22nd September 2025 is the date you must mark if you want to see the Northern Lights during the Autumnal Equinox.
2025 is a special year for watching the Northern Lights. On 25th June 2025, a G2 geomagnetic storm pushed the aurora south. As a result, people in Maine, New York, and the Northern Plains enjoyed the peak viewing experience.
So, are any of these the best places to see the Northern Lights in the USA? Let’s find out where and when to catch the Aurora Borealis.
However, before that, let’s briefly touch upon how the Northern Lights got its name from Galileo Galilei, the best time to witness this natural phenomenon, and other important details.
What Are The Northern Lights? What Is The Best Time To See The Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights are also known as the Aurora Borealis. The sun releases solar flares due to solar activity. The magnetic field of our planet attracts the flares towards itself.
The flares interact with the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, such as oxygen and others. This turns gases into plasma as it is heated to a certain extent.
Therefore, the Northern Lights are a plasma state of matter, where the gas is heated to a sufficiently high temperature, causing it to transition into a plasma state.
These plasmas appear to be curtains of radiant purple, blue, and red, radiant lights over the skies of the Earth. This phenomenon is especially pronounced near the planet’s poles.
The best time to witness these lights is during the spring and autumn equinoxes. During these times, the tourists will be able to see longer northern light shows due to the Russell-Macpherson effect.
The Northern Lights can be seen clearly in the polar regions and places with clear skies and minimal light pollution.
How Did The Northern Lights Become Aurora Borealis?
Gallelio Gaili named the Northern Lights Aurora. The astronomer named it after the Roman Goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek God Boreas.
Aurora is the Roman goddess of dawn. The goddess flies in a chariot, announcing the arrival of the sun god. The deity symbolizes renewal and a fresh start.
On the other hand, Boraes is the Greek God of north winds, storms, and winter.
Galileo named the phenomenon of the northern lights as Aurora Borealis in the year 1619. He thought that the phenomenon was caused by the reflection of the sunlight in the Earth’s atmosphere.
However, in reality, the phenomenon was caused by the solar flares emitted by the sun.
What Is The Best Place To See Northern Lights In The USA?
With the boom of astro tourism, watching the Northern Lights has become an important part of tourism in the USA and many other parts of the world. As a subset of special interest tourism, Astro tourism is about to reach $400 million in 2030.
No wonder that many Airbnbs in countries such as Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Iceland have specially located and designed properties to watch this celestial magic.
Furthermore, in the USA, national parks such as Grand Canyon National Park and Great Basin National Park, as well as dark sky parks like Headlands International Dark Sky Park, have given a significant boost to tourism centered on Northern Lights viewing or overall astrotourism.
Additionally, observatories like the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) have contributed to the growth of astrotourism in the USA.
So, when it comes to choosing the best place to see the Northern Lights in the USA, we have a lot of options.
Almost four hours from the region of Minneapolis, there lies Boundary Waters, Minnesota. This place offers the clearest night skies, located far from light pollution.
The water body offers a stunning reflection of the beautiful nighttime light show.
Idaho, of course, tops the chart as the best place to see the Northern Lights in the USA, as it is the first official Dark Sky Reserve in the country.
Also, including Craters of the Moon National Monument and the city of Ketchum, Idaho, have five designated Dark Skies.
However, most of the Dark Skies are in the southern part of the state. Having said that, the Idaho Panhandle National Forest and Priest Lake are northern locations in Idaho for watching the Northern Lights.
Moreover, the Martens Observatory at the University of North Dakota streams its celestial observations live on its YouTube channel. So, you can watch the Northern Lights on a real-time basis virtually.
Cherry Springs State Park is a Dark Sky Reserve located in Pennsylvania. The park also has an Astronomy Observation Field, which offers a 360-degree view of the sky.
You can stay in the park the entire night, be a part of the tours, and learn photography to enjoy and preserve the stargazing and Northern Lights watching activities.
7. Alaska
Located within the auroral oval, Alaska is the heaven and the best place to see Northern Lights in the USA.
Coldfoot, Utqiagvik, and Fairbanks are the prime locations for viewing the Northern Lights in Alaska.
8. Maine
Home to the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument, a Dark Sky Sanctuary, Maine is one of the best places in the USA to see the Northern Lights.
However, the abundant rural landscape makes the entire state ideal for stargazing and watching the Northern Lights.
To be more specific, you can explore the east of the Mississippi River to enjoy the best view of the Northern Lights.
Meet Sibashree Bhattacharya, a travel enthusiast who has a decade-long experience in transcending virtual barriers with her words! Her deep love for travel is apparent from her travel escapades to the mountain, often taking her readers on a journey, her words acting as Portkey! Fun fact: Sibashree loves to dive deep into the history of the places she is about to visit, making her travels even more wholesome. If you were wondering how her articles are not short of time travel, this answers it!
