If you want to explore this remote Arctic region further and have the incredible opportunity to see Greenland's endangered polar bears Quark Expeditions offers a 20-day tour that starts in Toronto and sails round trip from Kangerlussaq in mid-September. Weve ordered these alphabetically by country (i.e. This natural wonder can be found here up to 150 times a year. Watch the lights dance across the sky from the comfort of your bed. The Arctic Circle is just 650 miles north and winter is DARK. During your visit, plan to stay in the historic town of Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkney Islands. You might have to walk a little way outside the city for the best view, but it can sometimes be seen even within its limits. Travelers can also visit the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with several monuments dating back 5,000 years. Atop this forest sits Perlan, which houses the only planetarium in the country and a museum featuring exhibits about Iceland. This article was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information. 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. Between mid-April and mid-August, the night skies are just too bright for visitors to see the aurora well. Here are some of thebest spots to see the northern lights near Fairbanksif you want to improve your chances during your trip: Want to sleep under the aurora? I tried to pick 1-2 spots in each of the 12 states where you can see the northern lights in the USA. Jasper National Park (and its largest town, Banff) host a dark sky festival each October where people travel from around the world to view the dark skies, learn astronomy, and listen to live music while the northern lights dance overhead. This ring-shaped zone sits over the Earth's geomagnetic North Pole, where aurora activity is concentrated. Ilulissat is the most popular tourist destination in Greenland thanks to the Ilulissat Icefjord. The resort village is also one of the prime spots in the world to view the northern lights as it sits within the "aurora zone" and there are as many as 200 opportunities per year to see the show. Its combination of ideal location, clear skies, and low population makes it an optimal spot for witnessing this incredible phenomenon. You may even be able to see the northern lights from your room! A few places to see the spectacular light show include along the coast at Birsay or on the beach at Dingieshowe. Created by energized particles from the sun hitting the Earth's upper atmosphere, the aurora appears as a wave of light that dances across the night's sky. For many travelers, witnessing the Northern Lights ranks high on the "must-do" list. One of the world's 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 . 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. Cruise lines that offer March voyages include Scenic, Silversea Cruises, Aurora Expeditions, Viking and Ponant. If you'd prefer to chase the lights with a curated tour, Visit Abisko leads 4.5-hour tours with professional photographers and aurora-chasing guides in October and November. Best places to see the Northern Lights in Fairbanks. The town is located about 15 miles north of Tartu in central Estonia's Tartu County. 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. During the summer, the days are long in Lapland, limiting the opportunities for the aurora borealis to appear. People here in Connecticut may get a rare chance to see the Northern Lights this weekend. Fairbanks, Alaska, ranks among the best locations in the U.S. for viewing the Northern Lights. 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. These durable carry-on bags are ideal for any upcoming vacation or business trip. The Best Northern Lights Trips In The World Gallery - Explore. 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. Phone +1 218-283-6600. And since the lodge is off-the-grid, theres minimal artificial light to interfere with prime aurora viewing. Follow this author to stay notified about their latest stories. From this vantage point, you'll be able to see the Snfellsjkull glacier; Keilir, a volcanic mountain; and Esja, the mountain of Reykjavik. The auroras are active in Voyageurs all year round and can be seen during any month of the year. If you're up for a chilly overnight adventure, reserve accommodations at the world's first Icehotel 365 in one of its artist-designed cold suites. 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. Bonus: The towns street lights are turned off every night to help maximize the viewing. Yellowknife is one of the world's best places to spot the northern lights. There, visitors will find the Orkney Islands, a place that remains largely uninhabited even in the 21st century. It provides one of the best views of the aurora borealis you can possibly see. For optimum aurora viewing away from the light pollution, head to skjuhli. 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. Bz is the solar wind's magnetic orientation in the up/down direction. Some of the best places to watch include the coast at Birsay, the beach at Dingieshowe, or the top of Wideford Hill. The southernmost destinations in the world offer the chance to see the aurora australis or southern lights. Finding an app that gives you real time data and focuses not only on the intensity of the lights at that time but also the potential cloud cover is vital. A great site to check out is Service Aurora, which is run by a group of northern lights chasers and tracks the aurora borealis in the northern hemisphere. The southern lights are most visible in the winter months (between March and October), but due to the extreme weather conditions, only researchers brave the elements in Antarctica in the winter and they mostly stay indoors. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. 