Sight Chena Hot Springs
Aurora Ice Museum
A sight in Chena Hot Springs, moderately priced ($$) and worth about 45 minutes. Best time to go: Evening.
Why go
Year-round museum built from ice and snow, with carved sculptures, ice chandeliers and a bar serving drinks in glasses of ice.
It is one of 6 curated places we feature in Chena Hot Springs, alongside 2 activities, 2 outdoor spots and 1 place to stay. 3 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with Aurora viewing tour and Chena Hot Springs Resort. At about 45 minutes, it slots neatly between bigger plans.
- Type
- Sight · Culture
- Price
- $$
- Time needed
- 45 min
- Best time
- Evening
Nearby
The 5 closest curated picks in Chena Hot Springs, measured as straight-line distance.
- 1Aurora viewing tour
Night tours from the resort by snowcoach to a ridgetop above the valley, with heated yurts to wait in between displays.
Activity · 0.1 mi straight-line - 2Chena Hot Springs Resort
Geothermal-powered resort with lodge rooms, cabins, a restaurant and the springs, in a valley with little light pollution.
Stay · 0.1 mi straight-line - 3Rock Lake hot spring
The resort's outdoor, rock-lined hot spring pool, fed by natural springs and steaming in air far below zero.
Activity · 0.1 mi straight-line - 4Angel Rocks Trail
Loop trail off Chena Hot Springs Road climbing to granite tors above the North Fork of the Chena River.
Outdoors · 5.4 mi straight-line - 5Chena River State Recreation Area
Large state recreation area along Chena Hot Springs Road with trails, frozen river views and public-use cabins.
Outdoors · 12 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
Aurora Ice Museum is a stop on our Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
When to go
Average daily highs in Chena Hot Springs run from 4°F in January to 66°F in July; July is usually the wettest month. For Aurora Ice Museum itself, we suggest: Evening.
Modelled monthly averages for Chena Hot Springs from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Chena Hot Springs weather by month.
Getting there
Map links open a live search for Aurora Ice Museum, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Coordinates
- 65.05391, -146.05978
- Destination
- Chena Hot Springs, Alaska
- Website
- chenahotsprings.com
Aurora Ice Museum: quick answers
How much time do you need at Aurora Ice Museum?
Plan on about 45 minutes at Aurora Ice Museum. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Aurora Ice Museum?
Our pick: Evening. Insider tip: Tours run several times a day; the museum is kept below freezing, so keep your coat on.
Which TripsCircle routes include Aurora Ice Museum?
Aurora Ice Museum appears on Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add Aurora Ice Museum to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Chena Hot Springs.
Plan Chena Hot Springs
- Chena Hot Springs travel guide 6 places
- Best time to visit Chena Hot Springs weather by month
- Chena Hot Springs to Fairbanks 51 mi straight-line
Lists & regions
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.