Have you dreamed of succumbing to the magic of the North? Of seeing multi-colored, motley, rashers of light capering in the sky?
You don’t have to be a wizard for that… Head north to see its unique natural marvel, Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights of Canada.
But before setting out on the trip of your lifetime, read my brief sum-up of the top six best place to watch Aurora Borealis in Canada.
Go Aurora Borealis Hunting in Yellowknife, Canada
First on the list is Yellowknife. It is one of the coolest places to hunt for Aurora Northern Lights. Yellowknife is perched on the banks of Great Slave Lake, which ranks the world’s 10th largest and North America’s deepest. Here you can find not only a unique local vibe but also some prime Arctic landmarks…
The sprawling, low-slung settlement is the capital of Northwestern Territories, a region that was booming during the Golden Rush, a scramble for gold that was eternalized by Jack London, an American author.
Today, it is inhabited by just 20.000 people, with the majority of the locals being indigenous Canadians.
The town’s landscape rivets your attention. Have a look at boat houses, for example, and sturdy, somewhat austere houses of locals, which impart to the place a truly unique Arctic ambience.
Things to Do in Yellowknife, Canada
When you are in Yellowknife, you feel like you are at an arcane frontier between the world of the city and that of the wilderness. The contrast with the mundane strikes you to such an extent that you feel tempted to let go of it all. If so, venture for a picnic on the shores of the vast Great Slave Lake, and wait for the darkness to come.
Here you can profit from gob-smacking views from the north shore of Great Slave Lake, and if an avid reader, read “the Unexpected”, a short story by Jack London, which is set in Yellowstone, a fictional representation of Yellowknife, alluded through references to the rugged landscape around the town….
Once the darkness sets in, you can profit from one of the world’s most perfect locations for aurora-borealis-hunting. It is from here that you can see, if lucky, the preternaturally beautiful phenomenon of North Canada’s Northern Lights.
Note that there are many other things to do in Yellowknife, apart from the Aurora Borealis experience. For example, you can swing by the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, where you can take a plunge into the history and culture of the Northwest Territories.
Showcased here are the exhibits of Indigenous art, history, and culture, as well as displays of the natural history of the region.
How is it Best to Get to Yellowknife, Canada?
Bear in mind that the easiest way to travel to Yellowknife, Canada is to fly. Yet there are some people like me whose yen for the glimpse of the Aurora Northern Lights outweighs all other concerns and lures them on the road to Yellowknife. For you to see all the mesmeric charm of the aurora, you can drive to Yellowknife from Edmonton, Alberta, via the Mackenzie Highway (Highway 1).
The drive takes about 22 hours, and you really must plan for stops along the way due to the long distance.
There are several rest areas and gas stations for travellers, but during the winter months, the weather can be unpredictable. It is then that the roads turn icy, and you really must prepare for your trip…
Where is it Best to Stay in Yellowknife?
The area is home to two of the world’s best hotels to watch the Aurora Borealis. Check out, for example, Aurora Village. Here you will come across a collection of heated teepees and cabins with glass roofs for you to watch the Northern Light over your head.
Another jewel to watch Aurora Borealis from is Blachford Lake Lodge – sitting a short way out of Yellowknife. Set in the Arctic wilderness, the hotel is the epitome of good taste out in the wild.
Moreover, it is one of the best places in Canada to commune with nature. Here you can profit from the breathtaking views without artificial lighting to spoil the experience. See how the capering rashers reflect on the white snow lying under the exquisite palette of the Nordic Sky.
Northern Lights of Canada Over the Yukon in Whitehorse
Another best place to watch Aurora Borealis in Canada is in Whitehorse. It is my personal favourite for the fact that it is so beautiful to see the Aurora Northern Lights here.
The town of Whitehorse sits on the banks of the mighty Yukon River and is known for its knock-out mountain landscapes. It can also boast a number of historical sites that are worth a visit. Especially if you are on a road trip across northern Canada to chase the beauty of Aurora Borealis. This natural phenomenon, which occurs when charged solar particles interact with the Earth’s magnetic field, has made Whitehorse into one of the world’s trendiest romantic destinations, including for the gay community: it boasts one of the world’s most northern rainbow crosswalks, making it a nice place to celebrate pride and equality.
Things to Do in Whitehorse
But there are much more things to do in Whitehorse than watch the green lights in the sky.
For example, in Whitehorse, you can visit White Pass and Yukon Road Station, a museum housed in a former railway station, which tells the story of the Klondike Gold Rush. One of the best things to do here is to visit Kwanlin Dun Cultural Center, sitting in the middle of the museum cluster.
