Naturally, you’ll want to head north to see the Northern Lights. This light, caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with atoms in Earth’s atmosphere, forms an “auroral oval” over the geomagnetic north pole, making it the most frequent occurrence anywhere within about 1,500 miles of the north pole. occurs in It is easiest to see when the sky is clear and dark and there is no light pollution from the city or the moon. As a result, parts of Alaska and Canada, where the nights are long and the latitudes ideal for aurora viewing, are safe areas for viewing them.
But Americans in the bottom 48 need not despair. Strong solar winds can cause auroras to appear further south. It has also been spotted in Atlanta. You can experience the dazzling beauty of nature in many places around the world. Towns in Europe and North America market this lighting as a tourist attraction, offering experiences to adventurers and luxury travelers alike.
From Churchill, Canada, to the vast expanse of Finnish Lapland, to an unexpected destination in the US (spoiler: it’s Pennsylvania), here are the absolute best places to see the Northern Lights.
Fairbanks, Alaska
Provided by Sherman Hogue/Exploring Fairbanks
The bitter cold that often comes with chasing the Northern Lights is a real deterrent, but what if you could watch the lights of the Northern Lights while soaking in a natural hot tub? Enter Chena Hot Springs Resort in Fairbanks. Surrounded by rocks, the lake offers a warm bath with a light show. Fairbanks lies directly under the band of aurora activity, and from August to the end of April, the town regularly sees displays of green, yellow, and purple objects.
This phenomenon is most common between 11pm and 2am, but early risers need not worry. Guests at Chena Hot Springs Resort can request a wake-up call when the Northern Lights appear in the sky.
Norway
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Norway has many great vantage points. First up is Svalbard, a chain of arctic islands between mainland Norway and the North Pole. This archipelago experiences polar night, or eternal darkness, from mid-November to February, giving visitors twice the chance of seeing the light, making it the only place in the world where you can experience this phenomenon during the day. is an inhabited area. You can also take a 3-hour snowcat safari or brave the cold on a snowmobile tour with stops for hot drinks and biscuits.
Tromsø is the largest city in northern Norway and is located in the middle of the Aurora Oval. During the dark season, from late September to late March, the city offers visitors a variety of tours to choose from. One of the fun ways to see the Northern Lights is to ride the cable car up Mount Storsteinen. It offers some of the best views of the Northern Lights in the city. Or, if you want to experience the magic while drinking Akvavit, slip into a table at Clarion Hotel The Edge’s Sky Bar.
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Finland
Provided by Hotel and Igloo Village Kakslauttanen
North of the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland, surrounded by towering pines, is an incredibly beautiful place to experience the Northern Lights. Take a nap while watching a dance show from inside a glass igloo at the romantic Kakslautanen Arctic Resort. In addition to rooms made of wood and glass, there are also traditional log cabins. If you want to admire the lights of the Northern Lights while skiing down the slopes, riding a reindeer-drawn sleigh, or participating in other memorable activities, the resort organizes Northern Lights hunting expeditions.
From seaside glass villas and lakeside domes to cabins with large windows and glass roofs, there are plenty of accommodations throughout Finland to enjoy the Northern Lights. With this light appearing for around 200 nights a year in Finland, there’s no better destination for your Northern Lights holiday.
Greenland
Provided by Mads Pihl/Visit Greenland
The chances of seeing opalescent light are very high in Greenland, as light pollution is minimal and visibility is almost perfect in some places. Staying 3 or 4 nights during the Northern Lights season (September to early April) will give you the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Stay at Hotel Arctic on the edge of the Ilulissat Icefjord. Most rooms offer stunning views of the fjord and its breathtaking icebergs.
If rugged is more your style, plan a trip to Kangerlussuaq. This former U.S. military base has clear skies about 300 nights a year, making it perfect for viewing the Northern Lights. Local guide company Albatross Arctic offers aurora tours, including aurora tours that involve camping on the Greenland Ice Sheet (usually only available to researchers and explorers).
Yukon Territory, Canada
Provided by Wolfgang Bublitz/Northern Lights Resort & Spa
From August to April, the Northern Lights swirl above Canada’s Yukon Territory. Depending on cloud conditions, light pollution, and nighttime aurora activity, you could spend hours gazing at the green and yellow neon lights. Learn about the science and folklore behind colors at the Aurora Space Science Center in Watson Lake.
Book a glass chalet at Northern Lights Resort and Spa in Whitehorse and enjoy a night out in the cold, followed by a pampering day at the spa. The hotel’s all-inclusive winter Northern Lights and Activities package includes nightly guided Northern Lights viewing and photo opportunities.
Scotland
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The Northern Lights can be seen throughout the UK from autumn to winter, as far south as Kent and East Anglia. But your best bet is to head to the northernmost Highlands or Shetland Islands. In the Shetland Islands, the Northern Lights are known as ‘Milly Dancers’.
Book a stay at the Keeper’s Cottage at Samborough Head, a restored Shetland lighthouse overlooking a puffin nesting site in the Atlantic, or head to the Isle of Lewis to admire the Calanai Standing Stones, a circular rock formation built thousands of years ago. Why not take a look at the exhibits above? Before you go, sign up for AuroraWatch UK alerts to keep you informed of sightings so you don’t miss a sighting.
churchill, canada
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In Canada’s Churchill, you can watch the lights dance above a family of polar bears from the comfort of your sleeping car. With more than 300 nights of aurora activity per year, the Manitoba town is the perfect destination for viewing majestic wildlife. Operated by Natural Habitat Adventures, a conservation-focused travel partner of the World Wildlife Fund, Tundra Lodge offers railcar-inspired accommodations in key bear areas. If you want to deepen your understanding of wildlife and the Northern Lights, book a multi-day educational tour of the Churchill Northern Research Center.
Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania
Courtesy of Potter County Tourism Association
You don’t necessarily have to go far north to see the lights. Isolated from large cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Cherry Springs State Park is dedicated to preserving its unusually dark skies. The area is classified as a Gold Grade International Dark Sky Park (the highest designation given by DarkSky). The park uses special lighting equipment that does not obstruct visibility, and there are strict rules regarding flashlights and car headlights. Even if you miss the Northern Lights, you’re guaranteed great stargazing on a clear night. Check the park’s website for special events such as astronomical programs and evening public viewings. Forecasting services like the University of Alaska Fairbanks can help you track when and where the aurora will appear.
Iceland
Provided by Hotel Langa
Hotel Langa in southern Iceland offers a variety of cold-weather activities, from whale watching to glacier tours to freshwater fishing. But its trademark is the aurora borealis. The hotel’s rural location minimizes light pollution and provides optimal viewing conditions during the season (September to April). The Northern Lights bar at the Aeon Adventure Hotel near Reykjavik has dim lighting and wrap-around windows, so you can watch the Northern Lights from inside with a drink in hand.
Sweden
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At the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, you can choose between traditional hotel rooms, chalets, or ice rooms and suites in a separate Icehotel structure that is rebuilt every winter. Temperatures within the ice structure range from 70 degrees Fahrenheit to about 19 degrees Fahrenheit, but don’t worry. Equipped with an expedition thermal sleeping bag to keep you warm.
The hotel offers a variety of tours, including snowmobile safaris in the great outdoors and night photography tours that capture phenomena in their natural environment, away from light pollution. You can also plan excursions to the nearby Aurora Sky Station in Abisko. Located approximately 3,000 feet above sea level, the station provides optimal viewing conditions with little light pollution. According to the station, the aurora can be seen on 70% of the nights it is open (November to March).
