North Pole, Alaska, isn’t actually at the North Pole, it’s a small town about 15 minutes from Fairbanks, in Alaska’s Interior, hundreds of miles south of the Arctic Circle. But don’t let the geography fool you: this is a place that has fully committed to its name. Streets named Santa Claus Lane and Mistletoe Drive. Candy-cane-striped lampposts. A giant Santa statue you can see from the highway. And, at the heart of it, a post office that hand-stamps thousands of letters to Santa every December with a “North Pole, AK” postmark kids will remember for the rest of their lives.
We’ve spent a combined 20 + years filming across Alaska’s Interior, and North Pole is one of those small towns that’s much more fun to actually visit than it sounds on paper. Here’s everything worth knowing before you go. Santa Claus House, the famous post office, where to catch the northern lights, and the rest of what makes this tiny Christmas town worth the detour.
Quick Guide to North Pole, Alaska
My Experience with North Pole, Alaska
As a child, I first heard of the North Pole, reading stories about Santa Claus and later reading tales of explorers traveling to the Arctic region. As an adult, I’ve spent nearly 15 years living and working in Alaska for most of the year while filming Nat Geo, Discovery, and Animal Planet TV shows. In this career, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to the Arctic and become familiar with the actual town, North Pole, Alaska. So keep reading to learn more about the North Pole Alaska Post Office and all things 99705 (that’s Santa’s zip code).
Santa Claus House
If you do one thing in North Pole, make it this. Santa Claus House is a sprawling, year-round Christmas store on St. Nicholas Drive that’s become one of Interior Alaska’s most recognized destinations — easy to spot thanks to the 50-foot Santa statue out front. Inside, it’s 9,000 square feet of Alaska-made gifts, ornaments, and holiday everything, but the real draw is the experience: live reindeer out back at the Antler Academy, photos with Santa (available much of the year, not just December), a giant sled and holiday murals worth a photo stop on their own, and a short walking path through the woods.
It started, fittingly, as a frontier general store and post office, and that postal connection lives on — Santa Claus House still handles official Letters from Santa, postmarked from North Pole and stamped with a Santa seal. More on that below.
Plan for at least an hour if you’re browsing with kids. It’s free to walk through, no entrance fee, and it’s open year-round — not just during the holidays.
101 St. Nicholas Dr. North Pole, Alaska 99705 / 907.488.2200
Things to Do When Visiting North Pole Alaska
Between the giant Santa statue and the Christmas-named streets, it’s easy to forget North Pole has plenty to actually do once you’re done taking photos. Here’s where to spend your time.
Christmas in Ice Festival
Christmas in Ice has been a North Pole tradition for years, an ice sculpture park next to Santa Claus House with an ice maze and slides for kids. Like any ice-dependent event in a warming Interior Alaska winter, it’s been cancelled in past years when conditions didn’t cooperate, so confirm it’s running before you build a visit around it.
Chena Lake Recreation Area
Explore the Chena Lake Recreation Area: The Chena Lake Recreation Area is a stunning natural area outside of North Pole. Here, you can hike, fish, kayak, and even go dog-sledding in winter.
Chena Hot Springs
Chena Hot Springs is located an hour and fifteen minutes northeast of the North Pole Alaska Post Office. This relaxing spot may be a little far from North Pole, but it should be included in the list of activities if visiting the area. The hot springs are open from 7 am to 11:45 pm daily.
North Pole Winter-fest and Holiday Bazaar
Winterfest typically takes place in early December and kicks off North Pole’s holiday season with fireworks, a candle lighting ceremony, and a community tree lighting. Exact dates are announced each year. Check the City of North Pole’s events calendar closer to your visit.
Dog Mushing
This part of Interior Alaska is real mushing country, and several operators around North Pole and Fairbanks offer everything from a short cart ride behind a team of Alaskan huskies to full kennel tours where you can meet the dogs up close.
Northern Lights Viewing
North Pole sits close enough to Fairbanks to share one of Interior Alaska’s best advantages: genuinely excellent aurora viewing, without the light pollution of a bigger city. The aurora season generally runs late August through April, with the longest, darkest nights, and best odds, from October through March. Several lodges in the North Pole/Fairbanks area specifically market themselves around aurora viewing, including wake-up-call services so you don’t miss a strong display in the middle of the night.
North Pole, Alaska Post Office
During the winter holiday months, many people look for ways to spread cheer and connect with loved ones. If you’re in the North Pole, Alaska area, one unique way to do so is by visiting the North Pole Alaska Post Office.
Located in the aptly-named town of North Pole, this post office sees a surge in activity every December as people worldwide send letters and packages to friends and family. But what sets this post office apart from others is its special holiday postmark.
Every year, the North Pole Alaska Post Office offers a festive cancellation stamp that reads “Santa Claus, AK” and features a cheerful image of Santa Claus himself. This stamp is free on all mail sent from the post office between November 15th and December 24th.
But the North Pole Alaska Post Office isn’t just a fun tourist destination – it’s also an important part of the community. The post office serves as a hub for the local residents, providing essential mail and package delivery services throughout the year. It becomes a bustling activity center during the holidays as people worldwide send their holiday greetings and gifts.
The United States Postal Service hosts another cool holiday event called Operation Santa. The USPS gives customers the opportunity to read letters to Santa and to adopt them, allowing them to purchase the gifts on the lists and then have them mailed from Santa to the children. Check it out!
