13 Aurora Spa & Hot Spring Nights in the World to Build a Night Around

1.Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,278 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $250Our pick

Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with a small group of up to 14. Tour the Aurora Ice Museum, reserve dinner, soak in 106°F mineral water, and search for the aurora with guides such as Tyler, Savvy, Shannon, and Gina. Hotel pickup and resort admission are included.

“When I went to purchase my tickets the credit card I used was declined (problem with credit card company) and Viator just cancelled my reservation, did not give me the option to use another card. Then when in Alaska they called to say they had no vans to pick us up but did make arrangements with another company which was great because had it not been for the guide we had we would not have known what to do when we got there. Chena Hot Springs had no one there to explain anything. The staff person in the ice museum acted as if he did not want to be there,…”

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2.Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · from $215

Ride 60 miles from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with an English-speaking guide, tour an ice museum, soak in 106 F mineral water, and search for auroras. Guides such as Gina, Greg, and Ron have helped guests make the most of cloudy skies and active northern lights.

“easy, friendly and overall great fun! Aurora John was the best! we felt safe and well tended to. And the sky! What a show!”

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3.Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Night Tour from Fairbanks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $240

Ride from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with a driver-guide such as Ed, Paul, Jake, or Randy. Visit the Ice Museum, soak in the rock lake pool or indoor pool, and wait for the aurora until about 2 a.m. The group is limited to 12 people.

“We had a wonderful time and our guide was excellent! He was very kind and informative. The springs were very relaxing. You have to take off your shoes in the lobby, so I would suggest bringing flip flops or some type of shower shoes, or else you have to walk from the pool house lobby and through the locker rooms barefoot. The description for this tour says the ice museum is closed until Summer 2024, but it is open. Admission to the ice museum is not included in the price of this tour, and you can buy tickets online before going.”

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4.Spectacular Hot Spring Experience with Northern Lights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $245Top rated

Spend an evening at Chena Hot Springs Resort with guides such as Tony, Chris, Savvy, Gina, Donnie, and Kevin. You’ll visit the Ice Museum, soak in indoor and outdoor pools, enjoy optional dinner, and chase the Northern Lights from Fairbanks. Pickup, water, admission, and locker quarters are included.

“Our guide, Tony was personable, easy-going and knowledgeable. The hot springs were relaxing and calming. Though we didn't see the Northern Lights from Chena Hot Springs, we saw an amazing display on our 56 mile trek back to town. Tony pulled over so that ww could capture the images and assisted us so that we could really enjoy the experience. Kudos to him for his patience and kindness!”

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5.Chena Hot Springs Northern Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 59 reviews · 10 hours · from $240

Travel from Fairbanks in a small group to Chena Hot Springs for the Aurora Ice Museum, a long soak in the outdoor springs, and a late-night aurora watch. Guides such as Joe, Ryan, Daniel, and Ed are praised for clear explanations and flexible light-chasing.

“Ash was an awesome tour guide. He was personable, entertaining and we very much enjoyed the tour, even if the northern lights didn’t cooperate.”

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6.Hot Spring and Northern Lights Photography Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 39 reviews · from $225

Join Howling Bay Kennel for an evening from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs. See seasonal Ice Art, arrange your own dinner, soak in a mineral pool, and chase the Aurora with guides such as Tabitha or Kevin. Pickup is offered, groups cap at 12, and the tour runs about 8 hours.

“I want to start off by saying that Kevin is amazing. He was so adherent to everything I requested. The music, the climate control, stopping off at all locations where we could see the northern lights. He is super knowledgeable and can even provide you tips on local experiences. If you’re looking for Aurora chasing, look no further. This is the real deal, you will not be disappointed! 🙏”

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7.Hot Springs Aurora Viewing Dream in Alaska

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 35 reviews · 7 hours (approx.)

Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs for an evening soak, an ice museum and ice bar tour, restaurant time, and a chance to see the aurora. Guides such as Kevin, Andre, Andrew, and Triston have earned praise for friendly help and photography. Bring a swimsuit, towel, warm clothes, and two quarters for a locker.

“Kevin was our tour guide. He was wonderful. If you get a chance ask for him. The dressing rooms are in serious need of an update.”

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8.Fire & Ice: Chena Hot Springs, Ice Museum + Aurora Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $270

From Fairbanks, ride into Alaska’s winter wilderness for a mineral hot spring soak, glowing ice sculptures, and an Aurora Borealis hunt. Guides such as Gina and Christopher add local stories and help shape the evening around weather, conditions, and your group’s interests.

“Gina!!! What an amazing guide. She actually studied the Northern Lights, so she's sooo knowledgable about them, as well as the guide business. She knows the staff well over at Chena, so we were able to skip lines and make sure that we were able to participate in all experiences. The Hot Springs at Chena were super warm, and there were spots for people who like the water warmer vs colder. As for actually finding the lights, Gina knew a lot of different spots that were not only beautiful, but provided gorgeous backdrops to view the aurora (which we did!).”

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9.Spectacular Chena Hot Springs Northern Lights Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $225

Join Heart of Alaska Tours for a nine-hour evening from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs. You’ll visit the Ice Museum, soak in the rock pool, and search for auroras with guides such as Kevin, Gavin, or Nate. Hotel pickup, transportation, museum entry, and hot springs admission are included.

“Foi incrivel, Kevin foi o melhor guia ja tive! Super flexivel, deixando eu fazer escolhas e sempre me deixando extremamente confortavel. É muito atencioso, demonstra dominio completo sobre a região. Com certeza voltarei para Fairbanks para realizar mais passeios com ele. Super divertido e informativo, recomendo 100%.”

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10.Chena Hot Springs Aurora Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 10 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.)

Leave Fairbanks at 5 pm for Chena Hot Springs Resort, where you’ll tour the geothermal site, see the Aurora Ice Museum and Bar, soak in the hot springs, and dine on site. A small English-speaking group returns through the dark Tanana Valley State Forest while watching for auroras.

“It was excellent! The guide was great! We had a great experiences in Chena Hot Spring, Aurora Ice Museum and after we saw the Northern Lights! I highly recommend this tour!”

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11.Northern Lights at Chena Hot Springs

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $200Best value

Join Vip Northern Lights Tours for a seven-hour evening from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs. You get hotel pickup, a hot springs pass, coffee or tea, and four hours at the resort. Tony is praised for careful logistics, but aurora sightings are never guaranteed.

“We paid alot of money basically for a ride to cheana hot springs.I thought we booked a tour to see northern lights but all the tour guide did was drop us off at a resort.”

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12.Chena Hot Springs Northern Lights Aurora Borealis From Fairbanks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $225

Leave Fairbanks at 5 PM with guide Nate for Chena Hot Springs. Soak in mineral water, tour the Ice Museum and ice bar, then stop for Aurora Borealis views and free portraits before returning around 1 to 2 AM.

“Nate's hot springs and northern lights tour totally exceeded all my expectations! The entire experience was thoughtfully planned from start to finish. Nate picked me up right on time and shared fun stories and facts about Alaska during the Read more”

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13.Chena Hot Springs plus Aurora Chase Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 10 to 14 hours (approx.) · from $285

Leave Fairbanks at 3 p.m. for Chena Hot Springs, with 3 to 6 hours for soaking, the Ice Museum, food, and resort activities. Then chase the aurora back toward town with guide Lindsay, photography help, snacks, and five edited aurora portraits.

“This tour was a wonderful experience. Lindsay is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We had a great time, and she found a lovely viewing spot for the Aurora, despite a generally cloudy day.”

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