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

1,253 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

1010

125

Hot Springs meet the Aurora!
robintY6920OG,,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had so much fun despite the cold temperatures. The hot springs were wonderfully hot and not too crowded. The northern lights put on a show. Gavin and Blake went above and beyond for us.
Savvy was great. She made...
smtillman,,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Savvy was great. She made the experience fun and was willing to do whatever she could to make us comfortable.
An effortless trip to Chena, sighting Northern Lights along the way and, a very safe drive to and fro!
Pranav P,,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Everything was great, the guides were knowledgeable, and very accommodating towards any of the requests. Recommended.
Patience Paid Off
Texasymmetric,,Dec 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Our main goal was seeing the lights. And we saw an amazing display and that overcome's a few flaws. Our guide, Savvy, was very alert to the lights and constantly monitored the likelihood that they'd be appearing. She encouraged us to stay a bit longer and it really paid off. So all in all, a solid 4/5. Here're a few things to be aware of when you book: You'll probably be in a crowded van. The windows will probably fog. So don't plan to see much on drive up or back from Chena. Return time will be a tour group decision. You're not in control of your schedule. There are also a few things to know about Chena. See my review there.
Thank you Savvy!
933clarencea,,Dec 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had an amazing experience with Savvy! She was very informative and really strived to give us a great experience and appreciation for Alaska. She was patient with us and the kids. She answered all of our questions and my brother asked so many lol and she patiently and enthusiastically answered all of them. She really looked out for a moose for us so we can have that experience (and we did see a couple!). Thank you Savvy! Will definitely contact you again when we're here next time.
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.