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Besides Alaska and Iceland, where can you see the Northern Lights?

Geography

Image: Matt Houghton

Image: Matt Houghton

Besides Alaska and Iceland, where can you see the Northern Lights?

There is a special kind of magic that occurs when the night sky stops being a static backdrop and starts to dance. The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is the ultimate bucket-list experience. Who would want to miss a celestial performance of shimmering greens, purples, and reds that has inspired loads of myths and legends? If you’re planning a trip to witness this marvelous phenomenon, here are the 10 best places on the planet to see the show.

Fairbanks is often called the "Aurora Capital of the United States," and for good reason. It sits directly under the Auroral Oval, a ring-shaped zone where auroral activity is most concentrated. Unlike coastal Alaskan towns, Fairbanks is inland. This means it is shielded from the moist maritime air that often causes cloud cover, resulting in much clearer skies.

You can view the lights while soaking in the Chena Hot Springs or from a heated "aurorium." We recommend you stay at least three nights; you’ll have a 90% chance of seeing the lights. The University of Alaska Fairbanks even provides its own highly accurate aurora forecast.

Iceland’s dramatic landscapes of basalt columns, waterfalls, and black sand beaches provide the most cinematic canvas for the lights. To escape Reykjavik's light pollution, you’ll need to head into the Hvolsvöllur Valley, about 1.5 hours southeast.

Unlike the capital, Hvolsvöllur follows a "dark sky" policy in many of its boutique hotels and lodges. Furthermore, because it is far from the coast, the sky is generally clearer and less cloudy. The best time to visit is from September to April.

Northern Minnesota, particularly within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park, offers prime viewing for the Aurora Borealis. Especially during cold winter nights or autumn months, the aurora reflects off the thousands of still lakes, effectively doubling the light show.

Because these are International Dark Sky Parks, the lack of light pollution is startling. On a clear night, this area offers vast, dark, and open skies, making it a top spot for aurora viewing.

While many tourists head to the more commercialized Yellowknife, Whitehorse offers a more rugged wilderness experience. Once you leave the small city center, the light pollution here is almost non-existent.

The Yukon provides a vast, mountainous backdrop. Seeing the green ribbons pass through the jagged peaks of the Coast Mountains is a transformative experience. Must-Do: Visit the Takhini Hot Pools. There is nothing quite like watching the aurora while your hair freezes into white sculptures!

The Keweenaw Peninsula is a little secret among Midwest stargazers, where Lake Superior acts as a giant dark sink, absorbing any stray light. If you head to Brockway Mountain Drive, you’ll find the highest point in the area, which provides an unobstructed 180-degree view of the northern horizon.

Isle Royale National Park, on the other hand, is extremely remote and free from light pollution, making it a top-tier, but harder-to-reach, spot for aurora viewing. Overall, the best viewing opportunities in Michigan are in the fall and spring, with peak times usually around midnight.

Known as the "Gateway to the Arctic," Tromsø offers a sophisticated way to hunt the lights. It’s also a vibrant city located about 217 miles north of the Arctic Circle, making it a very comfortable place to stay.

Because of the Gulf Stream, Tromsø is surprisingly temperate for its latitude. You can experience the Arctic without the -40°C temperatures found in inland Canada or Russia. Visitors can take an "Aurora Chase" tour by boat through the fjords, seeing the lights reflected in the dark, glassy water.

The "Crown of the Continent" provides a sense of scale that makes the aurora feel even grander. Note that the mountains here are so steep they can block the lights if you are in the wrong valley. Focus on the northern shores of the park's lakes. Lake McDonald is the most accessible and offers a clear line of sight to the North Pole over the water.

Glacier National Park offers low light pollution, enhancing the aurora viewing experience. The best months to visit are between late September and March, when nights are longest and darkest.

Home of the world-famous glass igloos, Saariselkä is the heart of Finnish Lapland. If you want the fairytale version of the Northern Lights, this is the place.

This region is famous for its innovative approach to comfort viewing. Many resorts in Saariselkä provide a dedicated pager or app that alerts guests the moment geomagnetic activity spikes. This allows you to sleep comfortably and wake up only when the show actually starts. There is no experience quite like lying in a warm bed, peering through a heated glass dome as the sky explodes in color above you. It's the most efficient way to see the lights without losing a toe to the cold!

