best places to see the northern lights in ct

Check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of State and local tourism boards before traveling.). 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. The park's mountainous terrain and clear dark skies offer dramatic front-row seats for viewing the lights. Or head to Takhini Hot Springs, where you can connect mind and body as you watch the aurora borealis while soaking in 107-degree mineral waters. When it comes to lodging, the property features traditional rooms, suites, villas and cabins. In addition to its strategic location, Whitehorse also has the longest season for viewing the northern lights in Canada. However, you will have to contend with the light from nearby communities like Bar Harbor when trying to view the northern sky from Cadillac Mountain. The reason: Solar Cycle 25.It's an 11-year cycle in which the sun's magnetic . 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. 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. Idaho. Mackinaw City. Located on the northern shore of Great Slave Lake, Yellowknife boasts winter sports such as ice fishing and cross-country skiing. Visitors can even camp on a nearby ice sheet while basking in the glow. Northern Lights and Arctic Cultures trip, Canadian Arctic. However, if youre going to see the northern lights in Washington,Olympic National Parkis one of the best spots to see it when skies are clear. Credit: Unsplash [See more of the Scottish Highlands: Things to Do | Tours | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]. Destinations known for northern lights are often expensive. 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. All of the rooms have luxuries like wood-burning stoves and skylights for optimal viewing. Mullet Peninsula, connected to the mainland at the town of Belmullet, has extensive coastline with expansive northern sky views. Nestled in Canada's westernmost part, the views here of the aurora borealis are one of the best. The Aurora Bubbles are even equipped with a laser-heated glass roof that opens up overhead and into the night sky. Travelers who fly on Icelandair can get a taste of the phenomenon before they even reach Iceland when flying on IcelandairsHekla Aurora plane, which is painted in the colors of an Icelandic winter landscape on the exterior. The Iceland Winter Multi-Active Private is a five-day northern lights adventure that kicks off in Reykjavik and includes hikes through otherworldly landscapes and soaking in steaming hot springs. This spectacle is more elusive since there's less land mass in this part of the world and fewer viewing spots to see the show. Valerie is the founder and editor of Space Tourism Guide. There is a chance that people in parts of Connecticut could get the rare chance to see the Northern Lights tonight after a change in the forecast late last night and it comes at a time when we . From here you'll be able to reach several great viewing locations with unobstructed and open views along the southern and southeast coastlines. Fairbanks. This product is based on the OVATION model and provides a 30 to 90 minute forecast of the location and intensity of the aurora. Iceland is, for the most part, not a hugely developed country. This is especially true between the months of October and April. The Aurora might be visible at 45 degrees, 30 degrees or even lower on the horizon depending on its brightness. 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. This facility is found in an optimal setting, thanks to the clear skies and aurora activity most nights of the year. But a dedicated group of locals does chart the current activity and shares the best places to see the shimmering 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 . Join her on this journey to explore space right here on earth. READ MORE: Where To Go Next: 27 Best Places To Travel In 2020. 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. There, youll find suggestions on recommended forecast tools as well as a few tips to help you maximize your chances of seeing them. Sweden is another Scandinavian country where the Northern Lights are visible from just about anywhere. During the summer months the Milky Way is visible across the sky and late summer evenings entertain visitors with meteor showers. This property also offers Kelo-Glass Igloos that combine the comforts of a log chalet with the visibility of the glass roof. But dont limit yourself: You can also spot the southern lights in the southern hemisphere. At Hotel Rang, a luxurious lodge 90 minutes outside Reykjavk, the staff will wake you u pwhen the northern lights appear. 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. Another way to take northern lights viewing to new heights: aboard theAurora 360 Experience. 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. Use the airline's app or make an international call if your flight has been canceled. Transformative Travel: I look at how travel can change lives. 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. Jkulsrln is a breathtaking glacial lake, and is one of Icelands greatest natural wonders and most popular tourist attractions. 4. Inside those unique accommodations, they can watch the sky overhead without ever having to venture out into the cold arctic air. The Shetlands are one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Scotland. 