best places to see the northern lights in ct

The glass igloos at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finland. best time and places to see Northern Lights in Finland. 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. With this extreme darkness, there are more opportunities to see the aurora. You can reach Stewart Island by flying into Oban or taking a ferry from Invercargill or Bluff. 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. But dont limit yourself: You can also spot the southern lights in the southern hemisphere. The best time to see the Northern Lights in Sweden occurs between the hours of 6:00 pm and 2:00 am on a clear night. Lapland is a region that stretches across the northernmost sections of Finland and Sweden and is home to the Indigenous Sami people. These tours take place in the Autumn months when the weather is still relatively warm. Keep your curtains open and you may even see the Northern Lights from your room. Another good location to chase evasive Northern Lights is the remote wilderness of Eeyou Istchee Baie-James in Northern Quebec. Located along the U.S.-Canada border between Minnesota and Ontario, Voyageurs National Park is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in the continental United States. Its a truly fascinating place to stay while you wait for the Northern Lights to appear. Tasmania sits approximately 150 miles south of Australia between the Indian Ocean and the Tasman Sea. 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. That means that in the New England states, its hard to find a good dark sky! Keep your eyes on the sky on December 10 and 11. The town is located about 15 miles north of Tartu in central Estonia's Tartu County. Launched in February, 2019, this private-chartered 737 jet takes guests eye-level with the northern lights. International Falls, MN 56649, USA. By Caitlin Morton. The best time of year to see the Northern Lights in Alaska is from late August to late April, in Fairbanks at least. Natural Habitat Adventures, a leader in responsible wildlife tourism, is introducing itsvery firstArctic expedition exclusively for women: the seven-dayNorthernLights and Arctic Cultures. Inspired by the Arctics intrepid female explorers, this epic journey was designed by expedition leader Annie Van Dinther. But a dedicated group of locals does chart the current activity and shares the best places to see the shimmering lights. The optimal time for seeing the illuminated skies in the northern part of Sweden, in Swedish Lapland, is between early September and late March. (Note: Some of the following activities, attractions and locations may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the aurora, Orkney is home to breathtaking coastal landscapes and more sheep than you can count. Best chances in Illinois will be closer to the Wisconsin border, especially after 9 pm . If you're staying for several days, book accommodations with harbor views at the Scandic Ishavshotel. 2:47. Norway. Experts from the National Park Service are onboard to provide commentary, offering guests insight on what they are viewing. The town of Churchill, Manitoba, in Canada, is best known for its polar bear population, which congregates in large numbers along the shores of Hudson Bay. 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. The northern lights over the waters of Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota. While the northern lights are hard to predict, the best time to catch a glimpse of this phenomenon is typically during the spring and fall and experts at the park recommend visitors face north after midnight for the best chance to see the show. 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. Its definitely going to be on your itinerary during a winter trip because Fairbanks is ideally located for viewing the northern lights. You can catch an even better glimpse from the top of the Greenland Ice Cap. Share this to help others enjoy the night sky! Visit for the Jasper Dark Sky festival in mid-October and, in addition to the view of the stars, youll get hands-on science and astronomy events. [Read: The Best Places for National Park Camping.]. 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. At the7 Fells Hostel in Finland, the ownerTinjaa retired backpackeris serious when it comes to spotting the lights. For an extended visit, plan to stay at the Antonius Hotel, a luxury boutique property in the heart of the historic city of Tartu. 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. It . Slemish Mountainprovides excellent foreground forastrophotography; its located outside the town of Ballymena but far enough to reduce light pollution. Web Visit website. Finding an app that gives you real time data and focuses not only on the intensity of the lights at that time but also the potential cloud cover is vital. A great site to check out is Service Aurora, which is run by a group of northern lights chasers and tracks the aurora borealis in the northern hemisphere. Stewart Island is regarded as one of the top spots to see the brilliant display in New Zealand, with 85% of the island encompassed by Rakiura National Park, so there are few people and virtually no light pollution. But where should you go if youre trying to see the aurora borealis? Because its so far north, its also one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. The forecast lead time is the time it takes for the solar wind to travel from the L1 observation point to Earth. 