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That's an obvious one. Lake Michigan beach, north of New Buffalo.

Honestly.

Predawn color over granites and white pine at mouth of Chikanishing Creek in Georgian Bay, Killarney Provincial Park, Ontario.

An iris at Isle Royale, an island in Lake Superior that's also a national park. Those 32,000 islands also include Manitoulin in Lake Huron, the largest freshwater island in the world, which has more than 100 lakes of its own, which have their own islands, which have ponds. Mind-blowing.

The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior, Michigan. AP Photo/Bob Brodbeck.

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore at Lake Michigan.

The Great Lakes touch Canada, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Combined, the length of all five shorelines is about 44 percent of the Earth's circumference. They hold one-fifth of the Earth's available fresh surface water, and enough to cover all of the United States in more than 9.5 feet of water. By surface area, Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world. Who needs the ocean?

Lake Superior Provincial Park, Wawa, Ontario.

A winter sunset at Tiny Beach, Georgian Bay, Ontario.

GIF by Dave Gorum.

St. Joseph, Michigan.

They also have a huge economic impact: more than 1.5 million U.S. jobs have a direct connection to the lakes, according to a 2011 report. The lakes also provide drinking water for 40 million people. The Cason J. Callaway closes out the 2012 shipping season at the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

Juan Piantino wind surfs along Montrose Beach October 19, 2011 in Chicago. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images.

Lake Superior, Ontario.

A view displaying the Northern Lights affected by the solar tsunami over Lake Superior on Aug. 4, 2010 in Marquette, Michigan, captured by photographer Shawn Malone, 46, just before midnight. Malone spent just over an hour and half each night observing the enhanced natural phenomenon and used exposures lasting 20 minutes. Photo by Shawn Malone / lakesuperiorphoto.com / Barcroft USA / Getty Images.

The Great Lakes Triangle, the Midwest version of the Bermuda Triangle.

Wreck of the Sweepstakes, a ship built in 1867, in Big Tub Harbour, Fathom Five National Marine Park, Tobermory, Ontario. There are at least 6,000 shipwrecks in the Great Lakes.

The Georgian Bay shoreline at Halfway Log Dump in Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario, Canada.

Lake Michigan lakeshore.

Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island.

Lake Ontario.

The Chicago lakefront.

Fishtown, Leland, Michigan.

Moose on Isle Royale.

Mackenzie Point, Ontario.

Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior. How to remember them? They spell out HOMES, and always feel like home.

Northern Lights and stars in Alaska Why Go: Alaska's location within "the zone" means you're almost guaranteed to see spectacular light displays. Be sure to move further away from city lights of Fairbanks into the region's vast wilderness areas of Denali and the Yukon Territory. Insider Tip: Check the University of Alaska's Northern Lights forecast to help schedule your viewing trip. Best Viewing Locations: Anchorage, Fairbanks, Denali Plan Your Trip: Fodor's Alaska Travel Guide Photo: Flickr: AlaskaCpl

Differences in altitudes and gases create a variety of colors, but green is still the most common aurora Why Go: North of Scotland between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic, the Faroe Island archipelago is mostly known for puffins and Viking folklore. While its stormy weather mimics that of the British Isles, visitors to this Denmark-owned province could also see the iridescent lights. Best Viewing Locations: All islands within its archipelago Plan Your Trip: Fodor's Denmark Travel Guide Photo: iStockPhoto / shawnwaite

An aurora with arcs in different shades of green Why Go: The British isles are known for stormy, foggy, and cloudy weather--far from ideal conditions for observing the sky, but on those rare occasions when thick cloud covers break momentarily during dark winter months, you've got a good chance of witnessing the display in parts of Scotland's north. Best Viewing Locations: Aberdeen, Isle of Skye, Northern Highlands, Dunnet Head Plan Your Trip: Fodor's Scotland Travel Guide

