Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs Tour

Overview

Available languages

English

10 hours

Mobile ticket

Embark on one of our most popular evening adventures to Chena Hot Springs Resort, a renowned Alaskan getaway just 60 miles from Fairbanks. Keep an eye out for moose, foxes, or beavers as you travel through the scenic interior.

Your night begins with a guided tour of the Aurora Ice Museum, home to stunning ice sculptures and the famous ice bar, where you can optionally enjoy an Appletini in a hand-carved ice glass (21+). Then relax with dinner or a drink in the cozy resort restaurant, featuring fresh, locally sourced produce (meal not included).

Afterward, soak in the outdoor mineral hot springs, a rejuvenating experience under the stars, or explore the snowy grounds while waiting for a chance to witness the magical Aurora Borealis. Your guide will point out the best spots for viewing and provide tips to make the most of the night.

Return to Fairbanks just after midnight, with a final chance to glimpse the aurora along the way.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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.

Cancellation Policy

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

What To Expect

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.

45 minutes • Admission Included

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.

6 hours • Admission Included

What‘s Included

Admission to the Aurora Ice Museum

Resort Pool-Passes (outdoor hot springs, hot tubs & swimming areas)

Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off Services

Local Guide

Standing Dinner Reservation

Gratuities

Resort Restaurant Meal Cost

Towels

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Options

Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs Tour

Pickup included

Reviews

4.62

1,248 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

1006

124

Savvy
Jacqueline w,,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Our guide was the most informative about the Northern Lights and though it was great chances of seeing them, she could not control the weather. The sky became overcast and it began to snow. Bummer but she gave tips and offered plenty of info on how to see them on a clear night. She also shared knowledge about the Natives in Alaska along with some of their interpretations of the Lights. It was fun and exciting. The Aurora Ice Museum was amazing!! I didn't get in the hot springs but there was plenty to do in the Activity Center. On the way back to our hotels, we were able to see a mama and baby moose. We took pictures and videos. This is do to her tracking skills in spotting them. Everyone was very excited! It was a great outing and a must do if visiting Alaska. Also, we all ate at a wonderful restaurant. The food was delicious! If you take the tour and don't her, I'm sure that the other guides are great too. If you're lucky, you'll get her. Her name is Savvy. Thank you, lady!
This tour was AMAZING!...
Kaitlyn C,,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This tour was AMAZING! Daniel with First Alaska was an awesome tour guide. He had such great energy and went above and beyond to ensure every single guest on his tour has the best experience possible. We were extremely lucky to see the lights, but even if we hadn’t been able to see them, Daniel would have made this trip worth it, He made sure to remember everyone’s name and talk story with us while also giving us time to explore all the attractions. On the way back he was very attentive to the lights, and managed to find a safe, impromptu spot to pull over and see the northern lights when he noticed they were putting on a show. He made sure that everyone got a picture that they were happy with in front of lights (even at the expense of his own phone battery). The ice museum was a unique work of art. It was amazing to see what all could be accomplished in that medium and we were given time to look at all the different sculptures after a quick tour from one of the guides at the resort. The hot springs itself was an incredible experience. Even though it was -30 degrees, we were plenty warm once we got in and the amenities made using the hot spring and pools seamless. Overall, I would definitely recommend this tour, but any tour with Daniel would have been awesome!
Northern lights seen
Z7103RVbriannam,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our goal was seeing the Northern Lights and Savvy watched those numbers and got us out there to see it. Its good to be with someone who knows how to look at space weather data and can do the tricky snow driving for you.
Worth trying.
Anonymous,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Definitely unforgettable experience to Fairbanks. I was waiting in the hotel every night prior to this visit but did not see any northern light by tracking the kp values and asking Al. However, getting into this tour, our tour guide Savvy gives accurate prediction of the northern lights. Savvy is an awesome tour guide. She is full of passion, enthusiastic in her job and very supportive. On our trip, she shared a lot of fun facts about Fairbanks, Alaska, and northern light. Also, tour guide is experienced in finding the best view point. And the ice museum and the Chena hot spring is definitely worth trying.
Awesome trip to Alaska
