- Public observatory
- Regular opening days
- Night observing
- Largest telescope used by the public: 445 mm
Two observatory structures house refractors of 6 and 8 inches and reflectors of 10, 12.5 and 17.5 inches. Free night viewing on some Saturdays and free daytime solar viewing at the dam.
- Schedule, as published
- StarWatch: Saturdays in March, April, October and November from dusk; SunWatch: each clear Saturday and Sunday 3–3:30 pm, March–October; presentation in the planetarium if the weather is poor
- Prices, as published
- Observing programs free
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026. Visits in: EN
Official siteVisiting page
- Dark-sky site
- Dated events only
- Night observing
International Dark Sky Park with ranger and volunteer telescope sessions in summer, about 1.5 hours long, and an annual astronomy festival; the NPS pages disagree on the exact days and season.
- Schedule, as published
- Night Sky Telescope Program generally Thu–Sat, about 9:45–11:30 pm, roughly June–July (other NPS page: Fri–Sat, Memorial Day to Labor Day); about 100 astronomy programs a year; annual Astronomy Festival 11–13 June 2026; weather permitting
- Prices, as published
- No activity fee (park entrance fee applies); no reservation needed for the telescope program
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026.
Official siteVisiting page
- Public observatory
- Regular opening days
- Night observing
A science museum in the Oakland hills with free public telescope viewings on Friday and Saturday evenings.
- Schedule, as published
- General admission Wed–Sun 10:00 am–5:00 pm; free telescope viewings Fri and Sat 7:30–10:30 pm; closed Dec 24, 25 and Jan 1
- Prices, as published
- Adult (12+) $24, child 2–12 and senior 65+ $19, members free, Museums For All $1 for up to four people; telescope viewings free
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026.
Official siteVisiting page
- Dark-sky site
- Dated events only
- Night observing
Domed observatory at the visitor center, dedicated in 1998; night sky programs open with a staff talk and continue with telescope viewing, with volunteers helping visitors use the telescopes.
- Schedule, as published
- Evening programs usually in summer depending on staff; star parties usually around the new moon in summer; Astronomy Festival each September; contact the park to verify (505-786-7014)
- Prices, as published
- not published on the official page
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026.
Official siteVisiting page
- Public observatory
- Dated events only
- Night observing
University of Denver observatory whose public nights are run by the Denver Astronomical Society; tickets are required for ticketed nights, with occasional free lawn open houses. Details come from search results, not a read of the official page.
Secondary sources only; the official page could not be read. Treat as a lead.
Official siteVisiting page
- Dark-sky site
- Dated events only
- Night observing
Pennsylvania’s first Dark Sky Park, declared in 2000. Park staff lead evening programs with a laser-pointer constellation tour and, weather permitting, telescope views from the public viewing area.
- Schedule, as published
- Public stargazing programs, weather permitting, listed on the DCNR Calendar of Events; Night Sky Public Viewing Area for visits of a few hours; Overnight Astronomy Observation Field for registered users
- Prices, as published
- Night sky tour and telescopes listed as free (DCNR event listing, 2024); the park page states no fee
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026. Visits in: EN
Official site
- Public observatory
- Dated events only
- Night observing
Evening sessions on the 1845 Mitchel telescope in the Mitchel building, with a hands-on tour and viewing time. The Herget building and the Clark refractor are closed during renovation.
- Schedule, as published
- Astronomy Evenings, dated: 15, 16 and 23 Oct 2026 8:00–9:30 pm; 30 Oct, 5, 13 and 20 Nov 7:00–8:30 pm; reservations required; Herget building and Clark telescope closed for renovation, reopening targeted Summer 2027
- Prices, as published
- Astronomy Evenings: adult $15, child $7, members free
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026. Visits in: EN
Official siteVisiting pageBook (official)
- Club observatory
- Regular opening days
- Night observing
Saturday-night public observing on Long Island’s North Fork, with several telescopes on site including an apochromatic refractor in the historic dome.
