What is the top travel experience Americans want to have in 2026?

The northern lights, with over 34% of respondents citing it as their biggest bucket-list item.

Where are the best places to see the northern lights?

Iceland, Finland, Sweden, and Canada are among the top destinations for viewing the aurora borealis, as they are located close to the Earth's poles.

Home / Lifestyle / Cosmic Phenomenon Captivates Americans: Northern Lights Reign Supreme

Cosmic Phenomenon Captivates Americans: Northern Lights Reign Supreme

13 Nov

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Summary

43% of U.S. travelers plan to visit dream destinations in 2026
Over 34% say seeing the northern lights is their top bucket-list item
The aurora borealis is most active during the current solar maximum

Cosmic Phenomenon Captivates Americans: Northern Lights Reign Supreme

According to a recent survey, the northern lights have emerged as the top travel experience Americans are eager to witness in 2026. The survey, commissioned by Icelandair, polled 3,000 U.S. residents aged 16 and older, and found that 43% of them are planning to visit a dream destination next year.

Remarkably, over 34% of respondents named seeing the aurora borealis as their biggest bucket-list item, outpacing other popular experiences like visiting the Grand Canyon and the Roman Colosseum. The cosmic light show holds cross-generational appeal, ranking as the top destination for age groups ranging from 16-24 to 55 and above.

The timing of this surge in northern lights interest is no coincidence. The sun is currently in the solar maximum phase of its 11-year cycle, meaning the aurora borealis is at its most active through 2026. This celestial phenomenon, caused by the interaction between solar particles and the Earth's magnetic field, is best viewed in high-latitude locations close to the poles, such as Iceland, Finland, Sweden, and Canada.