A Visit to the UAF Museum of the North
I’ve visited the University of Alaska Museum of the North several times over the years, but it’s one of those places that’s always worth going back to. Every visit seems to offer something new to discover or a different perspective on Alaska’s incredible history, wildlife, and landscapes.
Before you even step inside, the museum itself is hard to miss. Its striking white architecture stands out against the surrounding hills and has become one of the most recognizable buildings on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. On a clear day, you can even enjoy beautiful views of the Alaska Range from the museum grounds, making it worth taking a few minutes to look around before heading inside.
The highlight of this trip was finally getting to experience the new Walt and Marita Babula Planetarium. The planetarium opened earlier this year and was made possible through the incredible generosity of Walt and Marita Babula, whose donation helped bring this long-awaited addition to the museum to life.
The planetarium operates much like a movie theater, with presentations beginning at scheduled times throughout the day. Each show lasts about 45 minutes, includes an immersive fulldome film followed by a live tour of the Alaska night sky, and there is no late entry, so it’s a good idea to arrive a little early.
Since I had some time before my show started, I wandered through the museum’s gift shop. If you’re looking for authentic Alaska souvenirs, this is definitely one stop worth making. The shop offers a wide variety of Alaska-made artwork, books, jewelry, clothing, and gifts that are much more unique than the typical souvenirs you’ll find elsewhere. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or bringing something home for family and friends, it’s a great place to find something unique that genuinely represents Alaska.
Once it was time, I headed into the planetarium for the presentation. Sitting beneath the massive dome while exploring the night sky and beyond was an impressive experience. It’s a wonderful addition to the museum, and I hope it’s something visitors continue to enjoy for many years to come.
After the planetarium, I spent the rest of my visit exploring the museum’s exhibits. Almost immediately, you’re greeted by the museum’s massive brown bear. Standing nearly eight feet tall, it’s hard to miss and makes quite the first impression. Seeing an animal of that size up close is a great reminder of just how incredible Alaska’s wildlife really is.
From there, I wandered through the Gallery of Alaska, where each exhibit tells a different part of Alaska’s story. I explored displays about Denali, permafrost, the Gold Rush, dinosaurs, Alaska’s wildlife, and Alaska’s Ice Age.
I also enjoyed spending time in the Alaska Native exhibits. Throughout the museum you’ll find traditional boats, clothing made from animal hides and skins, tools, artwork, and many other cultural artifacts that help tell the story of Alaska’s First Peoples. These displays don’t just showcase the past—they also highlight traditions, craftsmanship, and ways of life that continue to be an important part of many Alaska Native communities today.
One display that especially caught my attention was the baby woolly mammoth exhibit. The museum features a cast of “Effie,” the famous mammoth calf discovered by gold miners near Fairbanks after being preserved in permafrost for thousands of years. It’s fascinating to see these Ice Age exhibits and imagine what Interior Alaska looked like thousands of years ago.
I also stopped by to check on the famous Bus 142, often called the “Magic Bus.” If you’ve seen the movie Into the Wild or read Jon Krakauer’s book, this is the actual bus where Christopher McCandless spent the final months of his life in 1992.
For years, the bus sat deep along the Stampede Trail west of Healy and became an international destination for people hoping to follow in McCandless’ footsteps. Unfortunately, the hike was far more dangerous than many visitors expected. Numerous search-and-rescue missions were launched over the years, and several people lost their lives attempting to reach the bus while crossing the swift, glacial Teklanika River.
In 2020, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, with the help of the Alaska Army National Guard, airlifted Bus 142 out of the wilderness to prevent additional tragedies. Today, the University of Alaska Museum of the North serves as the permanent caretaker of the historic bus. Although the bus itself isn’t currently on public display, the museum is working toward creating a permanent outdoor exhibit where visitors will be able to safely experience this important piece of Alaska history while also learning about the bus’s many roles throughout the decades—not just its connection to Christopher McCandless, but also its history as a military vehicle, a Fairbanks transit bus, housing for a mining crew, and a backcountry shelter long before Into the Wild made it famous. In the meantime, visitors can see several Bus 142 artifacts inside the museum, including Christopher McCandless’ hand-tooled belt, photographs from his journey, and a window from the bus itself.
Whether you’re visiting Fairbanks for the first time or you’ve lived here your entire life, I think the University of Alaska Museum of the North is well worth a visit. Between the incredible planetarium, Alaska Native cultural exhibits, wildlife displays, Ice Age discoveries, geology, history, and rotating exhibits, there’s something here for every age and every interest. I recommend planning at least two to three hours for your visit so you have enough time to explore everything the museum has to offer.
My Tips for Visiting
- Plan 2–3 hours if you want to explore the museum and watch a planetarium show.
- Arrive 15–20 minutes before your scheduled planetarium presentation, as there is no late entry.
- If you’re looking for an authentic Alaska souvenir, spend a little extra time browsing the gift shop before or after your visit.
- Take your time walking through the Gallery of Alaska. There are countless details throughout the exhibits that are easy to miss if you rush.
- If the weather is clear, spend a few minutes outside before or after your visit to enjoy the views from the museum grounds.
Visitor Information
Location
University of Alaska Museum of the North
1962 Yukon Drive
Fairbanks, AK 99775
Parking is available near the museum on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus and is just a short walk from the entrance.
Before your visit, I recommend checking the museum’s official website for current admission prices, museum hours, planetarium showtimes, special exhibits, and upcoming events.
Official Museum Website: https://www.uaf.edu/museum/
I had a really great time during my visit, and of course I couldn’t leave without making a short video to share a few highlights. If you’re planning a trip to Fairbanks, I’d definitely recommend adding the UAF Museum of the North to your itinerary.
Check out the video I made about my time there below: