Embrace the Southern Darkness

Winter may be the bleakest time of the year, but you don't have to hibernate. Here are several ways to cherish the darkness in fun and innovative ways.

Ghost Baby, Cincinnati

Noctourism is one of Booking.com’s top travel trends in 2025. In its study, 62 percent of travelers are considering visiting darker sky destinations to enjoy stargazing, after dark nature tours, and evening cultural events. We culled the following Southern destinations (or close to the South) from a press releases by Development Counsellors International and Laurie Rowe Communications—thanks y'all!

North Alabama

Deep underground at Rickwood Caverns State Park, darkness envelopes that no other. But right now its Wonderland Under Warrior welcomes guests for a unique experience that celebrates the sights and sounds of Christmas and the natural beauty of the cavern. Visitors come to see more than 100,000 twinkling lights and to walk the lighted path among the stalactites, stalagmites and other unique geological formations. The whimsical journey underground transforms the already magnificent cave into a special holiday experience.

Daytona, Florida

From now through Jan. 3, 2026, Daytona International Speedway is transformed into Magic of Lights, a slow drive-through experience with a dazzling display of more than a million holiday lights. At the “World Center of Racing,” Magic of Lights is a display of twinkling, sparkling lights and magical scenes with the latest LED technology and digital animation, all viewed within the comfort and safety of the guest’s vehicle. After experiencing the Magic of Lights, visitors can drive across the street for a million square feet of shopping, restaurants, entertainment and hotel accommodations at ONE DAYTONA.

Ghost Baby

Cincinnati, Ohio/Northern Kentucky 

Ghost Baby, a modern-day speakeasy, is located in an old tunnel once used for refrigeration some four stories beneath Vine Street in the OTR (Over The Rhine neighborhood). Now it's a hip place to enjoy live entertainment and craft cocktails. The Newport Aquarium hosts Aquarium After Dark on select dates throughout the year. When the lights go out the animals snooze but some become active and visit get a chance to find out which. Included with admission is a pizza party where you’ll learn about the eating habits of the venue’s residents. In addition, participate in an after-dark scavenger hunt, self-guided twilight tour and other activities designed for a nocturnal experience.  

Baltimore, MD 

Start off a visit in the Charm City at the Inner Harbor for evening exploration. Visitors can enjoy guided kayak tours along the waterfront, taking in the city's skyline and landmarks from the water. For a unique experience, the Baltimore Water Taxi operates evening cruises that connect various waterfront neighborhoods, including Fell’s Point and Harbor East.

Greater Louisville, Kentucky/Indiana  

Become immersed in the Derby City by visiting one of the city's parks along the Ohio River, such as Waterfront Park, the site of various events and festivals, including the annual Thunder Over Louisville, an air show and fireworks display. Additionally, the Louisville Mega Cavern offers unique nighttime experiences like the Lights Under Louisville, a mesmerizing underground light show that captivates visitors of all ages. For those seeking live outdoor entertainment, the Louisville Palace provides open-air concerts and performances in a historic setting. 

Top of the Rock

Johnny Morris Conservation Foundation Attractions (Ozarks, Missouri) 

Top of The Rock is located in the Ozarks just south of Springfield and overlooks Table Rock Lake. Start the evening with a sunset ritual that includes a lone bagpiper player serenading guests with a Civil War cannon firing a single shot to announce the end of the day. Then head to the nearby Lost Canyon Cave for Nature at Night—taking place through May 26. Guests are assigned their own golf cart, which they motor along a 2.5-mile trail punctuated by stunning and massive light displays, waterfalls, bridge crossings and a cave complete with its own drive-through Bat Bar.  

Kissimmee, Florida 

In Kissimmee, glide through the moonlit wetlands on an Everglades airboat adventure with Wild Florida. As your boat skims across the water, spot alligators and other Florida night wildlife. The untouched beauty of Florida’s wetlands at night offers a truly immersive and exhilarating experience. A nighttime helicopter tour over the Disney parks dazzles as the sky erupts in a fireworks display. 

Loudoun County, Virginia 

As DC’s Wine Country and the proud home of the LoCo Ale Trail, this destination has unique spots to enjoy at night. One Loudoun’s Bar Louie curates that rowdy local watering hole vibe with handcrafted cocktails, local and regional beers, wines, lively DJs and gastropub food. Tarbender’s Lounge in historic downtown Leesburg is a dimly lit speakeasy. The menu features originals such as the Son of a Bee Sting and the Hurricanado-Vodka. Night Shift is the craft cocktail bar of hipster Leesburg mixologist and musician Richard Smith. For a more relaxed vibe, the Gold Cup Wine Bar at Salamander Resort & Spa is the ultimate in sophistication: long bar counter, wood-paneled walls, leather armchairs and an outdoor terrace for warmer evenings.  

