Utah is the heart of a booming night-sky tourism industry
Why it matters: Utah has already been pushing stargazing hard, with a fast-spreading campaign to get parks, towns and resorts certified as " International Dark Sky Places."
There are 29 in the state — the highest concentration in the world, per the state tourism office, and 155 listed nationally.
The big picture: The trend could bring travelers — and their dollars — to more remote locales with better night skies.
Zoom in: All five of Utah's national parks are certified Dark Sky places, as are many state parks, national monuments and towns like Moab, Helper and Torrey.
Between the lines: A lot of the best stargazing destinations don't advertise themselves. Utah has plenty of remote country roads where you can simply pull over, step outside and look up.
How it works: You can use Dark Site Finder's online map to help you plan some noctourism of your own.
Try an app like Sky Guide to ID the planets and stars you're seeing. Just keep the brightness low to avoid ruining your night vision.
Use flashlights or headlamps with red LEDs, for the same reason.
The intrigue: With the sun now in "solar maximum," it's also prime time for aurora-hunting in northern-latitude locales like Alaska, Iceland and the Nordic countries.
Yes, but: Some astronomers and stargazers are worried that the ever-increasing amount of satellites and space junk in low Earth orbit could mar our views of the night sky — perhaps forever.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-lead-29-2-aurland-gourmet-picnic-ALISTPOSTKATE0725-6a5110e39d4948ce996fc045119668a7.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
2 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
I'm a Travel Expert and a Mom, and This Unexpected 2-Country Itinerary Is Perfect for Families
Travel is a transformative experience, especially for children and teens. But planning trips for the whole family isn't always easy. As a parent and travel advisor, I've seen firsthand how travel pushes young minds to become more curious, adaptable, and tolerant, all while presenting the opportunity to disconnect from an increasingly digital world. Norway and Sweden might not seem like the most obvious family destinations, but these Nordic countries are quietly gaining traction for multi-generational travelers. Their proximity to each other makes for the perfect two-nation vacation that combines stunning scenery, rich culture, and a sense of laidback luxury. Here's how to craft the perfect itinerary for your family. 29/2 Aurland, a boutique hotel near Njardarheimer. MONTAG/29/2 Aurland Hotel Our journey begins on Norway's dramatic west coast, where reenactors in the Viking village of Njardarheimr offers an engaging glimpse into local heritage. There, try archery and axe-throwing, taste Viking recipes, or learn traditional handicrafts. For an exhilarating ascent, the next stop is Loen, just a few hours north of Njardarheimr. Take the Loen Skylift, which soars 3300 feet above the fjord to the top of Mount Hoven. Just a short walk away, a summer-only zipline offers an adrenaline rush, propelling visitors over the upper fjord with incredible panoramic views toward the famous Gjølmunne Bridge. The exceptional 29/2 Aurland is just a short drive from Njardarheimer and has incredible views of the fjords. This boutique hotel, complete with a smokehouse and garden, is the perfect base from which to cycle through the mountains and valleys, visit family-run farms, and take to the water in a traditional Oselver rowboat. The Union Øye opened in 1891 and has hosted a number of historic celebrities from German emperor Wilhelm II to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the writer behind Sherlock Holmes. Tucked away in a secluded fjord hamlet, the location is perfect for adventurers seeking to e-bike or kayak, and the whole family can embrace local traditions with an exhilarating cold water plunge in the fjords before warming up in the floating sauna. Treehotel's with its unique UFO-shaped room. Peter Lundstrom/Treehotel The second part of this trip begins in idyllic Vaxholm, known as the capital of the Stockholm archipelago. There, you'll find pastel wooden houses, hiking trails, a 16th-century fortress-turned-museum, and serene waters perfect for kayaking. Travel companies like Jacada Travel offer local experiences, like learning to make traditional cinnamon buns with local bakers, to take your experience one step further. Next, head up north to the Swedish Lapland, where the magical winter landscape is perfect for family activities like dog sledding and snowmobiling. Travelers can also go hiking or mountain biking, or take photography workshops to capture the Lapland's natural beauty. Visits to the indigenous Sámi people in towns like Jokkmokk offer rich cultural experiences. Learn about Sámi history and traditions, shop local artisan crafts, and follow herders to meet reindeer. Ett Hem's a hotel in Stockholm's Östermalm district. Nestled in Stockholm's upscale Östermalm district, Ett Hem is a stylish red brick townhouse with a home-away-from-home feel. The hotel offers a haven of laid-back elegance with a distinct sense of lived-in luxury and warmth. The Treehotel is a unique treehouse stay in the arctic north of Sweden. With eight incredible rooms situated above ground, ranging from a UFO to a bird's nest, it's sure to spark joy and wonder in the whole family. Plus, the location is perfect for seeing the northern lights between September and April. Kate Herz is a member of Travel + Leisure's A-List and specializes in Norway and Sweden trips. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Herz by contacting her at [email protected] .
