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. [See more of Reykjavik: Things to Do | Tours | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]. 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. Whitehorse, nicknamed the "Aurora Capital," is one of the country's premier spots to see the northern lights because of its high latitude. Another great place to experience the auroras in Alaska is the city of Fairbanks. Photo credit: Mauri Joensen via Flickr. Experts from the National Park Service are onboard to provide commentary, offering guests insight on what they are viewing. The best places in the world are usually closer to the Arctic Circle, including Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Visitors to Troms will find plenty of local guides who offer aurora tours. Northern Lights Resort and Spa, Canada. Web Visit website. Borealis Basecamphas domes designed especially to offer you a view of the northern lights from the comfort of yourbed. The property also offers aurora-themed excursions and packages that include three-night tours and activities such as dog-sledding or private dining experiences. Alberta is even home to a group called the Alberta Aurora Chasers that numbers 25,000 strong; theyre credited for discovering a northern lights phenomenon called "Steve" that shows up as a bright pink streak in the sky. To fully immerse yourself in this experienceand the parkthat is one-third waterstay on ahouseboatand think about the adventures the fur traders this park is named after experienced on these same waters many years ago. But to witness them in their full glory, you'll want to escape the lights of the city and head out into the Norwegian countryside. 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. These months form the official Fairbanks, Alaska aurora season, when the night sky is dark enough for visible aurora displays. On the shores of Great Slave Lake, travelers have a 95% chance of spotting the lights. The city is located in the northern region of the state, which is ideal for viewing the aurora borealis. As Shetland lies closer to the North Pole than any other part of Britain, it's the best place to see the Northern Lights. 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 . The effect of the northern lights inside Icelandairs Hekla Aurora plane. Business Aug 18, 2022 Nearly Two-Thirds of Successful CEOs Say . Treehotel, a treehouse hotel with northern lights views. The small Swedish village of Jukkasjrvi sits around 125 miles above the Arctic Circle on the Torne River and is an ideal locale for aurora viewing. Spotting the northern lights from The Lodge at Black Rapids in Alaska. But first, there are a few things to know. The northern part of the country is dark in . Share this to help others enjoy the night sky! During your visit, don't miss the panoramic views of the city from the building's fourth-floor observation deck. 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. However, almost every town on the south shore of Lake Superior offers a solid chance to see elusive northern lights. 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. 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. 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. Launched in February, 2019, this private-chartered 737 jet takes guests eye-level with the northern lights. This ones just for the ladies. The park even maintains an online Clear Sky Chart so you can refer to the weather forecast before you go. Ilulissat is the most popular tourist destination in Greenland thanks to the Ilulissat Icefjord. Eeyou Istchee Baie-James. 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. Located on the international border of Minnesota and Ontario, Voyageurs National Park is an approximately 218,000-acre labyrinth of boreal forests, lakes and streams. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. There are also six cabins on land. The city sits 220 miles above the Arctic Circle, and during the long nights of winter, it is possible to see the auroras while in town. This is especially true between the months of October and April. One of the most unique ways to view the northern lights? Those . Top 5 Best Places to See the Northern Lights, 23. Like Norway, Finland has plenty of great places to spot the Northern Lights, particularly in its Lapland region. 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. If you're up for the Arctic adventure, December is the ideal month to visit Abisko National Park, which is regarded as one of the best places on Earth to see the lights dance across the sky. Downpatrick Headis another option in County Mayo. 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. I founded STG to help others learn about and experience the night sky. But if you're lucky enough to travel to see the aurora australis, you'll be rewarded with brilliant displays of color in shades of green, blue, purple, pink, or orange and gold. Where to see the northern lights. 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, on a clear night, you'll get an unfettered look at the sky, which from September through March, is often ablaze with bright colors. Sleep in a Log Cabin Under the Northern Lights in Alaska. Now, read on for some of the best places to see the northern lights in 2020. 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. Iceland is a popular destination for aurora watches, and for good reason. Despite this, you dont have to worry too much about light pollution interfering with your view. But it's possible to see the northern lights at any time during the season from mid-August to early or mid-April. For many travelers, witnessing the Northern Lights ranks high on the "must-do" list. Fairbanks, Alaska. As a result, the skies above Fairbanks are illuminated four out of five nights from August 21 to April 21 each year. Vast portions of Iceland are rural or undeveloped, meaning you can find places to spot the northern lights all over the country. However, all hope is not lost if you seek to view the aurora australis in Antarctica. Pro-tip: Colettes Bed & Breakfastoutside Port Angeles has a north-facing property that looks out over the Straight of Juan de Fuca toward Canada. With its arctic location and dark skies, Yellowknife is one of the most famous places in Canada to see the northern lights. (Martha Shuff/Courtesy of Voyageurs National Park). The town is located about 15 miles north of Tartu in central Estonia's Tartu County. