Experiences to Beat the Winter Blues and Avoid Hibernation
Words by Marianne Leek
Photos by Joshua Moore, Mayland Community College, Fiasco Media, David Rinella, Stephen Cook, Brookgreen Gardens, Red River Gorgeous
If you read the British classic, “Jane Eyre,” in high school, you might remember Charlotte Brontë’s description of the protagonist’s spiritual awakening under a starry night sky: “Night was come, and her planets were risen: a safe, still night; too serene for the companionship of fear … Looking up, I, with tear-dimmed eyes, saw the mighty Milky-way. Remembering what it was—what countless systems there swept space like a soft trace of light—I felt the might and strength of God.”
Perhaps the recent uptick in what has been termed “Noctourism” can be explained by Eyre’s description of a peace that surpasses all understanding, along with a modern human desire to disconnect from devices and busyness and reconnect with nature, ourselves, and our communities. This is a trend that begs the question: When did we lose the childhood sense of wonder that beckoned us outside after dark, Mason jar in hand, anticipating the twinkling glow of fireflies, or stop searching for planets and constellations, tracing them with our tiny fingers across the night sky?
As travelers seek more opportunities to explore the world after dark, Noctourism has grown to include a wide range of experiences, from stargazing and night hiking to after-dark ghost and history tours.
The mountains of western North Carolina are teeming with opportunities to explore the nocturnal magic of nature. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open year-round, and both Cades Cove and Kuwohi are ideal for nocturism travelers. The road to Kuwohi, which is typically open until Dec. 1, leads to a half-mile trail to its iconic tower, offering panoramic views of the night sky.
Waterrock Knob, located near the southern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway, is far removed from the light pollution associated with urban areas, making it a gorgeous spot for stargazing. Both the national park and the parkway have numerous pullouts where you can enjoy the nearly 2,500 stars that can be seen with the naked eye.
Continue on the parkway to Boone, North Carolina, to experience another ideal celestial viewing area, Thunder Hill Overlook. Appalachian State University’s Dark Sky Observatory and Mayland Community College’s Bare Dark Sky Observatory in nearby Yancey County have regular community events for expert-guided, telescopic viewings of planets, nebulae, and distant galaxies.
When did we lose the childhood sense of wonder that beckoned us outside after dark, Mason jar in hand, anticipating the twinkling glow of fireflies, or stop searching for planets and constellations, tracing them with our tiny fingers across the night sky?
In Old Fort, North Carolina, Wunderland is a sustainable, nature-centered, eco-adventure resort that blends wellness and experiential hospitality. In addition to glamping pods, bespoke villas, van/RV pads, and primitive campsites, amenities include a sauna, cold plunge, community kitchen, yoga space, and fireside gathering circle. Opened in the summer of 2025, Wunderland is the brainchild of Shawn Verbrugghe, who’s optimistic about winter evening experiences, including a forest night tour, as well as “Le feast noir,” a dining experience in complete darkness.
The Glamping Collective near Asheville, North Carolina, has mountaintop domes and glass cabins with views of the surrounding mountains. The on-site Sunset Summit trail leads to a 360-degree viewing area. Grab a blanket and a bottle of wine, and trace constellations across the winter sky. Accommodations are intentionally television-free, inviting guests to spend time outdoors.
Tucked among the rolling hills of rural Hendersonville, North Carolina, The Horse Shoe Farm is a luxury resort and spa with unique cultural nighttime offerings. Yona FrenchHawk is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, a wisdom keeper, ceremonialist, and singer-storyteller at The Horse Shoe Farm. There, he leads traditional sweat lodge ceremonies, as well as an annual Calling of the Bears ceremony celebrating the winter solstice, while Victoria Johnson leads “despacho” and sacred fire ceremonies, rituals of intention, prayer, and gratitude practiced by the Q’ero and other Indigenous peoples of the Peruvian Andes.
