Go Ahead - Plan a Trip Around the Northern Lights

Because we're in the midst of a solar maximum (yup, we had to google it too) that's expected to end soon and this is the most intense and most accessible the aurora borealis will be for years. These stunning under-the-radar spots will grant you the best, least crowded views.

- HANNAH CHUBB

1. GOÐAFOSS WATERFALL, ICELAND

Niagara Falls who? Drive along the iconic Ring Road in North Iceland and you’ll come across a waterfall so magnificent, it looks like it should come with a “made by AI” label. It (and the photo to the left, promise) is totally real, even more beautiful during winter nights, and just a quick ride from two cities where you can stay—Akureyri, which has a cute art museum, and Húsavík, home to the Geosea geothermal baths. Meet you at the pool bar?

FLY INTO: Akureyri International Airport (AEY)

BEST TIME TO VISIT: September through April

2. ILULISSAT, GREENLAND

The country’s most charming coastal city sits next to a UNESCO World Heritage ice fjord, which is honestly reason enough to visit. Icebergs create a sparkling backdrop for the northern lights in winter, when snowmobiling, skiing, and dogsledding are also at their peak. Fun fact: There are actually almost as many sled dogs in town as there are people...and if that’s not a utopia, we don’t know what is.

FLY INTO: Ilulissat Airport (JAV)

BEST TIME TO VISIT: January through April

3. MACKINAW CITY, MICHIGAN