This Beach Town Is One of the Best Places to Stargaze on the East Coast-and It Has Quiet Beaches and Local Clam Shacks

"Charlestown, Rhode Island, doesn't quite get the same amount of attention as splashy Newport does-but that's precisely the point. Nights are dark enough to see the Milky Way overhead, beaches are unspoiled, and the local seafood spots like to keep things unfussy but delicious. Life here just seems to run a little slower. You can find that sense of unhurried wonder year-round all across Charlestown, from its picturesque coastline to its salt ponds and wooded trails."

"The star of the show here-literally-is the Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center. While Charlestown doesn't have an official International Dark Sky designation, local lighting ordinances and regulations help keep light pollution low, making the night sky here among the clearest on the East Coast. Public stargazing nights are held every Friday, and during these events, powerful telescopes bring planets, galaxies, and star clusters into view."

Charlestown features dark skies and unspoiled coastal landscapes that support stargazing and relaxed seaside recreation. The Frosty Drew Observatory hosts public stargazing nights on Fridays, with telescopes revealing planets, galaxies, and star clusters. East Beach offers nearly three miles of undeveloped dunes and surf, while Blue Shutters Town Beach provides lifeguards, showers, and a seasonal snack bar. The Charlestown Breachway connects tidal waters to Ninigret Pond, drawing anglers, boaters, and campers. Local seafood restaurants emphasize simple, delicious preparations. Nights often reveal the Milky Way overhead, and a pleasant 'locals' summer' follows Labor Day when crowds thin but temperatures remain warm.

Read at Travel + Leisure