Compared to planetarium programs priced anywhere from $6 to $16 a person for 30 minutes, these custom-gazing, overnight excursions are a bigger bang (pun intended) for the buck, offering stargazers their fill of the heavens along with lots of family fun and recreation during the day.
Stargazing in Arizona
Southern Arizona has one of the world’s highest percentages of clear nights, and many places to enjoy them. Guests at Astronomers Inn, 45 miles southeast of Tucson, enjoy sessions in the high-powered observatory dome with an astronomer-guide who personalizes the session and gives everyone plenty of time to search that clear desert sky. Rooms vary in size and include a star-gazing snack in the evening and full breakfast. Guests have use of a full kitchen and access to a media room and Science Room that includes books and displays of fossils and meteorites. The outdoor observation deck is equipped with mounted binoculars and makes a nice spot from which to watch the sunset or area birds. It also features an interactive solar system model.
Nearby day time activities include hiking the San Pedro River, a green ribbon of tall trees alive with birds. A National Conservation Area encompasses 40 miles of the river, with numerous access points and trails, among them San Pedro House off Highway 80 between Bisbee and Sierra Vista. By contrast, walking among the towering cacti of Saguaro National Park is a real desert experience, and many find the weird rock formations of Chiricahua National Monument as fascinating as the stars. History abounds in the museum at Fort Huachuca established in 1877 and site of Geronimo’s surrender, now a national historical landmark and the last active Arizona Army post.
Flagstaff Stargazing
The one-time planet Pluto was discovered at Lowell Observatory, overlooking the city of Flagstaff, Arizona, which, as the world’s first International Dark Sky City, keeps the lights low and stars bright. The Lowell offers nightly telescope viewing year-round, and the Coconino Astronomical Society sets up telescopes on downtown Flagstaff’s Heritage Square on many Friday nights. Lodging options nearby include Shooting Star Inn, where rental of a guest room includes breakfast and an astronomy session using giant binoculars and telescopes. Gourmet dinners are served with advance notice for an additional fee. Flagstaff is a short drive from Wupatki National Monument, home of multi-level ancient pueblos; Sunset Crater Volcano, which last erupted only 900 years ago and can be explored via trails; and the Grand Canyon, which offers stargazing opportunities that include moon walks and star talks at Mather Point.
Telescopes are provided in all suites at Four Seasons Resort, Scottsdale, and on the Lobby Lounge Terrace. Astronomer-led programs every Friday take advantage of the resort’s perch 1,500-plus feet above the desert, affording great views upward and down. Accommodations include a wide variety of resort services and daily kids’ activities like guided geology tours, arts and crafts, movies, ping pong, and hiking. Scottsdale’s Phonecian resort also offers stargazing on Saturdays, weather permitting.
Stargazing in Texas
In the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Canyon of the Eagles Lodge and Nature Park has an observatory with 12.5- and 16-inch telescopes, where members of the Austin Astronomy Society guide star gazing several nights a week. Tables in the field around the observatory make for easy viewing through binoculars or with the naked eye. Overnight accommodations include Lodge rooms, an RV park, and campgrounds, and day visitors can also join in the star gazing. During the day, they can enjoy 14 miles of hiking trails, a swimming pool, beach, fishing pier and boat rentals.
McDonald Observatory tops Mount Locke overlooking the beautiful Davis Mountains surrounding Fort Davis, Texas. Its remote location, 185 miles from El Paso, and 6,700-foot elevation provide dark, clear skies. The University of Texas facility offers guided large-telescope viewing of the heavens on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The visitor’s center has exhibits, a shop and café, open daily 9 to 5. Daily tours of the Observatory’s research telescope depart from the visitors center. On special viewing nights, participants can book rooms in Astronomers Lodge on the Observatory grounds, based on availability. Otherwise, camp in nearby Davis Mountains State Park or stay at the park’s historic Indian Lodge, at one of the quaint hotels in tiny Fort Davis, or an authentic dude ranch.
Stargazing Around the Country
Observatories can be found all over the country; star-struck travelers can check local information and websites before any trip. National parks often enjoy dark skies, and many offer regular star parties. Information can be found on park websites.
Before planning a visit to an inn or observatory, it’s a good idea to check what celestial phenomenon are currently underway, be it meteor showers or eclipses. A good resource is the McDonald Observatory’s StarDate website, under the Stargazing tab.
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