Bloomberg
5 days ago
- Bloomberg
Iceland's Blue Lagoon Doubles as Psoriasis Remedy
Hi! It's Madison. I was recently in Iceland, where I found out that those Instagram-worthy geothermal pools actually have some surprising health benefits. More on that in a second... You've probably seen the photos of tourists — or celebrities like Beyoncé and Justin Bieber — floating in the otherworldly waters of Iceland's Blue Lagoon. For years, guests have flocked to the geothermal seawater spa for some R&R, making it the Nordic country's most popular tourist attraction.
Cosmopolitan
6 days ago
- Cosmopolitan
From Tokyo to Oslo: Why these 10 unexpected destinations are the best place to heal post-breakup
Following a breakup, one thing we always want to do is book a flight and get the hell out of our hometown. There's just something about being in a new destination, with different people and some quality rest and relaxation time that makes the idea of a split seem to hurt just a little bit less. And now the top 10 destinations for a post-breakup holiday have been revealed and the results are rather surprising. Forget sunny Spanish beaches and party resorts, according to the Splitup App, the best cities to go to are actually ones that offer the best chance at healing, thanks to their number of green spaces, natural water features and spas. The app has also factored in the safety of each city and the average cost of a hotel. You don't want to be heartbroken and in your overdraft, after-all. Of course going on a holiday straight after a breakup isn't always possible, but if you're looking to head somewhere to heal and process your split, then these are officially the top 10 cities to do it in. Solo trip calling! Distract yourself from those constant thought streams by exploring a new city. With art, architecture and nature to keep you occupied, you'll be over your ex in no time. The food alone in Singapore City is enough to cure any breakup in our opinion. There's also over 200 spas in the city if the food doesn't hit the spot. It's not much of a surprise there's quite a few Nordic countries on this list. Gothenburg is full of stunning outdoor spaces, but it is one of the most expensive cities so do keep that in mind before booking a trip. And another Nordic getaway makes the list! Oslo is full of history if you want to distract yourself with the lives of others. It's also a really walkable city, so plenty of chance to get your steps in and go for long walks to gather your thoughts. This is one of the cheapest cities on this list and only a short flight away, so ideal if you're looking for a budget break. Seoul has nearly 400 spas in the city, including many that offer incredible K-Beauty facials. What better way to get over a breakup? There's also a bunch of green spaces to relax in. So the flight might be long (over 13 hours) but once you touch down, you can truly and unplug and experience everything Taipei has to offer. That includes bustling shopping streets, incredible food and stunning scenery. Ok this is a trip of a lifetime and definitely a big trip to commit to after a breakup, but maybe it'll just be the thing you need? If you're into hiking this the place to head to, a weekl long hike sounds just about the right thing to do some healing. From far flung, to close to home, if you don't want to fork out for a heartbreak holiday, then consider a trip to our capital city. There's over 1,000 spas and so much green space. And with the theatre, galleries, museums and so much more to do in London it's a good place to distract yourself. It's official! The best place to go to heal from a breakup is Tokyo in Japan. This is thanks to its high number of spas (nearly 2,000), a high safety rating, and nearly 400 rivers, lakes or beaches, perfect if you seek the healing properties of water. Lydia Venn is Cosmopolitan UK's Senior Entertainment and Lifestyle Writer. She covers everything from TV and film, to the latest celebrity news. She also writes across our work/life section regularly creating quizzes, covering exciting new food releases and sharing the latest interior must-haves. In her role she's interviewed everyone from Margot Robbie to Niall Horan, and her work has appeared on an episode of The Kardashians. After completing a degree in English at the University of Exeter, Lydia moved into fashion journalism, writing for the Daily Express, before working as Features Editor at The Tab, where she spoke on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour and Talk Radio. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of Gilmore Girls and 00s teen movies, and in her free time can be found with a margarita in hand watching the Real Housewives on repeat. Find her on LinkedIn.
