The largest urban area in Northern Norway and the world's third largest city above the Arctic Circle, Troms lies . Still, Thingvellir National Park is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Iceland. While you might see be able to see them year-round (just as you can the northern lights), certain months are better for aurora viewing in the Southern Hemisphere. You can learn more about my mission here or read about me and the rest of the team here. Bundle up if youre headed into Acadia to see the aurora; the wind comes roaring in off the Atlantic in the winter months. In this way, you get the chance to see two incredibly beautiful sites all at once. Alaska is in the Aurora ovalwhich is where the lights are most frequently seen. Perlan is also home to the world's first indoor ice cave and glacier exploratorium. She grew up in Alaska, has lived across the U.S., and traveled around the world to enjoy the night sky from many different perspectives. A quality travel stroller makes a world of difference when traveling with little ones. Washington Observatory, a scientific and educational nonprofit atop that peak, has seen the northern lights about three dozen times in the past 15 years . best time and places to see Northern Lights in Alaska. The park even maintains an online Clear Sky Chart so you can refer to the weather forecast before you go. The northern part of the country is dark in the early afternoon until late morning from the end of September to late March. 1. While lesser known, polar lights called aurora australis appear in the Southern Hemisphere and are visible in places like Antarctica, Tasmania and New Zealand. The town is located about 15 miles north of Tartu in central Estonia's Tartu County. The northern lights, known as the aurora borealis, are a spectacular natural light show visible at certain times of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. You are in for an extra special treat if you happen to be there when the aurora borealis lights up the night sky. And heres more good news: The travel industry wants to help you spot the northern lights with new hotels, specially tailored tourseven one thats aimed at womenand other unique experiences. (Getty Images). Today the village boasts about 800 residents and more than 1,000 dogs. Located on a fjord right along the Arctic Circle, the town, also known as the "gateway to Greenland," was a former U.S. Air Force base and is now home to Greenland's largest airport. Travelers can also see ice sculptures in February and March at the impressive World Ice Art Championships or take a dog-sledding or snowmobiling tour. This facility is found in an optimal setting, thanks to the clear skies and aurora activity most nights of the year. READ MORE: Where To Go Next: 27 Best Places To Travel In 2020. There are many small villages throughout the country where you can view the show during the long and dark winter, but the capital city of Reykjavik also offers many options for accommodations, restaurants and other activities for your visit. Lets just say these are all of the best places to see the northern lights in the world you just have to choose how far youre willing to travel! Head to the newNorth Pole Igloos Hotel, a pop-up glamping concept in the northernmost place on earth. The property also offers aurora-themed excursions and packages that include three-night tours and activities such as dog-sledding or private dining experiences. The most basic rule for catching the northern lights is to go somewhere dark - and with Iceland's sparse population, there's no shortage of places that fit the . With that in mind, here are eight of the best places to spot the northern lights in the U.S. 1. This product is based on the OVATION model and provides a 30 to 90 minute forecast of the location and intensity of the aurora. There, visitors will find the Orkney Islands, a place that remains largely uninhabited even in the 21st century. Northern Irelands northern county, Country Atrim, is a great option for trying to see the northern lights in this part of the Irish isles. When you're not chasing the lights, enjoy other Arctic activities like a husky safari, ice fishing, snowmobiling or a day in the snow meeting the local reindeer. When you come here to see the Northern Lights, you have a chance of photographing two amazing works of nature at once! Another great place to experience the auroras in Alaska is the city of Fairbanks. Among northern states, Michigan was one of the first to embrace the dark sky preservation movement. This time of year brings cold evenings with clear skies, which makes for ideal viewing conditions. Maine's Acadia National Park is also a designated International Dark Sky Park that offers opportunities to see the Northern Lights. The Ice Bar at the 30th anniversary version of Sweden's legendary Icehotel. Its position under the auroral oval also makes it an excellent spot to view the Northern Lights. Here are some of the top places to see the aurora in