Fairbanks: Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs Tour
About This Experience
This tour combines Fairbanks' two most popular evening activities into one trip: the Aurora Ice Museum and the Chena Hot Springs themselves. The drive out is 60 miles through Alaska's boreal interior, with a real chance of spotting moose, foxes, or beavers along the way.
At the resort, a guide walks you through the Aurora Ice Museum — a year-round structure built from over 1,000 tons of ice and snow, kept at a constant 25°F. You can optionally try an Appletini served in a hand-carved ice glass at the museum's ice bar (21+).
After the museum, soak in the outdoor mineral hot springs (a separate optional add-on from the resort restaurant meal, which is not included) while watching the sky for aurora activity. Your guide points out the best viewing spots on the property. The group heads back to Fairbanks just after midnight, with one more chance to catch the lights on the drive home.
Highlights
- Scenic 60-mile drive through Alaska's interior with real chances to spot moose, foxes, or beavers
- Guided tour of the Aurora Ice Museum, including its ice-sculpture bar
- Soak in the natural outdoor Chena Hot Springs mineral pool beneath the night sky
- Guide points out the resort's best aurora viewing spots
- Optional dinner or drinks at the resort's farm-to-table restaurant
What's Included
- ✓ Pickup from hotels within Fairbanks or North Pole city limits
- ✓ Admission to the Aurora Ice Museum
- ✓ Admission to the outdoor hot springs
- ✓ Round-trip transportation
Not Included
- Food and drinks at the resort bar and restaurant
- Towel rental ($5, or bring your own)
- Hot springs locker access ($0.50)
- Gratuities
Good to Know & Caveats
- Bring a passport or government ID, swimwear, a towel (or rent one for $5), and cash for extras
- Children under 18 are not permitted in the outdoor rock-pool hot springs, but can use the indoor pool
- Airport pickup/drop-off is not provided — pickup is from Fairbanks/North Pole hotels only
Meeting Point
Hotel pickup within Fairbanks or North Pole city limits; confirmed with your guide after booking.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.5/5 by 172 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
We had hoped to see some moose along the route and were not disappointed — about a dozen in all. Our guide Ryan was happy to stop for photos, one of many ways he made this trip a big hit.
— Alice M, 2026-03
The hot spring water is warm but the air outside is freezing — your hair will actually freeze in minutes. Our guide stopped several times on the way home so we could watch the aurora.
— Madryan, 2026-03
Blake was a great tour guide, constantly checking in with the group. He stopped to show moose when spotted and got us to a good aurora viewing spot after the springs. Do the hot springs regardless — I relaxed there for 2 hours.
— Jenelle, 2026-02
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the hot springs soak guaranteed even if we don't see the aurora?
Yes — the hot springs and Aurora Ice Museum are the confirmed parts of the itinerary regardless of aurora activity; the northern lights viewing on the drive is a bonus, not the core of the trip.
Can kids do the hot springs?
Children under 18 aren't permitted in the outdoor rock-pool hot springs, but they can use the resort's indoor pool instead.
Is the restaurant meal included?
No — food and drinks at the resort bar and restaurant are optional and paid separately on-site.
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