Sign in with Facebook
Hotel Class: 
2.5 Stars - 25 Opinions
4580 Old Airport Way, Fairbanks, Alaska, 99709, United States
Check Rates and Availability
of people enjoy staying here
25 Opinions
Sam's Sourdough Restaurant
Sweet Home Chicago with the Untouchables.
Lady in the Lake
Big Head Todd and the Monsters concert
I am trying to contact Aurora Borealis Lodge but having no luck, Does anyone know if they are still open? Closed for the season or what?
Also Chena Resort comes across as an expensive place to stay but other than the two places I've mentioned is there another good/great viewing option outside of town?
I have also looked into renting a car and staying in town at Best Western Chena River and just driving out of town each night I'm there. I read Ester (?) Hill is a good viewing site...any others I might want to consider?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Doug
I suspect that you are getting a bit late in the season for viewing the aurora borealis. I could just barely see it on a trip to Yellowknife, which is a bit further south, during a September trip to that city, and I would expect lighting in April to be similar.
You might get lucky at the beginning of the month, especially if there is a lot of solar storm activity and you get the moon and weather to cooperate, but once you get towards the end of April, you get into a time of year where it won't get dark enough for good viewing.
thanks! THAT was very helpful information.
While it is not strictly correct to say that watching the Aurora is something you do in the winter, the conditions are ususally best then. Eveb when they are extremely active, the light is still relatively faint. The Northern Lights are more prevelent in the extreme north, you also need:
1. Clear skies;
2. Dark - well away from lights; cities or towns and moonlight.
Best viewing occurs out of town and near the "new moon" phase.
What's the best time to see the Northern Lights? September 22 or March 22, on a new moon night, very late at night or early in the morning, a "perfect storm" that may not occur very often nor match your travel plans. These characteristics may help you decide when to make your trip to see the Northern Lights. They are:
Most frequent around the spring and fall equinoxes (September 22 and March 22)
Most active late at night or early in the morning
Most intense from December to March when nights are longer, the sky clearer and darker. This is also the coldest part of the year, reaching as low as -40 F.
Brighter during the new moon.
The further above 60 degrees N you go the better. Fairbanks (and Chena Hot Springs) are at 65 degrees north. They say if you stay 3 days you have a 73% chance of seeing them.
Been to Chena Hot Springs several times and yes, they are spendy, but you are in the middle of nowhere and taken good care of.
Unfortunately, the best things to see around Fairbanks require a vehicle.
There are many day trips from Fairbanks which can also be extended if a person likes to camp.
I recommend drivng to Chena Hot Springs. There are some great places to camp and canoe along the way.
Another trip is to Circle Hot Springs. You can see the Yukon river, camp in Central and have a soak.
Chatanika is another nice daytrip.
Visit the Museum at the University of Anchorage, Fairbanks. Staying at my brother-in-laws place north of Fairbanks, with no running water,electricity or outhouse for 2 weeks in June/July 2001. My wife found out that the mosquito is the Alaska State Bird. No mosquito's in August 2002.
Jogging in the forrest and meeting the moose? Yes, this happened to me copule of weeks ago while I was running at UAF trails.
There's nothing to be afraid of what comes to mooses and I don't see wild animals here as a danger. Polar bears in North Alaska can be 'not-so-coo' to meet, but in Fairbanks all the potential risks comes from people. So say hi to moose.
The Alaskan roads and highways are in remarkably good shape considering the severe climate. Not much traffic except for occasional trucks and motor coaches filled to the brim with cruiseship passengers getting their glimpse of the great Alaskan interior.
Wood Center is a great place at university area just hang around, eat, study or sleep. This big hall is full of different activitets, for example Outdoor Center, Pub, Starbucks are located here. There are lots of exhibiton every week and at good restaurant you can eat cheap but tasty student meals.
Sponsored Links
Near Extendedstaydeluxe Fairbanks
Step Up from Extendedstaydeluxe Fairbanks
Cheapest in Fairbanks
Great Hotels for Less
Q: Northern Lights during Labor Day? "I am disembarking a cruise in Seward on Aug. 31st and have 3 nights to spend in Alaska before heading home. I was thinking about..."
A: "According to..."
Sponsored Links
Latest Fairbanks hotel reviews
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
We've found that other people looking for this hotel also know it by these names:
Address: 4580 Old Airport Way, Fairbanks, Alaska, 99709, United States
Check Rates and Availability (from our partners)
