North Pole

North Pole is a town about 15 miles southwest of Fairbanks. The town started when a company bought the land and named it North Pole to try to attract a toy manufacturer who could advertise that its toys were made there. Later the city's light poles were painted to look like candy canes. 

Santa Claus House was built in 1952 and is the big attraction there. It is a huge gift shop filled with Christmas decorations, ornaments,and other Christmassy stuff. 
Next door is the Antler Academy of Flying & Reindeer Games where you can feed and hang out with the Reindeer.

The big draw is the big man himself, of course. The only reason any one drives down St.Nicholas drive is to see Santa! Unless of course it is Monday or Tuesday...the days that Santa doesn't show up at his own house. And small children and grown men from Ohio are all standing around crying...

So by all means, if you head to North Pole Alaska, call ahead to make sure that Santa is there.

We were able to make a return trip to see Santa and Tom got to sit on his lap and Santa Facetimed with Gracie, who of course let Santa know that she needed more Elsa and Ana stuff.

Another fun thing to see in Fairbanks is The University of Alaska Museum of the North. There are a bunch of exhibits about the people and wildlife of Alaska. There is a wonderful art gallery on the second floor where you get to sit in one of the exhibits. Thanks for the suggestion, Betsy!