1. Lake Saadjrv is a major recreational area with beaches, as well as nearby cultural sites and museums such as the Ice Age Centre. The best time to see the Northern Lights in Norway is between September and April, when the nights are longest and the sky is darkest. While the auroras appear less frequently there, in December and January each year, they can be seen illuminating the heavens. You can also chase the lights into the wilderness by snowmobile, take a dogsled ride under the stars or view them from a Smi tent atop the mountain Pska in Alta. This is a short-term forecast of the location and intensity of the aurora. Visit Troms sells aurora-watching trips around the city of Troms in Norway. 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. This article was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information. You can catch an even better glimpse from the top of the Greenland Ice Cap. World Explorer presents: 5 Best Places to See the Northern LightsLearn about the dancing lights and the best places in the world to view them.Facebook http. Many people overlook Greenland as an aurora destination, but Kangerlussuaq is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. Lapland is located within the Arctic Circle in the northernmost part of Finland. But first, there are a few things to know. One of best places to view the northern lights on the planet is the mountaintop Aurora Sky StationinSwedish Lapland. Another good location to chase evasive Northern Lights is the remote wilderness of Eeyou Istchee Baie-James in Northern Quebec. [Read: The Top Things to Do in Michigan.]. The Quebec government signed an accord with the Cree in 2012. 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. But some placeslike Abisko National Parkare especially outstanding. Due to its location above the Arctic Circle, it also happens to be one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. Check the aurora borealis off your bucket list. With this extreme darkness, there are more opportunities to see the aurora. For those who want to try and catch a glimpse, find a dark area away from street and city lights and look north. There is even a Facebook group calledOrkney Aurora Groupwhere local residents and enthusiasts post the latest information. People here in Connecticut may get a rare chance to see the Northern Lights this weekend. Witnessing the mesm. 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. 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. If you're lucky, you may just experience something magical. The Aurora Sky Station is one of the best vantage points to see the aurora in the park, with experts on hand to answer questions about the science behind this fascinating phenomenon. Jasper National Park (and its largest town, Banff) host a dark sky festival each October where people travel from around the world to view the dark skies, learn astronomy, and listen to live music while the northern lights dance overhead. This natural wonder can be found here up to 150 times a year. That makes it a great destination for stargazing in general and for experiencing the aurora borealis specifically. Heres another novel way to experience the magic of thenorthernlights: by rail. The "season" for seeing the aurora borealis runs from September to April. Created by energized particles from the sun hitting the Earth's upper atmosphere, the aurora appears as a wave of light that dances across the night's sky. 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. With Canada's Aurora | 360 you can see the northern lights at eye level. 4. During the summer, the days are long in Lapland, limiting the opportunities for the aurora borealis to appear. 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. How frustrating it can be to spend hours waiting for the northern lights, only to learn that your location is a bit off for the day's best viewing. Located less than 10 miles from the Russian border in Finnish Lapland, this remote Arctic destination is a top-rated locale to view the northern lights due to the lack of light pollution. Here are some of thebest spots to see the northern lights near Fairbanksif you want to improve your chances during your trip: Want to sleep under the aurora? September to November and February to March are the best months to view the aurora, as the skies are clearer than in December and January when they can be cloudy due to snow. Greenland Travel offers five-day winter tours to Kangerlussuaq that include visiting Greenland's ice sheet, dog-sledding and viewing the northern lights. Hostelworld is a great resource for affordable (under $30 per night) accommodations around the world to spot the northern lights. 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. There are rustic snow igloos surrounded bysnow or heatedglass igloos withprivatebathrooms. Lisa Jacobs/Flickr. 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. The northern lights over the waters of Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota. Between mid-April and mid-August, the night skies are just too bright for visitors to see the aurora well. But the Northern Lights are so amazing that they are worth traveling for just to see them firsthand. At FinlandsKakslauttanen Arctic Resortyou can spythe northern lights through a glass igloo. Today its a prime destination to try and see the northern lights. It's also a quieter time to visit as many of the expedition lines have moved their ships to warmer regions around the world. Let us know in the comments! 