USA, Alaska, Fairbanks, University of Alaska, Museum of the North

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University of Alaska Museum of the North

Top choice in Fairbanks

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In an architecturally abstract, igloo- and aurora-inspired edifice sits one of Alaska’s finest museums, with artifact-rich exhibits on the geology, history, culture and trivia of each region of the state. You are greeted by an 8ft 9in, 1250lb stuffed bear and signposted around very well laid-out exhibits, which examine the state's regions as geographic and cultural units.

Upstairs, the Rose Berry Alaska Art Gallery covers 2000 years of northern works, including ancient ivory carvings, wood masks and contemporary photographs.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center

    Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center

    3.96 MILES

    There are a few contenders for 'best visitor center in Alaska' but this one, an ingenious mix of museum, info point and cultural center, has to be in the…

  • Large Animal Research Station

    Large Animal Research Station

    1.55 MILES

    If you can’t make a trip to the Arctic for a little wildlife observation, consider visiting this research station that tends herds of musk ox, reindeer…

  • Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum

    Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum

    3.63 MILES

    For a state with so few highways, this is a surprisingly comprehensive collection of 70 working antique vehicles, highlighting the evolution of the…

  • Georgeson Botanical Garden

    Georgeson Botanical Garden

    0.6 MILES

    The severe Arctic and wild interior of Alaska are blessed with rainbows of wildflowers, which are all on display here. The Georgeson Botanical Garden is a…

  • Alaska Range Viewpoint

    Alaska Range Viewpoint

    0.07 MILES

    Gaze out over boreal forest to distant mountains (including Denali on a good day) from this high perch on the University of Alaska campus.

  • Pioneer Park

    Pioneer Park

    2.45 MILES

    Like many cities with little surviving history, Fairbanks attempts to recreate the 'old' days in a historical theme park. Suffice to say, it doesn't…

  • Chena Lakes Recreation Area

    Chena Lakes Recreation Area

    19.79 MILES

    This large, lakeside protected area represents the last phase of an Army Corps of Engineers flood-control project prompted by the Chena River’s flooding…

View more attractions

Nearby Fairbanks attractions

1. Alaska Range Viewpoint

0.07 MILES

Gaze out over boreal forest to distant mountains (including Denali on a good day) from this high perch on the University of Alaska campus.

2. International Arctic Research Center

0.23 MILES

Located on the University of Alaska campus, the center has become a leading authority on climate change. Its work includes investigating the impacts of…

3. Georgeson Botanical Garden

0.6 MILES

The severe Arctic and wild interior of Alaska are blessed with rainbows of wildflowers, which are all on display here. The Georgeson Botanical Garden is a…

4. Large Animal Research Station

1.55 MILES

If you can’t make a trip to the Arctic for a little wildlife observation, consider visiting this research station that tends herds of musk ox, reindeer…

5. Pioneer Park

2.45 MILES

Like many cities with little surviving history, Fairbanks attempts to recreate the 'old' days in a historical theme park. Suffice to say, it doesn't…

6. Pioneer Air Transportation Museum

2.54 MILES

Only open in summer, this museum is full of olden planes and aviation history, with an obvious focus on the field as practiced in the Alaskan interior and…

7. Tanana Valley Fairgrounds

2.62 MILES

Community dances, neighborhood gatherings and state-fair-style events, which showcase the area and state's rural and frontier culture, often take place in…