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. That said, you'll have more chances from October to March. Located 220 miles above the Arctic Circle, Troms is one of several top spots to view the northern lights in Norway. Without question, the Northern Lightsor aurora borealisare one of the most stunning natural phenomena to occur on our planet. Thanks to a winter storm blowing in, The Northern Lights may be visible here in Connecticut! The Orkney islands are an archipelago of 70 islands in northern Scotland. For many travelers, witnessing the Northern Lights ranks high on the "must-do" list. She will personally wake you up or send you an SMS when the aurora spectacle is high. Yellowknife is one of the world's best places to spot the northern lights. 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. You may opt-out by. Arctic Bath Hotel and Spa in Sweden promises to be the best place to witness the northern lights. Fans of the Northern Lights in Sweden look forward to the long winter evenings. Read on to discover the top destinations where you can see the kaleidoscopic northern and southern lights. 3. Among northern states, Michigan was one of the first to embrace the dark sky preservation movement. Atop this forest sits Perlan, which houses the only planetarium in the country and a museum featuring exhibits about Iceland. 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. HARTFORD, Conn Mother Nature may be providing her own, rare, holiday light show for Connecticut! Mackinaw City. Liard River Hot Springs, further north, is a bucket-list must. The Aurora might be visible at 45 degrees, 30 degrees or even lower on the horizon depending on its brightness. 1. A number of local guide services offer unique Northern Lights tours for visitors. Start the day smarter Notable deaths in 2023 . The list of good places to see the Aurora Borealis is long and diverse, so it's usually difficult to choose which is the best Northern Lights destination, especially with a global pandemic . READ MORE: Where To Go Next: 27 Best Places To Travel In 2020. [See more of the Scottish Highlands: Things to Do | Tours | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]. The Arctic Circle is just 650 miles north and winter is DARK. The historic luxury property is situated along the lively waterfront area, close to the ferry terminal. Your best shot to see the aurora borealis is September through mid-May. As a certified International Dark Sky Park, Voyageurs provides opportunities to view the Milky Way on clear evenings, especially in the summer. See Related: Best Finland Igloo Hotels You Can't-Miss. Yukon is a top spot to view the lights in Western Canada. This post was originally written in October 2020, and was updated most recently in December 2022. 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. 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. And the best place to see the Northern Lights in Scotland is in the Shetlands. And another perk: Cunard is celebrating its 180thAnniversary with special sales available on many voyages between July 2020 and May 2022, including Alaska. During the summer months the Milky Way is visible across the sky and late summer evenings entertain visitors with meteor showers. They're free and fun for everyone! Three popular spots that meet such criteria are Slemish Mountain, Dark Hedges, and Woodburn Reservoir. 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. Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Michigan, guide to stargazing in Acadia National Park, The 6 Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Greenland, The 21 Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Europe This Winter, The 8 Best Places to See the Southern Lights in New Zealand. best time and places to see Northern Lights in Alaska. There is a three-night package available where you can watch this amazing phenomenon from the comfort of a cabin. 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. Best Time to See Nothern Lights in Alaska: Late August through April. Lokacija: Fairbanks, Talkeetna, Denali National Park, Wiseman, Utqiagvik, Nome. As one might imagine, the Faroe Islands are the best place to see the northern lights in Denmark. 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. Connecticut is on the edge of visibility for a Northern . Whitehorse, nicknamed the "Aurora Capital," is one of the country's premier spots to see the northern lights because of its high latitude. Ultimately, the best place and time to see Northern Lights is above 65 N latitude, between late September to March. There are also other stargazing opportunities throughout the year at Headlands. Popular places to spot them include Inganess Bay, Widefond Hill, and Kirkwall. The Quebec government signed an accord with the Cree in 2012. When geomagnetic storms are big enough, the northern lights can be visible as far south as . 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). 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. That's right - you don't need to board a plane to Norway in order to see this phenomenon. 12, 2023, Lyn Mettler and Timothy J. ForsterJan. This ones just for the ladies. 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. The legendary Icehotelthe world's first hotel of ice and snow inthe north ofSwedenis celebrating its 30th anniversary with dazzling new installments and an ephemeral art exhibition. In the U.K., the Northern Lights are known as the "Merry Dancers," and the best place to see them is on a remote archipelago off the northern coast of Scotland. If this storm fizzles or you miss it, your chances of seeing the northern lights are greater than ever right now. The park's mountainous terrain and clear dark skies offer dramatic front-row seats for viewing the lights. This natural wonder can be found here up to 150 times a year. October through March is the best time to chase the aurora borealis in Iceland. 