11, 2023, Stacey Zable and Timothy J. ForsterJan. There are also other stargazing opportunities throughout the year at Headlands. The jagged rock formations along the shore of the lake are popular with painters, which is what gives the location its name. 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. Think again. 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. Your best shot to see the aurora borealis is September through mid-May. The Best Northern Lights Trips In The World Gallery By /Dec. Saariselk is well-known for its glass igloos where you can sleep under the open starry sky and see the northern lights from a bed. Reykjavik, Iceland. 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. By day, you can explore local history and cultural museums to get a sense for Russian history. The Shetland Islands are the British Isles closest to the North Pole. All of the overnight accommodations in Voyageurs National Park require access to a boat or ferry, so if youre planning a trip consider staying in the nearby town of International Falls. If . Regarded as one of the top spots in the U.S. to see the aurora, Headlands International Dark Sky Park sits at the top of Michigan's lower peninsula, less than 5 miles from Mackinaw City. For U.S. citizens, the top no-passport-required destination for seeing the northern lights is Alaska. These tours take place in the Autumn months when the weather is still relatively warm. Thanks to a winter storm blowing in, The Northern Lights may be visible here in Connecticut! Among northern states, Michigan was one of the first to embrace the dark sky preservation movement. Keep your eyes on the sky on December 10 and 11. Gwen Pratesi and Amanda NorcrossJan. Which ones are still on your bucket list? 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. This makes them a good destination to see the northern lights in winter! When you're not chasing the lights, enjoy other Arctic activities like a husky safari, ice fishing, snowmobiling or a day in the snow meeting the local reindeer. The hotel has a few different tours available for seeing the Northern Lights such as a safari and photography tour. Most often, those waves are green in color, but they can also be yellow, red, orange, blue, and even white. Watch the lights dance across the sky from the comfort of your bed. The Arctic Circle is just 650 miles north and winter is DARK. Some years they can be seen as early as August. This group of captivating islands, located about 10 miles from Scotland's remote northern coast, is one of the best places to see the northern nights in the country. This ring-shaped zone sits over the Earth's geomagnetic North Pole, where aurora activity is concentrated. How to photograph the Milky Way + 2023 Viewing Chart! If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. Photo credit: Mauri Joensen via Flickr. Since the northern lights can appearand disappearin a snap, its important to be on alert throughout the night. The northern lights sparkle above the teepees at Aurora Village in Yellowknife, Canada, the Aurora [+] Capital of North America.. Here, the Northern Lights are common throughout the year, but due to the midnight sun, they aren't visible during the height of summer. In fact, they have awhole section about iton their website! During other times of the year, Cunard also offers special Northern Lights cruises in Norway. If this storm fizzles or you miss it, your chances of seeing the northern lights are greater than ever right now. Cruise lines that offer March voyages include Scenic, Silversea Cruises, Aurora Expeditions, Viking and Ponant. This time of year brings cold evenings with clear skies, which makes for ideal viewing conditions. See the aurora borealis, aka the northern lights, across the northern tier of the U.S. this week, from Maine to Montana to Washington this week. 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. This time of year offers offers a unique opportunity to view the lights both in the sky and reflected in the lakes and rivers, which you won't see if you visit in the winter months. 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. Officially named a Dark Sky Preserve, Jasper National Park is one of Albertas and Canadas most picturesque locations and is quickly becoming a tourist hotspot. A strong geomagnetic storm is expected to bring the Northern Lights further south than normal tonight. Embrace the winter and set sail for the Arctic Circle to experience the aurora in northern Norway. Despite this, you dont have to worry too much about light pollution interfering with your view. The southernmost destinations in the world offer the chance to see the aurora australis or southern lights. Abisko: Home to Abisko National Park and the Aurora Sky Observatory. If you really want the best chance of experiencing the Aurora Borealis in all its glory, then this is where you want to go. Lapland is a region that stretches across the northernmost sections of Finland and Sweden and is home to the Indigenous Sami people. You can read more about these 5 spots below, as well as 20 alternatives that are also good spots to see the northern lights but less popular and/or further off the beaten path. On the shores of Great Slave Lake, travelers have a 95% chance of spotting the lights. That said, you'll have more chances from October to March. Want northern lights viewing thats pretty much guaranteed? This massive glacier, which covers 80% of the country, is accessible in Kangerlussuaq. If you're on your own in the park, campsite docks offer some of the best spots for northern lights viewing and stargazing. 