A recent survey by Skyscanner found a 53% increase in British travelers who plan to go see the Northern Lights this year. Experts predict the aurora borealis will be even brighter this year, and the United States alone boasts 150 Dark Sky Places you can visit without leaving the country.
Astrotourism isn’t new. In 2022, U.S. National Parks saw 312 million visitors spend an estimated $23.9 billion to explore those International Dark Sky areas, mostly in the Southeast. Then on April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse passed over the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Thousands of travelers flocked to locations with the best viewing spaces. Just a month later and again in October, people reported seeing the aurora borealis in places as far south as Florida and Texas.
These phenomena generated a new interest in watching the skies. And things aren’t slowing down. Astronomers say the Northern Lights will be even more visible this year, as the sun hits an 11-year peak. North America will witness two lunar and a partial solar eclipse in 2025.
A second partial solar eclipse will darken the skies over Australia and many South Pacific islands in September. Guided tours and package deals are already selling out for total solar eclipse trips for August 2026 in Spain and Iceland, and 2027 over the Pyramids and Sphinx in Egypt.
More than a dozen meteor showers will streak through the night sky this year. These streams of cosmic debris entering Earth’s atmosphere create quite a sight for observers.
Why astrotourism?
People have always gazed at the night sky in wonder, going as far back as the ancient Babylonians. The roots of what we know about astronomy can be traced back to Greek and Egyptian stargazers. Even today, elements of our modern calendar reflect our relationship with the heavens.
Increasingly, the world embraces more unforgettable, authentic experiences, and we seek out meaningful bonds. Astrotourism fits right in. These trips are unique, memorable travel experiences. We take time to slow down, seek out the dark and find connection with the stars.
The beauty of the night sky reminds us of our ties to nature. We are more apt to consider our responsibility to the planet and desire to reduce pollution. Light pollution forces us to go out of our way to find those places where the sky is most visible. It’s a good opportunity to educate ourselves and our children.
Finally, gazing at the stars can be therapeutic. Again, it encourages us to step back amid our busy world. We take our time, breathe deeper and let ourselves be caught up in the wonder of the moment. Our worries seem smaller when we look up at the vast universe.
Where to stargaze in North America
There are plenty of opportunities for astrotourism in the United States and Canada. Last month, Planet Cruise ranked the best global destinations for astrotourism. Canada’s Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park ranked highest in North America, coming in at number three. Researchers found more than 10,000 Instagram posts generated at the UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring the aurora borealis. It also boasts clear views of the Milky Way galaxy.
Due to its high altitude, dark skies and lack of light pollution, Mauna Kea, Hawaii, came in fourth on Planet Cruise’s list. The summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii’s tallest volcano, features 13 observatories from more than 11 countries. The public has limited access to the top of the dormant volcano, but the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station offers a private stargazing program with telescopes. Reservations are required.
Bryce Canyon National Park lands at 13 on the list. Park Rangers say on a moonless night, you can see up to 7,500 stars, stretching from horizon to horizon, across the Milky Way. Something you can’t see anywhere else – as the last light of the setting sun fades from the highest clouds, a purple band appears suddenly directly above the eastern horizon. This momentary marvel happens when the edge of Earth’s own shadow projects onto the atmosphere.
In 2001, Flagstaff, Ariz., became the U.S.’s first International Dark Sky City. A pioneer in preventing light pollution, the city passed the world’s first outdoor lighting ordinance in 1958. The newly opened Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center at Lowell Observatory features a rooftop Dark Sky Planetarium and the Giovale Open Deck Observatory.
Best sky search spots worldwide
Interlaken in Switzerland is the best place worldwide for astrotourism, according to the Planet Cruise survey. The average elevation is around 11,000 feet above sea level, and light pollution is low in this sleepy town close to the Swiss Alps. When the conditions are right, seeing the Milky Way with the naked eye is even possible.
Just outside the city of Reykjavik, Iceland, which comes in second on Planet Cruise’s list, the elevation offers the best chances of seeing the Northern Lights. In addition, the community offers wildlife watching, incredible natural scenery and other stargazing experiences. The nights are at their darkest between September and March, so go then, if you can.
Bolivia boasts the world’s largest salt flat at Salar de Uyuni. The ethereal landscapes make it a unique spot for stargazing. The best time to visit is during the rainy season between November and March, when the water on the salt flats reflects the sky like a mirror.
The Inishowen peninsula in County Donegal, Ireland, prides itself on its rich heritage of stargazing and other celestial observation. On a clear night, you can see more than 4,000 twinkling stars with the naked eye.
Number six on the Planet Cruise list, Leknes, Norway, is dark six months out of the year, making it an excellent site for stargazing. It’s not entirely pitch black, though, as there is always some hue of light. In fact, during Polar Night, 1-2 p.m. is known as the blue hour. The sky turns a deep, magical blue, providing a unique and serene atmosphere. Northern Lights are visible above the mountain range.
If you go about as far north as possible, you’ll reach a sparsely populated area bordering Sweden, Norway, Russia and the Baltic Sea. Lapland, Finland, ranks seventh on the list. It’s known for the midnight sun and incredible views of the aurora borealis. It also claims to have a well-known world traveler that lives nearby when he’s not out distributing gifts to all the good boys and girls of the world on Christmas Eve.
Stars in our eyes
With many more celestial events on the horizon, interest in astrotourism doesn’t look to wane anytime soon. The Northern Lights will continue to shine brightly, as long as electrically charged particles from the sun interact with our planet’s. It does seem that this year is a peak viewing opportunity. So why not pack a nighttime picnic and give celestially oriented travel a shot? You’re sure to create some once-in-a-lifetime memories.
Jennifer Allen, retired chef turned traveler, cookbook author and writer, shares her adventures and travel tips at All The Best Spots. Living at home with her family – and the cats that rule them all – her work has been featured in The Washington Post, Seattle Times, MSN and more.