Fairbanks lies in the wooded Tanana River valley, surrounded by low-lying hills covered with white spruce and birch. Majestic Mt. McKinley can be seen from a distance. The best views of the area are from the campus of the University of Alaska. Free one-hour walking tours of the city start here. The Alaska Public Lands Information Center is at 201 1st Avenue, for maps and information on remote areas including Alaska's parks.
Routes run through downtown and outlying areas, including a bus to North Pole.
Schedules are available here and at the Visitors Bureau cabin. There is an eclectic range of exhibits such as Russian era artifacts and Native crafts. Another interesting activity at the university is visiting the Agricultural Research Station to gaze at the gigantic vegetables that grow in the 20-hour sunlight. There are free public tours of the campus during summer months. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline may be seen on the Steese Highway, north of Fairbanks.