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Alaska may seem like a far-flung land, and that’s the case for parts of the state. Some regions are so vast and unexplored that they’re only reachable by plane or boat.
There goes your plans for an epic Alaskan road trip this fall…
One thing Alaska does have going for it is accessibility to some really cool places. It isn’t as lacking as you might expect.
There are plenty of nonstop flights taking you to some truly jaw-dropping destinations. The main gateway, other than cruise ships, is the capital city of Anchorage.
But a 6-hour drive north, the remote city of Fairbanks is full of surprises.
You don’t need to have a passport in hand and fly across the ocean to Iceland or Scandinavia to bear witness to one of nature’s most incredible phenomena.
That’s right, as summer winds down, it may be considered autumn for many, but in this part of the U.S., it’s the start of the Northern Lights season.
America’s Northernmost Airport
Alaska is a beast! If you thought Texas or California were massive, coming to Alaska is a whole different experience as bright skylines and gridlock traffic are few and far between.
Wide open spaces, frequent wildlife sightings, and majestic landscapes will have you forgetting all about city life distractions.
That being said, what would we do without flights? Exploring the world sure would look a lot different.
Even in places as isolated as Fairbanks, you gotta have an airport in this day and age.
Best of all, you don’t need to fly into Anchorage just to make an extra 6-hour journey to reach this underrated city.
What may be most surprising about Fairbanks is that Alaska Airlines actually offers a few flights to America’s northernmost airport.
The good news is that they’re not the only notable carrier serving Fairbanks.
Current nonstop routes to Fairbanks International Airport (FAI):
- United: Chicago (ORD), Denver
- Delta: Seattle (SEA), Minneapolis
- Alaska: Anchorage, Seattle (SEA)
- The rest are ‘puddle jumpers’ I can all but guarantee you’ve never heard of. You may notice American no longer flies here.
Perhaps that’s because the popular airline has a vendetta against liars! Despite being named Fairbanks International Airport, there are no international flights offered here.
Nope, not even to Canada. And especially not Russia, despite being able to see the controversial nation from Alaska’s ‘backyard’.
The Fall Adventure Of A Lifetime
Alaska is brimming with outdoor wonders living up to the moniker of ‘The Last Frontier’.
One thing is for certain – Alaska is made to be explored. There’s no better time for the remainder of 2024 than fall.
Teeth-chattering temps will overtake the state come winter, so it’s best to get a head start on your travel plans for fall.
As the midway point of August is behind us, September should be the focal point. This is the month when Mother Nature’s skies put on a show.
Aurora Borealis, otherwise known as the Northern Lights, illuminates the sky in greens, blues, and occasional pinkish hues from September to spring.
While there are certainly natural phenomena to not look forward to, such as the current hurricane season, seeing the Northern Lights in person is a bucket-list item to splurge on.
As someone fortunate enough to witness the dancing sky myself, there’s really no comparison and photos don’t do it justice.
In fact, my recommendation would be to put your phones away and soak it in. Even with the latest iPhone models, capturing the Northern Lights in their raw essence can be a tough project.
Best to leave it to the pros.
You can always venture out on your own to witness the Northern Lights, but for something really unique, you could try a tour like this one that includes dog sledding in the moonlight, dinner, and the Northern Lights!
Tip: For best viewing, go outside the city away from light pollution.
A Fairbanks Fall Over A Fairbanks Summer
Fairbanks is a bit of an oddball – lots of quirks around here.
Watch The Boneyard to throw your mind for a loop about this place!
Summer is a popular time for the small city, but it can be a nuisance to those who enjoy some shuteye.
Fairbanks sees long summers, meaning many days see 24 hours of nonstop daylight! Thankfully, hotels have heavily invested in blackout curtains, but this should be of minimal concern in fall.
Less crowds, cheaper stays, and the endless fall foliage and wonders of the sky will have you forgetting all about the city life back home in this delightful town.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.