From stargazing to moon parties, outdoor movies, disco sets and sunset tours, the South has the dark skies trend covered.
Star in the Valley Winery in Shenandoah County, Virginia
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley is notable for wine grapes, which thrive in the limestone-rich soil found in this part of the South. Eight vineyards and wineries operate in Shenandoah County, and all are worth a visit. But if it’s nearing a full moon, you must head to the perfectly named Star in the Valley, which is perched on high ground right outside the small town of Strasburg. Once a month during the summer, the winery hosts AfterDARK @ Star in the Valley from 6-10 p.m. The tasting room remains open until 9 p.m., a DJ spins disco sets, and the whole family is invited to bring a picnic of late-night snacks to munch on while they gaze up at the stars and admire the moon. The winery offers the perfect dark-sky environment, far away from light pollution. Before summer ends, events are scheduled for August 29 and September 26.
Stargazing at the Pier at Gulf State Park in Alabama’s Beaches
If you’re into beautiful skies but perhaps not so excited about the prospect of tent camping, Gulf State Park, nestled along Alabama’s Beaches, offers a full array of lodging options—including an eco-friendly hotel, cottages, cabins, a newly-opened second RV park (now the biggest of any state park in the country), and yes, tents, too. Whether or not you’re staying at a park property, all visitors are invited to explore the night sky at the park’s famed pier, perched above and looking out onto the Gulf. The park hosts events where they provide a telescope and human guide, but also encourages visitors to set up their own equipment as they learn to spot stars, constellations and planets. Shell Beach is another great spot for stargazing along Alabama’s Beaches.
Outdoor Movies in Bowling Green, Kentucky
If you’re looking for an innovative way to enjoy a night at the movies, Lost River Cave and Chaney’s Dairy Barn are up to the challenge. At Lost River, movies are shown on a cave wall. Admission requires that participants purchase a membership, but that gives you six free tickets to each of the season’s movies. For the remainder of this season, those features are scheduled for August 21, September 10, September 23 and October 8. Meanwhile, Chaney’s Ice Cream and a Moovie offers a changing selection of films every Friday and Saturday night at dusk. The whole family can get into the fun, and Chaney’s has a full restaurant (insider tip: always, always go for their Burger of the Month!) and all that delicious ice cream. For these nighttime events, flavor recommendations include Blue Moon (blue cotton candy ice cream) and Cookie MOOnster (blue ice cream with chocolate chip and sandwich cookie pieces in it).
Sunset Swamp Tour in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou
It’s not a trip to bayou country without a visit to a swamp. Especially in the heat of summer, a great time to do it is on the last tour of the day. Airboat Tours by Arthur Matherne offers a sunset visit to the swamp, bringing guests back as night is falling. You learn all about the swamp, get some insight into Cajun culture, and see plenty of wildlife (including the region’s signature alligators), since many of the animals are active at dusk.
Evening Garden Tour at Houmas House Estate & Gardens in Louisiana’s Sweet Spot
Houmas House is where you’ll find some of the best dining in the Southern part of Louisiana. That’s thanks in great part to the efforts of executive chef Jeremy Langlois, who puts his own twists on traditional Cajun and Creole cuisine. After a delicious meal at The Carriage House, you can enjoy a stroll through the gardens, which are illuminated with soft white lighting. There’s cozy seating throughout the property, so you can take your time to enjoy the scenery and stargaze. If you want to start your evening off by welcoming the sunset, arrive early for your dinner reservation, cross the Sweet Spot Landing Bridge to the Mississippi River Levee and watch as the sun goes down.
Night Experiences at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Each summer, Dollywood finds new ways to make nighttime in the theme park even more exciting. This year, that equates to Sweet Summer Nights, a 3D drone and firework show that starts at 9:40 each night in the theme park, plus a new Neon Nights event at Dollywood’s Splash Country water park. All of this is a buildup to the real news for Dollywood’s 2026 season … the highly anticipated opening of NightFlight Expedition, an immersive indoor adventure coaster that takes guests on a nighttime ride through Dolly Parton’s beloved Smoky Mountains. Because it’s indoors, this first-of-its kind ride will operate all season long, regardless of weather.
Other places throughout the South are capitalizing on the dark skies and stargazing trends. In Kentucky, several spots like Cumberland Falls, Mammoth Cave and Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory are optimal for night owls. Tennessee’s state parks offer astronomy programs, dark sky viewings, star trail photography workshops and even star parties.
