Thinking about the Fairbanks-to-Anchorage train? Here’s what to expect on the 12-hour Denali Star: stops at Denali & Talkeetna, panoramic dome cars with an open-air platform in GoldStar, meals and drinks onboard, and practical tips for a Talkeetna stopover. 

More than a stopover, Fairbanks shines with gold-rush history, quirky downtown finds, world-class museums, and river life. Follow this 3-day plan: stroll downtown to the Morris Thompson Center and Antler Arch; cruise the Chena on Riverboat Discovery (Trail Breaker Kennel + Chena Village) then explore Pioneer Park; finish with the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum and the University of Alaska Museum of the North—plus Creamer’s Field at golden hour and favorite eats like Lemongrass Thai and The Library Bar & Bites. 

Step into the vast stillness of Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This photo-rich, first-person essay explores tundra hikes, midnight-sun moments, encounters with wildlife, and the inner shift that only true wilderness can spark—plus practical, low-impact notes for traveling and photographing responsibly.