Overview
North Pole is a city of 2,100 people (2019) near Fairbanks in Interior Alaska. The city is a summertime attraction for tourists visiting nearby Fairbanks and, due to its location on the Richardson Highway, those traveling to and from the Alaska Highway and Valdez.
4 sights · 3 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about North Pole
Santa Claus House
The most obvious sight in the city is the "Santa Claus House," a Christmas-themed gift shop with live reindeer next door and appearances by Santa himself. You can also arrange for anyone you wish to receive a letter from…
Meet Santa
Antler Academy
Meet and feed Santa's reindeer.
The Knotty Shop
Another gift shop you say? Well, yes and no. It is a gift shop, and has some sculptures made of burled and knotty wood, hence the name. However the real attraction here is the "wildlife museum" in the back room. It is on…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Aug. Summer highs reach about 73°F; winter lows dip to about -16°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Aug.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- FAI Fairbanks International Airport, Fairbanks — 16 mi away. Directions
- FYU Fort Yukon Airport, Fort Yukon — 139 mi away. Directions
- ANC Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage — 260 mi away (major hub). Directions
North Pole is on Alaska State Highway 2, about 14 miles east of Fairbanks.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Santa Claus House, Meet Santa
- Lunch Fire Wok
- Afternoon Antler Academy, The Knotty Shop
- Dinner Pagoda Restaurant
- Evening Elf's Den Dining and Lounge
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Prior to Christmas each year, the US post office in North Pole receives hundreds of thousands of letters to Santa Claus, and thousands more from people wanting the town's postmark on their Christmas greeting cards to their families. It advertises the ZIP code 99705 as the ZIP code of Santa. A community program also responds to letters addressed to 1 Santa Claus Lane.
Climate
Get in
By bus
By car
North Pole is on Alaska State Highway 2, about 14 miles east of Fairbanks.
By air
Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) is the closest airport with scheduled service.
Recreational pilots can fly to Bradley Sky-Ranch Airport.
Get around
The town is quite small and, weather permitting, can easily be explored on foot.
By taxi
Taxis are available locally from North Pole Taxi (+1 907 488-7433) or King Cab (+1 907 488-8888).
See
See Santa Claus House
The most obvious sight in the city is the "Santa Claus House," a Christmas-themed gift shop with live reindeer next door and appearances by Santa himself. You can also arrange for anyone you wish to receive a letter from Santa just before Christmas! There is a sweet shop inside and the "World's Largest Santa" statue outside.
See Meet Santa
See The Knotty Shop
Another gift shop you say? Well, yes and no. It is a gift shop, and has some sculptures made of burled and knotty wood, hence the name. However the real attraction here is the "wildlife museum" in the back room. It is one of the most over-the-rop displays of taxidermy you will ever see. Whoever made it has basically shot at least one of every animal in Alaska and had it mounted, and they are all on display on an indoor "mountainside." If you like finding weird tourist stuff, this is a must-stop. In summer it is a nice place to stop for ice cream as well.
Buy
The city of North Pole has a 5.3% sales tax.
Postage and mail - use the special Santa/North Pole cancellation slot.
Eat
Eat Pagoda Restaurant
Chinese restaurant. Opened in 1990, it was featured on Diners, Drive-ins & Dives.
Eat The Sweet Shop at Santa Claus House
A small cafe inside the Santa Claus House. Has coffee, fudge and other desserts.
Drink
Drink Elf's Den Dining and Lounge
Was featured on Diners, Drive-ins & Dives.
Sleep
Nearby
My experience
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