STARGAZING · USA

The 15 Best Stargazing Tours in the USA

46 tours  ·  from $12 a head

America runs the most organised dark skies going: certified towns with their own telescope outfits, national parks with ranger nights all summer, and a Hawaiian volcano with an observatory row on top. These 15 are priced, timed and clear about the drive each one involves.

Big Island GOAT Experience: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset & Stars - At the summit: observatories, altitude, and cold air
Evening Experiences, Mauna Kea Stargazing Tours, Stargazing Hikes & Night Walks, Sunset & Stargazing Tours, Tour Reviews, USA Stargazing Tours

Big Island GOAT Experience: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset & Stars

1.Big Island GOAT Experience: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset & Stars

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,706 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $289Our pick

Ride a 4x4 van from Hilo, Waikoloa, or Kona to Mauna Kea’s 13,796-foot summit for sunset, then stop lower on the mountain for stargazing. Guides such as Tay, Kella, John, Chris, and Val share Hawaiian stories and astronomy facts. Coats, gloves, drinks, snacks, and a night photo are included.

“This was an amazing way to spend an evening and it is, in my opinion, absolutely worth the time and money. Shoutout to our guide Chris who did an amazing job.”

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Small Group Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour - Punalu’u Bake Shop and the black sand coast
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Small Group Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour

2.Small Group Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,619 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $297

Spend about 12 hours crossing Hawaii’s Big Island with Wasabi Tours Hawaii. Visit a Kona coffee farm, Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, and Volcanoes National Park, then look for stars from Saddle Road. Guides such as Felix, Derek, Todd, and Dreu are praised for lively island knowledge. Pickup, meals, jackets, and a small group are included.

“They do provide jackets and rain jackets if needed. I did bring a hoodie and was happy they had extra for the end of the tour. We were lucky to see some activity from the volcano, but every part of the tour was great my favorite was the stargazing and our tour guide Derek. Derek was very knowable and entertaining. He made our long journey flow nicely”

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Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour - Dinner and altitude adjustment at 9,000 feet
Mauna Kea Stargazing Tours, Stargazing Hikes & Night Walks, Tour Reviews, Tours, USA Stargazing Tours

Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour

3.Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,545 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $329

Join Hawaii Forest & Trail for an eight-hour Mauna Kea outing with guides such as Jeff, Jason, Wilson, or Eugene. Ride a 4x4 van to the summit, watch sunset above the clouds, then stargaze near 9,000 feet with two telescopes, hot cocoa, dessert, and warm parkas.

“Amazing experience to see the sunset above the clouds and stargazing . Wilson, our driver, was wonderful. So knowledgeable about the mountains/volcanoes ! And the stars.”

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Sedona Stargazing Tours LLC - The opening sky lesson with a laser pointer
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Sedona Stargazing Tours LLC

4.Sedona Stargazing Tours LLC

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 881 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $89

Meet near Oak Creek for about 75 minutes beneath Sedona’s dark skies. Guides such as Wes, Dave, Richard, and Mr. Sanders use laser pointers, GPS-guided telescopes, and wide-view binoculars to show you planets, galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. Chairs, blankets, and parkas may be provided in cold weather.

“Very informative and interesting. Loved the telescopes and pointers. I would definitely do it again when it wasn't a full moon!”

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Hilo: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset, & Stargazing Experience - The ride from Hilo to the mountain
Evening Experiences, Mauna Kea Stargazing Tours, Stargazing Hikes & Night Walks, Stargazing Tours, Sunset & Stargazing Tours, Tour Reviews, USA Stargazing Tours

Hilo: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset, & Stargazing Experience

5.Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset, & Stargazing Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 629 reviews · 390 - 450 minutes · from $289

Ride from Hilo to Mauna Kea with an English-speaking guide such as Val, Tay, John, or Jess. Watch sunset near the summit, visit the great observatories, then stargaze at high altitude with a telescope, hot chocolate, warm gear, and emailed night photos.

“This was an amazing experience for me and my husband! We conveniently got picked up and dropped off in Hilo. John our guide was kind and knowledgeable. The sunset from the top is indescribable, the stargazing was also beyond words. We saw Orion’s Nubela, and two other entire galaxies!! Unreal! It was life changing. Other: we got a little snack bag for the drive up the mountain (chips, crackers, candy), hot cocoa and oatmeal were provided during the stargazing. The supplied jackets were surprisingly warm (gloves available also)! We got complementary photos of our group, and photos of all the amazing we saw in space…all available to download after our…”

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Miami: Frost Museum of Science and Planetarium Entry Ticket - Meet a 30-Foot Dinosaur in Feathers to the Stars
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Miami: Frost Museum of Science and Planetarium Entry Ticket

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

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

Spend a full day at Miami’s Frost Science Museum, with access to its three-level aquarium, hands-on science exhibits, live programming, and one planetarium show. See hammerhead sharks and jellyfish, touch a stingray, meet a 30-foot dinosaur, and choose between space and Earth science films.

