6 North Carolina Adventures You Can Only Have at Night

There's something about the darkness that is intense and powerful yet also inviting and relaxing. The night sky is filled with wonders beyond our comprehension, and there's no way not to feel small in comparison to the millions of glowing stars and bright moon shining above. While many choose night as a time to relax in the house and get some shut-eye, those night owl North Carolinians (like myself) just see it as an extension of the day, a time in which the world is silent but still explorable. Luckily for us, there are plenty of nighttime adventures in North Carolina to enjoy.

1. Drive to the country and watch a meteor shower

At least once in your North Carolina life, everyone needs the experience of driving to the country and laying on the hood of a car or in the bed of a truck and gazing up at the night sky. Once you're surrounded by total blackness with minimal light pollution, stargazing becomes a wondrous experience. For an even better experience, plan your trip around a meteor shower. This Farmer's Almanac Meteor Shower Calendar shows you upcoming 'sky shows' for North Carolina. My personal favorite meteor shower is Perseid, which is visible in mid-August.

2. Take a black light mine tour

Emerald Village in Little Switzerland offers a black light mine tour through Bon Ami Mine. With the blacklight, you can see hidden colors earthed within the rock, mainly Hyalite Opal, a true form of opal found in this area. Blacklight tours are offered ten days out of the year with the arrangements of special, custom group tours also available. See the schedule for the blacklight tours on the website. For more information on Emerald Village, read our guide here.

3. Visit the Bare Dark Sky Observatory

Located in Burnsville, the Sam Scope used at the observatory is the largest in the southeast for public use. At 2,736 elevation, you can gaze at 360-degree views of the night sky high up in the Appalachian mountains.

4. Go on a 'night flight'

ZipQuest offers a 'NightQuest' where you explore the park's amenities and treetop rope and ladder courses beneath the dark of night. ZipQuest offers two NightQuest options, so you can choose the best one for your group.

Whichever one you choose, rest assured you will have the proper safety equipment and be with a knowledgeable guide every step of the way.

5. Walk on the beach with a guiding light

Between hunting for ghost crabs or watching a lighthouse beam off in the distance, a night stroll on the beach is amazing. It's interesting to think about the loads of history that go into North Carolina's lighthouses and the many ships they guided to a safe haven. Are you looking to make an entire journey of it? Follow our lighthouse road trip.

6. Witness the mysterious Brown Mountain Lights

For years, scientists, researchers, and even paranormal investigators have been trying to solve the mystery of the Brown Mountain Lights. Appearing in orbs of different shapes and colors, the lights seem to dance above the treetops and sometimes whiz about. From being deemed 'swamp gas' to departed souls, while many spooky North Carolina stories have no definitive proof, you can actually see these with your own two eyes.

Share this article with your fellow nocturnal adventurer and start making plans to explore one of these nighttime adventures in North Carolina!

For more nighttime adventures, check out North Carolina's own Dark Sky Park. Make a road trip out of it!