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Stargazing Fan? These Experiences Bring the Night Sky Up Close

Astrotourism builds on recent celestial events

a man hiking at Grand Teton National Park during dusk
There’s a 360-degree view of the sky at Grand Teton National Park.
Alamy
By

Jamie Davis Smith,

 
AARP
Published September 26, 2024

Interest in astrotourism is skyrocketing, travel industry experts say, after the world experienced rare, dramatic northern lights displays and a total solar eclipse in 2024. Travelers have an increased desire to see celestial events for themselves.

However, for a third of the world’s population, the ability to see the Milky Way and get a clear view of the sky from their home has nearly vanished. In the United States, the problem is profound. Because of light pollution, 80 percent of North Americans can’t see the Milky Way from their backyards. Many have a hard time seeing all but the brightest stars if they can see any stars at all. 

That means most Americans need to travel to see the night sky at its best. For older people planning international bucket list trips (about 24 percent of respondents in AARP’s 2024 Travel Trends survey), getting a clear view of the sky might be a priority. “Many older travelers who have ‘been there, done that’ may not have seen the northern lights, an eclipse or truly dark skies,” says Michael Raucheisen, communications manager for Icelandair.

Eyrún Aníta Gylfadóttir, the marketing manager for Hotel Rangá in Iceland, says there’s been more demand recently for the hotel’s stargazing sessions. Gylfadóttir reports a “massive increase” in bookings for another bucket list item, seeing the total solar eclipse in 2026, which will be visible from Iceland.

Not all astrotourism is created equally. Graeme Labe, managing partner at Luxury Frontiers, a design firm specializing in immersive ecotourism, says his clients have expressed “growing interest in immersive night sky experiences.”

“Travelers are seeking remote destinations where they can experience pristine, star-filled skies and truly dark nights,” he says. For the best views, Labe recommends locations where “natural conditions minimize light and noise pollution, enhancing immersive dark sky experiences.”

Not everyone will be able to travel to an ideal astrotourism location, but around the world, diverse programs are popping up to meet the demand. There are plenty of opportunities to dive into the mysteries of the skies such as celestial-themed walking tours in Rome, astrophotography lessons in the South Pacific, and sleepovers in Africa beneath one of the darkest skies in the world.

people stargazing in iceland
Hotel Rangá in Hella, Iceland, has a seasonal package for stargazing enthusiasts.
Courtesy Hotel Ranga

Hella, Iceland

Hotel Rangá has had an on-site private observatory for 10 years. Gylfadóttir says that because of increased demand, the hotel launched a seasonal package specifically for stargazing enthusiasts. The package includes a private one-hour stargazing session with the hotel’s in-house astronomer, a Starry Night cocktail, a personalized map of constellations seen during the visit and more. Weather permitting, guests can use the hotel’s geothermal outdoor hot tubs for “starbathing.” To accommodate older travelers who want to view the night sky more easily, guests can request a room on the ground floor near the observatory and hot tubs, and one with a walk-in shower. All guests can get a wake-up call if the northern lights appear, so there is little risk of sleeping through a beautiful display.

sundecks on Ecoventura’s ships
The sundecks on Ecoventura’s ships turn to stardecks when traveling around the Galápagos Islands.
Courtesy Ecoventura

Galápagos, Ecuador

The Galápagos Islands are best known for their unique wildlife. However, visitors often enjoy taking advantage of the dark skies once they are done exploring for the day. Because of its location on the equator, the Galápagos Islands are one of the few places on Earth where viewing both the southern and northern constellations is possible. Ecoventura, an expedition company specializing in the islands, has noticed an increased interest in astrotourism. Most of its clients are over 50, says Daniela Muñoz, Ecoventura’s marketing manager. When the night falls, the sundecks on Ecoventura’s ships turn into stardecks, where the lights are turned off to help ensure better stargazing. Onboard naturalists answer questions about the night sky. On select sailings, photography experts can help guests learn to take better photos of the stars. Ecoventura plans to expand this program to include a dedicated star photography night.

aerial view of a pool at The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa
The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa’s star program is run by a NASA ambassador.
Alamy

