All of the rooms have luxuries like wood-burning stoves and skylights for optimal viewing. 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 . If you visit in March, plan to attend the monthlong Snowkings' Winter Festival, which features events and activities like a snow-carving competition, an ice slide, a snow castle, live music and more. Which ones are still on your bucket list? 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 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. If you plan your vacation within these parameters, and allow at least 4 days for your stay, you have a very good chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Sweden is one of the best spots for aurora viewing in the Northern Hemisphere, with the northern part of the country known as Swedish Lapland at the top of the list. There is a chance that people in parts of Connecticut could get the rare chance to see the Northern Lights tonight after a change in the forecast late last night and it comes at a time when we . Atop this forest sits Perlan, which houses the only planetarium in the country and a museum featuring exhibits about Iceland. This is especially true between the months of October and April. You can also watch for elephant seals, leopard seals, wandering albatross and other species of birds. 11, 2023, Stacey Zable and Timothy J. ForsterJan. Travelers stay in heated glass-enclosed igloos with a glass ceiling roof and glass walls that allowguests to view the northern lights from bed. 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. Finska. 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. The auroras are active in Voyageurs all year round and can be seen during any month of the year. Voyageurs National Parkis another great spot to see the northern lights in Minnesota. The optimal time for seeing the illuminated skies in the northern part of Sweden, in Swedish Lapland, is between early September and late March. During your visit, plan to stay in the historic town of Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkney Islands. Northern Lights Resort and Spa, Canada. "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. But one of the most memorable destinations is in Saariselk, where visitors will find the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. This article was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information. If you're on your own in the park, campsite docks offer some of the best spots for northern lights viewing and stargazing. The jagged rock formations along the shore of the lake are popular with painters, which is what gives the location its name. That means theres no artificial light around to obscure the extraterrestrial view. This is especially true during the winter months. 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? Northern lights arcing over the Hotel Ranga in Iceland. They're free and fun for everyone! Because its so far north, its also 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. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. 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. Yellowknife is one of the world's best places to spot the northern lights. Theres only one place! Some have not only witnessed the Northern Lights for hours here, but observed a rare red Aurora. Visitors to Troms will find plenty of local guides who offer aurora tours. I founded STG to help others learn about and experience the night sky. One of best places to view the northern lights on the planet is the mountaintop Aurora Sky StationinSwedish Lapland. Stay away from places with street lightning such as Lerwick or you will be disappointed. This beautiful place is under the Auroral Oval, a ring-shaped zone showcasing much of the action. 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. Today its a prime destination to try and see the northern lights. In Fairbanks, you can see the aurora almost anywhere on a strong night. If you really want the best chance of experiencing the Aurora Borealis in all its glory, then this is where you want to go. As you might expect from a country thats as far north as Finland, there are alotof great spots where you can see the northern lights. Because of its protection as a national park, theres limited development and less light pollution. Artists Point, Grand Marais, Cook County - This location in Grand Marais supplies beautiful views of the lights at night and Lake Superior during the day. [Read: The Top Things to Do in Michigan.]. Some years they can be seen as early as August. Murmansk is a roughly two-hour flight from Moscow or St. Petersburg, making it an ideal destination for visitors. For U.S. citizens, the top no-passport-required destination for seeing the northern lights is Alaska. Witnessing the mesm. Troms is a popular place for . As a certified International Dark Sky Park, Voyageurs provides opportunities to view the Milky Way on clear evenings, especially in the summer. The northern lights are an optical phenomenon of the Earth's atmosphere, characterized by bright bands of a wide range of shapes and colors, typically red-green-blue, called auroral arcs, caused . [Read: The Best Places for National Park Camping.]. From this vantage point, you'll be able to see the Snfellsjkull glacier; Keilir, a volcanic mountain; and Esja, the mountain of Reykjavik. Figuring out where to see the Northern Lights in Fairbanks doesn't have to be difficult. Eeyou Istchee Baie-James. Like the weather in Iceland, the lights are unpredictable, however the forecast can be tracked to some extent to give you the most likely time to experience the lights from the ground, she says. They can also learn more about the aurora borealis from guest speakers during the flight. Fairbanks, Alaska. It is during those months that solar activity is at its highest, and the skies are most likely to be clear of clouds and light pollution. The 7 Best Northern Lights Tours Around the World, Isle Royale National Park: The Complete Guide, The 20 Best Hot Springs Destinations in the World, Weather in Sweden: Climate, Seasons, and Average Monthly Temperature, The 10 Best Beaches to See Bioluminescence, 20 RV Campsites and Dark Sky Parks for Stargazing, How to See the Northern Lights in Iceland, Where to See the Northern Lights in Sweden, Scandinavia and the Nordic Region: Planning Your Trip, Where to Go in 2021: 10 Future Trips You Can Start Planning Now. For your stay, reserve accommodations at The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart. McGulpin Point and Johnson Point are both good viewing spots; McGulpin Point Lighthouse is just outside the park but also a good contender. 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. 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. Located on the northern shore of Great Slave Lake, Yellowknife boasts winter sports such as ice fishing and cross-country skiing. Murmansk is generally considered one of the top destinations in Russia for seeing the aurora. In the air. Northern Lights and Arctic Cultures trip, Canadian Arctic. Depending on your whims, your private pilot can whisk you away to soar over the sea cliffs; stop at a local winery to sample local vintages; or head south to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Port Arthur, Tasmania's historic and most notorious prison. 