Under the stars · USA STARGAZING

The 15 Best American Stargazing Nights, Coast to Coast

46 nights to book  ·  from $12 a head

From Griffith Observatory above Los Angeles to the dark-sky parks of Utah and the summits of Hawaii, these 15 American stargazing nights are compared on price, drive time and how dark the sky gets.

Small Group Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour - Punalu’u Bake Shop and black sand
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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 the Big Island with a small group of up to 13 people. Guides such as Felix, Derek, Todd, and Dreu lead you from a Kona coffee farm and Punalu’u Beach to Volcanoes National Park, then to a Saddle Road stargazing stop. Lunch, dinner, hotel pickup, jackets, and drinks are included, but weather controls the volcano and sky views.

“My wife, myself, and the other people on the tour had an excellent tour guide, Todd. He was extremely knowledgeable of the island and the volcanoes as well as the history of the Hawaiian islands. He was extremely personable and funny. During the stargazing event in the evening, the clouds were moving in and out, but Todd threw clear spots in the clouds. I was able to point out, stars, planets, and constellations, as well as the Milky Way. He provided a wonderful lunch and dinner. And took us to the most wonderful donut shop you could imagine. lol. Anyone that visit Hawaii has to book with this tour company.…”

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Griffith Observatory Hike: Guided Tour through Griffith Park - Starting at the Greek Theatre
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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

Walk 3.5 miles through Griffith Park and the Hollywood Hills with a first-aid and CPR-certified local guide. Hear Hollywood stories, view the Hollywood Sign, Los Feliz, Downtown LA, and more, then visit Griffith Observatory with skip-the-line access. Morning and sunset departures are available.

“Katie is a very knowledgable tour guide, very friendly and super nice. She knows the history of the landmarks that we hiked. Unfortunately, the weather was extremely hot because it was a mid-day. Not much of a shade. Totally an incline hike. It might be better if early morning or late afternoon hiking. Overall, still recommendable but be sure in a good weather.”

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Sedona Stargazing Tours LLC - The guides make the difference
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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 private, roughly 75-minute stargazing session with astronomers such as Wes, Dave, or Richard. Use GPS-guided telescopes, wide-view binoculars, and a laser pointer to explore planets, galaxies, nebulae, and constellations. Chairs, blankets, and winter parkas may be provided, but dress warmly.

“Great! Quick walk to the sitting area where they had chairs and blankets waiting for us. Dave was our guide and he did a great job of explaining what we were looking at. Loved the laser pointers to help visualize constellations.”

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Los Angeles: Hollywood Night Tour with Griffith Observatory - Riding through Hollywood after sunset
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Los Angeles: Hollywood Night Tour with Griffith Observatory

4.Hollywood Night Tour with Griffith Observatory

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 531 reviews · 1h 30m · from $49

Ride through Hollywood with an English-speaking guide such as Brian, Craig, Darren, or Daren, passing the Dolby Theatre, TCL Chinese Theatre, Pantages, and Sunset Boulevard. You’ll have up to 30 minutes at Griffith Observatory for city views. The open-air bus can feel cold, and Monday visits include outdoor grounds only.

“Great to see the bright lights of LA and Hollywood and enjoy this busy city. The Guide shared lots of stories and details. Enjoyed the time at Griffith Observatory for the lights and views.”

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Miami: Frost Museum of Science and Planetarium Entry Ticket - Bugs, Textures, and Hands-On Science
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Miami: Frost Museum of Science and Planetarium Entry Ticket

5.Miami: Frost Museum of Science and Planetarium Entry Ticket

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

Spend a full day at Miami’s Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, with entry to its aquarium, hands-on science galleries, and one planetarium show. Touch a stingray, see hammerhead sharks, meet a 30-foot dinosaur, test space and aviation exhibits, and choose between Dynamic Earth and Black Holes. Plan on three to four hours for a proper visit.

“Everything went very smoothly. Only in the moment I bought the ticket, the fact it appears 6PM, and it says in the description we can use it anytime from the moment we buy the ticket, it was very confusing. Based on the comments I bought the ticket and went directly and had no problem. So when we buy the ticket we can directly go.”

