Article Overview: North Pole Alaska Post Office
Heading to the North Pole, or more specifically, North Pole Alaska? While writing a travel post about a post office might seem boring, it’s a different story when talking about the North Pole Alaska Post Office. This isn’t just any post office. The North Pole Alaska Post office has become a place of holiday magic. Much like the state of Alaska, even its Post Offices are a little quirky and filled with wonder.
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).
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Table of Contents: North Pole Alaska Post Office
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!
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Things to Do When Visiting the North Pole Alaska Post Office
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.
Christmas in Ice Festival
Attend the North Pole Christmas in Ice Festival: North Pole hosts the Christmas in Ice Festival, a celebration of all things winter and holiday-themed. The festival features Christmas-themed ice art and ice slides. Due to a lack of ice in recent years, the festival has been operating intermittently, depending on its ability to harvest enough ice for the sculptures.
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.
North Pole Winterfest and Holiday Bazaar:
The North Pole Community Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Winterfest and Holiday Bazaar. In 2023, the event occurred on December 9 from 11 am to 5 pm. The 2024 date has yet to be posted, but it’s sure to be worth a visit. Located at the North Pole Plaza and Mall, the event features products from local vendors and concludes with a fireworks display at 6 pm.
Santa Claus House:
Visit the Santa Claus House: No trip to the North Pole Alaska Post Office is complete without a visit to the Santa Claus House. Meet Santa Claus, see his reindeer, and explore the gift shop for unique souvenirs. Be sure to take a photo with the 42-foot tall, 900-pound, three-dimensional Santa Claus statue! 101 St. Nicholas Dr. North Pole, Alaska 99705 / 907.488.2200
Where to Stay When Visiting the North Pole Alaska Post Office
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 / 907.451.89104
- 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 / 908.488.4800
- 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
- Aurora Villa: Located roughly 12 miles from the North Pole Post Office, The Aurora Villa offers a higher-end option for your lodging. The villa is located away from light pollution and offers incredible views of the aurora. While The Villa is pricier, but it looks well worth it. 1110 John Kalinas Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99712 / 907.616.1661
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.
Experience the Magic of the Holidays!
Make your holiday season a little more special by sending your loved ones a letter or package from the North Pole’s Post Office. With its unique postmark and charming holiday atmosphere, this post office will surely bring a smile to anyone’s face. So, if you ever get a chance to visit North Pole Alaska, visit this iconic post office and experience the magic of the holiday season.
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 Post Office Map
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