North Pole is a city in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska.
It is 386 miles north of Anchorage and 2,347 miles northwest of Seattle, Washington.
As of the Alaska Department of Labor’s 2021 estimate, the population in this small city is 2,103.
Northpole comprises 4.2 square miles of land and 0.1 square miles of water.
This city, which exudes a great vibe, especially during December, is home to the famous Santa Claus House, which attracts many locals and tourists worldwide.
Its Christmas decorations include a real-life Santa and a 42-foot-high Santa Claus statue that guards Richardson Highway.
These are some of the exciting things this destination has to offer.
Besides Santa, you and your loved one may enjoy a wide selection of activities in this lovely city.
Here are the best things to do in the North Pole, Alaska:
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Santa Claus House is a Santa Claus-themed house in St. Nicholas Drive, one of the most famous attractions in Alaska since 1952.
People from different parts of the world, both children and adults, visit this place to experience a one-of-a-kind Christmas with Santa Claus.
There is also a gift shop inside Santa Claus House filled with colorful and cute Christmas and Alaska items you can buy.
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Isn’t it fun to buy Christmas decorations and ornaments from the place where Santa Claus lives?
If you’re a fan of sweets and desserts, you should never miss out on the Sweet Shop at the Santa Claus House.
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This is the best place to buy Christmas cookies, brownies, candies, and even coffee while enjoying the sceneries and overall vibes of the area.
The displays inside this pastry shop are also perfect for photo opportunities.
Another thing you can do here is to experience sitting in Santa’s sleigh parked in front of the world’s giant Santa statue measuring 50 feet tall.
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Alaska-Wildlife-Guide LLC in Lyle Ave. offers high-quality guided tours in Alaska all year round.
If you want to maximize your stay and visit all the beautiful sites in this place, this is the best option.
Rainer and Jutta established Alaska-Wildlife-Guide LLC to help people experience the state’s natural beauty, culture, and traditions.
You may try their summer tour, where you’ll see the wonders of Chena Hot Springs and the Arctic Circle.
Alaska-Wildlife-Guide LLC’s winter tours include a snowmobile and snowshoe tour, dog sledding, ice fishing, and a Fairbanks Heritage tour.
One thing you shouldn’t miss is their Northern Lights Tours in Fairbanks.
This tour’s highlight is viewing the astonishing and world-famous Alaska’s Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis.
The Alaskan Experience is an ATV rental and tour company located on Peede Rd.
Their goal is to make your Alaskan adventure easier and more memorable simultaneously.
Their experienced and knowledgeable guides will fascinate you and find interesting information about every mountain, lake, and the site you’ll visit.
The Alaskan Experience has a variety of ATV rentals you can choose from.
Their two to four-seater vehicles are fully equipped and ready to take you from the White Mountains to Copper valley and many more destinations you could imagine.
You may also consult the Alaskan Experience’s guides for the best things to do and see in Alaska.
Sean Kurdziolek Portraits and Gallery is an art gallery situated on Badger Rd #4.
It was founded by photographer and Aurora portrait artist Sean Kurdziolek.
This gallery features his 12 years of experience and mastery in Northern Lights photography.
Inside the Sean Kurdziolek Portraits and Gallery, you’ll admire the breathtaking beauty of Northern lights photographed by Sean himself.
Aside from photographs, you can also view some great metal and acrylic paintings inside the gallery.
Oliver and Maria Rammersbach built Firewalker Kennel.
It’s on Tunnels Rd.
This is the place where you can experience bonding with purebred Alaskan Malamutes.
You may book a short tour if you want to learn something about the state of the dogs in Alaska and get the chance to enjoy a dog sled ride.
Firewalker Kennel also has a mushing school activity where you can handle a sled hooked up to a pack of dogs.
Of course, professionals will supervise you to ensure your safety and enjoyment.
You’ll also love their long tour, which includes an hour of sledding experience with Alaskan Malamutes.
You’ll also be given ample time for picture-taking and bonding with the malamutes at Firewalker Kennel.
Arctic Harvest is a family-owned distillery in Eielson Farm Rd.
It was established in 2014 on a 350-acre farm.
This place offers farm-to-bottle alcoholic beverages perfect for the cold temperature of the state.
Their meticulous distillation process involves growing the grain, malting, mashing, fermentation, distillation, aging, and bottling.
A visit to Arctic Harvest is also a good and relaxing break from all the snow activities and mountain adventures you have already taken.
Why not try their Solstice Shine Moonshine whiskey, an unaged white whiskey perfect for adding to cocktails?
Arctic Harvest has delicious cocktails like moonshine margarita, moonshine rickey, and solstice lemonade.
North Pole Plaza is a shopping destination in North Santa Claus Ln # 2.
It boasts a 60-foot Community Giving Tree and an information booth that houses a model train and penny press machine.