Most of us associate a fun night out on the town with the glistening lights and countless clubs throughout New York City. However, let's not forget that New Jersey also offers some of the most unforgettable experiences if you know where to look. What type of nightlife can this state provide? If you are planning an excursion in the near future, the selection of clubs and similar attractions found below will certainly come in handy.
New Jersey Clubs to Enjoy During Your Stay
To be absolutely clear, there are literally thousands of different clubs found throughout New Jersey. There is still a handful that has received rave reviews over the years.
Will you be visiting northern New Jersey? If so, be sure to check out 46 Lounge. Found within the town of Totowa, this club boasts a mixture of top-40 hits, hip-hop, club, and house music. You can also enjoy three separate bars, a tropical outdoor patio, and a dance floor that remains open until three o'clock in the morning.
Central New Jersey is home to the famous Avenue Nuit Nightclub. Often considered the be the chicest club in the state, expect nothing less than the very best once you walk through the doors. Avenue Nuit is host to well-known DJs from around the world and a rooftop bar provides you with spectacular views of the evening stars.
Finally, Kix McNutley's is another amazing venue to experience if you will be traveling through southern New Jersey. This club is actually a combination of five different bars and each one offers its own bespoke ambiance. Live bands play on a weekly basis and some claim that Kix is the most popular club to be found along the Jersey Shore.
Be sure to check out this page for an even more comprehensive list of New Jersey clubs. This will also provide you with additional information before hiring a professional party bus in NJ.
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Atlantic City
It only stands to reason that Atlantic City is mentioned within this article. Often dubbed the Las Vegas of the East Coast, there are plenty of ways to have fun during your stay. From visiting the world-famous Hard Rock Cafe to strolling along the iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk into the wee hours of the morning, you will not leave disappointed.
If you are a fan of casinos, never miss out on a chance to visit these top-rated venues:
Resorts Casino Hotel
Bally's Atlantic City Hotel & Casino
Borgata Casino
Caesar's Atlantic City Casino
Even if you are not an avid gambler, let's remember that these very same establishments offer world-class entertainment, top-tier restaurants, and tasty cocktails are only moments away.
New Jersey is indeed one of the most fun and exciting places to visit if you are searching for stimulating nightlife. As always, make it a point to perform additional online research so that you can plan the upcoming trip accordingly.
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A cruise in Alaska is one of the most immersive ways of taking in all the beauty that the state has to offer. It is one of the best multigenerational vacation ideas you can think of.
Further, cruising in Alaska is crucial for the economy. For example, Juneau has been one of the most popular cruising ports in Alaska.
The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ), in association with the McKinley Research Group, has conducted research on the “ECONOMIC IMPACT OF JUNEAU’S CRUISE INDUSTRY.” The 2023 report says,
“The cruise industry accounted for $375 million in direct spending in Juneau in 2023, $320 million of which is attributable to passenger spending; $39 million to cruise line spending; and $16 million to crew member spending. Spending was largely concentrated in the tour/activity ($152 million) and retail ($144 million) sectors.”
Cruising in Alaska is like surfing through paradise. And you know that Alaska will not look the same in the coming years. Global warming is real, and we are losing the ice splendors along with the birds, animals, and marine creatures of Alaska.
So, let’s start cruising!
Cruise In Alaska: Setting New Records With All Its Spectacle
Alaska just celebrated its 65th statehood anniversary on 3rd January 2024, and it’s great that the year looks promising for the cruising industry. You cannot agree more when destination marketing manager for Travel Juneau, Kristi Switzer, says,
“Visitors come for the otherworldly experience of being in the presence of glaciers and fjords, seeing whales and bears and finding the balance of Alaska Native cultural heritage with the rustic sophistication found in the capital city.”
The number of visitors and the days they spent in Alaska also state that Alaska is “the destination” for people looking for exotic experiences. 2,724,180 people visited Alaska in 2022-23, and there were 22,465,847 visitor days.
This season, it’s expecting another major spike in visitors, setting new records. It’s time for you to know why this season and every season in Alaska is special.
1. A Cruise in Alaska Is Affordable
Cruising will be the cheapest and easiest way to explore Alaska if you are on vacation for two weeks or even a shorter period.
To cruise in Alaska, your pocket pinch will be around $400 to $2200 per person (cruise-only fare). In addition, there will be port expenses, taxes, and fees.
2. See the Glaciers
Even when there are no port calls, your Alaskan cruise will take you so through some spectacular scenery. When you visit the inside passage there are thousands of islands and hundreds of miles of beautiful rainforests along the shoreline.
