Dark Sky-certified locales, observatories, and lots more.
The night sky is an unnumberable sea of heavenly trance and has a way of blanketing us with a sense of calm and quiet wonder . And even though Boston ’s hopeful light can make local stargazing difficult , there are still plenty of place in and around town where star starry - eyed into the vinyl ether is still a stellar experience .
Nebula newbies can commence with a free app likeSkySafarior take reward of Boston - area universities ’ courses . MIT , for example , offers the liberal on-line courseHands - On Astronomy : observe Stars And Planets . From there , plan a night of informal constellation contemplations — or pass the night counting the star in the Milky Way — is leisurely . Your only decision is how far you need to travel . skip on the T for the city ’s phenomenal observatories or take a route trip away from the urban center lights , where the au natural darker skies will bequeath you in awe .
Whether you want to see the one-year autumn luminance show link up with theOrionids Meteor Showeror spend the nighttime sipping beer and gain always - funny Uranus antic , we ’ve rounded up all the safe place for dream in and near Boston .
AutoCamp Cape Cod|Photo by Timothy Little, courtesy of AutoCamp Cape Cod
Stargazing Spots in Boston
Coit Observatory at Boston UniversityFenway – KenmoreSince 1967 , Boston University ’s Coit Observatory has been hosting free observation nights open to student and the circumvent community . Experts guide visitant who use scope and opera glasses to see the nighttime sky in breathtaking clarity . Though free , space and equipment are circumscribed , andticketsdrop at 11 am the Thursday before each event . Naturally , the weather passably much dictates whether the event will proceed as schedule , so you’re able to call 617 - 353 - 2630 two hour before to check .
Museum of Science Sea the Stars CruiseSeaport DistrictOne way to get forth from the city light is to hop on a dark cruise for a lil ' stargazing , and maybe have a few cocktails . Boston Harbor City Cruises and the Museum of Science compound world power to make that take place and treat guests to a demonstration and some celestial strategy . convey a light jacket , binoculars , and money for the cash bar — and let the Museum of Science Astronomy Educators take it from there . Ticketsstart at $ 65 .
Stargazing Spots Within 2 Hours of Boston
Astronomy Nights at Arlington ’s Robbins Farm ParkArlingtonThe folks at Arlington Astronomy host regular nighttime - sky gatherings at city - neighboring Robbins Farm Park . It ’s sorry ( duh ) , so bring a flashlight to make your way through the park and meet up with the group . It ’s a very casual vibe , making it well-situated to let your inner Galilei shine vivid . All of this is potential only if Mother Nature cooperates , of trend . cloud are a deep blank space dealbreaker . The field day are free , but organiser postulate one favor — stash that flashlight aside during stargazing clip . Distance from Boston:25 minutes
Stargazing at AutoCamp Cape CodCape CodSay yes to the gravitational pull of adventure and take a road stumble down to the Cape . account an Airstream , cabin , or glamping tent at AutoCamp Cape Cod , where the menu of experiences is as immense as the cosmos . Join local astro - landscape photographer Timothy Little who ’ll school you in Astro - awesomeness , let in how to distinguish the Milky Way and deep - space objects . Pack your tv camera and curiosity , and the cosmos is your ( Wellfleet ) huitre . space from Boston:1 hour and 30 minutes
The Astronomical Society of Northern New England Starfield ObservatoryKennebunk , METhe Astronomical Society of Northern New England ( ASNNE ) calls Kennebunk habitation , but members ’ hearts go to the sky above — and they want to partake in that with everyone . Kennebunk is a quaint seaside town known for its artsy shops , beach , coastal wage increase , wienerwurst - friendly restaurants , and cozy lodging like theWanderer Cottages . Combine that with ASNNE ’s Starfield Observatory , one-year autumnthree - day Starfest , monthly solar observation gathering , and it ’s perfect for anyone who ever looked up at the sky and wondered what magic stick to the universe together . Distance from Boston:1 hour and 30 second
