This is a first time trip to Alaska and am mostly interested in beautiful scenery, particularly mountains, glacier and water. Spending several days on Kenai Peninsula, will also visit Valdez, Denali Hwy, and Denali Nat Pk. Will I miss alot if I don't visit Fairbanks area? If you think Fairbanks worthwhile to visit, would you recommend going from Anchorage area up Richardson Hwy to Fairbanks or from Anchorage to Tok to Fairbanks? I have The Milepost, but I'm looking for personal experience. Thanks for your input!

There are thousands of Fairbanksians who love their area, and it's true that there are a number of cool things for a visitor to see and do around Fairbanks.
But...for a first trip to Alaska and probably with limited time, I think you'll find better ways to spend your days than in Fairbanks.
However, if time and resources (meaning money) permit, Fairbanks can be a fabulous jumping-off spot for travel into the bush or off the road system - the arctic, native villages in the interior, etc.; but if you're car-bound I'd look elsewhere for the best scenery.

Agree with John....if you'll be in AK for more than 2 weeks, include Fairbanks. If not, there's so much to see and do you'll easily fill your itinerary. AK is a truly breathtaking place. Enjoy it to the fullest!

Add my vote to Fairbanks being a bit of a disappointment; not much there besides a mid size town WAY far north. Most of the scenery and wildlife of Alaska is in Denali and south, so stick to that area if that's what you want.

Of course, if you want to go to REALLY far north country (ie, the Dalton Hiway), you'll have to go through Fairbanks.

rose:

my mom and i were up there 5 years ago and, like the others, found the southern part to be way cooler. fairbanks isn't bad, but just less spectacular. we started in anchorage, went down to homer, hit seward (kenai fjord tour was stellar), up to denali park, then fairbanks, down to valdez, back to anchorage. it provided last memories for us. i wish we'd tried to get to wrangell-st.elias park near valdez, although i know the roads are sketchy. it is supposed to be phenomenal.

peace.......pat