Your Guide to All Things Northern Lights

The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are a sight that many have at the top of their bucket lists — and you should too. Here’s a quick science lesson: according to Travel + Leisure, this light phenomenon occurs when energized particle waves from the sun fill our atmosphere. Luckily, we are protected by Earth’s magnetic field, which means we get to admire the colorful result from a safe distance. As indicated by the name, these light waves appear in the northern hemisphere but are only visible at certain times of the year. The summer in these high-latitude locations has extremely long sunlit days, which makes it practically impossible to see the bold light ribbons. That being said, fall, winter and spring are your best bet for an ideal northern light experience.

Now that you know when let’s get into where you should be booking your trip with the help of U.S. News.

#1: Tromsø, Norway

This city holds some of the best northern lights sights in Norway, boasting a full catalog of various events and opportunities to keep you busy at all times. For example, at the end of January each year, the city holds a 10-day music and arts festival that is known as the Northern Lights Festival. There is a perfect balance of natural beauty and city activity here. If you want to get the best view of the lights, we recommend getting out of the city and a little further into the darkness; make an adventure out of it!

#2: Reykjavik, Iceland

If you want to stay in a city but take a side excursion to see the lights, this is the place for you. Reykjavik is not only Iceland’s capital but also a great base if you want to see the lights while not straying far from the city. Öskjuhlid is the prime light-viewing destination in Reykjavik because it is 200 feet above sea level and far from light pollution. Glaciers, volcanoes and other outdoor activities are available just outside the city. If you're the outdoorsy type, definitely check it out.

#3: Yellowknife, Canada

Want to stay a little closer to the U.S.? Yellowknife, Canada is the answer to your wishes. This city is located in the auroral oval and here, the lights are visible for around 240 days of the year! Yellowknife even considers itself the “Aurora Capital of the World” and has an ideal location on the shore of Great Slave Lake. Ice fishing, cross-country skiing and the Snowkings’ Winter Festival which holds copious amounts of winter-themed competitions, take place here. A fun time, competition and a prime view of the northern lights are promised from Yellowknife!

Viewing the northern lights really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We couldn’t recommend taking a trip more.

Make sure to tag @theedgemag if you decide to trek to see the lights!