1. Sleep in a Log Cabin Under the Northern Lights in Alaska. This territory is governed by the Cree, one of the largest groups of First Nations in North America. Natural Habitat Adventures, a leader in responsible wildlife tourism, is introducing itsvery firstArctic expedition exclusively for women: the seven-dayNorthernLights and Arctic Cultures. Inspired by the Arctics intrepid female explorers, this epic journey was designed by expedition leader Annie Van Dinther. Options include everything from snowshoeing and dogsledding under the dancing lights to camping in a remote wilderness setting while the auroras blaze across the sky overhead. Every list on the internet has their own suggestions for the best places to see the northern lights! Whitehorse, nicknamed the "Aurora Capital," is one of the country's premier spots to see the northern lights because of its high latitude. The beautiful Mackinac Bridge that traverses the Straits of Mackinac and connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan is one of the best places in the state to make a perfect northern lights photo. One of best places to view the northern lights on the planet is the mountaintop Aurora Sky StationinSwedish Lapland. But a dedicated group of locals does chart the current activity and shares the best places to see the shimmering lights. In the two-story timber-frame lodge, owners Annie and Mike Hooper showcase Alaskan artists, with works on display throughout the property. Expert aurora chasers recommend staying in the capital city of Hobart as a base. Reykjavik, Iceland. In late January to early February, the city hosts the Northern Lights Festival, a 10-day music and performing arts event featuring a variety of musical genres. best time and places to see Northern Lights in Sweden. Its the best way to see thenorthernlights, explore ice caves and avoid the crowds. This massive glacier, which covers 80% of the country, is accessible in Kangerlussuaq. (Getty Images). Needless to say, this is unlike any other accommodation youve ever seen. The Faroe Islands, Denmark. The cruise ends in Bergen. 13, 2023, Rachael Hood and Lyn MettlerJan. But the Northern Lights are so amazing that they are worth traveling for just to see them firsthand. 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. Saariselk is also known for its glass igloos, which are perfect for snuggling up and staying warm while viewing the aurora. Best Place to See Northern Lights . There's also a chance to see the aurora from late summer to early fall as the lights are visible up to 240 days a year. These experienced operators watch weather and aurora reports closely and know the best places to take travelers to see the Northern Lights. If you are a true northern lights enthusiast, youll be delighted to find so many places in Scotland with great dark skies and good northern views. Its not cheapstaying here costs a cool 95,000 (about $105,000), which includesa one-night stay in the North Pole, as well astwo nights in nearby Svalbard, plus transportation, meals and guides. Tasmania sits approximately 150 miles south of Australia between the Indian Ocean and the Tasman Sea. For U.S. citizens, the top no-passport-required destination for seeing the northern lights is Alaska. For a festive holiday experience in the winter, visit the Santa Claus House in the city of North Pole (around 15 miles southeast of Fairbanks). The Shetlands are one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Scotland. Due to its location above the Arctic Circle, it also happens to be one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. This island chain is part of the Kingdom of Denmark but autonomously governed, like Greenland. Between May to September, the weather is mild around Fairbanks and skies tend to be clear. The winter nights comealive in Alberta. Even as late as the end of March or the beginning of April, you may still get a glimpse of these undulating rainbows. Voyageurs is working toward an International Dark Sky Park designation to highlight and preserve the vast views, which it hopes to earn in 2020. But because the Earth's magnetic field tends to pull the energized particles towards the poles, the celestial light show tends to mostly be seen at a more northerlyor southerlylatitude. Hotel Kangerlussuaq , 3910 Kangerlussuaq, Greenland; +299 841180 Greenland may not be the most accessible place to travel for viewing the northern lights, but those who make it there will be thrilled they did. Viewing the northern lights in Iceland with Butterfield & Robinson. The Quebec government signed an accord with the Cree in 2012. The glass igloos at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finland. A quality travel stroller makes a world of difference when traveling with little ones. Because of its protection as a national park, theres limited development and less light pollution. A number of local guide services offer unique Northern Lights tours for visitors. At FinlandsKakslauttanen Arctic Resortyou can spythe northern lights through a glass igloo. 10 Best Place to See Northern Lights in USA 2023 . The Iceland Winter Multi-Active Private is a five-day northern lights adventure that kicks off in Reykjavik and includes hikes through otherworldly landscapes and soaking in steaming hot springs. When it comes to wildlife viewing, humpback whale sightings are abundant, and you'll still see penguin colonies including king and gentoo penguins. Best time to see the northern lights in Iceland. Troms is a popular place for . These towns on the Olympic Peninsulas northern coast are in the rain shadow of the mountains and have a good northern view if the weather cooperates. Its on every astrotourists bucket list and its one of the most popular bucket list activities for non-space geeks too: see the northern lights. Hands down, Alaska is the best place to see the northern lights in the United States, thanks to its geographic location and dark skies . The northern lights over the 7 Fells Hostel in Finland. How to photograph the Milky Way + 2023 Viewing Chart! This time of year