
Explore Celestial Wonders Of The Night Sky At These Locations
The roots of stargazing date back centuries to ancient civilizations like the Babylonians and Egyptians who practiced stargazing for navigation, agriculture and religious purposes. However, the invention of telescopes in the 17th century significantly advanced the scientific study of astronomy and further fueled public interest in the cosmos.
Today, many stargazers explore the celestial wonders of the night sky as a form of meditation and relaxation. An excellent way to unwind from daily stressors, stargazing can serve as a peaceful, mindfulness practice. Other benefits of stargazing include its ability to help you sleep better. Studies have shown that exposure to natural light patterns and being closer to nature can lead to increased melatonin production, which promotes better sleep.
Stargazing can have many positive physical effects. getty
Similar to spending time in nature during the day, stargazing can have many positive physical effects, such as lowering blood pressure and cortisol (stress hormone) levels.
Also, the sheer scale and beauty of the cosmos can evoke feelings of awe, wonder and a sense of belonging to something larger than yourself. Research suggests that awe can enhance feelings of happiness, gratitude and even improve decision-making.
Adero provides an excellent vantage point for stargazing. JOHN WOODCOCK for ADERO Scottsdale Resort.
Perched high above the Sonoran Desert in the certified International Dark Sky Community of Fountain Hills, ADERO Scottsdale Resort provides an excellent vantage point for stargazing unlike any other luxury resort in the area. Its signature 'Find Your Way' Dark Sky experience includes weekly guided night sky tours led by the Star Dudes local experts (based on seasonality), high-definition telescopes available for guests to borrow and complimentary access to the Star Walk 2 mobile app for an enhanced look at the stars, planets and constellations. All 177 rooms and suites have either private balconies or patios, including 16 suites with expansive terraces, for taking in the breathtaking mountain views by day and chasing stars under clear desert skies by night.
Stargazers can view the splendor of the Milky Way Galaxy. Carl Christensen Monterey County, California
Monterey County on California's Central Coast offers a stellar lineup of stargazing spots, including: Pinnacles National Park – A premier destination for stargazers. For an immersion into the velvet night sky's celestial wonders with unobstructed views, head to the Peaks View parking area, Bacon Ranch or Chaparral parking area. For a guided experience, Inn at the Pinnacles in the Gabilan Mountains hosts Sky Tours in April and July, led by local astrophotographer Carl Christiansen. Big Sur – The dark skies of Big Sur are a stargazer's dream, with breathtaking views of constellations framed by majestic cliffs at popular spots like Pfeiffer Beach (where you can see the Milky Way) at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Check out Alila Ventana Big Sur for rustic luxury where the lush forest meets the coastal cliffs
– The dark skies of Big Sur are a stargazer's dream, with breathtaking views of constellations framed by majestic cliffs at popular spots like Pfeiffer Beach (where you can see the Milky Way) at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Check out Alila Ventana Big Sur for rustic luxury where the lush forest meets the coastal cliffs Garland Ranch Regional Park – In Carmel Valley, Garland Ranch Regional Park offers a scenic setting for gazing at the twinkling constellations in the serenity of the surrounding Santa Lucia Mountains. The Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy (MIRA) regularly hosts public star parties here. Carmel Valley Ranch offers a sophisticated escape in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains with plenty of room to roam, explore and discover.
The astronomy field offers an excellent view of the night sky. getty Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania
A combination of attributes makes Cherry Springs State Park ideal for stargazing and astronomy: The field is at the top of a 2,300-foot high mountain — the surrounding state forest is relatively undeveloped and nearby communities are in valleys, shielding any light that might affect the park.
The location of the park, 41 degrees north, 77 degrees west, offers a great view of the nucleus of the Milky Way Galaxy.
The astronomy field offers an excellent 360 degree view of the night sky.
All lighting in the park is shielded and all white light has been converted to red.
Three areas of the park are available for stargazing: Night Sky Public Viewing Area — Best short-term stargazing for a few hours. Although white light is permitted, a red filter or cover for your flashlight is recommended to preserve your night vision. Rustic Campground — Suggested for overnight stargazing for casual stargazers. Not recommended for serious stargazers. There are no lighting restrictions in the Rustic Campground. However, to aid in creating a more enjoyable experience for all visitors, it is recommended to use red filters on all light. Campfires should be kept as small as possible.
Suggested for overnight stargazing for casual stargazers. Not recommended for serious stargazers. There are no lighting restrictions in the Rustic Campground. However, to aid in creating a more enjoyable experience for all visitors, it is recommended to use red filters on all light. Campfires should be kept as small as possible. Overnight Astronomy Observation Field — Excellent overnight viewing for serious stargazers with equipment. All lights must have red filter or need to be fully shielded. White light is prohibited.