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. That's because the naturally-occurring light show might be visible in Connecticut and throughout New England . And since the lodge is off-the-grid, theres minimal artificial light to interfere with prime aurora viewing. While its far from Norway, Svalbard consistently ranks among the best places to see the northern lights in the world because its so far north it almost seems like youre at the north pole! Witnessing the northern lights is a transformational bucket-list experience that many people wait yearseven a lifetimeto see, since the conditions need to be perfect for this spectacular display to take place. It is even possible to doze off in a warm bed while the auroras dance overhead, making this a comfortable and enchanting way to enjoy this unique setting. As Shetland lies closer to the North Pole than any other part of Britain, it's the best place to see the Northern Lights. 3. But heres the good news: The time is right to get a glimpse of the aurora borealis. Voyageurs alsoruns nighttime junior ranger programs. With its arctic location and dark skies, Yellowknife is one of the most famous places in Canada to see the northern lights. For excellent chances of aurora viewing, book a private igloo at Borealis Basecamp, a top glamping resort located on 100 remote acres of boreal forest about 25 miles from Fairbanks. The rooms also feature beds with reindeer hides and thermal sleeping bags so you can bundle up during the night. You've Gotta See These 6 Spectacular Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays In Connecticut. With its clear skies and mountainous landscape, Swedens Abisko National Park provides a very good opportunity to see the Northern Lights. the best Northern Lights hotels in Canada, the best time and places to see Northern Lights in Canada. 3. This makes them a good destination to see the northern lights in winter! 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. Escape the hustle and bustle of our nation's capital with one of these refreshing weekend getaways. 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 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. Each suite is sculpted of ice with a unique theme and maintains temperatures as low as minus 8 degrees Celsius. The hotel has a few different tours available for seeing the Northern Lights such as a safari and photography tour. Like Norway, Finland has plenty of great places to spot the Northern Lights, particularly in its Lapland region. rather than attempting to rank them from best to worst. Fairbanks, Alaska. But because the Earth's magnetic field tends to pull the energized particles towards the poles, the celestial light show tends to mostly be seen at a more northerlyor southerlylatitude. There are tours available in Ilulissat that allow you to see this amazing landmark while also getting a chance to see the Northern Lights. Natural Habitat Adventures is introducing its very first Arctic expedition exclusively for women. The brainchild of jazz musician Hvard Lund, Fordypningsrommet (more commonly known as the Arctic Hideaway) is a cluster of cabins on the coast of a tiny island in the Arctic Circle of Northern Norway, near Bod. / Getty Images. That means theres no artificial light around to obscure the extraterrestrial view. Jkulsrln is a breathtaking glacial lake, and is one of Icelands greatest natural wonders and most popular tourist attractions. You may even be able to see the northern lights from your room! Additionally, the Faroe Islands are less developed than other parts of Europe and this remoteness ensures a lack of light pollution to interfere with your aurora viewing. This cruise packing list includes all the essentials plus the items you didn't know you needed. This facility is found in an optimal setting, thanks to the clear skies and aurora activity most nights of the year. Visitors can even camp on a nearby ice sheet while basking in the glow. When night falls on clear evenings, look for the light show in the southern sky. You can learn more about my mission here or read about me and the rest of the team here. For U.S. citizens, the top no-passport-required destination for seeing the northern lights is Alaska. 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 . Guests can opt to head out by car to see the aurora, view it by snowmobile or go snowshoeing in pursuit of the lights. Your email address will not be published. The park is located far away from any city lights which might interfere with your view. 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. Sweden. In this way, you get the chance to see two incredibly beautiful sites all at once. Not only does it have excellent restaurants and accommodations, but it also has good access to the Ring Road. Idaho. 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. 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. 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. New policies may be in place, including capacity restrictions, reservation requirements or mask mandates. You are in for an extra special treat if you happen to be there when the aurora borealis lights up the night sky. The entire area covers more than 38,000 square miles, much of which remains remote and untamed. Kluane National Park is one of the best places in the area to do just that. : where to go Next: 27 best places to see Northern lights in Alaska is from August... 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