Seeing the Northern Lights in the sky is a bucket list item for many.
With the right conditions, and if you are in a prime viewing location, you may be able to scratch that item off your list.
There are many international destinations that are popular places to go to see the Northern Lights, but there are plenty of places within the country that boast incredible views, too.
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Wherever you go, don’t forget to pack your camera so you can take a picture of the beautiful display in front of you.
Below are places in the U.S. and abroad where you can see the Northern Lights, plus general tips for viewing.
You don’t have to leave the U.S. to see the Northern Lights. There are plenty of places throughout the country that will provide incredible views with the right conditions at play. (Patrick Pleul/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Northern Lights in America
1. Priest Lake, Idaho
In far-northern Idaho, you can find Priest Lake, a major spot for aurora hunters.
“Priest Lake, in far-northern Idaho, has been my most reliable and rewarding location for viewing the Northern Lights,” Visit Idaho stated.
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The marina will also join in on the fun by turning out the lights, so enthusiasts can get a good look at the night sky.
2. Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska, is not only one of the best places in the country to view the vivid light display — it’s one of the best locations in the world.
“Because of its location within the auroral oval and dark skies, Alaska is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, and lucky for American travelers, you don’t even need a passport to get there,” Travel and Leisure shared.
The aurora oval is a “a ring-shaped region hovering over the far north where Northern Lights activity is concentrated,” according to travelalaska.com.
Fairbanks, Alaska, is one of the best places in the world to take in the unbelievable sights of the Aurora Borealis. (Getty Images)
The view of the lights can be seen from just about anywhere in Fairbanks, which means you can enjoy a magical display as you drive late into the night.
3. Lake Superior, Michigan
Michigan is a great place to view the Northern Lights when in the U.S., specifically near Lake Superior and the Upper Peninsula.
The state has two important factors that make it such a great location for taking in the sights: latitude and low light pollution.
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“The Upper Peninsula is blessed with hundreds of miles of shoreline along the south shore of Lake Superior, which provides some of the best Northern Lights viewing in the lower 48 due to the very dark night skies,” Pure Michigan shared online.
“When looking north over Lake Superior, one can see right down to the horizon and take in a 180-degree unobstructed view of the night sky.”
4. Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
If you’re lucky, you may get to see the Northern Lights at Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota.
If the sky is clear and dark, you could be able to see them light up the sky.
You’ll also need to find a location that is facing north. Areas including Ash River Visitor Center grounds, Meadwood Road Day Use Area and Rainy Lake Visitor Center upper parking area are all locations suggested by the National Park Service to consider.
You can capture a view of the Northern Lights in Minnesota with proper research. (Alex Kormann/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
Northern Lights in Europe
If you don’t mind planning a holiday getaway this winter, take a quick trip across the pond to see the aurora borealis from these unbelievable sights:
1. Swedish Lapland
Sweden has become a top place to view the dancing lights in the Northern Hemisphere. The Lapland region, in particular, is the most popular.
“Not only is Abisko, Swedish Lapland, within the aurora oval but the surrounding mountains also keep the skies clear and there’s barely any light pollution,” Swedish Lapland shared online.
In Abisko, you can find the Aurora Sky Station. It has an observation tower with experts available to answer any questions about the display, the Space Tourism Guide shared.
2. Jökulsárlón, Iceland
One of the most unique places to see the magnificent Northern Lights display is found at the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon in Iceland.
“Jokulsarlon’s secluded location ensures minimal light pollution, providing the perfect setting to witness the stunning colors of the Aurora Borealis,” said Arctic Adventures.
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“The best time to observe the Northern Lights at Jokulsarlon is during the late evening and early night hours when the darkness enhances their visibility,” the website also notes.
Take in the sights of the Northern Lights at a magical glacier lagoon in Jökulsárlón, Iceland. (Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty Images)
Time of year and time of day are two very important factors when choosing to see the Northern Lights on display in Iceland.
3. Tromsø, Norway
When picturing the landscape surrounding the Northern Lights, you probably imagine something exactly like Tromsø, Norway, which is why it is widely considered one of the top places to see the aurora borealis.
Tromsø is the third-largest city north of the Arctic Circle.
It “lies just within the Northern Lights Oval, the region above Earth’s geomagnetic North Pole, where aurora displays are most likely to occur,” according to Space.com.
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The stunning display can be seen from September to April.
You will not miss out on taking in the beauty of the sky when in Tromsø, thanks to the many travel sites and guides that offer aurora chases.
Tromsø, Norway, might just be the most picture-perfect place to view the Aurora Borealis, because it’s located north of the Arctic Circle. (Zhang Cheng/Xinhua via Getty)
4. Orkney, Scotland
Orkney is another place you can often catch the Northern Lights, with low levels of light pollution and unobstructed views throughout, according to Orkney.com.
If you want to see the Northern Lights here, the right conditions will be needed to spot them, including dark, clear skies.
Make sure to check the weather so you get an idea of whether the “merry dancers,” as the Northern Lights are called in Orkney, will be visible.
Tips for Northern Lights sightings
When it comes to seeing the magical dancing lights in the sky, there are a few factors that you may want to take into account in order to maximize your viewing pleasure:
1. Location
There are so many places across the world to view the vivid displays, but you’ll want to make sure to find a location that has no obstructions.
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Aim to find a place that has minimal tree lines or hills so that the northern horizon can be fully seen.
It may take a little bit of searching to find the perfect spot, so give yourself some time to seek it out.
2. Timing
The Northern Lights are usually on full display from September to March or April, but the best time to see the lights is in the late evening or early morning.
“Best aurora is usually within an hour or two of midnight (between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time),” according to the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).
“There may be aurora in the evening and morning, but it is usually not as active and therefore, not as visually appealing.”
Expect a late night to see the Northern Lights, as the later hours into the early morning is typically the optimal viewing time. (Ross Harried/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
3. Geomagnetic activity
When the geomagnetic field is active, the aurora will be brighter, stronger and further from the magnetic poles, according to the SWPC.
The best time to see the Northern Lights is when the planetary K index is at an eight or nine, and the aurora moves toward the equator, the weather service site also said.
On the Space Weather Prediction Center website, users can view a short-term forecast of location and intensity of the aurora, which can help determine whether they will be able to be viewed in your area.
4. Darkness
To see the Northern Lights, find the darkest location that you can.
Go at night, away from the city lights, in order to capture the best view of the Aurora Borealis.
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“The full moon will also diminish the apparent brightness of the aurora (not the actual brightness),” the SWPC continued.
You’ll also want to be sure it’s a clear night, with no clouds in the sky.
