Terlingua — Travelrags

OutsideOct 6, 2026

7 Best U.S. Accommodations for Stargazing—and Yes, I’ve Stayed at All of Them

Astrotourism columnist Stephanie Vermillion travels the world for dark skies and starry stays. These are seven of her favorites in the U.S., with amenities like stargazing sound baths and aurora hunting from bed.

14 things in this story

The Summit at Big BendHotelStargazing domes with desert scrub overlook and sky windows.
Elsewhere
Arches National ParkSightMoab, United StatesBasecamp for night photography.
Ulum MoabHotelMoab, United StatesResort with canvas tents near Moab, good for night photography.
Coopers Rock State ForestSightBruceton Mills, United States12 miles from Morgantown, with trail miles and bouldering.
Borealis BasecampHotelFairbanks, United StatesOffers fiberglass igloos and glass-walled cubes for sky-watching.
Skyview HotelHotelTorrey, United StatesGeodesic domes with skylights for viewing night skies.
Gifford HomesteadRestaurantTorrey, United StatesFamous for its takeaway pie.
Chisos Mountain LodgeHotelBig Bend National Park, United StatesStayed close to trails for nighttime fresco viewing.
Fresh Coast CabinsHotelCopper Harbor, United StatesCabins with unobstructed north-facing views across Lake Superior.
Isle Royale National ParkSightCopper Harbor, United StatesGateway town is Copper Harbor.
Coopers Rock State Forest Stargazing CabinsHotelBruceton Mills, United StatesA-frame abodes with oversized windows and patios for stargazing.
Volcano HouseHotelHawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, United StatesLies on the edge of the active Kīlauea caldera.
Crater Rim TrailTrailHawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, United StatesAdjacent to Volcano House for viewing volcanic glow and stars.
Under Canvas Lake PowellHotelLake Powell, United StatesWorld's first DarkSky-certified accommodation.

Read the full piece at Outside →

Condé Nast TravelerOct 6

5 Underrated Halloween Towns Across the US

Some are abandoned Gold Rush boomtowns; others are rife with haunted history. All are worth skipping Salem for.

17 things in this story

Perry MansionHotelPrivate mansion turned hotel in ghost town
Chisos Mining CompanySightRemnants of a former mercury-mining operation
Starlight Theatre and SaloonRestaurantWe are the finest dining establishment in the entire Terlingua Ghost Town, offering a fine selection of gourmet dishes…
Terlingua CemeterySight
Elsewhere
Hotel MonteleoneHotelNew Orleans, United StatesFrench Quarter landmark with reported ghost stories
Sleepy Hollow CemeterySightSleepy Hollow, United StatesWalk grounds by lantern light in October
Old Dutch ChurchPlace of worshipSleepy Hollow, United StatesIconic landmark from Washington Irving's story
Bodie State Historic ParkParkBodie, United StatesPreserves ghost town's state of 'arrested decay'
Great Jack O'Lantern BlazeFestivalSleepy Hollow, United States7,000 illuminated pumpkins line a half-mile trail
Marie Laveau's House of VoodooSightNew Orleans, United StatesLearn about 19th-century voodoo practitioner
New Orleans Historic Voodoo MuseumMuseumNew Orleans, United StatesHelps put voodoo traditions into context
Buckner MansionSightNew Orleans, United StatesGreek Revival house from American Horror Story: Coven
Copper VineRestaurantNew Orleans, United StatesCopper Vine Wine Pub & Inn located in Downtown New Orleans featuring Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Boutique Hotel, and Special…
Endless Night Vampire BallFestivalNew Orleans, United StatesAdults-only Halloween event at House of Blues
The MortuarySightNew Orleans, United StatesA Haunted House In A Real Haunted House!
New Orleans NightmareSightNew Orleans, United StatesExperience New Orleans Nightmare Haunted House, New Orleans’ ultimate Halloween event.
Boot HillSightVirginia City, United StatesVirginia City's first cemetery with vigilante burials

Read the full piece at Condé Nast Traveler →

OutsideOct 5

You Can Spend the Night Inside These 6 Spooky Ghost Towns

From restored miners’ cabins in Montana to desert outpost campgrounds in Nevada and California, these places offer an eerie overnight experience that no hotel can match.