You will see mountains that rise to at least 3000 feet out of the sea. You get to experience wildlife, such as humpback whales, dolphins, and orcas.
However, while these are spectacular, one of the most beautiful things to see is the glaciers. Alaska has thousands of glaciers. Most Alaskan cruises make glacier stops so that you can get an up-close view of these beautiful gifts of nature.
3. Activities for Everyone
When in Alaska, go gold panning, kayaking, bear touring, whale watching, dog sledding, fishing, and hiking.
There will never be a dull moment, so book a trip now so you can find the best time to cruise.
Alaska Tourism Impacts
As you cruise in Alaska, you contribute to the state’s economy. In 2022-2023, the direct spending on tourism in Alaska was $3.9 billion.
The overall economic impact, however, was much higher, recording $5.6 billion.
Further, the average trip spending went up to $1,485 in summer 2022 compared to $934 in 2006. (Source)
Cruise in Alaska and tourism based on that are renewable sources, creating and supporting employment to an extent. In 2023, Alaskan tourism supported 48,000 jobs.
Book Your Trip Now
Now that you know what’s special about taking a cruise in Alaska, you shouldn’t procrastinate. Go ahead and book your trip early.
Alaska, being a multigenerational destination, is ideal for cruising with your family. The little one especially loves watching the birds, whales, and other sea animals.
Further, looking at the glowing glaciers and just relaxing on the cruise deck can be the perfect “Aha” moment for you! Let’s go cruising!
Cruise In Alaska FAQs
Are Cruises To Alaska Worth It?
Yes, cruising in Alaska is definitely worth it. Sitting on the decks of the ships, you will get to enjoy the panoramic view of Alaska. You will come across small islands, majestic cliffs, and icebergs.
The trip also includes disembarking at designated locations and exploring the local areas on foot.
What Is Unique About Alaska?
Alaska is unique, with its icebergs and monumental cliffs rising over three thousand feet. It is also a wonderland with fjords, never-ending stretches of forests, and icy splendors.
Get ready to enjoy most of the spectacle at Glacier Bay, Mendenhall Glacier, and Hubbard Glacier.
How Rough Is An Alaskan Cruise?
Cruising in Alaska can be a little rough as your cruise sails through the Gulf of Alaska. However, it is quite seamless when you are in the protected waters of the Inside Passage.
The ride becomes bumpy as the cruise moves toward Anchorage, Whittier, or Seward through the Gulf of Alaska.
What Is Alaska’s Cruise Season?
Alaska’s cruising season starts in May and continues to September. However, if you want to experience sunnier weather and warmer temperatures, July and August are the best months to embark on Alaska cruises.
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Tourism in the Hawaiian Islands is going to reach a new high with Carnival Cruise Line launching its “first-ever all-Hawaii cruise series.” You can board this cruise from Baltimore, Norfolk, and Long Beach to explore the beautiful islands of Hawaii.
This Carnival Legend cruise will take you on 14-day cruise journeys from October 2027 to April 2028, and it will operate from Long Beach in California.
Moreover, the cruise will visit many popular destinations in Hawaii, such as Kauai, Kona, Hilo, and Honolulu. Overall, this cruise will redefine the way people have been experiencing the Aloha State so far.
Amidst the new launch of a new cruise line and anticipation of more tourist footfalls in the Hawaiian Islands, the government has imposed a Green Fee or environmental tax. It is the first state in the USA to adopt such a measure, and this is indeed a bold move to reduce environmental impact and develop sustainable tourism practices in the state.
In fact, when implemented, this Green Fee is expected to generate around $100 million every year and support the cost of fighting the consequences of climate change and hazards, beach management, controlling invasive species, and preserving wildlife.
So, with a sustainable approach and a growth mindset, the Hawaiian Islands are ready to host more tourists and offer a more fun-filled experience.
But what is the best island to visit in Hawaii, according to you? Here are our favorites.
What Is The Best Island To Visit In Hawaii? Pick One That Suits Your Travel Style
Exuding the warm Aloha spirit, each of the Hawaiian Islands boasts a distinct charm. The chosen activities on the Hawaiian Islands also differ. For example, if you want to explore the most dramatic beaches, you will have to visit the Big Island.
On the other hand, Oahu should be your go-to place if you want the best fine-dining experience. Here, I will begin the discussion on the best islands to visit in Hawaii with a summary table.
