Things to do in Fairbanks in May

When is your trip?

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Looking for a different month?

Overview

May is a good time to visit Fairbanks. The weather is usually moderately chilly, humid but cool, with temperatures ranging from 38—59°F (3—15°C). There are plenty of events to check out and activities to try in Fairbanks during this time. Some of our top recommendations: go on a hiking adventure in the White Mountains, go on a fishing excursion on the Chena River, go on a wildlife viewing tour, and more!

Fairbanks has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your May trip to Fairbanks. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to May. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

We’ll let you know everything you need to prepare for the weather in Fairbanks in May. Learn about what to wear and pack for your trip, the average temperatures throughout May, temperature changes from morning to evening and much more.

Visiting Fairbanks? See our Fairbanks Trip Planner.
I'll never travel to Fairbanks without this trip planner again
Learn more
Don't take our word for it
Slide 1 of 6

Best events and things to do in Fairbanks in May

Top experiences in May
Go on a hiking adventure in the White Mountains
May is the perfect time to go on a hiking adventure in the White Mountains, as the trails are starting to thaw and the wildflowers are in bloom. You'll have the opportunity to explore the rugged terrain and take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Go on a fishing excursion on the Chena River
May is the perfect time to go on a fishing excursion on the Chena River, as the waters are teeming with salmon and other fish. Whether you're an experienced angler or a novice, this is a great opportunity to enjoy a day of fishing in the pristine waters of Fairbanks.
Go on a wildlife viewing tour
In May, the wildlife in Fairbanks is abundant, and taking a wildlife viewing tour is a great way to see animals such as moose, caribou, and bears in their natural habitat. You'll have the chance to observe and photograph these majestic creatures up close.
Visit the Fairbanks Ice Museum
May is one of the last months to visit the Fairbanks Ice Museum before it closes for the summer. This unique attraction features intricate ice sculptures, an ice bar, and interactive exhibits that showcase the artistry and craftsmanship of ice sculptors.
I'll never travel to Fairbanks without this trip planner again
Learn more
Take a flightseeing tour of Denali National Park
May is a great time to take a flightseeing tour of Denali National Park, as the snow-capped peaks are still visible and the park is less crowded. You'll have the opportunity to see the stunning landscapes and wildlife from a bird's eye view.
Visit the Georgeson Botanical Garden
In May, the Georgeson Botanical Garden is in full bloom, showcasing a stunning display of colorful flowers and plants. This is a great opportunity to take a leisurely stroll through the garden and admire the beauty of the flora and fauna.
Take a riverboat cruise on the Chena River
In May, the Chena River is starting to thaw, and taking a riverboat cruise is a great way to experience the beauty of Fairbanks from the water. You'll have the opportunity to see the lush greenery and wildlife along the riverbanks.
Visit the Arctic Circle Adventure Area
In May, the Arctic Circle Adventure Area in Fairbanks offers unique experiences such as dog sledding, snowmobiling, and ice fishing. This is the perfect time to enjoy the last of the winter activities before the snow melts.
I'll never travel to Fairbanks without this trip planner again
Learn more
Holidays in Fairbanks in May
May
  • Cinco de Mayo (May 5)
Other notable holidays

Weather in Fairbanks in May

Temperatures on an average day in Fairbanks in May

The average temperature in Fairbanks in May for a typical day ranges from a high of 59°F (15°C) to a low of 38°F (3°C). Some would describe it as moderately chilly, humid but cool.

For comparison, the hottest month in Fairbanks, July, has days with highs of 69°F (21°C) and lows of 52°F (11°C). The coldest month, January has days with highs of 3°F (-16°C) and lows of -8°F (-22°C). This graph shows how an average day looks like in Fairbanks in May based on historical data.

Visiting Fairbanks? See our Fairbanks Trip Planner.

Historical temperature average in May
59°F
highs
38°F
lows

General weather summary

Moderately chilly, humid but cool
Feels like
10%
Chance of rain
0.042 in
Amount
9.8 mph
Wind speed
63%
Humidity
18.7 hrs
Daylight length
4:27 AM
Sunrise
11:08 PM
Sunset
43%
Cloud cover
Jacket
What to wear
What to wear in May
With an average high of 59°F (15°C) and a low of 38°F (3°C), it generally feels moderately chilly, humid but cool. With that in mind, most people would dress in something warm like a jacket
I'll never travel to Fairbanks without this trip planner again
Learn more

Best attractions for Fairbanks in May

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Fairbanks has to offer for travelers in May, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Fairbanks that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Fairbanks for May.
Museum of the North
1. Museum of the North
4.6
(1349)
Natural history museum
Museums
Exhibits showcasing Alaska's art, science & history housed in a swooping contemporary building.
Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center
2. Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center
4.7
(1267)
Visitor center
Cultural center
Free-admission center offering travel advice & information plus exhibits on Native Alaskan culture.
Pioneer Park
3. Pioneer Park
4.4
(1830)
Park
Water & Amusement Parks
Historical theme park showcasing everything from home life to aviation, plus mini-golf & a carousel.
Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
4. Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
4.9
(1046)
Museum
History museum
This resort museum offers guided tours, 70 historic automobiles & post-Gold Rush heritage exhibits.
Running Reindeer Ranch
5. Running Reindeer Ranch
4.8
(539)
Tour operator
Sights & Landmarks
Aurora Ice Museum
6. Aurora Ice Museum
4.2
(648)
Museums
Art museum
Open year-round, this whimsical, 25-degree museum includes ice sculptures, a bar & parka rentals.
Alyeska Pipeline / Viewing Point
7. Alyeska Pipeline / Viewing Point
4.6
(1242)
Sights & Landmarks
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Alaska's oil pipeline is the focus of this museum, which features an above-ground pipe display.
Friends of Creamers Field at Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
8. Friends of Creamers Field at Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
4.7
(1218)
Wildlife refuge
Sights & Landmarks
Wildlife sanctuary & landmark dairy farm offering bird observation & nature education.
Fairbanks Ice Museum
9. Fairbanks Ice Museum
4.0
(667)
Museum
Specialty Museums
Locally made ice sculptures, slide presentations & a nightly aurora show set in a vintage theater.
Alaska Train
10. Alaska Train
4.6
(153)
Train ticket agency
Tours
University of Alaska Fairbanks
11. University of Alaska Fairbanks
4.2
(68)
Public university
Sights & Landmarks
Chena River Wayside
12. Chena River Wayside
4.0
(90)
Campground
Nature & Parks
Large Animal Research Station
13. Large Animal Research Station
4.6
(68)
Research institute
Sights & Landmarks
Co Op Plaza Downtown, Fairbanks AK
14. Co Op Plaza Downtown, Fairbanks AK
4.4
(109)
Shopping mall
Sights & Landmarks
Steese Highway Aurora Viewpoint
15. Steese Highway Aurora Viewpoint
3.9
(12)
Sights & Landmarks
Scenic Drives
Georgeson Botanical Garden
16. Georgeson Botanical Garden
4.7
(500)
Botanical garden
Nature & Parks
Calm spot highlighting native & introduced plants, plus picnic areas & a kids' garden with a maze.

Top searches in Fairbanks

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Fairbanks?

Get inspired for your trip to Fairbanks with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

Planning a trip to Fairbanks?
Save all the best places to visit with WanderlogDownload the travel planning app everyone's been raving about
  • Itinerary + map in one view
  • Live collaboration
  • Auto-import hotels and reservations
  • Optimize your route
  • Offline access on mobile
  • Optimize your route
  • See time and distance between all your places
Learn more
Get the iOS app from the App Store
Get the Android app from Google Play