North Pole Alaska Post Office: 88888 or 99705
Much about the city of North Pole Alaska can be confusing or contradictory at first glance. The origins of the town itself, its location, and even its associated zip codes can be misleading. First, North Pole, Alaska is NOT located at the North Pole. In Fact, the North Pole Alaska and its post office are located 1744.54 miles south of the actual North Pole.
North Pole Alaska is located in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. Initially, the North Pole Alaska area was homesteaded by Bon V. and Bernice Davis in 1944. In 1952, a development company bought the homestead, divided it into separate plots, and renamed it the North Pole in a scheme to entice a toy manufacturer to relocate there; it never happened, but the name stuck, and in 1953, the City of North Pole, Alaska was incorporated.
As you know now, there are several ways to harness the joy of the holidays using the postal services of the North Pole Alaska Post Office. But, a few things need to be clarified regarding who is doing the postal work with all those Santa Letters and what zip code is actually the North Pole. The postal code for The City of North Pole Alaska is 99705. The United States Postal Service created another postal code, 88888, assigned to the Postal Service’s Operation Santa Claus Program, in which the USPS invites children to write their Santa letters to Santa Claus North Pole 88888.
North Pole Alaska Post Office Facts
- Postal Service began receiving letters to Santa Claus more than 100 years ago.
- In the 1940s, mail volume for Santa increased so much that the Postal Service invited charitable organizations, community groups, and corporations to read and respond to the children who wrote letters to Santa.
- Hundreds of thousands of children of all ages send letters to “Santa Claus, North Pole, Alaska” every year.
- In 1912, Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized local Postmasters to allow postal employees and citizens to respond to the ever-growing number of letters received every holiday season.
North Pole Alaska Restaurants
North Pole won’t blow you away with fine dining, but there’s genuinely good, no-fuss food here, mostly clustered along N. Santa Claus Lane, easy to hit on the same trip as Santa Claus House.
Little Richard’s Family Diner
The most consistently loved spot in town — a classic retro diner with big portions and friendly service. Burgers, curly fries, and a full breakfast menu people drive out from Fairbanks for. A reliable, kid-friendly stop if you’re doing North Pole as a half-day trip.
Pagoda Restaurant
A longstanding North Pole institution for Chinese-American food, with several hundred reviews and a loyal following — also known locally for its steaks, which isn’t what you’d expect walking in. Good option if your group can’t agree on what they’re in the mood for.
North Pole Crepery
The standout for something a little different — genuinely well-reviewed sweet and savory crepes in a cozy, holiday-decorated space. A nice mid-trip coffee-and-crepe stop between Santa Claus House and the post office.
Country Cafe
A cozy, family-run diner serving homestyle meals — the kind of unfussy local spot that’s been feeding North Pole for years.
Outlaw Tamales
A small hut serving some of the best tamales in the Fairbanks/North Pole area, according to locals. Good for a quick, cheap bite if you’re not looking for a sit-down meal.
Where to Stay When Visiting North Pole Alaska
If you plan to visit the North Pole Alaska Post Office, you’ll need a place to stay. Fortunately, some options are available, from simple beds and breakfasts to full-service hotels.
Chena Hot Springs Resort
If you’re looking for a unique experience. Consider staying at Chena Hot Springs Resort, about an hour’s drive from North Pole, Alaska. This resort features natural hot springs, an ice museum, and a variety of outdoor activities, including dog sledding and snowmobiling. 17600 Chena Hot Springs Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99712 / 907.451.8104
Hotel North Pole
The Hotel North Pole is located just a few miles from the North Pole Alaska Post Office. Making the hotel a convenient choice for visitors. The hotel also features a Santa Suite. 449 N Santa Claus Lane, North Pole, Alaska 99705 / 907.488.4800
Alaska Grizzly Lodge
For a more rustic experience, consider staying at the Alaska Grizzly Lodge. This bed and breakfast is located 10 miles from downtown Fairbank on the way to North Pole. It offers cozy rooms and a chance to see local wildlife and the northern lights. 1470 Westmoreland Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99712 / 907.488.7475
Moose Tracks B&B
Another bed and breakfast option is Moose Tracks B&B, located 5.2 miles from the North Pole Alaska Post Office. 1477 Levee Way, North Pole, AK 99705 / 907.888.0899
North Pole Alaska Post Office Map
North Pole Alaska FAQs
Is North Pole, Alaska actually at the North Pole?
No. North Pole, Alaska is a small town about 15 minutes from Fairbanks, in Alaska’s Interior. It’s hundreds of miles south of the geographic North Pole. The town was originally called Davis and renamed North Pole in 1953 as a way to attract toy manufacturers and build a Christmas-themed identity.
What zip code do I use to mail a letter to Santa?
North Pole’s real zip code is 99705. The “North Pole, 88888” zip code that shows up online isn’t an active USPS zip — it’s a popularized but unofficial number. For a real North Pole postmark on a letter to Santa, send it through Santa Claus House’s official Letters from Santa program or address it to North Pole, AK 99705.
Is Santa Claus House open year-round?
Yes. It’s open all year, not just during the holiday season, though hours and special events (like photos with Santa) can vary by season.
How far is North Pole from Fairbanks?
About 15 minutes, roughly 13-15 miles depending on your route.
Is North Pole a good place to see the northern lights?
Yes. It shares Fairbanks’ excellent aurora viewing conditions without big-city light pollution, generally from late August through April.
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