‘Perfect for stargazing.’ This PA Airbnb has a bubble dome to watch the stars
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North, South, Centre 2023
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Looking for a place to soak in the night sky or somewhere to watch the upcoming meteor showers? An Airbnb in Stillwater, PA has a stargazing bubble tent to watch the skies in full comfort.
“It’s quiet, it’s secluded, it’s perfect for stargazing,” owner Patrick Gallagher said.
The stargazing bubble is one of the features at the secluded Ricketts Chic Farmhouse Airbnb, which is tucked between forests and farmland in Columbia County. Gallagher bought the property in 2022 and bought the bubble tent after seeing how clear the sky was above the area.
“We just noticed when we were staying there that the skies were absolutely gorgeous, particularly when it was clear out in the fall,” Gallagher said. “And we were wondering how we could kind of maximize that.”
The renovated farmhouse sits on more than an acre of land with three bedrooms that can sleep up to seven people. Inside the home is a sunroom, full kitchen, dining and living room. The outdoor area near the stargazing bubble has a fire pit for s’mores and lawn games, one of Gallagher’s favorite features.
The Ricketts Chic Farmhouse is available to rent at $186 a night, with a two-night minimum stay. The stargazing bubble is available for guests all year round, with a heater inside for winter nights.
Gallagher sends guests a virtual guidebook to highlight some of the activities around Stillwater, including Ricketts Glen State Park. Considered one of the state’s most beautiful areas for hiking, the park boasts a series of free-flowing waterfalls and trails.
“There’s a lot of great places for hiking or fishing or all types of outdoor activities,” Gallagher said. “There’s some really great farmers markets that are in the area that we have on our guidebook. Also there’s some great wineries, distilleries and cool restaurants.”
What to know: The house has complimentary coffee and tea, as well as a popcorn machine for movie nights. Guests should note that the blower on the bubble tent can be loud.
What to do: Ricketts Glen State Park, Bloomsburg Children’s Museum
How to get there: From State College take I-80 East toward PA Route 64 then exit onto Route 254 to get there in just more than 1 hour, 30 minutes.
