I've been as far as Denali Park but couldn't convince anyone else to push into Fairbanks. It was also the wrong time of year for the Auroras. I have a picture hanging in my house of the Auroras taken just outside of Fairbanks but these are soooooo much better!
Once you make it to Denali Park the drive to Fairbanks is easy
But Fairbanks itself is not really the best looking place other than a few locations in town. For example, some good Alaska-brewed beer at the Silver Gulch, the Museum at the University, and the hot springs if you are into that sort of stuff. Fort a good fillet of mignon, the Valatta, Chinese food at the Pagoda in North Pole, etc.