Magpie
4.6(1,334 reviews)

Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs Tour

From$275
10 hours
Fairbanks, USA

About this activity

Experience the magic of Alaska's night sky with a tour that combines the Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Resort, including the Aurora Ice Museum.

Highlights

  • Witness the mesmerizing Northern Lights
  • Relax in the warm waters of Chena Hot Springs
  • Explore the unique Aurora Ice Museum
  • Enjoy a scenic drive through Alaskan wilderness
  • Capture stunning photographs of the night sky

Full description

Discover the enchanting beauty of Alaska's night sky on this unforgettable tour from Fairbanks. Begin with a scenic drive through the Alaskan wilderness, leading you to the renowned Chena Hot Springs Resort. Here, you can unwind in the warm, mineral-rich waters of the hot springs, offering a perfect contrast to the crisp night air. Explore the Aurora Ice Museum, a stunning display of ice sculptures and art. As night falls, prepare to witness the mesmerizing Northern Lights, a natural spectacle that will leave you in awe. This tour offers a unique blend of relaxation, adventure, and natural beauty, making it a must-do for any traveler seeking the true Alaskan experience.

Included / Excluded

  • Round-trip transportation from Fairbanks
  • Admission to Chena Hot Springs Resort
  • Access to Aurora Ice Museum
  • Meals and beverages

Itinerary

1

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.

Duration: 45 minAdmission: YES
2

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.

Duration: 6 hoursAdmission: YES

Important information

Know before you book

  • Tour availability is subject to weather conditions; check forecasts before booking
  • Confirm the tour schedule and meeting point upon booking
  • Be prepared for limited cell service in remote areas

Know before you go

  • Dress warmly in layers to stay comfortable in cold temperatures
  • Bring a camera with a tripod to capture the Northern Lights
  • Ensure your phone is fully charged for photos and emergencies

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair Accessible

Good to know

  • 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.
  • Every guest must sign a waiver before any tour so they clearly acknowledge the inherent risks of wilderness travel, assume responsibility for their own safety, and confirm they are medically able to participate.

Traveler reviews

4.6
1,334 reviews
5
1,069
4
133
3
52
2
35
1
45

Dillon was a tremendous, knowledgeable and helpful guide. He ensured our questions were answered and tailored the day

The excursion exceeded our expectations - fully due to Dillon !

225jeyvJul 6, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Chena hot springs experience

We thoroughly enjoyed the Chena hot springs experience. The guide came on time to pick us up at the hotel. The vehicle was in excellent condition. The guide was helpful. He made sure that we reach there on time, fill out the waiver and get the ice museum experience. By the time we were out of the museum, he had reserved the tables for us in restaurant. He gave lot of good information throughout the trip. Very helpful and cheerful guy.

856rahulpJun 27, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Chena Hot Springs tour

Sierra is a very knowledgeable guide and a blast to be with. Very highly recommended

O7757AOmonicarJun 11, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Once-in-a-lifetime experience, highly recommend!

We spent a few days in Fairbanks and were fortunate to see the lights nightly, but our evening at Chena Hot Springs was the absolute highlight. We got incredibly lucky—right after we stepped into the springs, a rare, intensely strong aurora storm started, with fast-moving lights in different colors. While we know nature is unpredictable, and you can't plan this exact timing, soaking in the springs during such an epic display was unforgettable. The tour itself was well-managed and a fantastic way to visit the springs. Highly recommend!

TingYuan_CMay 24, 2026VIATOR

very bad

The worst experience, restaurants have racial discrimination, combinations of non-Americans are overtaxed, and after the restoration theory changed only 20%, but the Americans 15% compromised the time of the most important hot springs

Explorer47611989446May 10, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Additional information

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.
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