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. And another perk: Cunard is celebrating its 180thAnniversary with special sales available on many voyages between July 2020 and May 2022, including Alaska. For U.S. citizens, the top no-passport-required destination for seeing the northern lights is Alaska. Northern Hemisphere. When you're not staring at the night sky, splurge on a customized once-in-a-lifetime helicopter flight with Tasmanian Air Tours. One of the most unique ways to view the northern lights? Weve ordered these alphabetically by country (i.e. Courtesy of Sherman Hogue/Explore Fairbanks. Pro-tip: Colettes Bed & Breakfastoutside Port Angeles has a north-facing property that looks out over the Straight of Juan de Fuca toward Canada. However, these auroras are sudden and short-lived. 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. By day, you can explore local history and cultural museums to get a sense for Russian history. Gwen Pratesi and Amanda NorcrossJan. Visitors looking to experience the auroras in the Yukon should make the journey sometime between late August and early April, with optimal viewing times falling from November through March. While on land, take in the natural beauty of the snow-blanketed landscapes and book bucket list excursions like a night spent in an igloo or a reindeer sledding adventure. These durable carry-on bags are ideal for any upcoming vacation or business trip. Still, Thingvellir National Park is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Iceland. "We wantedto create a spacefor womenwho are ready for the next big adventure of their lives,where they canfeel empowered to be themselvesin one of the wildest places on the planet," said Van Dinther. This massive fjord was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 and is something anyone visiting town must see. They can also learn more about the aurora borealis from guest speakers during the flight. Its undeveloped enough that youll encounter little light pollution and a great option for those in Glasgow who want to see the northern lights. Fairbanks, Alaska. In the two-story timber-frame lodge, owners Annie and Mike Hooper showcase Alaskan artists, with works on display throughout the property. How to photograph the Milky Way + 2023 Viewing Chart! It also gets surprisingly dark here at night, which makes it a fantastic spot to view the Northern Lights. While there are no major cities to be found in the entire country, the village of Kangerlussuaq is regarded as the "Gateway to Greenland." 7. . Plus, theres an observatory with a retractable roof for nightly northern lights viewing, as well as a staff of local astronomers who will show you the planets and the stars using Icelands largest telescope. Experts from the National Park Service are onboard to provide commentary, offering guests insight on what they are viewing. 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. Milky Way Calendar 2023 Best Milky Way viewing planner, Even though Iceland is not above the Arctic Circle, there are very. Let us know in the comments! During the summer, the days are long in Lapland, limiting the opportunities for the aurora borealis to appear. CONNECTICUT A solar storm that made a "direct hit" to Earth Tuesday and more developing storms could trigger aurora borealis displays in Connecticut and in areas where the northern lights . For the best chances to see aurora borealis, get away from city lights and look north between 10 p.m. Thursday and 3 a.m. Friday. 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. The hotel has a few different tours available for seeing the Northern Lights such as a safari and photography tour. 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. 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. 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. In fact, they have awhole section about iton their website! 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. Located on the northern shore of Great Slave Lake, Yellowknife boasts winter sports such as ice fishing and cross-country skiing. Soak in the springs, and don't forget your snowshoes. Where can you experience all of these things? 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. In fact, most guided tour options will visit Murmansk as part of the itinerary. September to November and February to March are the best months to view the aurora, as the skies are clearer than in December and January when they can be cloudy due to snow. Like its Scandinavian counterparts, darkness comes early and stays late throughout the fall and winter monthsa prime time to visit if you want to see the Northern Lights for yourself. The northern reaches of Norway are nicely nestled within the Arctic circle, and the mega-long nights in winter make perfect aurora viewing conditions. This has earned it an International Dark Sky Park designation. The cruise ends in Bergen. One of those special places is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness within Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota. When night falls on clear evenings, look for the light show in the southern sky. Icelandair captain Sigrur Einarsdttir,a woman pilot who has spent more than 30 years flying beneath the Arctic skies,has become an expert in seeing the northern lights. The northern lights over the waters of Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota. But there's another phenomenon that causes the northern lightscoronal holes. 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. Straddling theMinnesota-Canada border, Voyageurs National Park is a 218,000-acre wonderland that offers up expansive views of impressivemeteor showers and northernlightsshows in the unpolluted skies. HARTFORD, Conn Mother Nature may be providing her own, rare, holiday light show for Connecticut! This is especially true between the months of October and April. 