Maui, Hawai‘i

CNN Travel named the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa in Hawai‘i the “World’s Top Hotel for Stargazing.” Its Tour of the Stars program, run by NASA Ambassador Edward J. Mahoney, teaches guests how to identify stars, planets and galaxies from the hotel’s roof. Stargazing enthusiasts can use the resort’s binoculars and telescopes, including the only telescope with a 16-inch reflector available for recreational use on the island. For those who can’t make it to the roof because of mobility issues, a portable telescope is available. From Maui, 80 of the sky’s 88 constellations are visible, including several that cannot be seen from the U.S. mainland.

aerial view of Primland
Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection in the Blue Ridge Mountains has a fully equipped observatory.
Alamy

Meadows of Dan, Virginia

The Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, away from light pollution. The resort’s fully equipped observatory allows guests to get an up-close look at the night sky. An astronomer operates the observatory’s two powerful telescopes and explains stars, planets, nebulae and other celestial objects above the mountains. Nightly viewing sessions are available year-round, weather permitting. In addition, the observatory hosts special viewings that coincide with celestial events, such as supermoons, the autumn equinox or lunar eclipses. It’s possible to get great views of the stars with the naked eye from the resort’s secluded treehouses, away from the lights of the main lodge. 

Nighttime view of Piazza della Rotonda
Visitors to Rome can view the sky through the Pantheon’s oculus.
Alamy

Rome

When Isabella Calidonna from ArcheoRunning, a fitness-oriented tour operator, gets requests for celestial-themed tours, she takes clients to the Pantheon to observe the sky through the structure’s oculus, and Janiculum Hill for a panoramic view of Rome’s skyline under the stars. Calidonna, who has a doctorate in art history and is training to be an archaeologist, also takes clients to sites that have beautifully painted star ceilings, including the Basilica Santa Maria sopra Minerva and Arco dei Banchi. Rome’s planetarium and observatory are on her list too. ArcheoRunning can accommodate people at all fitness levels, from those who prefer to jog through the city to those who’d rather stroll at a leisurely pace.

suites at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge in Namibia
Every suite at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge in Namibia has a stargazing skylight in the ceiling.
Alamy

NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia

Created to protect Namibia’s wildlife, the reserve also works to preserve one of the naturally darkest skies above Earth. Yellow Zebra organizes trips to the area with a focus on astrotourism. Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, which borders the reserve, was designed with stargazing in mind. The lodge has an on-site observatory with a telescope, and every suite has a skylight built into the ceiling above the bed. Depending on preferences, guests can view the night sky guided by the lodge’s resident astronomer or with the naked eye from the privacy of their own room. For older travelers, Yellow Zebra can create an itinerary with a slower pace and adjust the schedule according to need.

Grand Teton National Park at night
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, provides easy access to Grand Teton National Park where the stars are clearly visible.
Alamy

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Although the skies above Jackson Hole aren’t the darkest in the U.S., it’s a popular spot for stargazing. The town’s combination of low light pollution and high altitude closer to the stars make the night sky easier to see without having to travel to a remote location. The Four Seasons Resort and Residences, Jackson Hole offers sessions with a professional astronomer and a state-of-the-art telescope. Guests head to Grand Teton National Park to get 360-degree views of the sky. If the moon is out, resort astronomer Ryan Hennessy with Teton Skies will bring a special telescope to view the lunar surface. Guests, including those with mobility issues, can book a stargazing experience on-site. The hotel can arrange seats close to a guest’s room upon request.

The South Pacific

Vacationers on Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic cruises can meet with naturalists who know the night sky in the area well. Onboard lectures delve into how ancient cultures used the sun, moon and stars as a navigation system. On select sailings, traditional master navigator Tua Pittman gives open-air star presentations about plotting a course by the skies, along with other elements of South Pacific culture. Some Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic voyages are positioned to get views of astrological phenomena including the northern lights in Alaska and the aurora australis in Antarctica. A certified instructor who can answer questions about astrophotography sails aboard every trip. Guests can borrow — at no extra cost — specialized equipment for astrophotography on most expeditions. 

Jamie Davis Smith is a mother and writer living in Washington. She has written for National Geographic, The Washington Post, Business Insider, Fodor’s Travel and several other outlets She can be reached at byjamiesmith@gmail.com.

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