Hot springs and aurora in one long evening. This full-day style trip from Fairbanks pairs Chena Hot Springs Resort with an Ice Museum tour and then shifts into Northern Lights hunting from good viewing spots. You get hotel-area pickup, a scenic drive, and return drop-off after the aurora chase.

I especially love the way the night is built around real time to warm up—the therapeutic hot springs with indoor and outdoor options makes the cold part of the adventure easier. I also like the add-on of the Ice Museum and Ice Bar area, where you get photo-friendly scenes (and a fun, optional drink stop if you want it).

One possible drawback: the aurora is still a weather lottery. The tour requires good conditions, and if clouds win, you’ll miss the lights even after multiple stops.

Quick take: what makes this Chena Hot Springs Northern Lights tour work

• Small-group feel (max 14 travelers) with pickup and drop-off, so the night stays organized.
• Ice Museum guided time (~45 minutes) plus plenty of time to look closely and get photos.
• Two hours in the thermal pool area with indoor and outdoor soaking and a locker setup that needs quarters.
• Northern Lights chasing from multiple vantage points, with guides who know where to look and when to pull over.
• Optional dinner at the resort (not included), which can help you time the aurora hunt around when you eat.

From Fairbanks pickup to Chena’s thermal pools: how the timing really plays out

The evening starts with pickup in Fairbanks. Your guide meets you in the lobby at your preferred meeting spot between 4:30PM and 5:15PM, then you head out by van. Expect the drive to Chena Hot Springs Resort to take about 1.5 hours, which is long enough to settle in, use the restroom if you need it, and get briefed on what to watch for in the sky later.

This tour is about an 8 to 10 hour window, so it’s not a quick hit. That matters because Northern Lights spotting often takes patience. The schedule gives you a solid chunk of warm-up time first—ice, then soaking—so you’re not standing around freezing while you wait for the aurora to show.

Chena Hot Springs Resort: the Ice Museum stop that’s fast, photo-ready, and very cold-adapted

At Chena, the first major activity is the Ice Museum, with tickets included and a guided tour lasting about 45 minutes. This is the part where you get the famous ice sculptures made into a walk-through experience, and you’ll want to dress and move smart. You’ll be indoors, but your hands and feet still feel the temperature change, especially if you pause for lots of photos.

A key detail: you also get access to the Ice Bar area, where buying a drink like an Appletini is optional. If you plan to purchase alcohol, bring your ID. One practical warning from the experience vibe: it’s not a big bar in the way you might imagine—when demand runs high, drink availability can be messy. If you’re there for the ice art first, you can treat the Ice Bar as a bonus, not a must.

How it feels on the ground: the guided portion is intentionally short, so you’re not stuck in line for an endless session. Still, some nights can be busier than others. If you hate crowds, keep your expectations realistic: you’re going on a highly seasonal, highly popular evening activity.

The therapeutic hot springs soak: how 2 hours becomes the real heart of the night

After the Ice Museum, you shift from ice art to actual warmth. Your ticket includes entry to the Hot Springs swimming area, and you get about 2 hours in the pool complex. This is where the tour earns its keep, because soaking at Chena isn’t just a gimmick. The resort’s mix of indoor and outdoor areas helps you keep your comfort even as the night turns colder.

Bring the essentials:

• Towel
• Appropriate swimwear
• Shower shoes

If you forget anything, the resort has rental and purchase options, but you’ll have an easier time if you pack well.

Here’s a small detail that saves stress: lockers. The tour includes 50 cents for your locker, and one tip that really helps is that you may need two quarters to lock up in the changing area. The guide may provide quarters if needed, but I’d rather you arrive prepared than hunt for change in the cold.

Also, plan for a realistic comfort rhythm. You may want to start soaking, then rotate between hotter and cooler areas, then come out briefly to cool off. Your body warms up fast, but the air outside can still surprise you.

Northern Lights chasing: what to expect when the sky cooperates

After the hot springs—and optional dinner—this tour becomes a Northern Lights search. The resort has vantage points that work for photography, and the guide then takes you to the best chances for the aurora during the return portion of the evening.

This part is the biggest reason the tour gets such strong ratings. Guides tend to stay flexible and keep moving when conditions look promising. In the best nights, you can get multiple stops, and sightings can happen later in the night. One group described finally seeing the lights around 2AM, after visits to several locations. Another had success on the drive back, when the aurora showed up away from the hot springs itself.

When the sky doesn’t cooperate, you still get a well-filled evening. The tour isn’t built around the aurora as the only payoff. If clouds roll in, you’ll still have the Ice Museum and the hot springs as your main attractions.

One thing to remember for photos: aurora photography can be tricky, even with good conditions. A guide who helps with timing and where to stand makes a noticeable difference—several experiences highlight that the guide helped with pictures once the lights showed.

Dinner at Chena: optional, useful, and not included in the price

Food is available on-site at the resort, but dinner and snacks are optional and not included in the tour price. That means you control your meal timing, which can be helpful when you’re trying to line up with aurora chances.