County Donegal: While it doesnt make every list for where to see the aurora in Ireland, County Mayo has a few spots worth considering. Most often, those waves are green in color, but they can also be yellow, red, orange, blue, and even white. Fairbanks. All of the rooms have luxuries like wood-burning stoves and skylights for optimal viewing. The lights are visible throughout most of Norway, but the best places to see them are in the northern regions, such as Troms, Alta, and Narvik. You may opt-out by. Its a truly fascinating place to stay while you wait for the Northern Lights to appear. For excellent chances of aurora viewing, book a private igloo at Borealis Basecamp, a top glamping resort located on 100 remote acres of boreal forest about 25 miles from Fairbanks. Nestled in Canada's westernmost part, the views here of the aurora borealis are one of the best. Courtesy of Sherman Hogue/Explore Fairbanks. For those who want to try and catch a glimpse, find a dark area away from street and city lights and look north. The city is located in the northern region of the state, which is ideal for viewing the aurora borealis. In the two-story timber-frame lodge, owners Annie and Mike Hooper showcase Alaskan artists, with works on display throughout the property. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. The northern lights over the 7 Fells Hostel in Finland. The tundra of Kalaallit Nunaat (the Greenlandic name for the country) is one of the best places on the globe to see the aurora, especially from October to April. Other activities visitors can enjoy in late summer include a ride on the Riverboat Discovery or panning for gold. This phenomenon occurs when electrically charged particles from the sun enter the Earth's atmosphere and collide with gaseous particles, such as oxygen and nitrogen. Read on to learn the best places where you can see the aurora in America. The Shetland Islands are the British Isles closest to the North Pole. 9. For a custom guided tour to view the nighttime lights display, including the Milky Way and the constellations, you can hire Voyageurs Outfitters. Guests will be able to kayak right under the property, go ice climbing, indulge in night fishing andbest of allsee spectacular northern lights views. Visit Troms sells aurora-watching trips around the city of Troms in Norway. Additionally, the Faroe Islands are less developed than other parts of Europe and this remoteness ensures a lack of light pollution to interfere with your aurora viewing. Over a typical winter, a keen observer checking the skies on every clear night could certainly expect to see the aurora several times, with a number of low-level displays and possibly one or two more spectacular ones. Because of its protection as a national park, theres limited development and less light pollution. There, youll find suggestions on recommended forecast tools as well as a few tips to help you maximize your chances of seeing them. best time and places to see Northern Lights in Norway. In fact, this is considered to be one of the best places on the planet to see the Northern Lights. By Caitlin Morton. Read on to discover the top destinations where you can see the kaleidoscopic northern and southern lights. Located on a similar parallel to Troms,Norwayand near Russias border withFinland, Murmansk offers similar aurora viewing conditions with far fewer crowds. Or head to Takhini Hot Springs, where you can connect mind and body as you watch the aurora borealis while soaking in 107-degree mineral waters. For the best chance to see the aurora in Scotland, plan a multi-night itinerary. Sweden is another Scandinavian country where the Northern Lights are visible from just about anywhere. The best places to see the Northern Lights in 2023 are scattered on the most extreme latitudes of our planet: Iceland, Canada, Alaska, Norway, Finland. However, all hope is not lost if you seek to view the aurora australis in Antarctica. This spectacle is more elusive since there's less land mass in this part of the world and fewer viewing spots to see the show. With nearly 2.5 million hectares of untouched wilderness, Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska, located about 383 kilometers north of Anchorage, is a favorite destination for campers and hikers because of its wide open spaces, beautiful mountain vistas and abundant wildlife.The park is also one of the best places in the U.S. to see the northern lights, thanks to the lack of light pollution. This beautiful property is just minutes by foot from Oban village and the property will pick you up at the airport or ferry terminal for your stay. Spotting the northern lights from The Lodge at Black Rapids in Alaska. Located along the U.S.