Best northern lights adventures for families
Seeing the northern lights dance across a darkened sky in shades of green, purple and, if you’re lucky, red, is about as magical as the great outdoors gets. It’s bucket list material for parents and equally mind-blowing for kids old enough to have even a vague notion about the aurora borealis.
But here’s the thing about the northern lights: seeing them is hardly guaranteed. For starters, the sky has to be clear. You have to be in the right place. Then, the solar flare activity has to be doing its thing. When all the elements come together, however, the show is nothing short of spectacular.
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Hedge your bets and get a guaranteed good vacation with or without the appearance of lights when you plan to scout for them someplace spectacular. From being pulled by reindeer in a sled across a frozen fjord in northern Norway, to looking for the aurora while keeping cozy inside a glass-domed igloo in Finnish Lapland, here’s where to spend those banked air miles and have some of the best northern lights family adventures this winter and beyond (after all, the aurora can be seen as late as mid-April).
Northern Norway
If you and your family took advantage of the kids fly free deal from SAS in September, perhaps a winter jaunt to Scandinavia in search of the northern lights is in your near future. Get above the Arctic Circle in Norway to spots like the Lofoten Archipelago and Tromsø for the best shot at seeing the lights. Off the Map Travel has a luxury floating barge, the Volda, with room for 14 guests in seven bedrooms. Three-night stays aboard the revamped 1960s ship include three daily meals, dog-sledding excursions and other activities from around $2,385 per person (based on a family of four).
In Tromsø, you can cash in your Radisson Rewards to stay at the cozy Radisson Blu Hotel near the harbor front, a great launching point for northern lights excursions into the darkness of the surrounding fjords. And for one of the coolest experiences ever, hop aboard a reindeer-drawn sled with Tromsø Arctic Reindeer to look for the aurora while learning about the native Sami people and their reindeer-herding culture.
Use your Star Alliance miles to fly to Tromsø (TOS) and Bodø (BOO) in Northern Norway and you’ll be well positioned above the Arctic Circle for seeing the aurora borealis. Here are the best websites to search for Star Alliance award availability.
Finnish Lapland
When it comes to winter wonderlands, Finnish Lapland is the definition. Base yourself in Rovaniemi — located right above the Arctic Circle in northern Finland, and the home of Santa Claus himself at the Santa Claus Village — for the family winter adventure of a lifetime.
Just beyond the lights of town, you can stay in the Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos for 360-degree views of the night sky (and hopefully the aurora!) from your cozy, duvet-topped bed. And Aurora Emotion recently launched the world’s first electric snowmobile safaris aboard eSleds, with 8 p.m. departures into the forests outside Rovaniemi to look for the northern lights (with all the loaner extreme winter clothing you need to stay warm included).
Finnair (use those OneWorld miles!) and Norwegian Airlines fly daily to Rovaniemi (RVN) from Helsinki (HEL). Check out these sites to check OneWorld award availability.
Arctic Sweden
“I admit I cried the first time I saw this indescribably beautiful phenomenon,” recalls Australian tourist Amber Moore, who traveled with luxury operator 50 Degrees North to Arctic Sweden on a winter tour in search of the aurora. “The lights danced across the sky, changed color, swirled and skipped — then were gone as quickly as they came.”
On five- or six-day family tours with the company, you might find yourself sleeping in the famous Icehotel near Kiruna, driving a team of huskies through the Kirjesålandet Nature Reserve, or taking a scenic train ride from Luleå to Kiruna in between a slew of other snow-filled fun. And when a guide sounds the aurora bell in middle of the night, you’ll know it’s time to wake up and run outside to see the main attraction dancing across the sky.
Scandinavian Airlines, (a Star Alliance partner more commonly known as SAS), and Norwegian Airlines fly to Kiruna (KRN) in northern Sweden.
Alaska
For U.S. citizens, the top no-passport-required destination for seeing the northern lights is Alaska. And hardcore skiing families should set their sights on the remote Tordrillo Mountain Lodge, where you can lounge in the outdoor hot tub and scout the sky for the auroras after a day spent heli-skiing the pristine surrounding slopes. For a softer sort of aurora adventure, you can often see the lights on your own by piling the kids in a rental car and heading just outside downtown Anchorage into the dark observation area of the Glen Alps Trailhead and Viewpoint, at Flattop Mountain. And in the state’s northernmost reaches, about 60 miles from Fairbanks, bask in natural outdoor hot springs that stay open until midnight while scoping skyward at Chena Hot Springs Resort, which also offers aurora snow coach tours to guests.
Alaska family vacations offer many ways to use points. Alaska Airlines, Delta, United and American are among the airlines flying to Anchorage (ANC) and Fairbanks (FAI).
Anchorage is where you’ll find the most points-friendly hotels. Cash in your IHG Rewards Club points for stays at Holiday Inn Express Anchorage, Crowne Plaza Anchorage-Midtown and Staybridge Suites Anchorage. Use Marriott Rewards points at Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa and Anchorage Marriott Downtown. In Fairbanks, points properties include the Hampton Inn & Suites Fairbanks (Hilton Honors), Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fairbanks (IHG) and SpringHill Suites by Marriott Fairbanks.
Bottom line
Taking your kids somewhere to see the northern lights is the type of trip they'll remember forever. And, it may just spur their love of travel for the future. If you've scouted for the aurora borealis with your family, where did you go — and were you successful?
To continue planning for your family's northern lights adventure:
- The best places to see the northern lights
- Adventurous ways to see the northern lights
- How to see the northern lights in Norway
- Common mistakes travelers make in Norway
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.