Another tip: Weather is also key. The Arctic Circle is just 650 miles north and winter is DARK. You can even take a sleigh ride through the snow to a campsite on Lake Inari, where no light pollution at all makes this one of the world's best places to catch the aurora. Some of the most popular places are near towns or interesting geologic features, but if youre traveling Iceland on your own, you can set up pretty much anywhere on a good night and get a great view. 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. They occur when waves of energized particles from the sun called . 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. 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. 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. The park is located far away from any city lights which might interfere with your view. 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. Troms is the largest city in northern Norway. 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. Top 5 Best Places to See the Northern Lights, 23. The Orkney islands are an archipelago of 70 islands in northern Scotland. Dubbed the Land of the Midnight Sun, Fairbanks is located in the region of interior Alaska. (Getty Images). Without a doubt, Glacier National Park is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Montana. 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. The historic luxury property is situated along the lively waterfront area, close to the ferry terminal. Bz is the solar wind's magnetic orientation in the up/down direction. In a country where the Northern Lights are a common occurrence, Troms is quite possibly the best place to witness the light show for yourself. Among northern states, Michigan was one of the first to embrace the dark sky preservation movement. Its the best way to see thenorthernlights, explore ice caves and avoid the crowds. The Aurora Bubbles are even equipped with a laser-heated glass roof that opens up overhead and into the night sky. 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 park's remote and wild location places it far from city lights, eliminating nearly all light pollution. This post was originally written in October 2020, and was updated most recently in December 2022. I had the chance to visit Mayo Dark Sky Park last year just after they received dark sky park designation, and can attest that its incredibly dark here! This facility is found in an optimal setting, thanks to the clear skies and aurora activity most nights of the year. 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. The northern lights are most visible here between the end of August and April and approximately 200 times a year so there are many opportunities for aurora spotting. 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. Updated: 8:06 PM EST December 10, 2020. 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. The park even maintains an online Clear Sky Chart so you can refer to the weather forecast before you go. Read on to discover the top destinations where you can see the kaleidoscopic northern and southern lights. 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. Soak in the springs, and don't forget your snowshoes. Where can you experience all of these things? Greenland Travel offers five-day winter tours to Kangerlussuaq that include visiting Greenland's ice sheet, dog-sledding and viewing the northern lights. This area in Finnish Lapland is known for its stunning scenery, Smi culture, cross-country and downhill skiing, and Urho Kekkonen National Park one of Finland's largest parks. Because of its protection as a national park, theres limited development and less light pollution. Between mid-April and mid-August, the night skies are just too bright for visitors to see the aurora well. Photo credit: Mauri Joensen via Flickr. Fall and winter are the best seasons to witness the aurora, also known in local dialect as the "Mirrie Dancers." At the7 Fells Hostel in Finland, the ownerTinjaa retired backpackeris serious when it comes to spotting the lights. Northern Irelands northern county, Country Atrim, is a great option for trying to see the northern lights in this part of the Irish isles. As one might imagine, the Faroe Islands are the best place to see the northern lights in Denmark. The Aurora might be visible at 45 degrees, 30 degrees or even lower on the horizon depending on its brightness. The Nellim Wilderness Hotel also offers aurora-focused "kotas" (inspired by traditional Smi huts), as well as cabins and bubble-shaped accommodations for two where guests can watch the dancing lights from their warm, cozy beds. She will personally wake you up or send you an SMS when the aurora spectacle is high. Yellowknife, the capital of Canada's Northwest Territories, is also known as the "Aurora Capital of North America." Visit Troms sells aurora-watching trips around the city of Troms in Norway. It's also a quieter time to visit as many of the expedition lines have moved their ships to warmer regions around the world. That means theres no artificial light around to obscure the extraterrestrial view. Northern Lights Resort and Spa, Canada. The cruise ends in Bergen. From big-city adventures to small-town escapes, these locales highlight some of Middle America's top destinations. 4. Which ones are still on your bucket list? Widely referred to as "the Crown of the Continent", the park is a national gem for a multitude of reasons, not least because of the unparalleled views it boasts of the unfiltered night sky. . Experts from the National Park Service are onboard to provide commentary, offering guests insight on what they are viewing. You are in for an extra special treat if you happen to be there when the aurora borealis lights up the night sky. During your visit, don't miss the panoramic views of the city from the building's fourth-floor observation deck. 