Explore the night sky from many different locations. getty Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park offers several locations for outstanding stargazing. Explore the night sky from the west side of Mount Desert Island while enjoying the ocean soundscape. Seawall Picnic Area offers northeastern and southern views over the Atlantic Ocean and the mouth of Somes Sound from a quintessential cobblestone beach. Views of the night sky are unobstructed and convenient for those staying near Southwest Harbor or Bass Harbor. Ocean Path offers many locations for viewing the nights sky. Most locations offer views to the east and large portions of the north and south skies as well. A camp chair or cushions are recommended for comfort on the granite rocks of the coast. Enjoy gazing up into the cosmos nestled comfortably on a blanket on Acadia's largest and very popular sandy beach. Visitors may explore Sand Beach at night, but camping or parking overnight are not allowed. Sand Beach offers a comfortable night sky viewing experience with plenty of room to spread out and peacefully enjoy your stargazing. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes How To Best Experience The Great American Road Trip By Roger Sands Forbes The Uber-Rich Are Flocking To This Small Mountain Town By Roger Sands

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The output was real-time, evolving, and impossible to ignore. Using EEG technology, the campaign visualized the brainwaves of 75 global creatives, translating them into generative digital murals. From Paris to London to Abu Dhabi, the campaign wasn't just exhibited, it was talked about, across social media, news outlets, and cultural forums. It made museums feel alive again, proving that cultural spaces aren't just about looking back, they can be about creating the future. Neural Murals redefined preservation, not as a passive act, but as a dynamic process where culture is not only safeguarded but actively shaped by those who engage with it. It did not just showcase art, it made audiences part of its creation, giving cultural institutions a blueprint for immersive storytelling in the digital age. It was a seismic shift in how audiences experience the creative journey. By focusing on the artistic journey rather than just the final product, Neural Murals set a new precedent for museum engagement worldwide. Project Website CREATIVE THINKERS Category: Marketing Travel Alberta x C&B Advertising | Alberta's Least Liked Like many DMOs, sustainable tourism is a key focus for Travel Alberta. Driven in part by social media posts and algorithms that focus on the same small group of places, overtourism at iconic attractions and locations in Alberta was becoming an issue – taxing the land, overwhelming communities, stressing amenities and infrastructure, and leaving visitors with disappointing experiences. Alberta needed to find ways to move visitors across the province, promote less-famous attractions and showcase the many wonderful places that may be 'under the radar' but always over-deliver. As part of their sustainable tourism strategy, Travel Alberta designated regions across the province that would receive resources for the development and funding for promotion. Alberta's Least Liked was a marketing concept aimed at shining a light on these underdeveloped regions and attractions, playfully using the same social media tools that are so responsible for fuelling overtourism the world over. The goals of the project were to introduce new Alberta attractions to travellers, generate buzz on social media and ultimately drive interest and visitation to these locations – moving travellers away from overcrowded attractions. Project Website CREATIVE THINKERS Category: Physical Experiences Rajasthan Studio | Curated Experiences for Every Traveler The core concept of Rajasthan Studio centers on offering personalized art workshops where travelers engage directly with master artisans, learning traditional crafts and making their own souvenirs. This hands-on approach immerses travelers in the region's rich artistic heritage, fostering deep cultural connections. All the experiences are curated at the artist's home or studio space which makes it even more special as the travellers can experience the beauty of the traditional homes of Rajasthan. The company's key objectives are: 1) Bridging Artisans and Travelers: Connecting visitors with expert local artisans to preserve and promote Rajasthan's artistic traditions. 2) Unique Experiences: Curating offbeat, immersive travel opportunities tailored for creative travelers and art enthusiasts, beyond typical tourism. 3) Personalization and Exclusivity: Providing high-quality, tailored workshops with award-winning artisans for authentic, memorable experiences. 4) Cultural Preservation: Supporting the sustainability of traditional crafts, benefiting local artisans and their communities. Rajasthan Studio delivers a distinctive, curated experience focused on cultural immersion and hands-on learning, appealing to niche travelers seeking authentic, high-quality cultural encounters. Project Website CREATIVE THINKERS Category: Creative Design Tennessee Tourism | Sound Sites: Where Accessibility Meets Artistry in Tourism Sound Sites is a groundbreaking initiative by VML and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development that redefines image alt-text descriptions by replacing generic text with poetic song lyrics crafted by award-winning Tennessee songwriters. This innovative approach transforms accessibility in tourism, enabling blind and visually impaired travelers to experience the emotional essence of Tennessee's landscapes and culture through evocative storytelling. Traditional