- Schedule, as published
- Saturday Night Public Observing: doors open 7 pm, observing from dark until midnight, weather permitting; seasonal hours may change
- Prices, as published
- not published on the official page
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026. Visits in: EN
Official site
- Planetarium with a telescope
- Regular opening days
- Night observing
- Largest telescope used by the public: 610 mm
The museum’s Doane Observatory has a 24-inch PlaneWave reflector that visitors look through on clear Wednesday evenings while the planetarium is open.
- Schedule, as published
- Generally open Wednesday nights, weather permitting; line entry may close before 10:00 pm
- Prices, as published
- General admission: adults from $25, children from $13; Star Pass $65 individual / $180 family (lists Doane Observatory access)
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026. Visits in: EN
Official siteVisiting pageBook (official)
- Public observatory
- Access not stated
- Night observing
- Largest telescope used by the public: 914 mm
The Dr. Ralph L. Buice Jr. Observatory has a 36-inch reflector and has offered evening public viewing. The official page was too sparse to confirm the current schedule, so check before travelling.
Secondary sources only; the official page could not be read. Treat as a lead.
Official siteVisiting page
- Club observatory
- Dated events only
- Night observing
- Largest telescope used by the public: 762 mm
Volunteer association running free public star parties in Fremont Peak State Park with the 30-inch Challenger Telescope and other telescopes; the road is 11 winding miles.
- Schedule, as published
- Saturday evening star parties, full schedule at fpoa.net/schedule.html; weather can delay or cancel; daytime solar programs also held
- Prices, as published
- Free, no reservation; $6 per vehicle state park parking fee
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026.
Official site
- Club observatory
- Regular opening days
- Night observing
A nonprofit observatory and science centre with public stargazing on Friday evenings through the autumn and winter.
- Schedule, as published
- Friday Stargazing Nights: 16 Oct 7:30–9:30 pm; 23 Oct 7–9 pm; 30 Oct 6–10:30 pm (Spooky Views); 6, 13, 20 Nov 7–9 pm; 4 and 11 Dec 7–9 pm; 18 Dec 7–10 pm
- Prices, as published
- not published on the official page
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026. Visits in: EN
Official siteVisiting page
- Public observatory
- By reservation
- Night observing
The Houston Museum of Natural Science observatory in Brazos Bend State Park, with ticketed Saturday stargazing and special evenings.
- Schedule, as published
- Saturday Stargazing with tickets sold online per event; operating days and hours not stated on the page
- Prices, as published
- Admission $13 adult, $13 child (as listed on the page)
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026.
Official site
- Public observatory
- Closed to visitors
A Washington state park observatory with one of the largest telescopes open to the public in the United States; its observatory programs are suspended for staffing reasons, though the grounds remain open.
Currently closed to visitors.
- Schedule, as published
- Solar and evening programs cancelled for now because of staffing (alert dated 5 Aug 2026); campus open for self-guided exploration 6:30 am to dusk; observatory entry normally needs a free online reservation
- Prices, as published
- Discover Pass $10 per day or $45 annual for parking
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026.
Official siteVisiting page
- Dark-sky site
- Dated events only
- Night observing
Annual week of free public telescope viewing behind the South Rim Visitor Center, with amateur astronomers from across the country volunteering their telescopes, sponsored by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association.
- Schedule, as published
- Annual; 2026 edition 6–13 June at the South Rim (none at the North Rim in 2026); telescope viewing best after 9 pm
- Prices, as published
- Free; park entrance fee applies
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026.
Official siteVisiting page
- Dark-sky site
- Dated events only
- Night observing
Ranger-led programs at the Astronomy Amphitheater near Lehman Caves Visitor Center: a short talk then telescope viewing on rangers’ telescopes, plus daytime solar viewing on clear summer afternoons.
- Schedule, as published
- Thu–Sun from about Memorial Day to Labor Day, fewer after the September festival, season ends in October; about 2 hours (30-minute ranger talk, then 90 minutes of telescope viewing); Astronomy Festival in September
- Prices, as published
- Programs free, no reservation
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026.