9 things in this story

Big Bend Holiday HotelHotelmanager notes evening's biggest show is the sunset
Perry MansionHotelonce the home of the head of Chisos Mining Company
Elsewhere
Paws UpHotelGreenough, United Statesluxe ranch 36 miles away from Garnet
Bannack DaysFestivalBannack, United Statesthird weekend in July with gold panning and gunfights
Berlin-Ichthyosaur State ParkPlaceBerlin, United Stateshome to the remaining buildings of the Berlin Mine
Fairweather InnHotelNevada City, United Statesconcessionaire of the inn and Nevada City Cabins
Nevada City CabinsHotelNevada City, United Stateshistoric cabins available to rent year-round
Knott's Berry FarmTheme parkBuena Park, United Statesamusement park impresario rescued Calico
Calico Ghost Town ParkNeighborhoodCalico, United Statesghost town with a showman's streak

Read the full piece at Outside →

Condé Nast TravelerJun 21

These Iconic National Park Hotels Are Some of the USA's Most Beautiful Stays

From historic lodges to sprawling ranch resorts, these stunning spots are worth planning your next trip around.

21 hotels in this story

Willow HouseHotelDesert retreat with 12 casitas overlooking the Chisos Mountains.
Elsewhere
El TovarHotelGrand Canyon National Park, United StatesSwiss chalet-like building near the Grand Canyon's Southern Rim.
Kalaloch LodgeHotelOlympic National Park, United StatesRustic lodge between pine trees and Pacific Ocean beaches.
Old Faithful InnHotelYellowstone National Park, United StatesWorld's largest log hotel with an 85-foot stone fireplace.
The Stanley HotelHotelEstes Park, United StatesHistoric hotel known for inspiring Stephen King's The Shining.
Many Glacier HotelHotelGlacier National Park, United StatesTechnology-deficient chalet on Swiftcurrent Lake.
Crater Lake LodgeHotelCrater Lake National Park, United StatesHistoric lodge on the rim of Crater Lake.
Asticou HotelHotelBar Harbor, United StatesHistoric 19th-century property with a heated pool.
Ross Lake ResortHotelNorth Cascades National Park, United StatesFeatures 15 "floating" cabins on the surface of Ross Lake.
Blackberry MountainHotelGreat Smoky Mountains National Park, United StatesLuxury lodge with freestanding accommodations and a spa.
The AhwahneeHotelYosemite National Park, United StatesNational Historic Landmark with Art Deco and Native American architecture.
Zion LodgeHotelZion National Park, United StatesOnly lodge located within Zion National Park boundaries.
Under Canvas Bryce CanyonHotelBryce Canyon National Park, United StatesGlamping outpost near Bryce Canyon National Park.
Volcano HouseHotelHawai'i Volcanoes National Park, United StatesHotel situated near the Big Island's Halemaʻumaʻu Crater.
Oasis at Death ValleyHotelDeath Valley National Park, United StatesSprawling complex with golf course, spa, and spring-fed pools.
The Bungalows at Retreat by Homestead ModernHotelJoshua Tree National Park, United StatesRenovated mid-century suites on Joshua Tree Retreat Center campus.
Far View LodgeHotelMesa Verde National Park, United StatesOnly lodging inside Mesa Verde National Park.
Jenny Lake LodgeHotelGrand Teton National Park, United StatesFull-service resort with private cabins and outdoor activities.
Ulum MoabHotelMoab, United StatesGlamping resort with safari-style suites and a full-service restaurant.
La Quinta Resort & ClubHotelLa Quinta, United StatesWaldorf Astoria property offering a luxury camping experience.
Paradise InnHotelMount Rainier National Park, United StatesGorgeous lodge-style property with charmingly decorated rooms.

Read the full piece at Condé Nast Traveler →