Aurora Ice Museum — Attraction in Alaska

Chena Hot Springs Tour Review

Our tour was unfortunately not what we had hoped for, though I want to emphasize that weather conditions, including the lack of Aurora visibility due to cloud cover, are not factored into this review.

Our tour guide, Ash, was the highlight of the experience. From the moment he picked us up at the hotel, his engaging storytelling, deep appreciation for Alaska and its native culture, and upbeat personality made the long drive enjoyable. He also did a great job setting expectations and outlining the timeline in advance.

However, the major shortcomings stemmed from the booking partners, who either did not fully understand the tour experience or failed to communicate it accurately. • Aurora Ice Museum: This was a disappointment. While I expected an immersive experience, it turned out to be an overcrowded space where guests were essentially locked in until the entire group was finished. The signature Appletini had an unpleasant, spoiled aroma, and I found myself eager to leave. • Restaurant at Chena Hot Springs: The only real dining option available—aside from vending machines—was severely understaffed. Nowhere in the tour description was it mentioned that the wait time for dinner would be multiple hours. After waiting 90 minutes for a table, it took another 30 minutes before we even saw a server. This left us with very little time to actually enjoy the hot springs. • The Hot Springs: Social media influencers have certainly oversold this experience. While the springs themselves were warm and relaxing, the overall facility was poorly maintained. The lockers, swimming pools, and restrooms were in unsanitary condition. Additionally, the entrance to the springs was dangerously slippery, and people were sitting along the ramps, making it difficult for others to safely enter the water. • Staff & Service: Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this experience was the lack of professionalism among the resort’s staff and management. Many employees were dismissive, unfriendly, and acted as though guest inquiries were an inconvenience.

Ultimately, this experience was not worth the cost. While the natural beauty of the area holds potential, the lack of organization, poor service, and misleading expectations make it difficult...

I am extremely disappointed with our experience at the Ice Museum in Chena Springs. I would give a zero if I could. My family had a reservation for seven people, including a prepaid tour and appletini visit. On the way, our rental car had an emergency oil signal, forcing us to pull over and add oil.

We called the museum an hour and a half before our scheduled 7:00 tour to explain the situation. The staff reassured us that they would honor our reservation, even if we arrived late. Our GPS estimated our arrival at 7:13, just 13 minutes after the tour started. We explicitly asked if this would prevent us from going on the tour, to which they once again reassured us we would be able to join the tour and that they had walkie-talkies to call the tour guide and easily catch us up to wherever the group would be.

We updated them twice on our way, and each time they confirmed that someone would wait for us and that they’d made arrangements for someone to open the door for us upon arrival.

When we arrived at 7:15, however, we were denied entry. The staff refused to let us in, despite having multiple prior verbal assurances. The manager was not only unhelpful, but also horribly rude. Despite the tour only being 15 minutes in, we weren’t even allowed to enjoy our prepaid drinks that was to be given at the END of the tour. We asked if they would at the very least allow us to wait until the end of the tour and still have our drink, but they very dismissively brushed us off and declined to discuss it further.

Ultimately, we wasted five hours driving back and forth in snowy conditions for a visit that we were promised would be honored. This lack of customer service is unacceptable, especially given that they were aware of our circumstances and gave us multiple oral assurances that we would be admitted. We will not be returning and cannot recommend this place based on...

The Aurora Ice Museum is a unique attraction located at the Chena Hot Springs Resort near Fairbanks, Alaska. Here’s an overview of what you can expect from this fascinating ice museum:

Ice Sculptures: The museum showcases incredible ice sculptures created by world-renowned ice artists. These sculptures range from intricate designs to larger-than-life sculptures, all crafted entirely from ice.

Architecture: The museum itself is an architectural marvel, constructed entirely out of ice and snow. The structure maintains a chilly interior temperature throughout the year, preserving the sculptures and creating a captivating environment for visitors.

Northern Lights Theme: The Aurora Ice Museum often features a theme inspired by the northern lights (Aurora Borealis), incorporating colorful lighting and designs that mimic the natural phenomenon. This adds to the magical ambiance of the museum.

Ice Bar: One of the highlights of the Aurora Ice Museum is the ice bar, where visitors can enjoy beverages served in glasses made entirely of ice. The bar area is a popular spot for visitors to socialize and experience the novelty of drinking in a frozen environment.

Guided Tours: Visitors can take guided tours of the Aurora Ice Museum, where knowledgeable guides provide insights into the construction process, the artists behind the sculptures, and interesting facts about ice artistry and preservation techniques.

Seasonal Access: The museum is typically open year-round, but it's especially popular during the winter months when Alaska’s colder temperatures ensure the sculptures remain intact and the experience is authentically icy.

Overall, the Aurora Ice Museum offers a unique blend of artistry, architecture, and natural beauty, making it a must-visit attraction for those exploring the Chena Hot Springs Resort area and seeking a memorable...