offers offers a unique opportunity to view the lights both in the sky and reflected in the lakes and rivers, which you won't see if you visit in the winter months. Saadjrv is also close to the Vooremaa nature reserve, so there's plenty to do in the region when you're not watching the lights dance in the sky. Visit for the Jasper Dark Sky festival in mid-October and, in addition to the view of the stars, youll get hands-on science and astronomy events. But first, there are a few things to know. Credit: Unsplash This beautiful place is under the Auroral Oval, a ring-shaped zone showcasing much of the action. Because the Nothern Lights are less predictable in Acadia, an app such as My Aurora Forecast & Alerts (iOS/Android) can be very helpful for timing a visit to the park. Since Jasper is largely covered in forests, you need to find a spot with a wide clearing to maximize your chances of seeing the northern lights. In winter, the lodge can arrange outings with photographers who take guests on light-chasing excursions and can teach you how to take photos of the northern lights. While there are many things to do in Jasper, one of the best activities is catching incredible dark skies, which is perfect for viewing the northern lights! Because its so far north, its also one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. . You can reach Stewart Island by flying into Oban or taking a ferry from Invercargill or Bluff. Located 220 miles above the Arctic Circle, Troms is one of several top spots to view the northern lights in Norway. The researchers at the facility recommend that travelers looking to see the Northern Lights plan their visits for August and September or January through April. Fairbanks is the second-largest city in Alaska and a popular spot on the tourist circuit. Luxury adventure outfitter Butterfield & Robinson has expanded its winter offerings with a new collection of cold-weather expeditionsnorthern lights included. Designed by Snhetta, the completely self-sustainable hotel will be propped on wooden stilts in the water with an unusual shape that maximizes panoramic views of the fjord. October through March is the best time to chase the aurora borealis in Iceland. County Donegal should be your top destination if youre trying to see the northern lights in Ireland. Not only is their observation tower in a prime location for viewing the lights, they also have experts on hand who can answer any questions you might have. 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. Connecticut is on the edge of visibility for a Northern . Sweden is another Scandinavian country where the Northern Lights are visible from just about anywhere. That said, you'll have more chances from October to March. Check out the new Aurora Glass Chalets at theNorthern Lights Resort and Spa, complete with oor-to-ceiling windows for prime northern lights views from yourqueen-size bed. There are rustic snow igloos surrounded bysnow or heatedglass igloos withprivatebathrooms. Hostelworld is a great resource for affordable (under $30 per night) accommodations around the world to spot the northern lights. 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. Still, Thingvellir National Park is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Iceland. The Stamford Town Center will turn into a 20,000-square-foot interactive holiday event featuring reindeer, lights and more until Dec. 24. This is due to its high latitude and proximity to major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg. Adventure | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, The 10 best places to see the Northern Lights in 2023, Composition is the most important skill to develop, A star tracker is probably the best tool to improv, We are almost at the end of the Northern Lights se, We have just created a complete guide to photograp, A series of long exposure landscape images capture, The best time to photograph the Milky Way arch in, We are just about to start the first Capture the A. best time and places to see Northern Lights in Iceland. 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. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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. Vast portions of Iceland are rural or undeveloped, meaning you can find places to spot the northern lights all over the country. Svart Hotel with a view of the northern lights. As the days shorten in length, you may encounter dustings of snow across the otherworldly landscape and ice starting to form on the water's surface. Let us know in the comments! Looking for a hidden gem in Alaska? Spotting the northern lights from The Lodge at Black Rapids in Alaska. Figuring out where to see the Northern Lights in Fairbanks doesn't have to be difficult. Nearby Kola Peninsula is a good place to hunt for the Northern Lights, and from December 24 to January 5, 2018, the city itself is opening a 'Snow Village' installation a town built entirely . Fans of the Northern Lights in Sweden look forward to the long winter evenings. Start the day smarter Notable deaths in 2023 . While the auroras are on display regularly in the Orkneys, they are not as predictable and reliable as they are in some other places. You can pair your pursuit of the auroras with a trip to see the polar bears, or simply visit to chase the northern lights. Talk about a birds-eye view. All of the overnight accommodations in Voyageurs National Park require access to a boat or ferry, so if youre planning a trip consider staying in the nearby town of International Falls. The best places to see the aurora borealis offer little to no light pollution, clear skies and no precipitation. 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. Parachute Concerts partner Ilario Altamura shows the setup underway for the "Holiday Wish: Follow the Magic" immersive holiday experience at Stamford Town Center in Stamford, Conn. 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