Official siteVisiting page
- Public observatory
- Regular opening days
- Night observing
Free admission. Demonstrators guide visitors at the Zeiss telescopes on clear evenings, a solar telescope shows the Sun by day, and local clubs set up dozens of telescopes on the lawn once a month.
- Schedule, as published
- Tue–Fri noon–10:00 pm, Sat–Sun 10:00 am–10:00 pm, closed Monday; free telescope viewing each evening the Observatory is open and skies are clear, usually from about 7:00 pm, lines close by 9:30 pm; monthly public star party on the lawn (next: 17 Oct 2026, 2:00–9:45 pm)
- Prices, as published
- Admission free; parking nearest the Observatory is paid
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026.
Official siteVisiting page
- Research observatory
- Dated events only
- Night observing
- Largest telescope used by the public: 700 mm
Georgia State University’s observatory in Hard Labor Creek State Park, about 50 miles east of Atlanta, holds monthly evening open nights from March to October with the 0.7 m and 24-inch telescopes and smaller scopes on the front pad.
- Schedule, as published
- 2026 public open nights: 28 Mar, 11 Apr, 23 May, 27 Jun, 25 Jul, 15 Aug, 19 Sep, 17 Oct (8–10 pm), evening hours vary; cancelled for rain or full overcast
- Prices, as published
- Free
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026. Visits in: EN
Official site
- Research observatory
- Dated events only
- Night observing
Public Observatory Nights at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, 60 Garden St: a lecture in Phillips Auditorium and telescopic observing from the observatory roof if the weather permits.
- Schedule, as published
- Observatory Nights with rooftop telescope viewing if weather permits; fall 2026 dates not listed on the page; sign up to the mailing list
- Prices, as published
- Free; tickets limited, seating first-come
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026. Visits in: EN
Official siteVisiting page
- Club observatory
- Dated events only
A small observatory beside Hopatcong High School that holds free public star parties roughly every two months. Coordinates are those of the school.
- Schedule, as published
- Public star parties announced one at a time on the website and Facebook, typically about every two months
- Prices, as published
- Free; no registration
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026. Visits in: EN
Official siteVisiting page
- Club observatory
- Regular opening days
- Largest telescope used by the public: 406 mm
The Amateur Astronomers’ club of northwest New Jersey holds free public programs on Saturdays in Jenny Jump State Forest, with permanent telescopes from a 7-inch refractor to a 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain.
- Schedule, as published
- Live public programs every Saturday, April–October 2026; start time not given
- Prices, as published
- Free
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026. Visits in: EN
Official site
- Research observatory
- Dated events only
- Night observing
Indiana University’s historic observatory lists a Kirkwood Observatory open house on the department’s homepage; the full schedule sits on a separate page.
- Schedule, as published
- Open house 21 Oct, 8:00–9:30 p.m. (year not stated); regular schedule on the department’s Kirkwood Schedule page, not read
- Prices, as published
- not published on the official page
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026.
Official site
- Research observatory
- Access not stated
- Night observing
A federally funded research mountain with a visitor center, guided daytime tours and a Nightly Observing Program, according to secondary reports; the official pages could not be read, so the current status of visits is unconfirmed.
Secondary sources only; the official page could not be read. Treat as a lead.
Official siteVisiting page
- Public observatory
- Regular opening days
A public observatory and science centre that holds a Friday-evening public program with a talk; the homepage does not state the telescope sessions or the aperture.
- Schedule, as published
- Friday public program: doors 7:30 PM, program 8:00 PM (16 and 23 Oct 2026 are talks)
- Prices, as published
- not published on the official page
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026. Visits in: EN
Official site
- Research observatory
- Regular opening days
- Night observing
Brown University’s historic observatory on College Hill (210 Doyle Avenue) opens to the public on Tuesday evenings for observing, weather permitting.
