Top 5: Destinations for Stargazing

Tenerife, Canary Islands

Tenerife is a perfect destination for those looking to see stars, galaxies, and nebulae. This is a terrific place to view a meteor shower, especially the Geminid meteor shower coming up in June.

Atacama Desert, Chile

The Atacama Desert is one of the driest places in the world and, combined with the altitude, creates an area with minimal air pollution and spectacular night views. Try and schedule a trip here around a full moon or a meteor shower to receive the experience of a lifetime.

Cherry Springs State Park, Pa.

This state park is known for having some of the darkest skies on the east coast of the United States. The sky is so dark the Milky Way casts a visible shadow. There are nighttime tours with astrologers and nearby lodging for those wishing to stay a few nights.

Sagarmatha, Nepal

It makes sense Sargarmatha National Park, also home to Mount Everest, would be a great place to look at the sky. The name means “Forehead in the Sky” in Nepali. This location boasts of clear skies with stellar views for stargazing. Take a hike on one of the trails in the area and remember to look up.

Aoraki Mackenzie, New Zealand

The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is the only reserve like it in the southern hemisphere and one of eight in the world. It is in the Aoraki National Park, where the highest mountain in New Zealand is located. Numerous observatories welcome travelers to explore the night sky.