Night skies · USA STARGAZING

Stargazing in the USA: the 15 Best Nights Out

38 reviewed  ·  from $12 a head

The country runs from a hilltop dome inside Los Angeles to canyon floors two hours from a streetlight. These 15 sort the city domes, the certified parks and the red-rock towns by price, drive time and how cold it gets.

Small Group Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour - Bay View Farm makes coffee more than a souvenir
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Small Group Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour

1.Small Group Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,619 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $297Our pick

Spend about 12 hours crossing Hawaii’s Big Island with a small group of up to 13. Visit a Kona coffee farm, Punaluʻu’s black sand beach, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Thurston Lava Tube, and a dark Saddle Road site for stargazing. Guides such as Felix, Derek, Todd, and Dreu add strong island knowledge and local stories.

“This was a fantastic tour that included all the amazing things that make the big island wonderful. We enjoyed everything from the Kona coffee farm to the lava tube. A full day of adventure.”

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Griffith Observatory Hike: Guided Tour through Griffith Park - The climb through Griffith Park
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Griffith Observatory Hike: Guided Tour through Griffith Park

2.Griffith Observatory Hike: Guided Tour through Griffith Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,020 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $34

Join a first-aid and CPR-certified local guide, such as Michael, Josh, Chris, or Sarah, for a 3.5-mile hike through Griffith Park. Expect uphill sections, Hollywood history, Hollywood Sign photo stops, views over Los Angeles, and entry to Griffith Observatory. Morning and sunset departures are offered.

“Uphill hike for about 30 min. Manageable but may be tough for some. It was all worth it for the view though! Our guide Michael was great! Shared some Hollywood stories along the way and helped me with my bags as well!”

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Sedona Stargazing Tours LLC - Arriving near Verde Valley School
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Sedona Stargazing Tours LLC

3.Sedona Stargazing Tours LLC

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 881 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $89

Meet near Oak Creek for a 75-minute private stargazing session with astronomers such as Wes, Dave, or Richard. Use GPS-guided telescopes to view planets, galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters, then scan the sky with wide-view binoculars from a comfortable chair. Blankets and parkas are provided in cold weather.

“Great experience! Guides are so knowledgeable and shared so much info as they queued up the telescopes to show us amazing detail in the sky. We went in December- pack your layers!!”

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Miami: Frost Museum of Science and Planetarium Entry Ticket - Get hands-on with bugs, gadgets, and science
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Miami: Frost Museum of Science and Planetarium Entry Ticket

4.Frost Museum of Science and Planetarium Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 429 reviews · from $30

Spend a full day at Miami’s Frost Museum of Science, with access to its three-level aquarium, hands-on science exhibits, live programming, and one first-come, first-served planetarium show. Touch stingrays, see hammerhead sharks, meet a 30-foot dinosaur, and choose between Dynamic Earth and Black Holes.

“Indeed it was very good and could even spend plenty of time with kids.”

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Griffith Observatory Insider Tour - Meeting at the Astronomers Monument
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Griffith Observatory Insider Tour

5.Griffith Observatory Insider Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 306 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $52

Explore Griffith Observatory with a small group of up to 15 people and a guide such as Estevan, Barry, or Angelica. You’ll begin at the Astronomers Monument, see the Foucault Pendulum, Tesla Coil, Einstein statue, and Hollywood Sign views, then attend the Samuel Oschin Planetarium show when included in your booking. Allow extra time for parking.

“Estevan was great. He made the experience fun for the whole family. Kids were very engaged and the adults were getting some higher level information. The observatory was really cool as well but having a guide seemed to be critically important. Give yourself time for parking.”

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LA: Griffith Observatory Insider Tour - Meeting at the Astronomers Monument
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LA: Griffith Observatory Insider Tour

6.Griffith Observatory Insider Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 287 reviews · 1h 30m · from $52

Spend 90 minutes exploring Griffith Observatory with a live English-speaking guide and an itinerary designed by observatory employees. See the Hollywood Sign and LA beaches, learn about astronomy, architecture, history, and films, then use your included ticket for a 40-minute Samuel Oschin Planetarium show. Guides have included Barry, Angelica, Estevan, Oscar, and Matt.

