virginia: Looking for somewhere in the vicinity of Northern Virginia. Somewhere where I can just park my car, get out, set up a blanket and lay down. Preferably within one hour driving distance.|||Scroll down on the first link to December 4th. You get a good stargazing night with NOVAC...the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club...at one of the public observing nights, like a star party. Free, but some places there's an overnight parking charge of $4 or so. There will be members with telescopes all set up and some good folks to meet for a guided tour round the sky. If you turn up in a car after dark turn off the headlamps as you approach the field where it's all set up. It's normal manners at star parties so it doesn't mess up people's eyes when they've got their night vision sorted already. Take some food and a flask of coffee or a camping stove for hot fresh coffee. Use stoves well away from the telescopes. Loads of folks will be doing the same so no worries. Gotta eat. It gets cold at night. Plenty of warm clothing, some hot food and coffee makes the night more comfortable. http://www.novac.com/outreach/ . . . . . . Here's the home page http://www.novac.com/ . . . . The big night was a few weeks ago......more coming http://www.novac.com/gaze/ . . . . Scroll down to Virginia for more clubs. Look over the border too if you're close. Do a Google search for info on any of them close to you if no direct link is provided. http://www.xyroth-enterprises.co.uk/usas鈥?/a> . . . . By yourself....just drive away from the city lights. Anywhere dark is as good as anywhere else for watching the sky if the weather is good too. A low horizon all round helps. Next few nights the Moon is bright so it's not great for star watching but the Leonid meteors are around for a day or two yet. Some good places on here for Virginia and some observing tips.... http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20101116/tr_a鈥?/a> . . .. Have a good time.|||There are several places to stargaze. Before I answer, can I ask, why do you want to stargaze ? Are you in love or trying to escape from love? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, then bring her/him with you to stargaze. I am sure he would be more than happy to be with you. Stargazing is the best when you will have your lover with you.