Or pay a visit to Shipyards Park, tucked away at the northern end and showcasing a sizable collection of historical structures from across the Yukon region; to add to many unique vestiges of the past, such as cool colonial-era trains and the like.
But it is for sure the unrivalled allure of the light that draws the most visitors to Whitehorse.
Where to Stay in Whitehorse?
Note that one of the best hotels for the Aurora Borealis experience in Whitehorse is the Northern Lights Resort and Spa. It is located just outside of Whitehorse and offers guests a convivial and relaxing atmosphere, along with stunning mountain views of the Northern Lights from its patio.
Other options include Inn on the Lake, a cozy resort situated 40 minutes away from Whitehorse, and boasting great food and accommodation, to add to a scenic lake, the Marsh Lake, completely frozen over in winter, making it a perfect spot for winter sports, for example, snowshoeing, trekking, sledding, and fat-wheeled biking.
How to Get to Whitehorse?
Note that even though flying here is relatively straightforward, with regular flights between Whitehorse and Vancouver or Edmonton as well as other Canadian major transport hubs, you can drive to Whitehorse via the Alaska Highway (Highway 1) from Dawson Creek, British Columbia; like this, you will have a higher chance of spotting an aurora in Canada’s skies. The drive takes over 17 hours in normal weather conditions, so don’t forget to have at least a brief layover while en route.
Bonus Tip
A helpful tip is to rent winter gear from a local outfitter called Base Yukon for your Yukon adventure. This includes warm clothing like down jackets, snow boots, gloves, hats, and snow pants, which can take up a lot of space in your luggage. Booking in advance and providing your sizes allows you to have your gear available for you upon arrival.
Travel to Churchill, Manitoba to See Aurora Borealis
Renowned as one of the world’s best place to watch Aurora Borealis in Canada. Manitoba is a mind-blowing province to travel to with your significant other for a romantic Aurora Borealis safari. But there are few places in Manitoba better suited for an Aurora Borealis safari than Churchill, Manitoba.
Sitting on the banks of Lake Hudson, Churchill is arguably the most scenic destination in Canada. It is quite a hidden gem since getting here is quite hard. As a result, few people know that it is home not only to unique mammals like polar bears and beluga whales but to some truly unique natural phenomena as well…
Things to Do in Churchill, Manitoba
Here you can not only gaze at the stars and explore the area’s unique flora and fauna but also see the unique natural phenomenon.
Churchill is set to become the Northern Light Capital of Canada, not only due to its advantageous location but also thanks to its state-of-the-art Aurora Borealis facilities.
Pay a visit to Churchill Northern Lights Centre, one of the world’s best place to watch Aurora Borealis in Canada, or check into one of the area’s many hotels, perfectly rigged out for an active subpolar stay in Churchill, Manitoba.
Where to Stay and Eat in Churchill, Manitoba?
Even though the town of Churchill is quite small, for example, up to this day, there is no Chinese restaurant. There are a lot of nice places to stay in Churchill, Manitoba.
One option is the Bear Country Inn has various room types available, including standard rooms, suites, and apartments, and provides amenities such as free Wi-Fi, on-site parking, and a restaurant serving Canadian cuisine.
If you prefer a more traditional hotel experience, the Tundra Inn is another great choice. They offer comfortable rooms and a chance to see polar bears and other wildlife. The hotel provides a variety of guided tours and activities for guests, including hiking and dog sledding.
For a luxurious eco-lodge experience, the Seal River Heritage Lodge is an excellent choice. Located in the polar bear habitat, the lodge offers the chance to see polar bears and other wildlife while enjoying comfortable accommodations and gourmet meals. They also offer guided tours and activities for guests to explore the area’s natural beauty.
How to get to Churchill, Manitoba?
Since there are no roads, Churchill is one of Canada’s most hard-to-access towns. Even though a 2-hour flight from Winnipeg is the easiest option, you can travel to Churchill by train from Winnipeg’s Union Station with Via Rail Canada: the train ride through the polar wilderness will take a whopping 48(!) hours.
Also, keep in mind that you can make a trip to Tombstone National Park or Kluane National Park for the aurora borealis experience in Canada with minimal ambient light.
Lux it Out at Fogo Island in Newfoundland and Labrador to Watch the Green Lights in the Sky
But hunting for the northern light does not have to be limited to mainland Canada. For example, you can fly to Labrador and Newfoundland to visit Fogo Island and Fogo Island Inn, one of the world’s most chic properties, to gaze at the northern light.
When to see Aurora Borealis in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Newfoundland and Labrador, a province located in eastern Canada, is well-known for its breath-snatching landscape, including the mind-blowing Northern Lights of Canada.
Although the Northern Lights are visible throughout Canada’s northern regions, the season and experience differ from place to place.