“Estevan is an amazing guide, great mix of science and culture facts, great experience”

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The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour - Meeting at 1890 West State Route 89A
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The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour

7.The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 269 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $155

Follow your guide from central Sedona to three night-sky locations near Fay Canyon, Cultural Park Place, and Crystal Magic. Shay leads the roughly 1-hour-45-minute experience with UFO stories, constellation viewing, and upgraded military night vision goggles. You drive your own car, share one goggle per two adults, and should wear sturdy closed-toe shoes.

“It was eye opening. The Tour Guide is excellent and very knowledgeable. Really had a great time ....though I think i was looking up for too long and had a bit of a neck strain (hahaha)”

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Mauna Kea Stargazing Experience + Photos - Reaching Puʻu Huluhulu after dark
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Mauna Kea Stargazing Experience + Photos

8.Mauna Kea Stargazing Experience + Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 261 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $299

Meet at Puʻu Huluhulu for a 90-minute to two-hour night-sky session led by astronomer Dylan and an astro-photographer. You’ll use a Celestron Origin smart telescope to view galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters, ask plenty of questions, and receive medium-resolution portraits beneath the Milky Way. Parkas and blankets are provided, but dress for freezing mountain air.

“If you’re lucky enough to get Dylan as your star guide, you’re in for a treat. He’s outgoing, funny, and made the whole night feel like hanging out with a friend who just happens to know everything about the sky.”

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The Night Sky Star Story, Galaxy, and Sedona Story Tour - The first lesson: finding your place in the cosmos
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The Night Sky Star Story, Galaxy, and Sedona Story Tour

9.The Night Sky Star Story, Galaxy, and Sedona Story Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 243 reviews · 2 hours 5 minutes (approx.) · from $100

Meet guide Chad at 77 Cultural Park Place for a two-hour Sedona night-sky lesson built around Greek mythology, local Indigenous star traditions, and big-picture astronomy. You will use your own eyes rather than a telescope, with a laser pointer, planisphere, Play-Doh Milky Way, chairs, blankets, and hand warmers helping you follow the sky.

“It was a beautiful clear night after the clouds moved out. Our tour guide was very informative and funny. This was My 1st visit to Sedona. I would definitely recommend this tour.”

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Los Angeles: Griffith Observatory Guided Hike/Walking Tour - From the Greek Theatre to Griffith Park Trails
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Los Angeles: Griffith Observatory Guided Hike/Walking Tour

10.Griffith Observatory Guided Hike/Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 199 reviews · 2h 30m · from $34

Join an English-speaking local guide such as Michael, Noelle, Katie, or Mark for a 2.5-hour Griffith Park hike to the Observatory. Expect film locations, Hollywood history, city views, Hollywood Sign photo stops, steady uphill walking, and entry into the Observatory building.

“Phenomenal views!! Our guide, Stephen T, was entertaining and very knowledgeable of the history of LA and Hollywood. This hike was the highlight of my four day trip to LA.”

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Private Getty Center to Griffith Observatory Guided Tour - Beverly Hills, Sunset Strip, and Hollywood from the road
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Private Getty Center to Griffith Observatory Guided Tour

11.Private Getty Center to Griffith Observatory Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 185 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $172

Spend six hours exploring Los Angeles by private vehicle, from the Original Farmers Market to the Getty Center and Griffith Observatory. Guides such as Brian, Matt, Gregory, and Estevan are praised for lively local stories. Expect museum highlights, Hollywood views, and time to explore, but bring lunch and allow for traffic delays.

“Brian is so awesome,professional and nice!!! He is so enthusiastic and nice!! We are looking forward to seeing him again on our next trip!”

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Big Island, Hawaii: Volcano and Stargazing Tour with Dinner - Kona coffee at Bay View Farm
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Big Island, Hawaii: Volcano and Stargazing Tour with Dinner

12.Big Island, Hawaii: Volcano and Stargazing Tour with Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 179 reviews · 12 hours · from $297

Spend 12 hours crossing the Big Island with guides such as Felix, Todd, Aaron, Scott, or Dreu. Visit a Kona coffee farm, Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and a high-elevation stargazing stop. Dinner, snacks, drinks, transport, admission, and hotel pickup are included.