“Indeed it was very good and could even spend plenty of time with kids.”

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The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour - Meeting at 1890 West State Route 89A
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The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour

7.The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour

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

Meet Shay and the Sedona UFO Tours team at their 89A office, then follow your own car to three viewing areas near Fay Canyon, Cultural Park Place, and Crystal Magic. You’ll share military-grade night vision goggles, hear UFO stories, and scan Sedona’s sky for stars, satellites, and unexplained lights.

“Amazing tour! Getting to view the Sedona night sky so intimately is definitely a beautiful experience. Our guide was Shea and she is a rare gem.”

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Mauna Kea Stargazing Experience + Photos - Meeting at Puʻu Huluhulu and heading into the dark
Mauna Kea Stargazing Tours, Photography Sessions, Stargazing Tours, Tour Reviews, USA Stargazing Tours

Mauna Kea Stargazing Experience + Photos

8.Mauna Kea Stargazing Experience + Photos

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

Meet at Puʻu Huluhulu and follow your astronomy team to a remote Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa viewing site. James, Dylan, or another expert guide the star talk with a Celestron Origin smart telescope, while a professional photographer takes Milky Way portraits. Parkas and medium-resolution photos are included.

“This is a must see experience. We live in the country and thought we could see stars but this was incredible. The instructions will note this but it is cold. Bring a base layer, gloves and hat. The staff was incredible and knowledgeable. Shannon and Dylan were amazing. Thank yo both for such a great adventure.”

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The Night Sky Star Story, Galaxy, and Sedona Story Tour - Indigenous star associations and Sedona connections
Evening Experiences, National Park Stargazing, Sedona Stargazing Tours, Stargazing Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, USA Stargazing Tours

The Night Sky Star Story, Galaxy, and Sedona Story Tour

9.The Night Sky Star Story, Galaxy, and Sedona Story Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 243 reviews · 2 hours 5 minutes (approx.) · from $100

Join Sedona guide Chad at 7:30 p.m. for a two-hour, small-group night sky lesson using your eyes, a laser pointer, planisphere, Play-Doh Milky Way, and lively stories. Expect Greek and Indigenous star lore, astronomy, local connections, chairs, blankets, and hand warmers. No telescope is used.

“At this time of year, make sure to wear gloves and bring a stocking cap. Hand warmers and blankets were provided (which were greatly appreciated). The combination of story telling and factual formation (and humor) made for an extremely nice experience. Soooooo glad we took this tour.”

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MaunaKea Summit SUNSET and Star Tour with Photo - Meeting in Kona or Waikoloa
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MaunaKea Summit SUNSET and Star Tour with Photo

10.MaunaKea Summit SUNSET and Star Tour with Photo

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 220 reviews · 8 hours · from $280

Ride a 4x4 van from Kona or Waikoloa to Mauna Kea’s summit with guides such as James, Wes, or Yoki John. You’ll acclimatize at the visitor center, watch sunset above the clouds, enjoy hot drinks under the stars, and receive free DSLR photos of the evening.

“Highly recommend this tour! It was very well organized. Our tour guide James took great care of us, shared a lot of knowledge about Hawaii and had great jokes. Our group had an amazing time!”

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Big Island, Hawaii: Volcano and Stargazing Tour with Dinner - Bay View Farm and the taste of Kona coffee
Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Stargazing Dinners, Stargazing Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, USA Stargazing Tours

Big Island, Hawaii: Volcano and Stargazing Tour with Dinner

11.Big Island, Hawaii: Volcano and Stargazing Tour with Dinner

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

Travel from Kona to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with guides such as Aaron, Todd, Felix, or Dreu. Taste Kona coffee, see South Point and Punalu’u Beach, walk through a lava tube, enjoy dinner, and finish with stargazing near Mauna Kea.

“Todd was an amazing guide. We felt like he was an old friend showing us around his hometown. He went above and beyond to ensure everyone had the best time possible. We saw lava flows! Todd knew exactly where to get the best spot for viewing the activity. We really enjoyed the pit stop on the way back when he brought out his telescope and showed us the moon and Saturn!”

