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With summer in full swing, millions of Americans are looking to take a much-needed vacation to unwind and relax. And while many will flock to beaches across the country, there are plenty of options for those who want to avoid the coastline and instead venture out into the open wilderness for views under the night sky.
HomeToGo recently released its 2023 Summer Stargazing Index, highlighting top destinations for those looking to escape and gaze at the heavens.
HomeToGo checked many things by comparing factors such as average cloud cover, population density, and accessibility of affordable accommodation in the area. International Dark Sky Place (IDSP) nationwide, devising the ultimate vacation spot for stargazing.
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“The Summer 2023 Stargazing Index reveals the top tranquil, star-filled destinations awaiting avid stargazers across the country,” said HomeToGo spokesperson and travel expert Mike Pearce in a statement. We are excited to announce the “With dark sky and space tourism on the rise, and destinations continuing to prioritize light pollution mitigation, these off-the-beaten-track locations are like remote, hidden gems that leave travelers in awe. It invites you to experience the beauty of the night sky that inspires you.”
Here are the top five stargazing spots you can check out this summer, according to HomeToGo.
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1. Westcliffe and Silvercliffe, Colorado
FILE – People lie on the ground watching the Perseid meteor shower as darkness looms at the Astronomy Night event in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, August 12, 2018. (Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)
When analyzing cloud cover, solitude, and affordability and availability of accommodations, Westcliffe and Silvercliffe, Colorado scored 33.30. According to HomeToGo, both locations are Colorado’s first and only international dark-sky communities and the highest elevation IDSP-designated communities in the world.
Together, these towns have a population of about 1,155 and offer some of the best stargazing in the United States. At 8,000 feet above sea level, the valley west of Westcliffe and Silver Cliffs is a great place for stargazing.
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2. Dripping Springs, Arizona
FILE – A depiction of two types of dust in space: on the left, the pyramidal glow of the zodiacal light caused by the reflection of sunlight on interplanetary dust within the solar system from comets and meteoroids, and on the right, the bright Milky Way band. is. But along the Milky Way lie dark bands of interstellar dust, made up of carbonaceous compounds made in the star’s atmosphere and dispersed throughout the Milky Way. (Alan Dyer/VW Photography/UIG/Getty Images)
With an overall score of 32.80, Dripping Springs, Arizona was named the top destination for stargazers, according to HomeToGo.
It’s secluded and has minimal light pollution, making it a great place to see what’s above. If the conditions are right in nature, you can see meteor showers, constellations, and the Milky Way.
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3. Harmony, Florida
FILE – Comet Hyakutake passed through the night sky over Merritt Island, Florida, near the Kennedy Space Center on March 25. (George Shelton/AFP/Getty Images)
According to HomeToGo, Harmony, Florida is between Melbourne and Orlando and has just about 1,000 residents. Total score is 32.10. According to the travel website, Harmony hosts Dark Sky Festivals and parties highlighting the town’s commitment to preserving and celebrating the night sky.
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4. Flagstaff, Arizona
FILE – Visitors take pictures at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, November 10, 2022. Backed by dark-sky advocates and fueled by economic incentives, towns and parks across the western United States are making efforts to preserve the landscape of the night sky. (Zheng Hui/Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images)
According to HomeToGo, Flagstaff, Arizona was named the world’s first International Dark Sky City in 2001, with a total score of 32.00.
Sunset Crater Volcano and Lowell Observatory, where Pluto was discovered in 1930, offer a variety of night sky viewing experiences.
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5. Sedona, Arizona (tie)
FILE – May 18, 2021 20-minute exposure showing Red Rock Butte and Courthouse Butte just north of Oak Creek Village, Arizona, south of Sedona, Yavapai County. (Thomas O’Neill/Nerfoto/Getty Images)
Sedona, Arizona and Beverly Shores, Indiana tied for fifth with 31.50 total points.
Sedona is located within the Coconino National Forest and is home to approximately 10,000 people. HomeToGo says the city lacks bright lights, making it a great place for stargazing. Areas such as Dry Creek Road and Fay Canyon offer exceptional scenery.
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5. Beverly Shores, Indiana (tie)
FILE – First Quarter Moon on April 8, 2019, 4 days old. It combines short and long exposures to preserve the detail of the bright sunlit crescent while highlighting the faint glow of the earth on the dark side of the moon and the deep blue twilight sky. . (Alan Dyer/VWPics/Universal Images Group/Getty Images)
Beverly Shores is often called an “island” because it is located southeast of Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan and is surrounded by the shores of Indiana Dunes National Lake and the Great Lakes themselves.
Through retrofitting and replacing lighting fixtures, HomeToGo says it has demonstrated the town’s efforts to control outdoor light pollution, drawing residents and visitors to the wilderness and allowing them to appreciate the wonders of the night sky.
Please check HomeToGo website See our complete list of top stargazing destinations in the US
