Stargazing · THE USA
The Colorado Plateau and the Mojave hold the darkest air in the lower 48, and Hawaii holds the highest. These 15 sort the park nights, the Sedona sessions and the observatory hikes by price, drive and how late they finish.
Review of Wasabi Tours’ 12-hour Big Island volcano and stargazing trip, with coffee, turtles, lava tubes, meals, tips, and honest drawbacks.
“This all day tour was made completely enjoyable by our guide Todd! Very knowledgeable and brings a special touch to the stargazing experience! Thank you for sharing your time and knowledge with our group!”
Hike Griffith Park to Mount Hollywood, spot the Hollywood Sign, and reach Griffith Observatory with a local guide.
“I struggled on the way up but am so glad I kept going. Our guide, Michael, was very patient and had plenty of cold water on hand for us. He told us a bunch of interesting stories about Griffith Park, Observatory and the Hollywood sign. He also gave us a bunch of good recommendations for several places in and around Hollywood. Would highly recommend this tour.”
Stargaze near Sedona with astronomers, powerful telescopes, binoculars, and laser-guided constellations for $89 per person.
“It was truly a breathtaking experience! My kids, who are obsessed with outer space, had an amazing time. The guides were so knowledgeable and friendly.”
Review of LA’s 90-minute Hollywood night tour, with Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, Griffith Observatory, guides, costs, and practical tips.
“The weather was a bit chilly. It would be a good idea to have some blankets. Other than that everything was perfect.”
Frost Science Miami review covering the aquarium, planetarium, exhibits, price, timing, family value, and practical booking tips.
“Beautiful experience, lots to do! Very clean facility and appropriate for all ages. :)”
Griffith Observatory Insider Tour review covering guides, exhibits, Hollywood Sign views, parking, planetarium value, and who should book.
“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.”
Explore Griffith Observatory with an insider guide, city views, a 40-minute planetarium show, and practical tips for a $52 visit.
“We had a great tour - our guide was very knowledgable and able to answer all my son's questions and also provide us with fun facts about the observatory and its history.”
Review of Sedona’s UFO and stargazing tour, with military night vision goggles, three viewing stops, practical tips, value, and drawbacks.
“This was spectacular! Shay was extremely informative and kind. The shop had some of the coolest item (go early to get some shopping in). I could literally sit and listen to her information for hours! The equipment was top notch. I'm looking forward to my next visit to Sedona and this tour will be fist on my list!”
See galaxies, nebulae, and the Milky Way on a remote Big Island stargazing tour with an astronomer, telescope, parkas, and photos.
“Wow! Don't worry about the clouds. They took us above them where the sky is crystal clear. What a view! Super knowledgeable. What an experience. Highly recommended! Thank you.”
Review of Sedona’s Night Sky Star Story Tour, with constellation myths, Indigenous astronomy, practical tips, pricing, weather advice, and honest pros and cons.
“Stargazing was a blast, but the storytelling was way over our heads. As veteran teachers, We believe Chad should of shown the video of the constellations first. We feel this would of had given a much better understanding of what to look for in the sky, as he was pointing out the constellations. If I would recommend this tour to someone, I would tell them to be more prepared about constellations in the sky.”
Review of the Griffith Observatory guided hike, with Hollywood history, film sites, city views, practical tips, and honest advice on value.
“I was too exhausted to make the entire hike, but our tour guide. Katie was absolutely wonderful, and gave me some wonderful insight into Griffith Park, and also the observatory, which I was very grateful for. !!! so I would recommend it, but only for the sturdy hikers…”
Review of Seattle’s Sky View Observatory, with 902-foot views, Space Needle photos, ticket tips, pricing, and honest advice before you book.
“Horrible, it isn't clear on directions or locations. It's located in downtown seattle not the space needle! Even though it clearly shows the space needle. Tickets are non refundable. Very disapointed. Waste of time and money.”
Review of LA’s six-hour private Getty and Griffith tour, with Hollywood sights, expert guides, transport, timing, price value, and practical tips.
“Very friendly tour guide, gave lots of info about the different spots. Bus was nice but a bit noisy. Without mic, guide was sometimes hard to understand. But in general a very good recommendable tour.”
Review of Big Island’s 12-hour volcano, Kona coffee, black sand beach, dinner, and stargazing tour, with practical tips on cost and comfort.
“Our guide Todd was really dedicated, helpful with everything and loves what he does. He explained a LOT and has great knowledge around the whole island. Transport was very amusing with stories and explanations of Todd, and many stops. The coffee-farm was very interesting, you also see avocado/mango/banana/pineapple- trees and can taste Coffee and Tee for free. Stop at the southernmost town of USA, with a Snack at the southernmost bakery of USA. Stop at southernmost cliffs. Stop at black beach, with a high Chance to see green turtles (we saw 9!). Volcano Park with Kilauea Caldera and Lava cave and some very vast and beautiful lookouts - Todd knows…”
See Sedona’s stars, satellites, and unexplained lights through military-grade night vision goggles on this lively one-hour UFO tour.
“You get to see the sky in a very different way. Try to book on a night with New Moon for darkest sky.”
Pick a desert, a summit or a dome.