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Campfire S'mores and Stars Tour in Kanab - Cowboy John’s stories are the heart of the evening
Stargazing Dinners, Stargazing Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, USA Stargazing Tours, Zion National Park Stargazing Tours

Campfire S’mores and Stars Tour in Kanab

12.Campfire S’mores and Stars Tour in Kanab

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 155 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65

Meet at 8 p.m. in Kanab and ride to a private canyon and old movie fort with guide Cowboy John. Expect local film stories, a campfire, longhorn cattle, games, homemade marshmallows, a s’mores bar, and time under dark skies. Stargazing depends on clouds and moonlight.

“Cowboy John made the whole experience a blast. The longhorns were so cool, the stories were fun, and the campfire s’mores were delicious. Learned how to make “the perfect s’more.” Thanks for a great time!”

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Sedona: Nighttime UFO & Stargazing Tour - Starting with Sedona’s ordinary night sky
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Sedona: Nighttime UFO & Stargazing Tour

13.Nighttime UFO & Stargazing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 148 reviews · 1 hour · from $160

After sunset, join a guide such as Tom for a one-hour UFO and stargazing session in Sedona. You’ll scan the sky with 3rd generation military night vision goggles, hear stories about unusual lights, and look for stars, satellites, shooting stars, and unexplained objects. Groups are limited to four.

“Mike was our tour guide, he was super informative and helpful. I honestly was going with the expectations of not seeing a thing, but we ended up seeing about 40 UFOs just in about an hour of time. Absolutely incredible experience, life changing. Thank you so much.”

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Houston Museum of Natural Sciences: Planetarium Ticket - Picking the right show from the changing schedule
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Houston Museum of Natural Sciences: Planetarium Ticket

14.Houston Museum of Natural Sciences: Planetarium Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 139 reviews · from $12Best value

Choose one 20-minute dome show at Houston’s Burke Baker Planetarium, with topics ranging from black holes and Atlantis to the night sky. High-resolution projection carries you across planets, galaxies, and asteroid fields. Check the date-specific schedule before booking, since show titles and times change.

“Very good. I just wish the sits could be a little more giving and let you really lay back to enjoy a fuller vision of the dome and not having to move your head from side to side at some parts”

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Night-Time Snorkel at TurtleTown with Stars, Lights, and Photos - How the guides handle beginners
Evening Experiences, Maui Stargazing Tours, Photography Sessions, Tour Reviews, USA Stargazing Tours

Night-Time Snorkel at TurtleTown with Stars, Lights, and Photos

15.Night-Time Snorkel at TurtleTown with Stars, Lights, and Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 126 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $119

Enter the water near sunset at Makena Landing with a guide such as Robbie, Joe, Payson, or Alec. Swim toward TurtleTown with a small group of no more than eight, then use colored lights and flashlights to spot turtles, octopus, eels, squid, and other sea life as darkness arrives.

“Really fun trip, Robbie was chill and awesome and made sure everyone was able to see all the cool creatures. This is definitely a tour for folks who are a little more comfortable with swimming and snorkeling, but it was very easy for someone who has done this before.”

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New in USA Stargazing Tours

★ 5.0Sunset UTV ride with S’mores n’ Stars at Coral Pink Sand DunesFrom $13412 reviews
★ 4.0Haleakala Sunset and Stargazing Audio Tour10 reviews
★ 5.0Soundbath Under The Stars-Joshua TreeFrom $9526 reviews
★ 4.5Haleakala Sunset and Stargazing Tour with DinnerFrom $29930 reviews
★ 5.0Stargazing Tour in KapaluaFrom $9631 reviews
★ 4.6Monument Valley: Stargazing TourFrom $10931 reviews
★ 4.2Mauna Kea: Stargazing Experience with Free PhotosFrom $29932 reviews
★ 4.9Stargazing In The Mountains & Shooting Stars31 reviews
★ 4.5Ligai Si Anii Stargazing Night tour through Antelope CanyonFrom $7136 reviews
★ 5.0Haleakala Sunset and Astronomy TourFrom $23533 reviews
★ 5.0Death Valley Small Group Day Tour with Sunset and StargazingFrom $24937 reviews
★ 5.0Astronomy TourFrom $4534 reviews
★ 4.5Page: Antelope Valley Canyon Stargazing Night HikeFrom $6537 reviews
★ 4.8Moab: The Windows Astro-Photography and Stargazing HikeFrom $17536 reviews
★ 5.0Stargazing Tour with Telescopes and Video Astronomy in SedonaFrom $12540 reviews

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