Vegan in Fairbanks, Alaska Chena Hot Springs -

As you may very well imagine, the tourist draw of a hot spring within the near-arctic is pretty high. But don’t think you will need to stay at the Chena Hotsprings Resort to enjoy them. You can come just for the springs, paying $15 at the pool house that leads to a couple of jacuzzis, a lap pool and, of course, the walkway out to the hot springs.

And because I would have appreciated knowing what to expect before I went, I’ll tell you. Be prepared to leave your snow boots/socks in the foyer. Bring a pair of water shoes or flip flops if you don’t want to be barefoot. After you pay ($15 for an adult, $5 if you need a towel) you head down the hall to the locker rooms. I can only speak for the women’s room. It is adequate, a bit antiquated like your neighborhood YMCA. Some lockers work, some don’t. There are bathroom stalls if you’re modest about changing in front of others and showers for after. The path down to the springs is cold and folks leave their towels and water bottles and locker keys along the path on the honors system. Then … aaaaaah.

A delightful entrance well worth the admission. Bring a waterproof pouch for your phone or an underwater camera. And maybe a ice queen bikini top if you wish. It caused quite the stir in the locker room. And two lovely ladies in the springs were all about being my photographers, so that was nice.