Lake Solitude at Mount SunapeeNewbury , NHWatch the dark sky while sitting on the quiet shores of Lake Solitude . A poor hike from the infrastructure of Mount Sunapee , the lake ’s calm water create a cosmic mirror of sorts , where you could watch stars skim across the scintillating nighttime sky . After your evening of lakeside stargazing , heading toBluebird Sunapee , the hotel closest to the mountain . you could regale each other with lunar tales while indulging in the hotel’sNight by the Fire experience , complete with ardor pits and batch of ooey - gooey s’mores . Distance from Boston:1 60 minutes and 30 minutes
Frosty Drew Observatory and Science CenterCharlestown , RIThe Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center in Rhode Island is the regional darling of the astronomy scene , and rightly so . The organization ’s fertile card of events , stargazing , and meteor shower parties draw visitors from New England and beyond . They also invite the world into the lookout for Summer Stargazing Nights every Friday , though the time changes with the seasons . Sometimes they even agitate it up and horde events with live music under the starry sky . Afterward , force just 15 minutes to the Rhode Island shoreline and the consolation ofWeekapaug Inn — a front-runner among nature fan . length from Boston:1 60 minutes and 45 minutes
RVshare x HipcampVarious locationsThose look to take their love of stargazing on the road for a truly immersive experience can rent an RV or camper fromRVshare . During check - out , you ’ll have the fortune to look for through Hipcamp ’s RV - friendly campsite rental locations . Hipcamp ’s function capabilities include adark sky lineament , admit you to choose a campsite with minimal short pollution , like the 30 - Akko dreamscape ofTurtleBend Farmin Russell , MA . So , pack your opera glasses and telescope , and head out on an easy breezy interstellar - inspire route misstep . aloofness from Boston : Varies
AutoCamp Cape Cod|Photo by Timothy Little, courtesy of AutoCamp Cape Cod
Stargazing Spots Within 4.5 Hours of Boston
Seesaw ’s LodgePeru , VTThree hours from Boston , in the town of Peru , Vermont , a 100 - year - old inn put up dark sky secret to its visitor . The amply restoredSeesaw ’s Lodgefeatures just 16 node room but interminable astrological delight . There ’s minimum short pollution , and guests can easily see the Big Dipper and , count on the season , the Milky Way . Upon postulation , the lodge will bring an uranology expert on property for an expert - lead stargazing sesh . instead , count shooting star while soaking in the cedar hot vat , nestled in the Wood , or sit down by the fire infernal region and noshing their signature treat — maple s’mores . aloofness from Boston:3 hours
Loines ObservatoryNantucketThirty knot offshore , Nantucket is a floating haven for amateur astronomers — or folk just bet to consist on the beach and bask in the wizard dust vibes . Due to its distance from the mainland , Nantucket ’s skies are dark enough to observe the constellations or meteor showers . The island is home to theMaria Mitchell Associationand its Loines Observatory , named for the first distaff astronomer in the United States whodiscovered the comet"1847 VI " while stargazing on Nantucket in 1847 . Upon request , invitee atGreydon House , and other local inns , can haveprivate accession to the observatoryand its refurbish antique 8 - inch Alvan Clark scope and a 24 - column inch inquiry telescope . Distance from Boston:3 hour and 45 minutes
New England ’s official International Dark Sky PlacesMaineThe global authority on clean defilement , the International Dark - Sky Association , certifies dark sky position across the globe . Thedistinctionsinclude parking lot , sanctuaries , reserves , places , and residential district . Luckily , we havetwo certified dark sky locations near Boston — AMC Maine Woods(park ) andKatahdin Woods and Waters National Monument(sanctuary ) . Set your nav for a four - hour drive toMedawisla Lodge & Cabinsto experience the good of AMC Maine Woods and its interstellar eventide escapade . Or — with an investment of just an additional hour of driving — you’ll reach the colored sky sanctuary of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument . clique in a tent under the stars or stay at nearbyMt . Chase Lodge . Distance from Boston:4 hours and 30 minutes to AMC Maine Woods ; 5 60 minutes to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
RVshare|Photo courtesy of RVshare
Greydon House in Nantucket|Photo by Daniel Schwartz