alt-text like 'image of a mountain' fails to capture the beauty and spirit of destinations, excluding millions of visually impaired individuals from meaningful travel experiences. By integrating Tennessee's rich musical heritage into functional accessibility tools, Sound Sites bridges this gap, creating an inclusive travel experience that resonates emotionally with all users. Through collaboration with celebrated songwriters like Dolly Parton and Kix Brooks, over 500 lyrical descriptions have been created for with plans to expand further. Blending artistry with functionality, Sound Sites sets a new standard for accessibility in tourism, proving that creativity and collaboration can drive profound change while fostering a more inclusive internet for future generations. Project Website PROBLEM SOLVERS Category: Business Outcomes CarTrawler | Connect Platform: Powering Unparalleled Performance for the Biggest Brands in Travel CarTrawler powers car rental and mobility for the world's leading travel brands through proprietary, market-leading technology; the Connect Platform. A B2B solution, the Connect Platform delivers superior performance, partner revenue growth, and an exceptional end-to-end customer experience. The Connect Platform is made up of four key components: Connect Content: The world's largest global supply network – 2,200+ suppliers across 50,000+ locations in 150+ countries – covering car rental, mobility, and car rental insurance. Connect Technology: Partner-branded solutions, including booking engine, cross-sell, CRM, and customer portal, designed for seamless integration, scale, and performance from day one. Connect Enhance: Combining market-leading revenue management and data science expertise, unique cross-functional Trading Squads, and world-class loyalty capabilities, that deliver exceptional commercial outcomes for our partners. Connect Experience: Delivers award-winning, AI-enabled customer service, market-leading payment choice, and customer advocacy that drives loyalty and repeat business. With low-effort integration and a relentless focus on results, CarTrawler does the heavy lifting so partners can stay focussed on their core business. Project Website PROBLEM SOLVERS Category: Communications Abode Worldwide | From Visibility to Value: PR That Grows B2B Hospitality and Property Tech Brands Abode exists to solve a core challenge: hospitality tech brands often struggle to cut through the noise in a crowded, jargon-heavy B2B space. Abode closes this gap with strategic communications that build a positive reputation, driving long-term commercial success. From early-stage startups to global category leaders, Abode help clients gain credibility and influence. Whether it's raising investment, expanding to new markets, or growing their share of voice, Abode design each public-facing engagement to build long-term standing, not just short-term buzz. The mission is to turn complexity into clarity, by crafting sharp narratives, establishing topical authority, positioning leaders on credible stages, and generating media momentum – ensuring clients remain constantly visible. Their work blends strategic PR campaigns, data-led storytelling, customer success stories, and thought leadership that are amplified across multiple channels. Abode clients have earned visibility in prestigious industry publications like Skift, as well as top-tier international outlets including The New York Times, Forbes, Bloomberg, The Boston Globe, EuroNews and The Guardian. Using their proven 360° methodology across earned, owned, paid and social media, Abode co-create a holistic PR program with our clients that covers a messaging architecture, stakeholder outreach strategy and content development aligned to key industry events. Project Website PROBLEM SOLVERS Category: Data Provider IDeaS Revenue Solutions | IDeaS Spotlight: Transforming Hotel Marketing with Valuable, New Demand Insights Recognizing the need for a more integrated, data-driven commercial organization, IDeaS leveraged its unique position as the source of truth for future demand and advanced analytics to develop a solution that aligns marketing efforts with revenue goals to deliver the highest performance returns. Project Website TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY Category: Operational Streamlining Mews | Revolutionizing Revenue At Every Touchpoint Mews is a fully cloud-native hotel Property Management System (PMS) used by over 12,500 properties across 85 countries. It unites front desk, housekeeping, payments, revenue management and guest engagement in one powerful platform fueled by automation. Instead of simply focusing on filling rooms, Mews believe the role of a modern PMS should go further. In an industry with 73.8% staff turnover rate*, today's hoteliers are facing more pressure than ever before. They're busy balancing staff shortages, ever-increasing guest expectations and even higher profitability targets. Luckily for Mews hoteliers, they know more revenue doesn't always come from more heads in beds. Mews help hoteliers diversify their revenue streams through hourly and daily space bookings, events, tailored upsells, AI-driven guest insights and embedded payments that reduce friction and improve conversions. By helping hotels move beyond a room-only mindset, Mews is driving a shift toward smarter, more profitable revenue strategies. *Source: 2023 Deloitte Quantified Organization research Project Website TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY Category: Traveler Journey Banff & Lake Louise Tourism | Banff & Lake Louise Tourism's Trip Builder – Helping Visitors Plan for Joy, Not Disappointment 'You must plan your trip to Banff in advance… Banff is