The Best Travel Destinations in 2022
#11: Fairbanks, Alaska
Look up. You stand in a place where lights draw colorful curtains across the night sky. They glimmer from pale green to deep purple to magical magenta to luminous red against the darkest sky you have ever seen. Occasionally, they illuminate the ragged silhouettes of the enormous pines that somehow seem like miniature Christmas trees in comparison to the larger-than-life light show that dances above.
After the incredible lights that graced the sky in 2021, aurora-chasing has moved to the top of bucket lists around the world. The borealis are predicted to increase over the next few years. And Fairbanks, Alaska, situated under an “aurora oval,” is the place to visit for an out-of-this-world experience without the need for a passport.
Chena Hot Springs, northeast of Fairbanks, is an optimal place for spotting the colorful lights dancing overhead. But that’s not the only reason to escape the city. Chena Hot Springs is a resort built on the steamy waters that offers an array of options for your stay—including yurts, an Aurora Ice Museum, dipping in the springs, and an ice bar complete with ice mugs and ice barstools.
During the day, cross-country skiing or ice skating are options. But for a more unique experience, try dog sledding where guests can ride behind a dog team and see Alaska from their vantage point.
But let’s not forget why you’re here in the first place. Look up. Take a deep breath and exhale, watching the white cloud of breath disappear in the frigid air and get ready. You’re about to experience colorful lights fading in and out of a black sky, changing endlessly as if they are alive above you.
