Where to Catch the Midnight Sun This Summer

When it comes to Arctic travel, all eyes are on the Northern Lights. There’s undoubtedly something magical about witnessing the shimmering display of the auroras, but they can be quite elusive. You might plan an entire trip around this phenomenon and still miss it. However, during the summer months, in the farthest reaches of the Northern Hemisphere, the night sky offers a much more reliable delight as the polar sun shines in full force.

Depending on how far north you venture, you’ll either experience 24 hours of continuous sunlight or several hours of twilight, but the effect remains the same. After harsh, dark winters, these endless summer days invite you to stay awake and enjoy nighttime activities outdoors, from midnight hikes and hot spring visits to golfing and whale watching.

Ready to say, “Take me to a midnight baseball game?” Read on.

Fairbanks, Alaska

From May 17 to July 27, Alaska’s second-largest city enjoys 70 days without a full sunset, and locals truly make the most of this extra daylight. You can play a nighttime round at the northernmost golf course in the U.S., the Midnight Sun Golf Club (true to its name, the club previously offered tee times even at midnight); relax in the Chena Hot Springs, which are open until 11:45 PM; or take an ATV ride through the woods on the Midnight Sun ATV Tour.

Or head to the century-old Midnight Sun Game—a semi-professional baseball match held annually on the summer solstice at Growden Park (this year on June 21). Since 1960, the home team has been the Alaska Goldpanners, a collegiate summer baseball team that has featured players like Barry Bonds, Tom Seaver, and Dave Winfield. The first pitch is scheduled for 10 PM.

For a unique stay, head to Borealis Basecamp, a cluster of transparent geodesic igloos set on 100 acres of boreal forest just outside the city. While the hotel is named after the winter Northern Lights, the experience of staying in this area during summer can be equally enchanting as you ride along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline on a UTV (utility task vehicle).

Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland is brimming with natural wonders—geysers, glaciers, waterfalls, basalt column beaches, and rich marine life—often leaving you feeling like there’s never enough time to see it all. The joy of the summer months is that, with a good caffeine plan, you can be outdoors 24 hours a day. For instance, embark on the Magical Whales in the Midnight Sun tour with Elding Whale Watching, where the sky glows pink and orange as you observe the nighttime habits of minke whales, white-nosed dolphins, and humpbacks.

Across the island, you can take on nighttime adventures, whether it’s kayaking along Mount Kirkjufell with Vestur Adventures, snowmobiling on the Langjökull glacier with Mountaineers of Iceland, or soaking in the silica-rich waters of the Blue Lagoon, which is open until 1 AM on the summer solstice. If you book a room at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland, you’ll have private access to these healing waters late into the night.