The Best Island To Visit In Hawaii (Parameters)Names • Dramatic Beaches• Volcanoes and Lava• Unique Adventures• Big Island• Hiking Experience• Local Vibe• Family Vacations • Waterfalls• Kauai• Fine Dining• Hiking Experience• Scenic Beauty• Adventure• Oahu• Honeymoon and Romantic Holidays• Family Vacations• Celebrity Tourism• Luxury Resorts• Waterfalls• Road Trips• Maui• Less Explored • Lanai• Molokai
1. Big Island (The Best Island To Visit In Hawaii For Dramatic Beaches, Unique Adventures, Volcanoes And Lava)
The Makalawena Beach on the Big Island is one of the few beaches in Hawaii to have white sands and aqua blue shallow water. Furthermore, the Big Island has Papakolea, the only beach with green sand.
Also, if you look for a pristine paradise with less crowd, you must visit the Kiholo Bay, which looks beautiful with shimmering black sands.
However, on the Big Island, the most otherworldly experience awaits you at the Volcanoes National Park. As you drive on the island, you will see active volcanoes closely, and the lava exuding from these volcanoes falls into the ocean to create a new piece of land.
It’s a sin not to be a little adventurous and make an attempt to burst the mystery of the Big Island. For you, the most unique experiences await at the Valley of the Kings waterfall and the flume slide.
2. Kauai (The Best Island In Hawai For Hiking, Waterfalls, Culture, And Family Vacations)
Kauai is home to the Waimea Canyon ridgeline trails. Furthemore, this island has Deadman’s Trail and the Stairway to Heaven. Despite being located in private properties, you can explore them (at your own risk!).
Also, Kauai is home to famous waterfalls such as Hanakapiai Falls and Waiopao Falls. You can hike to these waterfalls for the best adventures on the island.
Furthermore, despite the presence of luxury condos and Costcos, Kauai has been able to maintain the charm of an authentic Hawaiian life. You must stop by the local shops and explore areas such as Kapaa, Waimea, and Hanalei to understand what I am referring to.
Moreover, with a quieter charm and affordable accommodations, Kauai is also an ideal destination for family vacations.
3. Oahu (The Best Island To Visit In Hawai For Fine Dining, Hiking, Adventure, And Scenic Beauty)
Oahu is home to many iconic hiking trails, such as:
Diamond Head
Pillboxes
Koko Head Stairs
Furthermore, the network of trails here is ideal for hikers of all expertise levels.
Also, Andaz Maui and Morimoto are the two most prominent fine dining restaurants in Oahu. Moreover, it is the only Hawaiian island to have a distinct food scene.
Oahu even scores quite high on the adventure score. Cage diving with sharks and sky diving are the two most popular adventure activities on the island.
In addition, the Lanikai Pillbox Trail, Hanauma Bay, and the Diamond Head Crater are places of great scenic beauty in Oahu.
4. Maui (The Best Island In Hawai For Honeymoon, Romantic Holidays, Waterfalls, Road Trips, Family Vacation, Luxury And Celebrity Tourism)
Maui is the best Hawaiian island for road trips, with iconic locations such as Haleakala going up to the mountain top and the road from Hana to Maui. The Road to Hana also has some beautiful waterfalls along the way. You can enjoy the view of these waterfalls from the roadside.
Furthermore, thanks to the presence of Four Seasons Maui and other luxury resorts, Maui constantly gets celebrity tourists.
Also, with beautiful hiking trails leading to Maui waterfalls and beautiful road trip destinations, Maui is the Honeymoon Island of Hawaii. Enjoy by a pool and cherish the best champagne, participate in thrilling activities, or enjoy road trips to have the most romantic vacation.
5. Lanai And Molokai (The Best Island In Hawai As A Less Explored Destination)
If you have loved Maui, you can take a short flight to the island of Molokai or a boat ride to Lanai. Furthermore, Lanai is associated with the rich history of Mormons, and Molokai has a lush landscape, and the locals here are very welcoming.
What Is The Best Island To Visit In Hawaii? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the frequently asked questions and answers about the best island to visit in Hawaii.
1. What Is The Prettiest Place To Go In Hawaii? I cannot name a particular place in Hawaii as the “Prettiest Place” as Hawaii has the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, or the Waimea Canyon on the island of Kauai. It looks dramatic with bright red rock formations. Furthermore, the Haleakalā National Park in Maui has an amazing volcanic landscape. Also, it has pretty locations such as Hanauma Bay, Hana Highway, and Haleakala. 2. Is Maui And Oahu Better? Your choice between Maui and Oahu depends on the type of travel experience you want. Maui is the ultimate tropical destination with luxury resorts and a laid-back vibe. Furthermore, the Road to Hana is one of the most scenic destinations in Hawaii. Oahu, on the other hand, has iconic landmarks such as the Polynesian Cultural Center and the historic Pearl Harbor. Moreover, Oahu is known for its vibrant nightlife. 3. Where Should I Go For The First Time In Hawaii? Maui is an ideal destination if you are visiting Hawaii for the first time. You can go on scenic drives and indulge in the romantic vibe of the island.
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