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. While there is no guarantee that the Aurora Borealis will appear on any given night, this viewing season is the most reliable time of year to see the Northern Lights in Alaska. 10 Best Place to See Northern Lights in USA 2023 . Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. 1. And hardcore skiing families should set their sights on the remote Tordrillo Mountain Lodge, where you can lounge in the outdoor hot tub and scout the sky for the auroras after a day spent heli-skiing the pristine surrounding slopes. Voyageurs alsoruns nighttime junior ranger programs. 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. Let us know in the comments! Best chances in Illinois will be closer to the Wisconsin border, especially after 9 pm . What better way to minimize the cloud cover then getting above them and being surrounded by the northern lights? says Icelandairs Sigrur Einarsdttir, who has witnessed the lights on multiple occasions in flight. 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. McGulpin Point and Johnson Point are both good viewing spots; McGulpin Point Lighthouse is just outside the park but also a good contender. Perlan is also home to the world's first indoor ice cave and glacier exploratorium. However, almost every town on the south shore of Lake Superior offers a solid chance to see elusive northern lights. 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. Manitoba is best known for polar bears, the Hudson Bay, and the northern lights in winter. If you're visiting between late April and the end of October, splurge on a stay at the Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island. This is a hotel thats built entirely out of ice and snow every year. The area of a visible aurora is greater because it can be seen at spots other than 90 degrees directly up (straight above your head). The southernmost destinations in the world offer the chance to see the aurora australis or southern 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 . Norway. This territory is governed by the Cree, one of the largest groups of First Nations in North America. Downpatrick Headis another option in County Mayo. Aurora chasers can view the lights on their own while in town, opt for a guided tour with Northern Lights Safari or go on an exhilarating husky trekking expedition in the Arctic wilderness. 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. The best time to visit is between December and March. If you really want the best chance of experiencing the Aurora Borealis in all its glory, then this is where you want to go. Visitors to Troms will find plenty of local guides who offer aurora tours. Embrace the winter and set sail for the Arctic Circle to experience the aurora in northern Norway. . Troms is a popular place for . Hostelworld is a great resource for affordable (under $30 per night) accommodations around the world to spot the northern lights. 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. The area is extremely remote, and visitors will also have the chance to see animals like . Fairbanks, Alaska, ranks among the best locations in the U.S. for viewing the Northern Lights. When you come here to see the Northern Lights, you have a chance of photographing two amazing works of nature at once! With this extreme darkness, there are more opportunities to see the aurora. This cruise packing list includes all the essentials plus the items you didn't know you needed. In fact, Yellowknife locals love the aurora borealis so much that they have tiny lighthouses which alert residents and visitors when theres a likely showing of the northern lights that night. Today the village boasts about 800 residents and more than 1,000 dogs. 50 Over 50: Europe, Middle East And Africa 2023, How To Achieve Financial Confidence As A Business Owner, Julianne Moore Shines A Light On The Nuance Of Social Justice Work In A New Film From Jesse Eisenberg And Emma Stone, Heineken USA CEO Maggie Timoney On Increasing Inclusion In The Alcohol Industry, How To Develop Your Authentic Leadership Brand, Animator Momo Wang Used Her Tuzki Success To Catapult Her Career In Animation, How This Scrappy Entrepreneur Built Her Business By Creating The Perfect Collaborative Space, Mental Health In The Workplace: Predicted Trends For 2023, sometimes see the northern lights starting as early as August, Alaska Northern Lights Multi-Active Private,, Golden Circle: Platinum Tour With Northern Lights,, The Golden Eagle - Arctic Explorer - Quest for theNorthernLights, 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. Get up close to that . Today its a prime destination to try and see the northern lights. 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 . 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 . Credit: Unsplash Treehotel, a treehouse hotel with northern lights views. Together with a visit to the festive visitor's center, you'll feel like you're immersed in a winter wonderland! 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. They're free and fun for everyone! New England is one of the most densely populated parts of the United States. 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. [Read: The Top Things to Do in Michigan.]. Witnessing the mesm. Still, Thingvellir National Park is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Iceland. 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 . Start the day smarter Notable deaths in 2023 . Depending on the time of year, the six overwater cabins float on the Lule River or are frozen into it. Guests will be able to kayak right under the property, go ice climbing, indulge in night fishing andbest of allsee spectacular northern lights views. October through March is the best time to chase the aurora borealis in Iceland. Want northern lights viewing thats pretty much guaranteed? 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