places to go / THE BIG TO-DO

focus here is on the skyline. // Dallas, 214/296-9950; reuniontower.com

Sky Theater At Unt

This 40-foot domed theater immerses visitors in stunning views of the night sky during its public shows on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Each day, the planetarium screens a Children’s Matinee at noon, which features a different show for ages preschool to sixth grade each month. The hour-long show also includes a guided tour of the sky that evening.

The planetarium screens two more space-themed shows in the late afternoon and evening, as well as a concert series for teens and adults in the evenings. And with more than 35 shows in the Sky Theater’s library, the show lineup changes each month. // Denton, 940/3698213; astronomy.unt.edu/ sky-theater

TIP: UNT also operates the Rafes Urban Astronomy Center, located just west of the Denton Municipal Airport. Here, the university hosts Star Parties on the first and third Saturday of each month, where you can learn about the night sky from knowledgeable staff and students and see objects in space through the telescopes.

Uta Planetarium

One of the three largest planetariums in Texas, the 60-foot dome provides unparalleled views of the starry sky, the solar system and distant galaxies The UTA Planetarium currently offers public shows on Saturdays.

TIP: Shows and schedules may change, so be sure to follow the planetarium on Instagram (@utaplanetarium) for updates. They also post special events, last-minute changes to the schedule and more.

Space Center

HOUSTON

If you have a child who is obsessed with space or dreams of being an astronaut, Space Center Houston must be at the top of your list! It’s home to more than 400 space artifacts, the world’s largest collection of moon rocks on view for the public and more. Make Independence Plaza the first stop on your visit.

TIP: When you arrive at Space Center Houston, be sure to make same-day reservations for a Tram Tour to visit the Astronaut Training Facility or Rocket Park.

Climb aboard and explore a replica of the space shuttle Independence, which is mounted atop the original NASA 905 shuttle carrier aircraft, to see what living conditions were like for astronauts. Then head to Mission Mars, which highlights NASA’s journey to the red planet. This interactive exhibit features a virtual Martian sunset, a simulated Orion capsule you can climb aboard and a real piece of Mars rock you can touch.

At the Starship Gallery to get an up-close look at spacecraft that have been to space (including the Apollo 17 Command Module) and touch a moon rock. See suits and apparel that have been worn by astronauts in space. And get a close-up peak of one of two SpaceX Falcon 9 boosters on display—and we mean closeup: You can walk under it!

Space Center Houston regularly hosts family overnights for ages 5 and older which include handson STEM activities, dinner and breakfast. Plus, you can choose to camp outside, under the Falcon 9 rocket or in Independence Plaza, or sleep indoors surrounded by some of the rarest spaceflight artifacts on Earth. // Houston, 281/2442100; spacecenter.org

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

This massive pink granite dome has drawn visitors for thousands of years. And for good reason: You can hike the 11 miles of trails, camp, picnic and geocache here—and the scenery, rock formation and legends about the park are just plain magical. In one story, Tonkawa Indians thought that ghost fires flickered on top of the dome. Turns out the rock glitters on clear nights after rain, and scientists think the glittering is reflections from collected water or wet feldspar.

Enchanted Rock is one of the best public places to it’s one of the first Texas parks to be designated as an International Dark Sky Park, meaning the area has an exceptional quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is protected. The state park also hosts various events for families like full moon hikes and campfire chats. // Fredericksburg, 830/6853636; tpwd.texas.gov

Tip: Reservations are required for day passes and overnight stays on weekends, school breaks, and holidays. You can make reservations online or by calling 512/389-8900.

Marfa And Mcdonald Observatory

Getting to this small desert community in far west Texas is a journey—Marfa is so remote that the closest city, El Paso, is three hours away. With an internationally renowned arts scene, Marfa is mecca for creatives; there are art galleries, museums, and large-scale indoor and outdoor installations throughout town. But at night, the real masterpiece is the sky full of stars. Marfa is within the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve, more than 15,000 square miles of protected dark sky space in Texas and Mexico—the largest Dark Sky Certified place in the world.

And it’s not just sparkling stars visitors look for in the Marfa sky. Since the 19th century there have been ac- counts of a strange spectacle just east of town: seemingly sourceless lights that dance on the horizon. Known as the Marfa Lights, they’re red, white or blue and appear randomly throughout the night, no matter the season or weather.

If you take the trip to Marfa, you’ll want to check out the McDonald Observatory in nearby Fort Davis. This world-class astronomical observatory and research facility offers daytime solar viewing and guided tours, but the real highlight is their nighttime programs, including the family-friendly Star Parties. These evening viewing gatherings include open-air constellation tours and telescope viewing. Be sure to get tickets ahead of time as the program often sells out. // Marfa; visitmarfa.com // McDonald Observatory, Fort Davis, 432/426-3640; mcdonaldobservatory.org

TIP: Before you plan your stargazing trip, the McDonald Observatory says you should consider the phase of the moon. Several days before the first quarter and several days after full, the moonlight will be bright. This will give you great views of the moon, of course, but could limit the ability to see fainter objects in the sky.