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Griffith Observatory Insider Tour - Inside Griffith Observatory: the displays worth seeing
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Griffith Observatory Insider Tour

6.Griffith Observatory Insider Tour

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

Spend 90 minutes inside Griffith Observatory with a small group of up to 15 people and an English-speaking guide such as Estevan, Barry, or Angelica. Learn the building’s science, film lore, and history, see the Foucault Pendulum and Tesla Coil, pose by Einstein, and enjoy Hollywood Sign views. A Samuel Oschin Planetarium ticket is included, but parking is not.

“Our guide was wonderful and his energy was contagious. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting SoCal”

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

7.Griffith Observatory Insider Tour

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

Spend 90 minutes exploring Griffith Observatory with an English-speaking guide such as Barry, Angelica, or Estevan. You’ll see key exhibits across 67,000 square feet, hear stories about science, architecture, movies, and Los Angeles, take in Hollywood Sign views, and attend a 40-minute Samuel Oschin Planetarium show.

“Barry was great! He has great knowledge and interesting information and we really enjoyed this tour! Thanks Barry for such a great experience. I learned quite a bit and found it really fascinating!!”

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Top rated two Hour Miami Night Skyline Cruise with Open Bar - Miami’s port and cruise terminals
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Top rated two Hour Miami Night Skyline Cruise with Open Bar

8.Top rated two Hour Miami Night Skyline Cruise with Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 282 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $45

Cruise from Bayside Marketplace past Miami’s port, Star Island, Millionaire’s Row, Miami Beach, Fisher Island, and Downtown Miami. The boat has music, restrooms, a bilingual guide, and an open bar. The advertised start is 8 p.m., though the actual sailing time can vary by day, so confirm the schedule before booking.

“This is the best boat tour I have ever been, boat was huge, the terrace with lights definitely set the mood, we had unlimited beer and it was cold delicious, you have to do it”

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The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour - Meeting in central Sedona and following your guide
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The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour

9.The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour

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

Follow guide Shay in your own car from central Sedona to three night viewing sites near Fay Canyon, Cultural Park Place, and Crystal Magic. Use upgraded military night vision goggles, share one pair per two adults, hear UFO stories, and stay warm with winter heaters. The tour lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes and costs $155 per person.

“Amazing to see with your own eyes how much alien traffic is above us and landing around us. Very unigue experience - very pleased that we have a much better understanding of our solar system.”

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Mauna Kea Stargazing Experience + Photos - The Photography Is a Major Part of the Value
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Mauna Kea Stargazing Experience + Photos

10.Mauna Kea Stargazing Experience + Photos

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

Meet at Puʻu Huluhulu Cinder Cone parking lot for a small-group night under the Big Island sky. Guides such as James and Dylan lead a star talk with a Celestron Origin smart telescope, while an astro-photographer takes portraits with the Milky Way behind you. Parkas and medium-resolution photos are included, and cloudy skies bring a full refund.

“James has such phenomenal knowledge of astronomy, and it was cool to see the stars other phenomena zoomed in thanks to his camera technology. He was welcoming and truly passionate about his NASA knowledge. Great spot to see the heavens!”

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The Night Sky Star Story, Galaxy, and Sedona Story Tour - Greek myths, Indigenous associations, and the stories overhead
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The Night Sky Star Story, Galaxy, and Sedona Story Tour

11.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 program built around naked-eye astronomy, Greek myths, local Indigenous star associations, and lively storytelling. You’ll use a laser pointer, planisphere, Play-Doh Milky Way, and other visuals while seated under the sky. Blankets and hand warmers are supplied.

“This was an excellent tour. Lots of good information about stars and astronomy. Guide was very good and made the experience unforgettable. His explanation of the fast and slow movement of the stars was easy to follow and allowed me to understand that aspect of astronomy better than I have before. Best souvenir was the 280 million year old rock.”

