Originally Posted by evoG

I've seen people bringing in pizzas to hoodoo and there are a plenty of restaurants within delivery range. not the prettiest neighborhood, though.

for anyone with a simliar layover, Pikes Landing is a reasonably nice way to spend a couple hours by the river enjoying a meal. It's less than 15 min walk from FAI. As noted upthread there is limited public bus service into and around town. Downtown is quaint and has some fun, ramshackle houses and a few decent shops/galleries. not really my cup of tea though.

When the weather's nice, the river is pleasant and right by the airport. You could also walk alond airport way to fred meyers (20-30min) if you wanted souvenirs. UAF is about an hour from FAI on foot. There's the reindeer research facility where you can see baby reindeer a few feet away and the georgeson botanical garden is awash in peonies, numerous fruits, veggies, and, of course, giant ornamental cabbages. You could hike across campus to LARS (large animal research station) to see muskoxen, though this is probably 1.5-2h from FAI on foot. If you have a car, there are lots of things to see from silver gulch (good steaks, burgers, and beers), 30min, denali, 2h, to the white mountains, <2h, or an evening at chena hot springs, 1h.