You can also see a timeline of North Pole Plaza’s displays, historical drawings, and displays here.
North Pole Plaza is the perfect place for gift shopping, as several novelty vendors are situated here.
Likewise, you can find Santa’s Clock and the Santa Train that goes around the Community Giving Tree here.
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Chena Lake Recreation Area is on Laurance Road.
This place is one of the best camping spots in the city.
The campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to ten nights within 30 days.
Chena Lake Recreation Area has six campsites with access to boats.
However, you will have enough time to explore and enjoy the area surrounded by green landscapes and, of course, a stunning lake.
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Chena Lake becomes a winter wonderland filled with silver salmon, arctic char, and rainbow trout, and you can rent an ice-fishing house during the day.
It already comes with a bundle of firewood and a wood stove.
A cross-country ski trail can also be enjoyed during this season.
Multi-use trails with 3.8, 5.5, 6.5, 9.5, and 12-mile loops are also available at Chena Lake Recreation Area for runners, walkers, skate skiers, skijors, dog mushers, and snow machines.
The Trooper Gabriel Rich and Scott Johnson Memorial Park is on Doughchee Ave.
This park is dedicated to borough residents who lost their lives while serving the municipality, state, and country.
You may visit this place and pay tribute to the people who sacrificed their lives for North Pole.
The city built Trooper Gabriel Rich and Scott Johnson Memorial Park after Trooper Rich, a former North Pole police officer, died.
This memorial park also partnered with Fairbanks, the United States Armed Services, the Interior Fire Chiefs Association, the Alaska Police Officer Association, Fairbanks North Star Borough, and other community groups.
Who says only humans can enjoy the North Pole?
North Pole Dog Park is a large dog park located on 3rd Ave.
It’s divided into two sections: a large area open for all dogs and a smaller fenced park dedicated to smaller dogs not used to being with bigger dogs.
North Pole Dog Park also has designated waste collection stations.
There are also picnic tables where you can relax and enjoy seeing your furry friends having the best time of their lives.
The local government of North Pole accepts donations for the continuous maintenance and creation of additional amenities for the North Pole Dog Park.
The 1st Sergeant Thomas Uptgraft Senior Community Fitness Trail is near the North Pole City Hall.
This area offers self-paced two-mile fitness tails.
Your parents and grandparents will love this trail’s 20 fitness exercises scattered among five stations.
Moreover, each station contains proper instructions on using the exercise equipment at 1st Sergeant Thomas Uptgraft Senior Community Fitness Trail.
The city built the 1st Sergeant Thomas Uptgraft Senior Community Fitness to promote seniors’ active and healthy lifestyles.
However, it’s also open to people of all ages.
5th Avenue Park is one of the best nature parks in Alaska.
It’s owned and operated by the Fairbanks North Star Borough Department of Parks and Recreation.
Inside this park is a bridge that connects it to the Beaver Springs Nature trail.
From there, you may enjoy the sight of a cute resident beaver population living in a small pond.
You may also use 5th Avenue Park’s picnic pavilions, picnic tables, and barbeque grills.
Your kids will also enjoy this place’s playground equipment while appreciating the beauty of towering trees and the fresh afternoon breeze.
Beaver Springs Nature Trail is a 0.8 nature trail on Snowman Lane.
The trail is adjacent to the City of North Pole City Hall.
Beaver Springs Nature Trail features untouched land, home to large black spruce, a forest, and paper birch.
There’s also a pond inside this trail that is home to beavers, other small mammals, birds, muskrats, and waterfowl.
You and your loved ones may spend the afternoon or even an entire day appreciating these animals in their natural habitat.
Moose and lynx can also be sighted at Beaver Springs Nature Trail.
Just remember always to be respectful to nature and keep the place clean.
Morning Star Park is situated on Monk Ct.
This place is perfect if you’re an outdoor enthusiast always looking for new adventures.
Morning Star Park has two large baseball fields perfect for a gaming session with friends and family.
You may also use the park’s soccer field.
Fairbanks North Star Borough’s Parks Department operates and maintains Morning Star Park.
There are also abundant parking spaces at Morning Star Park, so you must enjoy the rest of your stay.
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Terry Miller Park is in South Santa Claus Lane.
It has complete playground equipment and play areas for children.
This park has a fence to secure the safety of your children
You can also enjoy Terry Miller Park through its picnic tables, barbeque grills, and pavilion, where you and your friends can enjoy an afternoon bonding session.
Well-maintained toilet facilities are also available during the summer season.
North Pole is indeed a famous destination for a lot of good reasons.
Every tourist’s visit to this beautiful place is worth every penny and long flight hours as they will experience only the best the city offers.
Plan a visit to this place with your friends and family and note the best things to do in North Pole, Alaska.
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