-Canada border between Minnesota and Ontario, Voyageurs National Park is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in the continental United States. Fairbanks, Alaska. The best places to see the aurora borealis offer little to no light pollution, clear skies and no precipitation. The best time to see the Northern Lights in Sweden occurs between the hours of 6:00 pm and 2:00 am on a clear night. Launched in February, 2019, this private-chartered 737 jet takes guests eye-level with the northern lights. Glacier National Park. Yukon is a top spot to view the lights in Western Canada. Soak in the springs, and don't forget your snowshoes. To start planning your trip, use ourguide to stargazing in Acadia National Park. The park's remote and wild location places it far from city lights, eliminating nearly all light pollution. Best chances in Illinois will be closer to the Wisconsin border, especially after 9 pm . That's right - you don't need to board a plane to Norway in order to see this phenomenon. Hands down, Alaska is the best place to see the northern lights in the United States, thanks to its geographic location and dark skies . World Explorer presents: 5 Best Places to See the Northern LightsLearn about the dancing lights and the best places in the world to view them.Facebook http. Because its so far north, its also one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. Its the best way to see thenorthernlights, explore ice caves and avoid the crowds. Whitehorse, nicknamed the "Aurora Capital," is one of the country's premier spots to see the northern lights because of its high latitude. If youre willing to make the trek,Acadia National Parkis one of the best destinations in the region. Photo credit: Mauri Joensen via Flickr. The storms can drive the aurora further south from its usual position over the polar . Kakslauttanen is famous for its glass igloos, which travelers can book for their stay. This group of captivating islands, located about 10 miles from Scotland's remote northern coast, is one of the best places to see the northern nights in the country. Best Time to See Nothern Lights in Alaska: Late August through April. Finnish Lapland is also known as the home of Santa Claus, the Smi people (the only Indigenous people in the European Union area) and as many as 200,000 reindeer. While the aurora occurs year-round, the winter months (from November to March) offer the best opportunities to witness it, as there is more darkness than light during the days. One of those special places is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness within Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota. You can also book a Northern Lights Tour at Chena Hot Springs Resort. Get up close to that . Mackinaw City. Thanks to a winter storm blowing in, The Northern Lights may be visible here in Connecticut! Connecticut is on the edge of visibility for a Northern . These tours take place in the Autumn months when the weather is still relatively warm. You can also watch for elephant seals, leopard seals, wandering albatross and other species of birds. [See more of Tasmania: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]. Between mid-April and mid-August, the night skies are just too bright for visitors to see the aurora well. This island chain is part of the Kingdom of Denmark but autonomously governed, like Greenland. Some of the best places to watch include the coast at Birsay, the beach at Dingieshowe, or the top of Wideford Hill. On the Finland Winter Multi-Active, expect a magical winter journey under the northern lightsdashing through pine forests with huskies, taking a nighttime snowmobile ride and traveling with reindeer. US Travel: 25 Best Places To Visit In 2020, Where To Go Next: 27 Best Places To Travel In 2020, Ranked: The Worlds 10 Worst Cities To Live (3 Are In The US), This Cruise Line Is Making History With The First Women-Led Cruise, This is a BETA experience. Copyright, Juan Pelegrn. On the shores of Great Slave Lake, travelers have a 95% chance of spotting the lights. Visitors can expect to see the lights on an average of four out of five clear nights during aurora season, which lasts from August 21 to April 21. The hotel also organizes an ice-cap tour nearby. Bonus: The towns street lights are turned off every night to help maximize the viewing. Your best shot to see the aurora borealis is September through mid-May. Jaakkola Reindeer Farm offers this 2.5-hour Seeking the Northern Lights with Reindeer tour by sleigh ride; it includes a stop to warm up at a bonfire camp with snacks, hot beverages and local fireside stories. Talk about a birds-eye view. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. 