2 September 2019
Welcome to this drive-in coffee shop called North Polar Expresso! Expect nothing but the best coffee in town here. It is one of the most highly-recommended places to hang around with your close friends and exchange pleasantries. You can come here in casual dresses and also bring in your little ones. Another great feature of this coffee shop is they accept payment through credit cards. It is the perfect place to let your hair down and enjoy some relaxed time.
North Polar Expresso
Address: Badger Rd, North Pole, AK 99705, United States
Website: North Polar Expresso
Opening hours: 5am - 8pm (daily)
20. Enjoy a scintillating snowmobile adventure in North Pole (from USD 97.0)
Get set to embark on a nail-biting snowmobile adventure in the North Pole for one hour. There will be a seasoned guide and follow them on exciting remote mountain trails where you can marvel at the frozen rivers and lakes. You can also discover the beauty of wildlife which includes snowshoe hare, fox, and moose. Once the first leg of the trip is over, it is time for you to park the snowmobile and relax with some snacks to munch on and a warm beverage to quench your thirst. Enjoy the beauty of nature abroad a snowmobile.
Fairbanks Snowmobile Adventure from North Pole
Duration: 1 hour
Have a great vacation in North Pole, Alaska
Although it is a tiny town, North Pole offers a string of attractions for its residents and visitors alike. It can be a bit overwhelming for you to decide which attractions to see and the ones to skip. Here are some of the best things to do in North Pole, Alaska to plan your vacation well.
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