The world-famous Restaurant at Patowmack Farm has a fine dining, foraging-to-fork restaurant of Beverly Morton Billand located on her land overlooking the Potomac River. Catoctin Creek Distilling Company in Purcellville offers tours and tastings. 

Local breweries host live music every weekend such as the Flying Ace Distillery & Brewery in Lovettsville. Wineries are not left behind when talking about the live music scene, 868 Estate Vineyards in Purcellville hosts live music annually. Opened in 1931 as Leesburg’s first movie house, Tally Ho Theater is now the flagship Loudoun live music venue. Known alternatively as the “Key West of Leesburg” and “Beermuda”, MacDowells Brew Kitchen is a popular Leesburg hangout famous for its sand-covered, palm-shaded outdoor beach bar with a marooned boat for décor and a busy stage. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema invites you to watch the latest art house release or Hollywood blockbuster while being served food and beverages in your seat. Stagecoach Theatre Company in Ashburn is a community theater that hosts cabaret and improv comedy nights as well as intimate dinner theater productions. 

San Antonio's Riverwalk

San Antonio, Texas 

Explore San Antonio’s famed River Walk at night aboard GO RIO, featuring a fleet of colorful and eco-friendly electric riverboats that provide an unforgettable experience with a narrated night tour highlighting the history and artwork along this ribbon of water. GO RIO also offers river shuttle service from downtown to the Museum Reach. Charter and private cruises for up to 40 guests can also be arranged.  

Take a visual journey through San Antonio’s history at The Saga, an after-dark immersive light show (similar to the van Gogh experience) projected onto the facade of the San Fernando Cathedral, the oldest operating sanctuary in North America located on the Main Plaza in the heart of downtown San Antonio. Experience the wonder through an artistic lens while immersing yourself in the rich history of the Alamo City. The 24-minute, 7,000-sq. ft. projection video art installation is always free to the public and runs Tuesday through Sunday.  

St. Louis

St. Louis, Missouri 

St. Louis offers travelers a diverse array of live music venues, ranging in size and style, along with entertainment districts that combine food, drinks, and immersive games all in one place. The city also boasts upscale casinos with dining options.  

For families traveling to St. Louis, there are many attractions that cater to children, including The Magic House, the Saint Louis Zoo, the City Museum, Laumeier Sculpture Park, RYZE Adventure Park, and the World Chess Hall of Fame. Located in downtown St. Louis, The Boom Boom Room is the largest burlesque club in the country. Guests can look forward to choreographed dances, spectacular aerial performances, dazzling fire shows, and comedy skits. St. Louis's internationally renowned Duck Room at Blueberry Hill is alive with live music several nights a week; the legendary Chuck Berry performed here more than 200 times! City Winery provides intimate performances, upscale dining and, of course, wine at the City Foundry STL. 

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 

As the sun sets over Oklahoma City, the real adventure begins. Start your night in the heart of Bricktown, where the moonlit water taxi glides along the Bricktown Canal, passing beneath glowing bridges and alongside buzzing restaurants and bars. If you’re drawn to the paranormal, an Oklahoma City ghost tour will take you deep into the city's eerie past. For adrenaline seekers, Riversport OKC offers whitewater rafting under the stars. During summer nights, visitors can tackle the rapids in the dark, guided only by strategically placed lights and the sounds of the river—an experience like no other. 

Tulsa, Oklahoma 

Kick off your exploration in T-Town at The Deco District that showcases some of the nation's most extensive Art Deco architecture. In the Tulsa Arts District, venues like the Tulsa Theater (formally named Brady Theater) and Cain's Ballroom host concerts and theatrical performances. For family-friendly nighttime activities, institutions such as Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios and the Philbrook Museum offer engaging experiences. A trip to T-Town isn’t complete unless you make the trip to the Route 66 Historical Village, Located in Southwest Tulsa on famed Route 66, this open-air museum offers a unique experience educating visitors about Tulsa's history in the oil, refining and transportation industries. Their Visitor’s Center is a replica of a 1920’s Phillips 66 gas station, which pairs nicely with their towering 154-foot-tall oil derrick–the tallest oil derrick in North America. 

Weird, Wacky & Wild South is operated by travel writer Cheré Coen who loves both winter and dark nights, which is why she writes about ghosts in her book, "Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana" (The History Press), and the Viola Valentine paranormal mystery series under the pen name of Cherie Claire.