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. If youre willing to make the trek,Acadia National Parkis one of the best destinations in the region. An Alaska cruise withCunardon theQueen Elizabethis one of the best ways to see the Northern Lights, especially in August or September. Photo credit: Mauri Joensen via Flickr. Kakslauttanen is famous for its glass igloos, which travelers can book for their stay. 5, 2023, Up to 60% Off + Exclusive 5% Guaranteed Priceline Coupon, Up to 50% Off Travel Plans with Top Expedia Promo Code, Discount Travel Plans with 50% Off on Hotels.com bookings, 50% Discount on Getaways with Barcel Resort & Hotels, Booking.com Promo Code Up to 50% Off + Extra 10% Off. If you're staying for several days, book accommodations with harbor views at the Scandic Ishavshotel. The city is located in the northern region of the state, which is ideal for viewing the aurora borealis. 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. Vast portions of Iceland are rural or undeveloped, meaning you can find places to spot the northern lights all over the country. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Located on the Minnesota-Canada border, this park is open year-round but with limited services. Its undeveloped enough that youll encounter little light pollution and a great option for those in Glasgow who want to see the northern lights. 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 dont limit yourself: You can also spot the southern lights in the southern hemisphere. Where and when to see Northern Lights Best place and time to see Northern Lights. The best places to see the aurora borealis offer little to no light pollution, clear skies and no precipitation. A clear night at sea is the perfect venue to stargaze, and being out on the water further illuminates the northern lights, as there is no ambient light interference from land. A quality travel stroller makes a world of difference when traveling with little ones. You may opt-out by. That said, you'll have more chances from October to March. Year-round aurora viewing is also possible on evenings with clear dark skies, but the best time to see the show is during the winter. Weve ordered these alphabetically by country (i.e. Viewing the northern lights in Iceland with Butterfield & Robinson. For the more adventurous aurora seekers, head to the top of the Greenland Ice Cap for spectacular views of the lights: This impressive glacier covers 80 percent of the country and is accessible via the tiny town of Kangerlussuaq. Many top viewing spots have websites with aurora trackers, and staff members at some hotels will wake up visitors when the lights appear (if requested). One of those special places is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness within Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association's Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a moderate . The Best Tourist Attraction in Every State, The Easiest Way to Renew an Expired Passport, California Do Not Sell My Personal Information Request. While the auroras appear less frequently there, in December and January each year, they can be seen illuminating the heavens. Even as late as the end of March or the beginning of April, you may still get a glimpse of these undulating rainbows. 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 . Your email address will not be published. The Faroe Islands, Denmark. The area is extremely remote, and visitors will also have the chance to see animals like . Between mid-April and mid-August, the night skies are just too bright for visitors to see the aurora well. The Shetlands are one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Scotland. The forecast lead time is the time it takes for the solar wind to travel from the L1 observation point to Earth. Yukon is a top spot to view the lights in Western Canada. Luxury adventure outfitter Butterfield & Robinson has expanded its winter offerings with a new collection of cold-weather expeditionsnorthern lights included. In northern Sweden, theTreehotel is made up of six modern tree houses perched in the pines. If you're one of the lucky few people on the planet to travel to the southernmost continent on Earth Antarctica you'll have an adventure of a lifetime, especially when the aurora illuminates the sky. The Aurora Bubbles are even equipped with a laser-heated glass roof that opens up overhead and into the night sky. New England is one of the most densely populated parts of the United States. These tours take place in the Autumn months when the weather is still relatively warm. October through March is the best time to chase the aurora borealis in Iceland. Read on to discover the top destinations where you can see the kaleidoscopic northern and southern lights. 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. At night, the Northern Lights are best viewed from the east so . Top 5 Best Places to See the Northern Lights, 23. Lastly,Woodburn Reservoiris one last spot to try and see (and photograph) the aurora at the right time of year you might even get a lovely reflection in the water, too. 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. 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. Keep kids happy and entertained with these activities in and around Las Vegas. Heres another novel way to experience the magic of thenorthernlights: by rail. Its much farther north than other parts of Denmark or Europe and ideally situated for seeing the northern lights during the dark winter months. 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. 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. But it's possible to see the northern lights at any time during the season from mid-August to early or mid-April. Today the village boasts about 800 residents and more than 1,000 dogs. 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. And the best place to see the Northern Lights in Scotland is in the Shetlands. Expert aurora chasers recommend staying in the capital city of Hobart as a base. Valerie is the founder and editor of Space Tourism Guide. The best places in the world are usually closer to the Arctic Circle, including Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Travelers can also visit the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with several monuments dating back 5,000 years. The word "aurora" comes from the Latin word for "sunrise," and "borealis" means "to the north." The Aurora Borealis shines sporadically over the middle . Idaho. The cruise ends in Bergen. The experience is surreal, with vibrant hues of blue, green, pink and violet dancing across the night sky. The North Pole Igloos, where you can now stay for $105,000 for one night. How frustrating it can be to spend hours waiting for the northern lights, only to learn that your location is a bit off for the day's best viewing. You can head to Russia and Norway on The Golden Eagle - Arctic Explorer - Quest for theNorthernLights (which includes a tour venturing out into the wilderness with a guest astronomer), celebrate the natural wonders of Sweden and Norway with TheNorthernLights& Lapland or explore Alaska on the Aurora Viewing at Bettles Lodge, where youll partake in a communal bonfire under the light-streaked skies of the Arctic Circle. Not only does it have excellent restaurants and accommodations, but it also has good access to the Ring Road. In fact, under the right conditions, you can see the northern lightsanywherein Finland! For an extended visit, plan to stay at the Antonius Hotel, a luxury boutique property in the heart of the historic city of Tartu. 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. 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