Experience the ethereal beauty of the Northern Lights in Alaska’s Chena Hot Springs. Explore the Ice Museum, relax in the hot springs, and enjoy a guided tour to witness the mesmerizing Aurora Borealis.
- Aurora Ice Museum - After being picked up, sit back, relax and enjoy the 60 mile (97 kms) journey out to Chena Hot Springs Resort. Keep a lookout for wildlife that might include a moose, beaver or fox.
Upon arrival, you’ll be given a guided tour of the Aurora Ice Museum, constructed of over 1000 tons of ice and snow. Marvel at magnificent ice-sculptures created by world-renowned ice carvers, sit at the ice bar on a caribou-hide covered bar stool or indulge in an appletini served in a hand-carved ice glass (optional-not included in price). You will then be shown to our table in the restaurant where you can enjoy some dinner and hot or cold beverages (optional and not included in price).
Rejoin your group a little after midnight and head back to Fairbanks. Your guide may make a few stops along the way for further aurora viewing if it is active.
Please note the aurora is an act of nature and it’s appearance cannot be guaranteed.
- Chena Hot Springs Resort - After arriving at the resort, you’ll be taken to the restaurant where you can sample some home grown Alaskan fare (optional and not included in price). Enjoy a hot or cold beverage at the bar or don your bathing suit and head to the hot springs. The revitalizing mineral water soothes muscles with its warm temperatures of 106 degrees F (41 degrees C) year-round. You can soak under the stars in an outdoor hot tub, or indoors in the heated pool.
When ready, join your expert guide for a small-group outing to view the Aurora Borealis. Your guide will lead you through one of the best places on earth to witness the green and purple illuminations loop across the night sky. Wait and witness the celestial wonder in the late evening, when viewing opportunities are the highest. The lights are also visible inside the cafe’s Aurora Room, which serves as a comfortable and warm location for viewings.
Note: We can never guarantee the Northern lights sighting.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Guided tour of the Aurora Ice Museum
- Local Guide
- Access to Chena Hot Springs Resort’s hot springs, hot tubs and swimming area
- Gratuities
- Food & drinks
- Towels (available for $5 from the hot springs or you can bring your own)
- Bottled water
Discover the ethereal beauty of Alaska’s famous celestial display, the Aurora Borealis, see impressive ice carvings and experience the State’s ancient healing waters on an evening trip from Fairbanks. Sit back and relax and enjoy the 60 mile journey to Chena Hot Springs Resort. After arrival, take a guided tour of the Aurora Ice museful. Then enjoy some dinner in the resort’s restaurant (not included in price) and take a dip in the outdoor mineral rock pool or just explore the grounds while you wait to see if the lights appear. Your guide will lead your group out to the springs and explain the most ideal viewing locations, where you can wait for a chance to glimpse the multicolored display in the sky. Round-trip transport from Fairbanks or North Pole hotels, entry to the ice museum and hot springs is included.
Note: the resort does not allow children under 18 in the outside rock pool. However, they may use the indoor pool under adult supervision.
- Operates in cold weather conditions; please dress appropriately
- Please don’t forget to bring bathing suits, bath towels, at least 2 quarter for each locker and photo ID for purchases at the bar.
- The outside rock pool is only allowed for adults 18 years and up. However, children are allowed in the inside pool.
- Pregnant travelers are not allowed in the outside rock pool.
- We have enough room for a foldable wheelchair. The hot springs are wheelchair accessible.
- We can only pick up from inside the city limits of Fairbanks or North Pole. For other locations, you will need to go to an agreed location (eg Walmart), please contact our office to discuss if you are staying outside the city limits.
- Water is not supplied for this tour. We recommending bringing a refillable water bottle.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