“Can't say enough good things about this tour and our guide, Dreu. Our family of 5 (kids ages 12, 15, and 17) absolutely loved the entire day, from the food to the sightseeing stops, the history and stories of the island. We learned so much and are so happy we made this choice. Our guide was very knowledgeable, and kept us entertained and engaged. The tour transportation was very comfortable.”

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Sedona: Nighttime UFO & Stargazing Tour - The opening sky check before the goggles
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Sedona: Nighttime UFO & Stargazing Tour

13.Nighttime UFO & Stargazing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 148 reviews · 1 hour · from $160

Spend one hour after sunset scanning Sedona’s sky through 3rd-generation military night vision goggles. Your English-speaking guide, often Tom, points out stars, satellites, shooting stars, aircraft, and unexplained lights while sharing UFO stories and Sedona lore. Groups are limited to four, but meeting times and locations change, so wait for the provider’s text.

“Great time!saw a lot of awesome things and the guide was very knowledgeable. Thanks so much! 10/10!”

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Houston Museum of Natural Sciences: Planetarium Ticket - Choosing between Black Holes, Atlantis, and the night sky
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Houston Museum of Natural Sciences: Planetarium Ticket

14.Houston Museum of Natural Sciences: Planetarium Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 139 reviews · from $12Best value

Spend 20 minutes under the Burke Baker Planetarium dome with high-resolution digital projections of planets, stars, galaxies, and asteroid fields. Choose from shows such as Black Holes, Passport to the Universe, and Lamps of Atlantis. Your ticket covers one show only, while museum exhibits, food, and drinks cost extra.

“Amazng planetary show! There are so many mysteries of space and the show explains and illustrates on a level that all ages can understand.”

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Death Valley Day & Night Tour - Scenic Stops, Sunset & Stargazing - Red Rock Canyon and the long road east
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Death Valley Day & Night Tour – Scenic Stops, Sunset & Stargazing

15.Death Valley Day & Night Tour – Scenic Stops, Sunset & Stargazing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 124 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $299

Spend about 11 hours traveling from Las Vegas into Death Valley, stopping at Dante’s View, Zabriskie Point, Badwater Basin, Artist’s Palette, and the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. The small group can include up to 13 people, with guides such as Alex, Jay, or Lankun taking photos and explaining the park. The day ends with sunset and stargazing near Death Valley Junction.

“This might have been the best trip in my life, even better than Grand Canyon! First of all, the guide is amazing, she is like a professional photographer, and took the best pictures of me that I have ever had. We had a chance to taste some local wine in Pahrump, then we went to see the Valley from Dante's view, Zabriskie point and also to Furnace Creek. Then we went downwards until we reached the Badwater Basin - one of the amazing sights of my life! After that, it was getting dark, we stopped at another beautiful hilly place in the valley, and lastly we went back to Zabriskie…”

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Added lately to USA Stargazing

★ 3.61-Day Grand Canyon Tour from Las Vegas: Stargazing & SunriseFrom $3703 reviews
★ 4.7Boulder: Guided Astronomy TourFrom $4511 reviews
★ 4.5Private Stargazing – Sequoia National Park14 reviews
★ 3.5Professional Stargazing in MoabFrom $2003 reviews
★ 4.0Milky Way Photography in Arches National ParkFrom $2754 reviews
★ 4.5Private Tour of Griffith ObservatoryFrom $34958 reviews
★ 5.0Astro-Photo, Hiking and Stargazing Tour in Arches National ParkFrom $17563 reviews
S’mores and Stargazing on Hidden BeachFrom $1594 reviews
★ 5.0Stargazing Tour in KapaluaFrom $9631 reviews
★ 4.0Haleakala Sunset and Stargazing Audio Tour10 reviews
★ 5.0Haleakala Sunset and Astronomy TourFrom $23533 reviews
★ 5.0Death Valley Small Group Day Tour with Sunset and StargazingFrom $24937 reviews
★ 4.9Stargazing In The Mountains & Shooting Stars31 reviews
★ 4.6Death Valley Day Trip with StargazingFrom $29919 reviews
★ 4.8The Windows Astro-Photography and Stargazing HikeFrom $17536 reviews

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