In Northern Canada, the Northern Lights season typically starts in late August and lasts until April. The skies are often clear, and the green lights in the sky can be seen frequently.
On the other hand, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Northern Lights season begins in September and lasts until March, with two peak seasons: one from September to October and the other from March to April.
The region’s climate and weather conditions, such as cloudy skies, can sometimes make it challenging to spot the beautiful phenomena. Note that the natural phenomenon can occur throughout the year, making it one of the main reasons to visit Northern Canada to chase the gob-smacking Northern Lights.
Things to do in Fogo Island
You will be pleasantly surprised to know that there are a host of activities to do on Fogo Island apart from watching the Northern Lights of Canada. For example, you can go for an artist residency program with Fogo Arts, a program run by Fogo Island Art Gallery… Or visit the Fogo Island Marine Interpretation Centre, for a glimpse into the area’s unique underwater flora and fauna.
Another splendid thing to do on Fogo Island, Canada is to pay a visit to Tilting Harbour: Tilting is a historic fishing village on Fogo Island that offers a glimpse into the island’s past. The picturesque harbour is home to colourful fishing stages, boat sheds, and traditional homes that trace their history to as far as the 18th century and is one of the most snapshot-worthy locales on the island.
Where to Stay in Fogo Island?
Fogo Island is an excellent place to witness the Northern Lights. You can put up at first-class accommodation like the Fogo Island Inn, built to the design of Todd Saunders.
It boasts a worldwide appeal among the global community of Northern Lights aficionados for its stunning views of the green lights in the sky. Here you can see the Northern Lights in their most pristine setting. There will be no electric lights around for you to reduce the quality of the aurora borealis.
Moreover, a stay at Fogo Island Inn offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, for example, along its scenic Brimstone Head Trail, and snowshoeing, along with a visit to cool cultural places like Herring Cove Art Gallery and Brett House Museum, which is reported to be temporarily closed, as well as access to its non-pareil gastronomy, locally sourced, and cooked using the traditional Newfoundland recipes.
How to get to Fogo Island?
You can reach Fogo Island by flying into St. John’s International Airport, the island capital, or by taking a ferry from Farewell. You can also arrange for a private taxi to take you to the hotel. Fogo Island offers a one-of-a-kind vacation experience in Labrador, where you can witness the Northern Lights from a unique latitude unlike anywhere else in mainland Canada.
Make your way to Dawson City, Yukon for the Breath-Taking Beauty of the Aurora Borealis Experience
One of the best place to watch Aurora Borealis in Canada is in Dawson City. Also known as one of the Gold Rush destinations.
But it is not just the vestiges of this craze, for example, Dawson City Museum, that lures here, but also its unique nature and the fact that Dawson is well situated to serve as an Aurora Borealis watching spot.
With scarce ambient lighting and really dark polar nights, Dawson is a perfect spot for you to succumb to the beauty of the Northern Lights.
Things to Do in Dawson Canada
Even though Aurora Borealis is arguably Dawson’s most important draw, there are many other things to do in Dawson, Canada.
Not only can you go hiking and camping in the wild; but you can also pay a visit to Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Site, a museum dedicated to the Golden Rush, a local phenomenon whose impact on Dawson and the area was described by Jack London, who wrote about Dawson and Yukon in his works, for example, in To Build A Fire.
To acquaint yourself with his works, head to Jack London Interpretive Center, dedicated to the entire life of the author of “White Fang”.
Other things to do in Dawson include but are not limited to visiting Dawson City Museum; attending Dawson City Music Festival, held in July each year, or dropping by Diamond Tooth Gerties, a casino and entertainment venue dating back to the Gold Rush era. Here you see live shows, make a bet at the slots, or just soak up the atmosphere of this storied gambling den.
But it is for sure the aurora borealis that lures. Head here from November to March to see for yourself the mesmeric beauty of the Northern Lights.
Where to Stay in Dawson?
Not only can you stay in budget properties in Dawson proper, look up, for example, The Downtown Hotel; Bunkhouse Hotel, Triple J or Westmark Inn; or eat out in nice diners, like its Chinese resto, Gold Village Chinese, but you can also venture out of town to Bonanza Gold Motel, one of the best place to watch aurora borealis in Canada.
How to Get to Dawson Canada?
Even though you can drive to Dawson, it is easiest to fly here. Head to Whitehorse, and take a flight to Dawson, or fly to Dawson from Vancouver or Edmonton, direct…
Note that winter months can bring bad weather, so double-check the forecast if heading to Canada in winter to hunt for the stunning Aurora Borealis.
Bonus Tip
Keep in mind that Dawson is the Traditional Territory of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation and is one of the best places in Canada to explore the local customs and traditions.
