Northern Lights, Alaska

Fairbanks, Alaska, is situated in the auroral oval, about 200 miles from the Arctic Circle, making this cold city a hotspot for travelers who want to see the Northern Lights. City officials recommend at least a three-day stay in fall, winter, or early spring for an 80 percent chance of successful viewing.

Area hotels offer Northern Lights wake-up calls, but visitors can opt for a more quintessentially Alaskan experience like a cabin stay or sled-dog trip, too.