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. One of the most unique ways to view the northern lights? International Falls, MN 56649, USA. Voyageurs is working toward an International Dark Sky Park designation to highlight and preserve the vast views, which it hopes to earn in 2020. Its much farther north than other parts of Denmark or Europe and ideally situated for seeing the northern lights during the dark winter months. Updated: 8:06 PM EST December 10, 2020. Lokacija: Fairbanks, Talkeetna, Denali National Park, Wiseman, Utqiagvik, Nome. Around 150 miles above the Arctic Circle, located along the road to the Arctic Sea, Saariselk is the northernmost ski resort in Finland. And the best place to see the Northern Lights in Scotland is in the Shetlands. The largest urban area in Northern Norway and the world's third largest city above the Arctic Circle, Troms lies . They occur when waves of energized particles from the sun called . I founded STG to help others learn about and experience the night sky. The researchers at the facility recommend that travelers looking to see the Northern Lights plan their visits for August and September or January through April. Arctic Bath Hotel and Spa in Sweden promises to be the best place to witness the northern lights. Also far north in Norway, the Lofoten Islands are an island group with a surprisingly mild climate. Kiruna: Sweden's northernmost city with a high-end "camp" (resort) designed for those seeking the Northern Lights. Its not cheapstaying here costs a cool 95,000 (about $105,000), which includesa one-night stay in the North Pole, as well astwo nights in nearby Svalbard, plus transportation, meals and guides. Connecticut is on the edge of visibility for a Northern . 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. Get up close to that . It provides one of the best views of the aurora borealis you can possibly see. 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. Depending on the time of year, the six overwater cabins float on the Lule River or are frozen into it. Guests can opt to head out by car to see the aurora, view it by snowmobile or go snowshoeing in pursuit of the lights. Sweden is one of the best spots for aurora viewing in the Northern Hemisphere, with the northern part of the country known as Swedish Lapland at the top of the list. From big-city adventures to small-town escapes, these locales highlight some of Middle America's top destinations. The optimal time for seeing the illuminated skies in the northern part of Sweden, in Swedish Lapland, is between early September and late March. 5. This excursion includes round-trip transportation to the resort from town, a soak in the hot springs, dinner at the on-site restaurant, a visit to the Aurora Ice Museum and an aurora viewing tour in a snowcat. Together with a visit to the festive visitor's center, you'll feel like you're immersed in a winter wonderland! Theres only one place! Ultimately, the best place and time to see Northern Lights is above 65 N latitude, between late September to March. Travelers can also visit the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with several monuments dating back 5,000 years. 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. A number of local guide services offer unique Northern Lights tours for visitors. By Caitlin Morton. There's also a chance to see the aurora from late summer to early fall as the lights are visible up to 240 days a year. These durable carry-on bags are ideal for any upcoming vacation or business trip. The Ice Bar at the 30th anniversary version of Sweden's legendary Icehotel. Kraig Becker is a writer based out of Roanoke, Virgina who has covered adventure travel and product reviews for TripSavvy since 2013. 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. As a certified International Dark Sky Park, Voyageurs provides opportunities to view the Milky Way on clear evenings, especially in the summer. It could be visible between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., but it is difficult to predict. Fairbanks, Alaska, ranks among the best locations in the U.S. for viewing the Northern Lights. There are even plenty of local guides and experts who can advise you on the best places to go based on the current weather conditions. The Shetland Islands are an archipelago of more than 100 islands, sitting between Norway and Scotland. Every list on the internet has their own suggestions for the best places to see the northern lights! In northern Sweden, theTreehotel is made up of six modern tree houses perched in the pines. Head to Yellowknife, which is known as theAurora Capital of North America, thanks to its prime location and excellent viewing conditions. Days are spent snowshoeing, igloo-building and dog sledding, while evenings will be spent in search of the northern lights. Yellowknife is one of the world's best places to spot the northern lights. 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. 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 . Its on every astrotourists bucket list and its one of the most popular bucket list activities for non-space geeks too: see the northern lights. Thanks to longer hours of darkness and clear night skies, December through March is usually thebesttime to observe this elusive natural phenomenon (though you can sometimes see the northern lights starting as early as August).

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