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, make reservations to stay overnight in unique camping accommodations at Aurora Village to view the lights. In the solar maximum, the sun is more "active", leading to northern lights that are caused by solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The Best Northern Lights Trips In The World Gallery By /Dec. The northern lights sparkle above the teepees at Aurora Village in Yellowknife, Canada, the Aurora [+] Capital of North America.. 3. 12, 2023, Lyn Mettler and Timothy J. ForsterJan. But there's another phenomenon that causes the northern lightscoronal holes. 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. The summer months, between December and February, make it more difficult to spot the aurora, but there's still a chance you'll catch a glimpse of the lights between midnight and 4 a.m. For accommodations during your aurora-chasing adventure, reserve a room with a view over Halfmoon Bay and the Foveaux Strait at Stewart Island Lodge, an intimate bed-and-breakfast. These areas are located well within the auroral oval, a ring . Located across Puget Sound from bustling and brightSeattle, you can make your way to the small communities of Port Angeles or Sequim to base yourself for a weekend chasing the aurora. The storms can drive the aurora further south from its usual position over the polar . Popular places to spot them include Inganess Bay, Widefond Hill, and Kirkwall. Expert aurora chasers recommend staying in the capital city of Hobart as a base. This island chain is part of the Kingdom of Denmark but autonomously governed, like Greenland. Because its so far north, its also one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. If youre willing to make the trek,Acadia National Parkis one of the best destinations in the region. 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. Bz is the solar wind's magnetic orientation in the up/down direction. 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. Let us know in the comments! It . 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). That means that in the New England states, its hard to find a good dark sky! This massive glacier, which covers 80% of the country, is accessible in Kangerlussuaq. Some have not only witnessed the Northern Lights for hours here, but observed a rare red Aurora. The best way to see the northern lights here is from one of the remote igloo dome base camps; plenty of professionally guided tours are available. Mullet Peninsula, connected to the mainland at the town of Belmullet, has extensive coastline with expansive northern sky views. In fact, under the right conditions, you can see the northern lightsanywherein Finland! 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. International Falls, MN 56649, USA. If you want to maximize your chances of witnessing the phenomenon, however, come from September through March, when the sky is frequently painted green, yellow, and violet on most clear nights. But the long nights of winter give visitors the greatest opportunity of witnessing the Northern Lights in all of their glory. You can also visit Alatskivi Castle, go snowshoeing in the Mnnikjrve bog or explore Elistvere Animal Park. In fact, they have awhole section about iton their website! Start the day smarter Notable deaths in 2023 . The cruise ends in Bergen. October through March is the best time to chase the aurora borealis in Iceland. 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. Each suite is sculpted of ice with a unique theme and maintains temperatures as low as minus 8 degrees Celsius. At Hotel Rang, a luxurious lodge 90 minutes outside Reykjavk, the staff will wake you u pwhen the northern lights appear. 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 catching the aurora borealis has always been a priority on your bucket list, these are the best places for you to go. Canada, Denmark, Finland, etc.) The Stamford Town Center will turn into a 20,000-square-foot interactive holiday event featuring reindeer, lights and more until Dec. 24. Greenland Travel offers five-day winter tours to Kangerlussuaq that include visiting Greenland's ice sheet, dog-sledding and viewing the northern lights. 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. Thanks to a winter storm blowing in, The Northern Lights may be visible here in Connecticut! You've Gotta See These 6 Spectacular Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays In Connecticut. The bitter cold that often comes with witnessing the northern lights can be a real deterrent. Because of its protection as a national park, theres limited development and less light pollution. On the Alaska Northern Lights Multi-Active Private, youll snowmobile, mush a dog sled and relax in a private hot spring, all beneath the dancing northern sky. . 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. Head to the newNorth Pole Igloos Hotel, a pop-up glamping concept in the northernmost place on earth. Guests can opt to head out by car to see the aurora, view it by snowmobile or go snowshoeing in pursuit of the lights. Inside those unique accommodations, they can watch the sky overhead without ever having to venture out into the cold arctic air. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association's Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a moderate . [Read: The Top Things to Do in Michigan.]. 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 . When it comes to lodging, the property features traditional rooms, suites, villas and cabins. Yukon is a top spot to view the lights in Western Canada. 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. 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. 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. It provides one of the best views of the aurora borealis you can possibly see. 4. At FinlandsKakslauttanen Arctic Resortyou can spythe northern lights through a glass igloo. 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. The new Kelo-Glass igloosare attached to a log chalet and each havea private sauna and fireplace. Located on the northern shore of Great Slave Lake, Yellowknife boasts winter sports such as ice fishing and cross-country skiing. This has earned it an International Dark Sky Park designation. Finska. Murmansk is a roughly two-hour flight from Moscow or St. Petersburg, making it an ideal destination for visitors. The Shetlands are one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Scotland. From here you'll be able to reach several great viewing locations with unobstructed and open views along the southern and southeast coastlines. 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. With the village's origins dating back to the 17th century, you'll still find some of the original homesteads, including an old timber cottage. 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