一只白,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Savvy is an awesome tour guide. She is full of passion, very enthusiastic in her job and a very supportive guide. She constantly share fun facts about Fairbanks, Alaska, and northern light. I was waiting in the hotel every night prior to this visit but did not see any northern light by tracking the kp values and asking AI. However, getting into this tour, Savvy offers an accurate prediction for northern lights and it really saves a lot of time. Also, tour guide is experienced in finding the best view point. And the ice museum and the Chena hot spring is definitely worth trying.
Excellent Tour Guide. Great View of the Lights.
nicholassE960QQ,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This tour was EXCELLENT! The lights hadn’t come out for me on my entire stay in Fairbanks, so when I went out this way it was a last ditch effort. WORTH EVERY DIME. Savvy was a STELLAR guide that made certain we saw the lights no matter what. She had constant watch over the numbers needed to know if they were overhead, and even when we were separated she texted our phones to let our group know that the lights were up. Beautiful sights. Cannot recommend enough. As a solo traveler I appreciated Savvy’s effort to keep me included, as well as giving me great recommendations for places to visit in town.
So worth it!
Sarah M,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Jessica was awesome! We had such a great time with an amazing view of the lights on the drive back from the hot springs. The springs and the ice museum were so cool and totally worth the experience!
Not Worth the $$$
Robert L,,Dec 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00
Not worth $250 per person. Subtract the fees for the Springs and Ice Museum, was $210 to be driven to and from the site. Very nice person, but we had a driver, not a guide. No interesting information offered of the area, history, Alaska, etc during the 1 hour drive each way. Very little on suggestions on how to have the best experience on site. Even if offered, couldn't hear it in the van. No guidance on where to watch for the lights on the Chena Springs property, if there was a viewing room, or any places on site to have the best chance to catch the lights. We know it is weather dependent, however, being provided guidance on how and where to have the best chance to see the lights on the property would enhance the possibilities. We were dressed for the cold and would have liked being able to patiently wait for the chance to see the lights. While the Springs experience was very nice, the ice museum was not much. Wouldn't have spent $20 per person to see the museum. While it would be spectacular to see the lights while enjoying the hot springs, reality is that the Springs generate lots of steam which pretty much interferes with viewing. This tour's way to hopefully see the lights is to "look for the lights while driving and try to find a place to pull over" to see them. With the windows in the van iced up, the riders could not look out the windows to try to help the driver and to see the lights for a place to stop. We had to rely on the driver (please note, nice person) to watch for them while also driving on snow packed roads. For those who have taken the road to the Springs and back, there are not a lot of areas to pull over safely with winter snow clogging road shoulders. We did get lucky. The driver saw the possibility of the lights and we were able to stop at an intersection to get out of the van and see the lights. However, that was lucky. It would have been nice to have a place to pull over somewhere where we could wait and observe. This tour was also impacted by a 2 hour delay in pickup. We understand the challenges of very cold weather. They are also a business based in a very cold weather environment and should be prepared. Additionally, while we started 2 hours late. It was clear the tour would end at 1145 PM when the Springs business closed. However, there were other groups showing up as we were leaving to have the chance to view the lights. Unsure why we weren't allowed to stay later to account for the 2 hour delay. Or, have the "guide" take us to a place on the way back to Fairbanks where we might see the lights. While we enjoyed the hot springs and did get the chance on the drive back to see the lights, it was at a road intersection and wasn't a very safe place to park for an extended time. Our suggestion: for anyone familiar with driving in snowy conditions, drive yourself and pay the $20 hot springs fee. Dress for the cold and ask the staff for best possible viewing spots on site. You can then control your time. Patience and some luck are the key to seeing the lights.
Great visit and seen some northern lights
anchirblue123,,Dec 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great tour guide very friendly and knowledgeable. Very accommodating. Hot springs were amazing. The food was great recommend the salmon burger and clam chowder. Would book again
Not just the hot spring...
Hao L,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Shannon was an absolutely outstanding guide. As a local Fairbanks native, she is incredibly knowledgeable about the area, the weather, and the best ways to experience Alaska in its true form. She was always eager to help—not only us, but even a driver who had pulled over due to the heavy snow—showing genuine kindness and professionalism at all times. Most importantly, Shannon never got tired of searching for the perfect timing and locations to see the aurora. She stopped the vehicle multiple times, constantly adjusting plans to give us the best possible chances. Her dedication, patience, and passion truly set her apart. She is a true aurora chaser, and we couldn’t have asked for a better guide for this unforgettable experience. Highly recommended!