Where To Go Stargazing Around Chicago

Looking to do some stargazing? You’re in luck!

Chicago is bright and busy, but you can still find pockets of dark sky that are great for stargazing. With the right supplies and the right places to visit, you can see anything from galaxies to planets to meteor showers, nebulae and more!

How to go stargazing around Chicago

Research the weather

You could be on the darkest point on the planet and still see absolutely nothing if the weather isn’t on your side. 

Generally speaking, the best times to go stargazing are in the wee hours of the morning when most people are asleep and the sun has long since set. If the moon hasn’t risen by then, then even better, as a bright moon can make it much harder to see the more faraway stars. 

You can use a weather app or a meteorological website to find out when the sun sets and rises, whether the moon is going to be in the sky (and how bright it will be) and, of course, whether there will be clouds.  

Bring supplies

You don’t need a lot to go stargazing! In fact, it’s really up to you as to how much you want to bring. 

Here are some items you may choose to bring on your stargazing adventure:

• Clothes that cover your skin: mosquitos make stargazing much, much less enjoyable.
• Picnic blanket & a pillow: craning your neck skyward for hours at a time is no fun, but relaxing on a soft blanket certainly is!
• Bug spray: I’m serious, the bugs are the worst. You think they won’t be an issue, but they will. They most certainly will.
• Binoculars: these don’t have to be fancy at all. A simple pair of bird watching binoculars can reveal so much more than what you can see with the naked eye, so definitely bring some if you have any!
• A red-light flashlight: all serious stargazers know that light pollution comes from more than just cities. Certain wavelengths of light (like LED lights and screen lights) can ruin your night vision and will make your eyes take longer to adjust to the darkness. Use a red-light flashlight to get around so that you can still see your surroundings without ruining your night vision.
• Star chart: constellations, nebulae, galaxies, meteor showers, planets, comets and more are visible throughout the year in some form or another, but it’s finding them that’s the tricky bit. Bring a star chart with you so that you can know where to look! 

Where to go stargazing around Chicago

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Location: 1215 N State Road 49, Porter, IN

Distance from Downtown Chicago: 50 minutes

It’s a simple equation: lots of open land plus lots of open water equals some pretty dark skies. 

Which is exactly what the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore has got!

With 21,000 acres of sand dunes, lakeshores and grasslands next to the dark Lake Michigan, this really is one of the best places to see the night sky around the Chicago metropolis. In fact, the Beverly Shores area in the park has been designated an official Dark Sky Community by the International Dark-Sky Association! 

Lake Michigan

Location: Giant lake just east of the city… you can’t miss it

Distance from Downtown Chicago: like, right there

Of course, the best way to get away from city lights, streetlights and the hustle and bustle of humanity is to get out onto Lake Michigan, with only the chilly wind and the fish below to keep you company. 

There, out on the quiet, dark lake, you can move further and further away from Chicago until the sky gets as dark as you want it to! Plus, you’ll get a great view of the city on your way back.

Northerly Island Park

Location: 1521 S Linn White Drive, Chicago

Distance from Downtown Chicago: 8 minutes

While this place may not be as dark as, say the Indiana Dunes or the center of Lake Michigan, it’s still a pretty decent spot to be if you’re wanting to catch a glimpse of the starry night sky. 

Northerly Island is the man-made peninsula just off the shores of the South Loop area in Chicago. Adler Planetarium is located at the top of the peninsula, so you can make a whole day out of stargazing here, if you want! Check out the planetarium first, then stay in the park until after sundown when the stars start to peek out. 

You’ll still get a lot of light pollution from the city, but if you point your binoculars or telescopes east over the lake, you’ll have a better chance of seeing more celestial objects. 

Palos Park Woods

Location: 11850 S 88th Ave, Palos Park, IL

Distance from Downtown Chicago: 30 minutes

This peaceful area is the perfect retreat for nature enthusiasts. During the day, you can walk, picnic and birdwatch to your heart’s content — then once night falls, you can break out your binoculars and telescopes and do some stargazing.  

The Palos Park Woods is a Dark Sky Association certified Urban Night Sky Place, meaning it’s known as one of the best places to see the night sky in the city! With nearly 7,000 acres of beautiful natural scenery just a dozen miles from Chicago, this is one of the best urban parks to go stargazing in, for sure!

So, if you live in or near our luxury Chicago apartments for rent, then you’ll never have to worry about choosing city life over seeing those gorgeous night skies. You can absolutely do both, as long as you know where to look!

Good luck, and happy stargazing!

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Featured photo courtesy Pixabay/StockSnap