Come Experience the Best Place to See the Northern Lights in Alaska!
At the Aurora Viewing Lodge, we serve people from all walks of life. Sometimes, it’s a single individual on a bucket list adventure, other times it’s a group of friends, or maybe it’s a soon-to-be engaged couple. But what about families with young children? Unfortunately, due to the nature of our tours and being out all night and possible nights of chasing our tours aren’t suited for infants and children under 8 years old, but we are kid friendly. Come experience the best place to see the northern lights in Alaska!
Located less than 100 miles from Fairbanks, Alaska the Aurora Viewing Lodge sits under the aurora oval and provides all the comforts of home, as this is our personal home. We understand that young families require extra conveniences, especially for all-night adventures. So we’ve built the Lodge with comfort and the ultimate northern lights views in mind. Come bask in the heat of a full-scale house, grab a plush throw and curl up on a cozy sofa in front of our wall of windows. Get a tour of the northern lights from the ease of our home. Watch the night sky dance with colors while you stay warm and—most importantly—near a bathroom.
With the Aurora Viewing Lodge, the convenience is in the option to roam about outdoors or stay inside during your tour of the northern lights. To ensure no light pollution interferes with your experience, our lodge is far from city lights. Likewise, we’ve made sure that no trees obstruct the main viewing areas.
Nights are chilly during the northern lights season in Alaska (August 20 – April 20). So when you’re ready for a break from the elements, feel free to step inside for a hot drink, a snack, or to use the restroom. A selection of sweet and savory snacks, plus a variety of coffee and tea are provided at no extra charge.
We really want you to have the best northern light experience that Alaska can offer. Book a trip with us and make truly unforgettable memories with your family.
With that said, let’s move on to the story of an aurora tour that stands out from our 2022 aurora season when it comes to family friendly adventures.
“I never want my guests to leave without a good glimpse of this spectacular light show.”
Customer Highlight: A Family Friendly Northern Lights Adventure
Jorge’s Christmas Eve Aurora Borealis Experience With His Family
Of all the places a young family can be on Christmas Eve, why not choose an Alaskan adventure with the magic of northern lights? That’s exactly what Jorge did when he booked a tour with us at the Aurora Viewing Lodge.
Mother Nature presented us with the early stages of a winter storm when Jorge, his wife, and their two kids embarked upon their aurora borealis adventure. Due to the impending storm, clouds filled the sky. However, undeterred, we settled into the lodge and made the best of our time with a crackling fire, hot drinks, snacks, and four cuddly pups.
Decked in holiday decor, the lodge looked stunning and provided a festive backdrop as we waited for conditions to clear and the northern lights to emerge.
While our guests made themselves at home, I kept an eye on several northern lights forecasts, constantly monitoring atmospheric conditions. To further inspect the sky, I went outside to the open field in front of our home and found Jorge already there, taking the scenery in. As so often happens on our aurora tours, we began chatting about life and current experiences.
With the wear and tear of covid, he felt relieved to be able to take his family on an adventure in the Alaskan wilderness while also having the opportunity to stay in a home where he and his family could feel at ease, safe, and secure.
He and I peered into the nearly floor-to-ceiling windows of the lodge and watched as his children snuggled and wrestled with the dogs on the hearth, all smiles. The Christmas tree twinkled, the fire crackled, and a plate of fresh cookies sat nearby…the scene was straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting.
As we stood in the Alaskan outback amidst the hushed quiet of snow with scattered stars overhead, Jorge smiled and said, “You’ve really got something special going on here, even without the lights showing up.” Previous to this statement, I’d practically willed the aurora to appear. Even though there’s never a guarantee that the aurora will present itself on a scheduled tour, I never want my guests to leave without a good glimpse of this spectacular light show. However, Jorge surprised me when he said the trip was worth it. Rather than feeling like a tourist on an impersonal tour, he felt like a friend visiting another friend’s home for the night.
One of the children eventually fell asleep on the living room rug, curled up next to a pup in front of the fire. Jorge’s heart warmed at the sight of his child soundly asleep on the hearth and the rest of his family enjoying their evening. Even though weather conditions weren’t optimal for a good glimpse of the aurora borealis, he still considered the trip worthwhile—because it’s worth it when strangers become friends, when houses become homes, and when spaces are created where families can bond and make memories with each other.
For Jorge, December 24, 2021 stands out as a Christmas Eve to remember.
“You’ve really got something special going on here, even without the lights showing up.”
Make Meaningful Family Memories With Us At The Aurora Viewing Lodge
Just like Jorge, we want you to be moved by our efforts to offer as authentic of an experience as possible. By the end of your northern lights tour, we want you to feel like you’ve experienced something meaningful and uncommercialized.
If you’re hesitant about experiencing the northern lights with children, don’t be. We’re continuously thinking about ways we can serve those who cross our threshold at the Aurora Viewing Lodge.
Feel free to contact us with any questions. We’re happy to help.