Fairbanks

Fairbanks has a low-rise, log-cabin streetscape, a pretty college campus from which you can see the tallest mountain in North America, late night baseball and golf under the midnight sun and a population of loud, colorful and hospitable locals.

With tourist-related businesses - hotels, taxis, restaurants, equipment hire - at much more reasonable prices than those of Anchorage, Fairbanks rates as a great rest and recuperation (or jumping off point) for hiking in the Denali or paddling the Noatak River.