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. All of the rooms have luxuries like wood-burning stoves and skylights for optimal viewing. the best Northern Lights hotels in Canada, the best time and places to see Northern Lights in Canada. In order to increase your chances of seeing this spectacle, you should time your trip to anew moon. 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. Check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of State and local tourism boards before traveling.). At the7 Fells Hostel in Finland, the ownerTinjaa retired backpackeris serious when it comes to spotting the lights. Check the aurora borealis off your bucket list. These months form the official Fairbanks, Alaska aurora season, when the night sky is dark enough for visible aurora displays. Canada, Denmark, Finland, etc.) For luxury in the wilderness, take a bush plane toBlachford Lake Lodge, a fly-in eco-lodge with viewing from a hot tub under the stars and more. Christmas is just a few days away, and if you're in the mood to celebrate, consider taking a family drive and enjoying these beautiful and enchanting neighborhood Christmas lights displays. 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? 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. However, almost every town on the south shore of Lake Superior offers a solid chance to see elusive northern lights. Join her on this journey to explore space right here on earth. 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. Voyageurs is working toward an International Dark Sky Park designation to highlight and preserve the vast views, which it hopes to earn in 2020. . The Ice Bar at the 30th anniversary version of Sweden's legendary Icehotel. Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland Best time and places, Seeing the Northern Lights in Canada Best time and places, Northern Lights in Norway The best times and places, 10 Best Things to Do at Lake Mead, Nevada, Orion Calendar 2023 Orion viewing planner, Best Time to See the Milky Way + 2023 Milky Way Chart. 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. Some years they can be seen as early as August. You can read more about these 5 spots below, as well as 20 alternatives that are also good spots to see the northern lights but less popular and/or further off the beaten path. Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. The best places to see the aurora borealis offer little to no light pollution, clear skies and no precipitation. Fairbanks is the second-largest city in Alaska and a popular spot on the tourist circuit. Liard River Hot Springs, further north, is a bucket-list must. With this extreme darkness, there are more opportunities to see the aurora. Its position under the auroral oval also makes it an excellent spot to view the Northern Lights. The jagged rock formations along the shore of the lake are popular with painters, which is what gives the location its name. Other activities visitors can enjoy in late summer include a ride on the Riverboat Discovery or panning for gold. A number of local guide services offer unique Northern Lights tours for visitors. 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. But some placeslike Abisko National Parkare especially outstanding. Most will knowDark Hedgesfor its popularity inGame of Thrones; it too is a fantastic spot to shoot aurora photography. Every list on the internet has their own suggestions for the best places to see the northern lights! For many travelers, witnessing the Northern Lights ranks high on the "must-do" list. Saariselk is also known for its glass igloos, which are perfect for snuggling up and staying warm while viewing the aurora. If you really want the best chance of experiencing the Aurora Borealis in all its glory, then this is where you want to go. An Alaska cruise withCunardon theQueen Elizabethis one of the best ways to see the Northern Lights, especially in August or September. T he northern lights are an atmospheric phenomenon in which undulating waves of green, purple, and red lights dance across the sky. It provides one of the best views of the aurora borealis you can possibly see. Located 220 miles above the Arctic Circle, Troms is one of several top spots to view the northern lights in Norway. Lapland is located within the Arctic Circle in the northernmost part of Finland. Fairbanks, Alaska, ranks among the best locations in the U.S. for viewing the Northern Lights. If you're on your own in the park, campsite docks offer some of the best spots for northern lights viewing and stargazing. The Aurora Sky Station is one of the best vantage points to see the aurora in the park, with experts on hand to answer questions about the science behind this fascinating phenomenon. If catching the aurora borealis has always been a priority on your bucket list, these are the best places for you to go. During your visit, don't miss the panoramic views of the city from the building's fourth-floor observation deck. Head to the newNorth Pole Igloos Hotel, a pop-up glamping concept in the northernmost place on earth. I founded STG to help others learn about and experience the night sky. A view of the northern lights and the Aurora Sky Station. While you're at the property, take advantage of the guided Northern Lights Safari by snowmobile or embark on a Moose Safari on Horseback atop an Icelandic horse. T he northern lights for snuggling up and staying warm while viewing the aurora Station. Borealis has always been a priority on your own in the Park, campsite docks offer some the. Lights dance across the sky the National Park is one of the northern lightscoronal holes offering... Stg to help others learn about and experience the night sky is enough... 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