Fairbanks: Aurora Glass House Experience at Cleary Summit
About This Experience
For travelers who want a real chance at the aurora without standing outside in extreme cold for hours, this tour brings you to a purpose-built glass house at the top of Cleary Summit — one of the highest, darkest viewing points near Fairbanks, well away from city light pollution.
The 270° floor-to-ceiling windows mean you can watch the entire sky from inside a warm room, with hot cocoa, coffee, and snacks provided. When the aurora does appear, you can also step outside for an unobstructed view, or stay warm and simply look up through the glass.
Suitable for all ages, this is the most comfortable format on this site for anyone who finds standing outside in sub-zero temperatures the biggest barrier to aurora viewing. Guide-assisted photos of you with the northern lights are included when they appear.
Highlights
- 270° glass house with floor-to-ceiling windows for aurora viewing from indoor warmth
- Located at the top of Cleary Summit, one of the highest and darkest points near Fairbanks
- Hot cocoa, coffee, and snacks included while you wait for the sky to turn
- Guide-assisted aurora photography included
- Comfortable format suitable for all ages, including those who don't want to stand outside in the cold
What's Included
- ✓ Round-trip transportation from most major Fairbanks hotels
- ✓ Access to the 270° Aurora Glass House at Cleary Summit
- ✓ Guided aurora viewing experience
- ✓ Aurora photography assistance
- ✓ Hot cocoa, coffee, and snacks
- ✓ Gratuities
Good to Know & Caveats
- The elevated, light-pollution-free location is chosen specifically for aurora odds — it's one of the best-positioned viewing spots covered on this site
- The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings cannot be guaranteed
- You can step outside for an unobstructed view or stay indoors behind the glass the whole time
Meeting Point
Round-trip transportation from most major Fairbanks hotels; exact pickup time confirmed after booking.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.8/5 by 29 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
I've seen the best aurora ever, and it was in a warm cozy place with lots of snacks and hot drinks. We were there until early morning until the northern lights showed up in the most beautiful way.
— Nina, 2026-04
The Aurora Glass House offers a comfortable place to wait for aurora activity. The vans offered frost-free windows too, so we had a great view even on the drive.
— Alice M, 2026-03
From transportation to the glass dome with free hot drinks and cookies, it was all worth it. It was really cold outside and the heated glass dome saved me from frostbite.
— Jessalyn, 2026-03
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to stand outside in the cold?
No — the whole point of this tour is that you can watch the full 270° sky from inside a heated glass house. Step outside only if and when you want an unobstructed view.
Is this a good option for kids or older travelers?
Yes — it's the most comfortable aurora-viewing format on this site, since you're indoors and warm the entire time, making it a good fit for families or anyone who can't stand outside for hours in sub-zero cold.
Where exactly is Cleary Summit?
Cleary Summit is one of the highest points near Fairbanks, chosen specifically because its elevation and distance from city lights make it one of the area's better dark-sky viewing spots.
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