Northern Lights and illuminated Teepee in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Why Go: Areas around pristine Lake Superior in Ontario and Northern Canada's tundra back-country are prime viewing spots. Head to the town of Whitehorse within the Yukon Territory to best see the swirling lights. Sometimes, the glowing sky can be seen as far south as the American border, but stick to Canada's vast wilderness for your front row seats. Best Viewing Locations: Calgary Ontario, Yukon Territory, Manitoba Plan Your Trip: Fodor's Canada Travel Guide Photo: Tania Spencer/GNWT

Northern Lights are in Greenland all year but they can't be seen during summer's Midnight sun Why Go: Greenland still remains a final frontier for the average traveler and from its interior ice remains optimal location, however more accessible areas south and east of Greenland provide just as good viewing opportunities. You can see northern lights from most parts of the country (similar to Iceland). Best Viewing Locations: Kulusuk, Ammassalik Plan Your Trip: Fodor's Europe Travel Guide Photo: John Kjær/Greenland Tourism

Aurora Borealis with green and purple in Northern Finland Why Go: Head to Luosto in Northern Finland to the Aurora Chalet where, upon arrival, you'll be handed an "Aurora Alarm" which beeps once Northern Lights appear. In the nearby town of Sodanklya, the Northern Lights Research Center relays your message via the hotel. On chilly cloudless nights, you're also bound to catch the lights shimmer in the skies over the town of Nellim, close to Lake Inari--Finland's third largest lake. Best Viewing Locations: Luosto, Nellim, Utsjoki, Ivalo, Kakslauttanen Plan Your Trip: Fodor's Finland Travel Guide Photo: Courtesy Visit Finland

Iceland's Northern Lights and some city light in background Why Go: Leave the bustling nightlife of the capital city and head out into the wide open plains of Þingvellir National Park--a UNESCO Heritage Site where the North American and Eurasian continental plates meet to cause a rift valley. Under clear dark skies on a freezing night in early March was where I first witnessed the lights dance across the Icelandic sky. Though the show only lasted for 12-15 minutes, it felt like an hour. Best Viewing Locations: Outside Reykjavik, Þingvellir National Park, the entire country. Plan Your Trip: Fodor's Iceland Travel Guide

Northern Lights near the town of Svovaer in the Lofoten Islands Why Go: The northern town of Tromsø teems with Aurora Borealis activity when those extended summer days are long gone. Its location above the Arctic Circle, and within the Northern Lights zone, makes it one of the top places to view shimmering green lights. The town also boasts the world's most northerly university, brewery, and planetarium. You can cruise Norway's fjord-lined coast aboard a Hurtigruten ship and get wake-up calls to head out on the deck when the lights appear. Best Viewing Locations: Tromsø, Alta, Svalbard, Finnmark Plan Your Trip: Fodor's Norway Travel Guide Photo: Courtesy Johnny Mazzilli/Innovation Norway

An aurora dances above the horizon in Russia Why Go: In Northern Russia, you've got a good chance of seeing Aurora Borealis. The Kola Peninsula's proximity to the Northern Lights zone also makes it a key area and the town of Murmansk is a popular base . . . if you can handle the below freezing temperatures of a typical Siberian winter. Best Viewing Locations: Murmansk, Siberia, Kola Peninsula Plan Your Trip: Fodor's Europe Travel Guide

Swedish Lapland's Aurora Borealis: green is the most common Aurora color Why Go: The area around Abisko in Swedish Lapland is scientifically proven to be an ideal viewing spot due to a unique micro-climate. Close to Abisko National Park, the dark winter night is perfect for sky watching. The 70km (43mi) long lake helps create the infamous "blue hole of Abisko"--a patch of sky that remains clear regardless of the surrounding weather patterns. Best Viewing Locations: Kiruna, Abisko, Swedish Lapland Plan Your Trip: Fodor's Sweden Travel Guide Photo: Fredrik Broman/www.humanspectra.com courtesy www.imagebank.sweden.se

Anneliese Possberg:Norway