Star Gay-zing in Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville, NC is ideal for stargazing and features several easily accessible sites, including spots on the Blue Ridge Parkway, that are perfect for viewing sessions.

Visitors can team up with other local stargazers in the Astronomy Club of Asheville, who have monthly viewing sessions open to the public. There are often enough telescopes for everyone, so you don’t have to bring your own. The group’s Web site includes a list of star-gaze dates as well as tips and etiquette for the best viewing experience. You will ooh and aah like a kid when you see Saturn's rings and the moon very, very close up.

To the surprise of many, Asheville has a thriving gay and lesbian community and many venues of interest to LGBT visitors. Gay Asheville online.