unfortunately not a place you can show up and 'wing it.'' The Holistic Backpacker BLLT's Trip Builder is a free, personalized digital planning tool, available on the organization's website, fully accessible on desktop and mobile. Created ground-up to improve visitor experience during the summer peak – and to inspire visitation year-round – it helps travelers plan ahead with confidence. Informed by local experts, it has become a valuable tool for the complex, high-demand destination, connecting visitors to local businesses and promoting sustainable tourism practices. Since launching in 2021, it has helped users build more than 190,000 custom itineraries. Users can explore pre-built Trip Ideas – such as car-free adventures or family-friendly getaways – or build their itinerary from scratch. Trips can be tailored by date, budget, season, interests, or activity type, from guided tours and hikes to events, restaurants, and accommodations. Experiences can be added to a day-by-day plan, viewed on an interactive map, and saved or shared via a private link. Trip Builder seamlessly integrates with the rest of the BLLT site and is actively used by Visitor Centre staff to co-create plans in person – from early dreaming to in-destination discovery. Project Website TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY Category: Best Use of AI Matador Network | GuideGeek: Custom AI for Travel Brands After launching custom AI tools with more than 45 travel brands, GuideGeek has progressed beyond simply being a chatbot provider to enabling travel brands to harness the power of AI to supercharge top-priority campaigns and business objectives. Every custom AI tool GuideGeek builds for its travel brand partners, draw on the destination's wealth of data, as well as GuideGeek's 1,000-plus sources of travel information. Users are instantly able to plan full custom itineraries, or get quick answers to any travel or tourism question. Often integrated with the destination's social media accounts, GuideGeek gives destinations a direct connection with visitors in real time 24/7 – including during their stay. In addition, GuideGeek provides valuable data insights for destinations and travel brands about key topics of interest, concerns and who is visiting their destination and why. Project Website MEETINGS & EVENTS Category: Hotels Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort is Hawai'i's largest single-structure hotel and is a leading convention facility in the heart of Waikiki. In 2021, Sheraton Waikiki completed a $200 million renovation of its 1,636 rooms and suites. The transformation included aesthetic and functional upgrades to guest rooms, suites, and public areas, with reconfigured amenities for improved organization and comfort. As a premier convention facility, Sheraton Waikiki features 16 contemporary meeting rooms with 41,000 square feet of meeting and function space, including Waikiki's largest indoor ballroom with 26,000 square feet of unobstructed space. The outside perimeter of the convention floor has 11 conference rooms, most with ocean views, featuring state-of-the art audiovisual technology. There is also an on-site business center to help with the needs of groups of all sizes. Whether it's a corporate summit, incentive retreat, product launch or hybrid gathering, the resort is equipped to pivot with ease. Each space is modular and outfitted with state-of-the-art audiovisual systems, allowing for seamless transitions between presentations, workshops, and receptions. The hotel's expert event services team works closely with planners to customize floor plans, seating arrangements, and tech integrations for each group's unique goals. From multi-language interpretation booths to high-speed connectivity for livestreaming, the resort's capabilities are as robust as they are reliable. Project Website MEETINGS & EVENTS Category: Destination Marketing Organizations Destination Canada Destination Canada's International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF) empowers Canadian Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) to strengthen the sustainability and resilience of the country's business events industry. By providing up to $1 million per event in financial support for major international conference bids, the ICAF enables DMOs to attract high-value business travellers while prioritizing sustainable event practices and long-term community benefits. From the time the program was launched in March 2024 until May 31, 2025, the ICAF has helped secure 45 confirmed major international conferences in cities across Canada, which could draw over 143,600 delegates and over $348 million in direct economic impact. The fund not only supports immediate economic gains but also encourages DMOs to incorporate sustainability measures – such as responsible venue selection, reduced environmental footprints, and inclusive community engagement – into their event planning and execution. With robust interest from DMOs nationwide and a growing pipeline of sustainable event bids, the ICAF is driving a more resilient business events sector that balances economic growth, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility. This holistic approach ensures that the business events industry in Canada is better positioned to thrive in a changing global landscape, making a lasting positive impact on both host communities and the environment. Project Website MEETINGS & EVENTS Category: Convention Centers & Other Venues The Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) The Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) is a premier meetings and events destination that combines state-of-the-art infrastructure with a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity. Following a transformative $640 million renovation completed in 2020, the MBCC now features over 500,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 60,000-sq.