Foto Journee Takes the Northern Lights – The Itinerary (Part 1)

Departure/Arrival in Fairbanks

In the weeks leading up to the trip, Chicago was brutally cold. Massive snowstorms rolled in as early as November, and December brought relentless, bone-chilling temperatures. I kept joking, “Chicago is just preparing me for Alaska.”

Then the day finally arrived. I woke up in the early hours, layered up in my cold-weather gear, grabbed my luggage, and headed to O’Hare International Airport at 3 a.m. to make my 6 a.m. flight. And wouldn’t you know it—I was soooo warm. Of course. Just my luck - it was 40 degrees in Chicago, and I was leaving (SERIOUSLY?!?!).

The journee itself was smooth sailing. As expected, I boarded my flight to Seattle and slept the entire way (😴). But between Seattle and Fairbanks, sleep was impossible—I was far too excited. I’d seen maps of the western United States showing rugged, mountainous terrain, but flying over it was something else entirely. For hours, there was nothing but snow and mountains. It was impossible not to marvel at those who once dared to cross this land on foot in search of gold—facing the cold, the wildlife, the danger, and the vast unknown.

Onward I flew toward Fairbanks, and after nearly eight hours of flying, I finally arrived. It was time to explore.

On to See a Man About a Gift

It was Christmas Eve, and the morning greeted me in Fairbanks with a fresh fall of soft, powdery snow. Bundled up against the chill, I ordered a rideshare to my very first stop—the North Pole, home of the iconic Santa Claus House.

The story of the Santa Claus House dates back to 1952, when it was created by Con and Nellie Miller. After arriving in Fairbanks in 1942, Mr. Miller became a merchant and fur buyer who donned an old red Santa suit every Christmas. Local children soon came to see him as St. Nick himself. When the Millers decided to open a trading post in the newly developed town of North Pole, a young boy famously asked, “Hello, Santa Claus! Are you building a new house?” From that moment on, the name Santa Claus House was born.

Stepping inside felt like pure magic for anyone who loves Christmas as much as I do. The walls are lined with shelves overflowing with festive décor, while the floors are filled with racks of souvenirs and apparel. From snow globes and magnets to fully decorated Christmas trees, there’s no shortage of holiday-themed treasures to satisfy your heart’s desire. At the center of the store, you’ll also find some of the best fudge you’ve ever tasted—but I wasn’t there for the sweets. I was there to see a man about a gift.

I honestly don’t remember ever having my picture taken with Santa as a child, so I decided this would be the one to remember. The best part? Santa was hilarious—and I wholeheartedly placed him on the NAUGHTY LIST (😂). I’d told the ladies at my hotel that I planned to go “mess” with him, and they just laughed and said, “Oh, he’ll love that!” I should’ve known Santa could hold his own. He matched my silliness beat for beat and had me laughing the entire time.

A visit to the Santa Claus House is absolutely worth it—for the souvenir shopping, the experience, and, of course, a photo with St. Nick. The icing on the cake? Photos are complimentary, with donations accepted for the local food pantry (gotta love a good “Photo with a Purpose”). If you ever visit, be sure to send one of their original Santa letters to your loved ones back home.

Just a short walk across the parking lot brings you to the Antler Academy of Flying and Reindeer Games. While the academy is technically closed during the winter, you can still see the reindeer and browse the gift shop for North Pole, Alaska–themed souvenirs. If you’re visiting in the summer, the Antler Academy offers a deeper experience: learning about reindeer, hearing fun facts about Santa’s team, feeding and interacting with the deer, and snapping a photo to prove you truly met Santa’s crew.