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Los Angeles: Griffith Observatory Guided Hike/Walking Tour - Starting at the Greek Theatre
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Los Angeles: Griffith Observatory Guided Hike/Walking Tour

12.Griffith Observatory Guided Hike/Walking Tour

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

Join an English-speaking guide such as Michael, Katie, Mark, or Noelle for a 2.5-hour Griffith Park hike from the Greek Theatre to Griffith Observatory. Expect steady uphill walking, film locations, Hollywood history, Downtown LA views, photos, 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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Sky View Observatory at the Columbia Center Admission Tickets - Reading Seattle from 902 feet
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Sky View Observatory at the Columbia Center Admission Tickets

13.Sky View Observatory at the Columbia Center Admission Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 189 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $28

Ride 73 floors in about 70 seconds to Seattle’s Sky View Observatory, 902 feet above downtown. You’ll get 360-degree views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, the Olympics, San Juan Islands, and the Space Needle. Digital displays, murals, and optional café vouchers help you make sense of the view.

“Even though it was cloudy I still was able to see Mt Ranier. Also learned about the history of Seattle.”

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Private Getty Center to Griffith Observatory Guided Tour - The Getty Center in one focused hour
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Private Getty Center to Griffith Observatory Guided Tour

14.Private Getty Center to Griffith Observatory Guided Tour

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

Spend about six hours with a private guide and air-conditioned vehicle, visiting the Getty Center and Griffith Observatory while passing Beverly Hills, the Sunset Strip, Hollywood, and the Hollywood Sign. Guides such as Brian, Matt, Gregory, Chris, and Estevan bring local stories to the drive. Plan ahead for traffic and lunch.

“We learned so much on this experience! Chris, our guide, was absolutely amazing! The cool, interesting tidbits we picked up were just as amazing as the views!”

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Big Island, Hawaii: Volcano and Stargazing Tour with Dinner - South Point and Punalu’u Bake Shop
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Big Island, Hawaii: Volcano and Stargazing Tour with Dinner

15.Volcano and Stargazing Tour with Dinner

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

Spend a full day crossing the Big Island with guides such as Aaron, Todd, Felix, or Dreu. Visit a Kona coffee farm, Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, South Point, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, then finish with dinner and stargazing near Mauna Kea. Expect long drives, changing weather, and a packed itinerary.

“Even on a 12+ hour tour, you can only catch a glimpse of the myriad amazing things on the Big Island. But what a glimpse we got. Our guide, Dreu (the lead guide of the tour company), is extraordinarily knowledgeable about everything on this island - history, culture, spirituality, geology, volcanology, meteorology, astronomy, gastronomy. He kept us well-informed for the entire tour, with only brief pauses in his dialogue for a bite to eat or a sip of water. We had a perfect day, seeing all of the sites listed in the itinerary - capping it off with an amazing view of the Milky Way at 6000’ elevation. The food…”

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Latest nights out: USA Stargazing

★ 4.4Seattle: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour and Sky View ObservatoryFrom $7516 reviews
★ 4.7Boulder: Guided Astronomy TourFrom $4511 reviews
★ 3.61-Day Grand Canyon Tour from Las Vegas: Stargazing & SunriseFrom $3703 reviews
★ 4.5Private Tour of Griffith ObservatoryFrom $34958 reviews
★ 5.0Griffith Observatory: Scott E-Bike Tours LA Private TourFrom $12432 reviews
★ 4.5Stargazing and Milky Way Portrait in Capitol Reef National ParkFrom $16013 reviews
★ 5.0Astro-Photo, Hiking and Stargazing Tour in Arches National ParkFrom $17563 reviews
★ 3.5Professional Stargazing in MoabFrom $2003 reviews
★ 4.0Milky Way Photography in Arches National ParkFrom $2754 reviews
★ 5.0Haleakala Sunset and Astronomy TourFrom $23533 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
★ 5.0Milky Way Photography Workshop in Acadia National ParkFrom $2,5008 reviews
★ 5.0Death Valley Small Group Day Tour with Sunset and StargazingFrom $24937 reviews

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