The 10 Best Stargazing Spots in the Northern Hemisphere
We’ve told you where to find the best views of the heavens in the southern half of the world; the southern hemisphere’s positioning makes it a particularly good location for aspiring astronomers to get a glimpse of our galaxy. But that doesn’t mean that those of us in the northern hemisphere have to miss out on awe-inspiring starscapes. There are dozens of dark-sky reserves and parks and prime viewing spots in more northerly climes. You’ll want to pack your telescope if you plan to travel to any of these 10 locations.
10. Brecon Beacons National Park, United Kingdom
Head to south Wales and you’ll quickly find that sheep outnumber people in this part of the world. Brecon Beacons National Park is a prime stargazing location because of its seclusion. The ruins of the Llanthony Priory provide a stunning backdrop for the night sky. The area near the park is home to 33,000 people and within easy access for nearly 1 million, which means that residents have worked hard to ensure that lighting within the communities near the park are dark sky-friendly. Most of the park is open grass moorland, which makes for plenty of open viewing of the night sky. The park was originally designated in 1957, and in 2013, it became an official International Dark Sky Association Dark Sky Reserve. Once you’ve done some stargazing, be sure to step into the Priory to grab some authentic Welsh ale—the ruins have been converted into a pub.
ADVERTISEMENT
More on EscapeHere
-
DestinationChoosing where to retire in the US can be very overwhelming – so many great options and factors to consider! Regardless of whether you’re seeking an action-packed retirement or looking
-
Travel TipsTraveling for business or pleasure can easily derail your health and fitness regime.
-
AdventureThere are surreal landscapes all around the world, many which seem to be from another planet entirely and go well beyond the point of extraordinary.
-
DestinationThere’s nothing quite like getting out to sea and sailing the mighty waters and if you’ve ever experienced it, there’s a good chance you’re hooked.
-
AdventureA large swath of Europe’s landscape is occupied by the Balkan Peninsula, one of the continent’s oldest and largest settlements.
-
AdventureAromatic spice plantations, languid rivers, ancient cathedrals, and frothy waterfalls raise the bar when visiting Goa for the alabaster beaches, hypnotic swaying palms, and the easygoing nature of Goa’s people.
-
DestinationThe historical and cultural wealth throughout Yorkshire screams “medieval” more so than any other English city.
-
DestinationBudapest is a gorgeous city with two very distinct sides separated by the Danube River: Buda is on the west and Pest on the East.
-
DestinationBoulder enjoys a reputation as one of Colorado’s most forward-thinking cities.
-
DestinationSt. Augustine’s primary claim to fame is its status as the oldest colonial settlement in the United States.
-
DestinationBend is the largest urban area in central Oregon.
-
DestinationOrlando is well-known for its fun and family-friendly theme parks, which are headlined by Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World, home of Epcot Center.
-
DestinationMadison is Wisconsin’s scenic state capital. Built around five beautiful lakes, the city and its surrounding suburbs are home to about 650,000 people.
-
DestinationPortsmouth, New Hampshire is a popular seasonal destination that attracts thousands of visitors during the warm-weather months.
-
DestinationNestled in the eastern Wasatch Mountains, Park City is one of Utah’s prime tourism destinations.
-
DestinationSanta Fe may not be the biggest city in the United States, but it’s certainly one of the most interesting.
-
DestinationBreckenridge, Colorado is a charming town of about 5,000 permanent residents.
-
More from EscapeHere
-
We Recommend
EscapeHere.com is part of the Concourse Media network.
Comments