One of my dreams has always been to see the Midnight Sun in a location far up north. During the summer, there are some areas where the sun never sets. Of course, the corollary is true, and it means that in the winter, there is a time period when the sun never rises! While you can see the phenomenon for a full six months if you go to the North Pole, you’re most likely to see it if you travel to a northern locale in the late spring or summer. Here are some vacation destinations to consider if you’re hoping to enjoy daylight at night:
Canada
The parts of Canada dipping into the Arctic Circle experience the Midnight Sun. These include the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. You can ride a mountain bike on an organized trip through the Yukon this time of year to enjoy the scenery and fresh air at any time of the day or night. If you would enjoy vacationing in a remote area, a trip to northern Canada during the warmer summer months might be perfect for you!
Alaska
If you go to Alaska’s northernmost large city, Fairbanks, you can get a taste of daytime at night, but you will actually see the sun set, then rise again two hours later. If you go to Eagle Summit, though, you can see the sun make its way across the horizon without dipping below. Alaskan cruises during June and July are popular, as you can enjoy not only the Midnight Sun, but also the luxury and comfort of a cruise, along with the spectacular views that are available in Alaska year-round.
Scandinavia
There are several places in the Scandinavian countries where you can get a great view of the Midnight Sun. One is in Norway. Hammerfest calls itself the “northernmost town in the world,” and boasts bright skies 24 hours per day, from June to August. You can even take a Midnight Sun cruise in the ice-free Atlantic harbor. Parts of Sweden and Finland offer views of this natural wonder, as do parts of Greenland and Iceland. Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, celebrates the Summer Solstice dressed in Viking gear; this would make a memorable vacation destination!
Russia
A visit to St. Petersburg, Russia, in July will let you take advantage of the city’s White Nights festival, which consists of carnivals, a rousing nightlife, and ballet and opera performances. The sun does actually set for a little while in this part of Russia, but if you go to Murmansk, you can see the real deal. While this is a large port city, as well as the largest city north of the Arctic Circle, there aren’t any well-publicized events to attend, however Ivan Kupala day is a locally celebrated event that you won’t want to miss if you’re there in early July.
Have you ever experienced the wonders of the Midnight Sun? Where did you go to see it?