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine is a premier, certified International Dark Sky Sanctuary, offering some of the darkest skies east of the Mississippi. So, for those on the East Coast, this is one of the greatest places to see the lights without a cross-country flight.

The best chances to experience the aurora borealis are from September through April, with peak activity often occurring during the autumn and spring equinoxes. These equinoxes can trigger more frequent geomagnetic storms, providing a stunning backdrop to Maine’s famous fall foliage.

The rugged Badlands provide a stark, beautiful contrast to the flowing lights. Furthermore, due to its high northern latitude and relatively flat terrain, you can see the aurora curtain from top to bottom. Clear, cold nights with no moon provide the best visibility, which can appear as green, pink, or violet lights.

You can stay in nearby Medora, which provides quick access to the park. Prime viewing typically occurs 2–3 hours after sunset between September and March.

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Looking for a quiet holiday? 10 small American towns

Geography

Image: Wendy Shervington

Image: Wendy Shervington

There’s no need to go far away

Looking for a quiet holiday? 10 small American towns

Not all holidays need to involve an international destination or a busy city. Sometimes, we just want a laid-back getaway and a change of scenery. Well, the United States is a huge country, so there are several destinations to visit that are both quiet and charming. If you just want to relax, enjoy nature, and change your routine without whipping out your passport, these ten American destinations might be for you.

Image: michael schaffler

New England at its best, but in small-town format, Bar Harbor is the place to visit if you enjoy both the coast and history tours. The perfect place to enjoy all kinds of fresh seafood, Bar Harbor is also close to Acadia National Park, where the more adventurous can go hiking, biking, or kayaking.

Image: Brandon Russell

If hiking is your thing, you will fit just right in Sedona. Famous for its buttes and red rock formations, this Arizona town has over 200 hiking trails, and also a series of spas, wineries, and art galleries to relax after a long day.

Image: Keren Roeglin

Are you a history aficionado? If so, you should give Galena a chance. The hometown of Ulysses S. Grant, this place is famous for its 19th-century buildings. If you want to mix history with exercise, Galena and its hills offer skiing slopes during winter and biking trails in the summer.

Image: Alla Kemelmakher

The second-oldest Florida town, Cedar Key, is a perfect destination if you want to avoid big resorts. Often described as an ‘old version’ of Key West, this town offers natural attractions, outdoor activities, a historic city center, and plenty of seafood restaurants.

Image: Catherine Kerr

Just 40 miles from Philadelphia, New Hope is home to a vibrant arts scene. You can see a show in the historic Bucks County Playhouse, explore the many boutiques and galleries, and take the vintage railroad across the countryside. For a touch of national history in your plans, you can also visit Washington Crossing Historic Park.

Image: Drew Lindsley

Don’t be fooled by the sunny name; this should be your next skiing destination if you want to avoid overcrowded resorts. A year-round resort, Sun Valley offers world-class skiing spots during winter, but it is also perfect for a summer escapade if you enjoy golfing, hiking, or fishing.

Image: Roger Starnes Sr

A perfect example of Southern charm, Beaufort is filled with beautiful walkways, stunning architecture, and waterfront views. You can visit the Historical District and its stately homes, take a stroll through the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, or enjoy the beaches of Hunting Island State Park.

Image: Eric Foster

A destination for the lovers of colonial history, Williamsburg was the setting of several events in American history. You can visit Historic Jamestowne and the Yorktown Battlefield in the Colonial National Historic Park, interact with historical reenactors in the colonial district, and visit some of the amusement parks to unwind after the history lesson.

Image: Jeffrey Clayton

Offering an activity for each season, Stowe has ski slopes, wonderful fall foliage, and plenty of summer and spring activities. Located next to the Green Mountains, this is the perfect destination for nature lovers, who can also enjoy the many breweries and a visit to the Ben and Jerry’s factory.

Image: Venti Views

A beautiful seaside destination on the West Coast, Monterey offers a mix of history, marine life, and nature. You can visit their famous aquarium and natural reserves, their historic district and museums, or go for a ride along the stunning coastal trails.