View the Northern Lights at Charlie Dome

About an hour and a half outside Fairbanks, this resort delivers one of Alaska's most genuinely memorable experiences. Soaking in a natural hot spring while snow blankets the landscape and the Northern Lights ripple overhead is the kind of thing people come back from talking about for years. The outdoor pool runs warm, the ice museum is a real highlight, and the aurora guides who hang around at night are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about sharing what they know. A few practical things worth knowing before you go: bring water shoes, as outdoor footwear isn't allowed in the pool areas, and definitely pack a water bottle since the springs are surprisingly dehydrating. Towels and swimsuits are available on-site if you forget yours. For food, the cafe is a more wallet-friendly option than the main restaurant. One recurring note from visitors involves water quality in the springs, which some find a bit off-putting, so that's worth factoring in if you're sensitive to that sort of thing. Overall, the sentiment here leans strongly positive, and for good reason. The setting alone is hard to beat, and most visitors leave feeling like it was well worth the drive.