-ft. Grand Ballroom, 84 breakout rooms, and a variety of flexible, tech-enabled spaces designed for events of all sizes. Located in the heart of Miami Beach, the MBCC enhances the attendee experience with on-site culinary venues like Rum Room and Venu, while seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor event environments. The MBCC's core objective is to provide a dynamic, accessible, and future-ready venue that supports economic development, fosters community engagement, and attracts world-class events to Miami Beach. Project Website MEETINGS & EVENTS Category: Event Technology Snapsight | World's First AI-based Real Time Event Content Summarisation Snapsight is an award-winning advanced AI-powered event content intelligence platform that revolutionizes how audiences engage with live and recorded sessions through real-time content processing and intelligent post-event analysis. Snapsight continues to set industry standards by building on its proven foundation of Key Takeaways and Idea Cloud features, now delivering live transcription and translation across 86 languages, Custom Vocabulary integration for specialized events, and on-demand content processing for comprehensive session coverage. The platform's evolution includes Snapsight Premium, which transforms event data into strategic business intelligence through advanced opportunity detection, trend analysis, sentiment tracking, competitive intelligence, and personalized insights at scale. Snapsight leverages cutting-edge language models and sophisticated NLP engines enhanced with user-defined glossaries to generate precise summaries and visual concept representations, enabling attendees to absorb complex information effortlessly regardless of language barriers or technical terminology. The platform's Event-Level Idea Cloud dynamically tracks themes and trends across entire conferences in real-time, while the redesigned Admin Dashboard provides organizers with unprecedented customization and control capabilities. Through QR code access, attendees can instantly retrieve session insights, follow live captions, upload missed content for processing, and engage with event-wide conversation patterns. Snapsight's integration ecosystem and multilingual accessibility ensure that every participant can maximize their experience. Project Website Highly Commended | Leading the AI Revolution in Meetings & Events SHORT-TERM RENTALS Category: Property Management Sentral | Tech + Luxe Lifestyle = STR success When it was founded in 2019, Sentral introduced a flexible, 'any length of stay' model that pulls inspiration and expertise from both the multifamily and hospitality industries. This unique model provides unparalleled service and amenities to residents and guests; it also helps building owners maximize revenue by optimizing the mix of long- and short-term rentals based on each location's regulations and demand. Over the last year, Sentral has aggressively grown its short-term presence. Since May of 2024, Sentral added 12 communities to its portfolio, including new projects in Las Vegas and San Diego that focus on short-term stays. Travelers can book directly on or via most OTAs. Residents of Sentral apartments receive exclusive discounts on short-term bookings across the portfolio–and know they'll experience the same standard of excellence at Sentral properties away from home. At nearly every touchpoint, guests will encounter Sentral's unique blend of five-star service and cutting-edge technology. Check-in can be done with a dedicated concierge or via touch-screen kiosk. Each guest receives a comprehensive, mobile-friendly building and city guide–including check-in and check-out procedures, in-room dining, wi-fi access and information about special events and fitness classes available during their stay. Project Website SHORT-TERM RENTALS Category: Guest Experience Extenteam | Tailwind by Extenteam: Transforming Guest Experience with Human + AI Synergy Tailwind by Extenteam is a shared services, unified-inbox solution designed to manage guest communication for hospitality businesses. Combining hospitality-trained remote agents with AI tools, Tailwind delivers fast, consistent, and high-quality responses across channels like SMS, email, OTA, voice and more — available 24/7 or during specified off-hours. Tailwind also integrates securely with property management systems (PMS) and booking platforms, providing centralized management and real-time coordination with on-site teams. Tailwind's core mission is to reduce the communication and availability burden on internal teams while maintaining speed, accuracy, and excellent guest service. Using a unified inbox and a customizable Knowledge Center, Tailwind agents resolve guest issues in real time, following each property's unique policies and escalation rules. AI-powered tools like X10 Chat help agents pull precise, property-specific answers instantly, ensuring guests receive helpful, on-brand replies every time. Key benefits of Tailwind include reducing team overload, improving response relevance for complex queries, enhancing guest satisfaction, and offering scalable, flexible support. By taking over day-to-day and urgent guest communication, Tailwind allows hospitality operators — from vacation rental managers to boutique hotels — to focus on growth and operations, knowing their guests are cared for professionally and consistently. Project Website Interested in taking part in Skift IDEA Awards? The 2026 Skift IDEA Awards are now open for pre-registrations.