Home to the world’s largest man-made whitewater river, the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, transforms into a winter wonderland from mid-November to mid-February. A seasonal night pass grants guests access to the largest outdoor ice-skating rink in the Carolinas, the popular Canyon Zip, and Wildwoods featuring illuminated tree houses and obstacles. The 2.5-mile Lake Loop Trail is lined with thousands of twinkling holiday lights and encompasses a 70-acre, dog-friendly area where your pup can roam off leash.
Located along the Appalachian Trail at the highest point in Georgia, Brasstown Bald’s observation deck is the perfect place to view the winter sky. While the visitor center is only open seasonally, the observation deck remains open year-round to hikers.
Blue Ridge, Georgia, is the perfect base camp for exploring the outdoors and celebrating the winter holidays. Light up Blue Ridge morphs this delightful downtown into a festive dreamworld. If you have a soft spot for nostalgia, the Swan Drive-In is one of the few remaining drive-in theaters in Georgia. With its popular double features, including new releases and retro classics, it has remained a local favorite since 1955.
The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is yet another nod to simpler times, and while they don’t typically have evening excursions, they do have late afternoon holiday train offerings through the new year, ending January 5, 2026. Enjoy an early evening train ride before heading back to your dome at Glamp Blue Ridge, situated along Fall Branch Falls. Sip hot chocolate, make s’mores, and connect with family. Each dome has a 40-foot deck with a private hot tub and fire pit to stay cozy, as well as a 20-foot front window and moonroof to enjoy nighttime views from the comfort of a king-sized bed.
Nearby trails at Lake Blue Ridge, Fort Mountain State Park, and Amicalola Falls State Park afford visitors some opportunities for night hiking, and Tallulah Gorge State Park offers a unique ranger-led, full-moon hike, including a walk across the suspension bridge where hikers can take in the stunning gorge below.
The holidays shine brighter in Macon, Georgia, during its award-winning Christmas Light Extravaganza, when more than a million twinkling lights adorn downtown. Take a selfie with Santa, plan a romantic carriage ride through festive downtown, and enjoy nightly shows when the world-class orchestra, Macon Pops, plays original music to showcase a local Macon artist.
Greenville, South Carolina, is home to Conestee Nature Preserve, a 640-acre wildlife sanctuary with miles of trails and observation decks for visitors to enjoy. The preserve offers staff-led night hikes and a winter twilight hike where you may glimpse owls, deer, coyotes, beavers, and other nocturnal creatures along the trail.
As travelers seek more opportunities to explore the world after dark, Noctourism has grown to include a wide range of experiences, from stargazing and night hiking to after-dark ghost and history tours.
Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, entices beachgoers inland to engage in one of the most popular holiday events in the South, an evening of botanical beauty and artistic splendor. With more than 9,000 acres of year-round blooms, three sculpture galleries, and a native animal zoo, their winter installation, Nights of a Thousand Candles, bathes this beloved historic landmark in the soft glow of 2,700 hand-lit candles and millions of lights. Stroll along illuminated trails while sipping hot cider, listening to holiday music, and taking time to appreciate the largest American sculpture garden in the country.
The Haunted Evening Horse and Carriage Tour of Charleston is an excellent way to explore the Holy City and learn about its complicated history. Bulldog Tours offers evening ghost and history walking tours, with a portion of ticket sales going to preserve historical landmarks in Charleston.
Boasting some of the most impressive sandstone arches east of the Rockies, Kentucky’s Red River Gorge Geological Area is a must for outdoor enthusiasts who appreciate unique geological formations and dramatic cliffside views. Hike under a canopy of stars and view celestial wonders from Hanson’s Point. Embark on a moonlit journey with Leave No Trace Adventures, which continues to offer guided, interactive, and educational night hikes. For an immersive experience that will reawaken your inner child, consider anchoring your stay at Red River Gorgeous’ wilderness treehouse and cabin rentals.
Bernheim Forest and Arboretum near Louisville, Kentucky, is a 16,000-acre playground with more than 40 miles of trails, picnic areas, and gardens. Its night naturalist program includes a Cocoa and Cosmos series where participants can explore the night sky with volunteers who seamlessly blend science and celestial folklore during this educational, interactive activity.
From the mountains to the shore, there’s no shortage of nocturnal adventure in the South.
