This Natural Phenomenon Is the No. 1 Travel Experience Americans Want in 2026

They’re called “the great outdoors” for a reason.

Some trips dazzle the imaginations of almost every traveler, from visiting the world’s oldest architectural wonders to seeing the animal kingdom’s most majestic creatures firsthand. According to a new survey about the most popular bucket-list experiences around the world, there’s one dream trip that takes the crown as the biggest must-do of them all—and we have nature to thank for the spectacular show.

Commissioned by Icelandair, the survey collected responses from 3,000 Americans aged 16 and older. The results indicate that 43 percent of travelers in the U.S. are planning to cross a dream destination off their travel wish list in 2026. When it comes to particulars, over 34 percent of respondents said that a trip to see the northern lights is their biggest dream destination overall. And the cosmic colors have cross-generational appeal: It was the top destination among age groups 16-24, 25-34, and 55-plus.

Although the aurora borealis can be seen at Dark Sky Places around the U.S., the world’s most awe-inspiring displays take place in high-latitude locations close to Earth’s poles. 

Right on the southern edge of the Arctic Circle, Iceland is one of the best places to witness the northern lights. Peak season runs from September to March, when exceptionally long nights give travelers hours on end to enjoy the dancing colors in the sky. There are areas of low light pollution all around the island nation, from the Snaefellsnes Peninsula to the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon.

Other northern destinations like Finland, Sweden, and Canada are also popular among aurora chasers. There are countless ways to structure a northern lights trip, from going on a luxurious multiday private-jet journey to booking a glass igloo or taking a weekend getaway to an underrated domestic destination.

Northern lights adventures have been particularly appealing over the last couple of years, as 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. 

Overall, the survey found that U.S. travelers are most interested in trips centered around natural wonders. The No. 2 top dream destination for 2026 keeps Americans a bit closer to home: visiting the Grand Canyon, which 26 percent of respondents selected as their biggest bucket-list adventure. The jaw-dropping national park in Arizona is a mile deep and 10 miles across. 

Visiting the Roman Colosseum, going on a safari, and swimming in natural hot springs rounded out the top five dream trips.