3. Saariselk is well-known for its glass igloos where you can sleep under the open starry sky and see the northern lights from a bed. If you're staying for several days, book accommodations with harbor views at the Scandic Ishavshotel. Saariselka, Finnish Lapland. Mullet Peninsula, connected to the mainland at the town of Belmullet, has extensive coastline with expansive northern sky views. During the summer months the Milky Way is visible across the sky and late summer evenings entertain visitors with meteor showers. But it also happens to be one of the best places to see the Northern Lights as well, which appear in the sky on more than 300 nights each year. Another way to take northern lights viewing to new heights: aboard theAurora 360 Experience. But there's another phenomenon that causes the northern lightscoronal holes. With Canada's Aurora | 360 you can see the northern lights at eye level. From soft to firm and everywhere in between, these travel pillows are the best options for your next trip. But the country's landscapes are free of light pollution and often have clear skies, making it a great destination for adventurous travelers looking to avoid more popular places to see the auroras. Located on the Minnesota-Canada border, this park is open year-round but with limited services. One of the worlds best locations to behold the aurora borealis, Canada is home to 80-90% of all accessible land located under the Aurora Oval, the area with the strongest geomagnetic activityproducing the worlds brightest and most frequent displays of the northern lights. 12, 2023, Lyn Mettler and Timothy J. ForsterJan. But where should you go if youre trying to see the aurora borealis? You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. There are plenty of great places around the city where you can catch a glimpse of the "Green Lady." Ultimately, choosing your aurora viewing spot will depend on how far you're willing to travel . There, on a clear night, you'll get an unfettered look at the sky, which from September through March, is often ablaze with bright colors. Another tip: Weather is also key. The Arctic Circle is just 650 miles north and winter is DARK. Where to see the northern lights. Take northern lights photography lessons with an expert, explore the surrounding untouched wilderness or just relax in the spa, which is built around a plunge pool that is open to the aurora borealis-streaked skies. Keep your eyes on the sky on December 10 and 11. Troms itself is a modern city, so there's plenty to see and do when you're not looking up at the sky, including a visit to the beautiful Arctic Cathedral. These states are: Alaska, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, and Vermont. Hostelworld is a great resource for affordable (under $30 per night) accommodations around the world to spot the northern lights. The Northern Lights viewing season is short, running from May through September. The Aurora Borealis. The effect of the northern lights inside Icelandairs Hekla Aurora plane. The Shetlands are one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Scotland. This 13-day cruise itinerary departs from London for the North Sea with stops in ports of call that are top aurora-viewing locales, including Bod, Troms, Alta and Narvik. Stewart Island is regarded as one of the top spots to see the brilliant display in New Zealand, with 85% of the island encompassed by Rakiura National Park, so there are few people and virtually no light pollution. Romantic in a rustic-wilderness way, these steamy natural thermal pools are Canada's second largest. Northern Lights and Arctic Cultures trip, Canadian Arctic. The glass igloos at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finland. When it comes to wildlife viewing, humpback whale sightings are abundant, and you'll still see penguin colonies including king and gentoo penguins. Not only does it have excellent restaurants and accommodations, but it also has good access to the Ring Road. CONNECTICUT A rare glimpse of the Northern Lights could treat Connecticut residents as the spectacular sky show is predicted to be visible in northern U.S. states on Saturday. This iconic property situated along the shoreline of Lake Huron is happy to notify guests of potential northern lights sightings, no matter when they occur throughout the night. If you're patient and the weather cooperates, chances are, you won't be disappointed. The new Kelo-Glass igloosare attached to a log chalet and each havea private sauna and fireplace. Viewing the northern lights in Iceland with Butterfield & Robinson. At the time of publication, the SWPC's 3-Day Forecast projects a G1 watch starting early on December 10 with various levels of that lasting until the early morning hours of December 11. Luxury adventure outfitter Butterfield & Robinson has expanded its winter offerings with a new collection of cold-weather expeditionsnorthern lights included. However, you will have to contend with the light from nearby communities like Bar Harbor when trying to view the northern sky from Cadillac Mountain. Required fields are marked *, Hi! 1. While the auroras appear less frequently there, in December and January each year, they can be seen illuminating the heavens. In the wilder, higher reaches of Lapland in northern Finland, Saariselka hits the bucket-list northern lights holiday mark, as it is served by Ivalo international . Made famous for being home to many of Canadas polar bears, the Arctic area of Churchill, Manitoba is a popular destination for winter wildlife expeditions.
