Where to Book: the 7 Best Spa Days in Fairbanks

1.Chena Hot Springs Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 264 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $210Our pick

Spend about eight hours traveling from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with a driver-guide such as Jean, Ray, or Gina. Soak in 106°F mineral water, tour the Aurora Ice Museum, see geothermal projects, and leave time for lunch, trails, or summer dog activities.

“This was an exciting trip. Our guide Jean was knowledgeable and shared a lot of stories about Alaska and their experience in this wilderness. The hot springs was a cool place and the outdoors spring pool was awesome. The ice museum was great and awesome. Cheers”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Chena Hot Springs Day Tour from Fairbanks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 117 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $200Best value

Spend about six and a half hours with a small group traveling from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs. You’ll visit the Fairbanks Ice Museum, consider an optional geothermal tour, and soak in the resort’s thermal pools. Guides such as Ash, Paul, Joe, Jeff, and Ed are known for adding local stories and wildlife stops.

“Jeff, out your guide provided information on the area. He made a couple of detours showing us a beaver lodge and dam, plus a pretty lake. . He spotted a moose and stopped for additional viewing time. We were able to see the ice museum. Interesting place. If interested, you can drink martini from an ice martini glass. The hot springs were wonderful. Various temperatures and water guns. The water guns had cool water, very warm water, and with strong pressure with warm water that you could allow to hit your back. It was like getting a deep tissue massage. It felt magnificent. There is also a hot tub and…”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Night Tour from Fairbanks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $240

You’ll ride from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with a driver-guide such as Ed, Jake, or Randy, tour the Ice Museum, soak in the springs, and wait for the aurora. The small-group trip lasts about 10.5 hours and returns around 4am.

“Our tour guide made this trip. The hour and half deive went swiftly by. We were first time travelers to Alaska and he talked about the area and answered alll of our questions. He did this with so much enthusiasm. He was fun and informative and helped everyone with their cameras when looking at the aroura. I absolutley loved the experience and would recommend to everyone. I will say dress really really warm. It was the coldest experience of my life waiting for the aroura. Just go. You wont be disappointed.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Spectacular Hot Spring Experience with Northern Lights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $245

Spend 8 to 10 hours traveling from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with a small group of up to 14 people. Guides such as Tony, Chris, Savvy, Kevin, and Christopher combine the hot springs, Ice Museum, optional dinner, and a patient aurora chase.

“Tony was incredible! Just all around down to earth friendliest guy ever. Incredibly knowledgeable about everything aurora! We were able to see some lights at the hot springs but we did not see a show. Tony really wanted to experience a light show. He took us to another site and lo and behold we got a light show. He was incredibly flexible with how much time we wanted to do the specific activities! Take this tour! You will not be disappointed!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Chena Hot Springs Northern Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 59 reviews · 10 hours · from $240

Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs in a small group of up to 10. Tour the Aurora Ice Museum, spend about two hours in the hot springs, and watch for the northern lights with guides such as Joe, Ryan, Daniel, or Ash. Pickup is available from major Fairbanks hotels, not private homes.

“Paul was a great guide, knowledgeable, friendly and enthusiastic. Very much enjoyed the hot tub and springs”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Full Day Ice Museum and Chena Hot Springs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 32 reviews · 7 hours · from $200

Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs for an ice museum visit, a geothermal-energy tour, and several hours in the pools. Guides such as Paul and Joe have led recent departures. Hotel pickup, museum entry, and pool admission are included, while lunch costs extra.

“Sadly, this trip fell far short. Guide’s commentary was not particularly informative during the hour plus drive to get there. The guide offered a folding plastic step stool to enter van that was cracked and broken to the point of being a safety concern. The van’s tire pressure alarm went off while driving and she just waved it off. Once there, the ice museum was closed due to a temperature variance, so that was a total bust (and the refund received for this was laughable). At that point, we were simply released to go find lunch (one available restaurant), visit hot springs or otherwise entertain ourselves til 5pm when she…”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Chena Hot Springs Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 16 reviews · from $210

Travel 60 miles from Fairbanks with an English-speaking guide such as Rachel or Jodie. Visit the Aurora Ice Museum, learn how Chena uses geothermal power, and soak in its mineral hot springs. The 8-hour trip includes pickup, admissions, and time for lunch, with food and drinks extra.

“Very knowledgeable and highly professional guide, very enjoyable and informative tour”

Check availability →Read our full review