The on-site restaurant is a real Alaskan setting, and it’s a good place to refuel. One experience included a positive scallop meal, and another mentioned the restaurant service running behind that particular night—but the overall trip still stayed fun. Translation: the dinner part isn’t something to over-plan; treat it as a flexible stop.

If you do skip dinner, you can use the gift shop for smaller snacks. Either way, plan to eat before you’re too deep into soaking and sky-chasing.

What’s actually included (and why the price feels fair)

At $245.99 per person, this tour can sound pricey—until you break down what’s covered. Your package includes:

• Hot springs swimming area entry
• Ice Museum admission
• Bottled water
• 50 cents for your locker

That’s the key value math. You’re paying for entry fees and a full evening of transportation and guided time. Since dinner is separate, you can still keep costs controlled by bringing your own snacks (when allowed) or planning a lighter meal.

The tour also runs with English-speaking guides and uses a mobile ticket. Pickup and drop-off are included, and the group size is limited to 14 travelers, which is part of why people often describe the night as more personal.

Booking tends to happen early too: it’s commonly booked about 28 days in advance, which is a clue that you should reserve sooner rather than later if your dates are tight.

Guides make the difference: Tony, Chris, Savvy, and the “know when to pull over” factor

Here’s the pattern I see in the strongest experiences: the guide isn’t just driving. They’re timing, explaining, and watching the sky.

Many of the best nights are linked to guides like Tony, Chris / Christopher, and Savvy, with common praise for how they:

• keep the group comfortable during long waits
• share Alaskan stories and facts on the drive
• choose good viewing spots and keep searching when needed
• help with photos once the aurora appears

One standout theme is “no lights, no problem” energy. When clouds cut the Chena view, guides still tried for other sites on the way back. And on nights when the aurora appears briefly, they keep the group in the right place long enough to actually enjoy it, not just rush by.

If you care a lot about the Northern Lights portion, choose your departure date with the sky in mind—but also pick this tour because the guide work matters as much as the weather.

Practical packing checklist for a warm soak and a cold sky

Even if you’re excited for aurora hunting, pack for the hot springs first. The essentials are straightforward:

• swimwear
• towel
• shower shoes
• a warm layer for after you get out of the water
• ID if you want to buy drinks at the Ice Bar

Then pack for long hours. This is 4:30PM to late night territory. Wear warm socks, plan for wind, and bring a plan for keeping your phone charged (cold drains batteries faster).

One more small tip: lockers. Since the tour provides 50 cents, you’ll still need coins. Arriving with the right change can keep the night smooth.

Who this tour fits best (and who might want a different plan)

This experience is a strong fit if you want a full Alaska-style night: ice art, real thermal soaking, and a real attempt at Northern Lights viewing. It’s also a good option for couples and solo travelers because the group size stays small and the guide keeps things organized.

It’s less ideal if you rely on wheelchair access. The resort is not wheelchair accessible based on the tour information. Service animals are allowed, so that’s a helpful point for travelers who need that accommodation.

Finally, if seeing the Northern Lights is the only reason you’re going, keep expectations grounded. The weather has the final vote.

Should you book Chena Hot Springs and Northern Lights with Tour Fairbanks?

I think you should book this tour if you want more than a drive-by aurora chance. The value comes from combining two high-quality experiences—Ice Museum time and a real hot springs soak—with a guide-led search for the sky later.

Skip or reconsider if:

• you’re not prepared for long hours outdoors and in cold transition weather
• you need wheelchair access
• you’d be genuinely disappointed if clouds hide the aurora (because the lights are not guaranteed)

If you book, treat the hot springs as the main event and the aurora as a bonus you chase together. That mindset is what turns a good night into a great one.

FAQ

How long is the Chena Hot Springs and Northern Lights tour?

It runs about 8 to 10 hours. Pickup happens in Fairbanks between 4:30PM and 5:15PM, and the drive to Chena is about 1.5 hours.

What’s included in the tour price?

The price includes entry to the hot springs, admission to the Ice Museum, bottled water, and 50 cents for your locker. Dinner is available but is not included.

Do I need to bring swimwear and a towel?

Yes. You’ll need towel, appropriate swimwear, and shower shoes for the locker room. If you forget something, the resort offers rental and purchase options.

What about lockers and quarters?

Lockers may require coins (a tip shared is that two quarters may be needed). Your tour includes 50 cents, and the guide can provide quarters if needed.

Is Northern Lights viewing guaranteed?

No. The experience requires good weather, and the tour chases aurora viewing from different vantage points. On some nights the lights appear clearly; on cloudier nights, you may see little or nothing.

How long is the Ice Museum visit?

The guided Ice Museum tour is about 45 minutes, with admission included in the tour package.

Is the resort wheelchair accessible?

No. The resort is listed as not wheelchair accessible.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.