- Schedule, as published
- Public observing nights on Tuesday evenings, weather permitting; tickets reserved on Eventbrite
- Prices, as published
- Free
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026. Visits in: EN
Official siteBook (official)
- Research observatory
- Regular opening days
- Night observing
- Largest telescope used by the public: 660 mm
The University of Virginia opens its 26-inch McCormick Refractor to the public on the first and third Friday evenings of the month, by free Eventbrite registration.
- Schedule, as published
- Public Nights on the first and third Friday of each month except holidays: 9–11 pm during daylight saving time, 7–9 pm in standard time; registration required, up to 5 visitors each
- Prices, as published
- Free
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026. Visits in: EN
Official siteVisiting pageBook (official)
- Research observatory
- Access not stated
A University of California research observatory with a visitor center and gift shop and a Summer Visitors Program run with volunteers; the public page gives no current dates or prices, so these are not stated here.
- Schedule, as published
- not published on the official page
- Prices, as published
- not published on the official page
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026.
Official siteVisiting page
- Research observatory
- Regular opening days
- Night observing
A research campus open to visitors from midday until 10 pm; general admission includes guided tours, exhibits and stargazing through the Historic Clark Telescope and the Giovale Open Deck Observatory after sunset.
- Schedule, as published
- Mon and Wed–Sun 12:00–10:00 pm, closed Tuesdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day; telescopes typically open around sunset (about 4:30 pm in winter to 8 pm in summer)
- Prices, as published
- General admission adult (18+) $35, senior (55+) $30, child 6–17 $20, under 5 free; with Dark Sky Planetarium show adult $43, senior $38, child $28
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026.
Official siteVisiting pageBook (official)
- Public observatory
- Regular opening days
- Night observing
Visitor station at about 2 800 m with free nightly stargazing through telescopes; children under 13 should not go above the station.
- Schedule, as published
- Station open daily 9:00 am–9:00 pm; free nightly stargazing programs (hours not stated on the page); summit open from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset
- Prices, as published
- Stargazing free
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026.
Official siteVisiting page
- Research observatory
- Regular opening days
- Night observing
Frank N. Bash Visitors Center at the foot of the research telescopes: daytime solar viewing and tours of the large telescopes, and evening Star Parties with live telescope views under very dark skies.
- Schedule, as published
- Visitors Center general admission Tue–Sat 12–5 pm; solar viewing Tue–Sat 1 pm; guided tour Tue–Sat 2 pm; Star Party about 2 hours, timing varies by season; special viewing nights on the 82-inch and 36-inch telescopes
- Prices, as published
- Star Party $5–$25; solar viewing $5; guided tour $5–$10; general admission $3 (free for residents of Jeff Davis, Brewster and Presidio counties)
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026.
Official siteVisiting pageBook (official)
- Public observatory
- By reservation
- Night observing
- Largest telescope used by the public: 813 mm
University of Arizona outreach site on the 9,100-foot summit of Mount Lemmon: a ticketed five-hour evening with a light dinner, sunset and stargazing on the Schulman 32-inch and Phillips 24-inch telescopes; recommended for ages 7 and up.
- Schedule, as published
- SkyNights about 5 hours, starting two hours before sunset (start varies by season); dinner, sunset and stargazing; dates on the ticket page
- Prices, as published
- SkyNights $85 adult, $60 youth 7–17
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026.
Official siteVisiting pageBook (official)
- Research observatory
- Dated events only
- Night observing
- Largest telescope used by the public: 2540 mm
Historic observatory above Los Angeles: free daytime grounds, museum and tours, ticketed evening sessions at the 60-inch or 100-inch telescope (children under 12 not admitted), and free amateur star parties in the parking lot.
- Schedule, as published
- Grounds open daily 10 am–5 pm (spring/summer; winter gate 10 am–4 pm); weekend docent tours Sat–Sun 11:30 am and 1 pm; Public Ticket Nights on the 60-inch and 100-inch (2026 dates sold out, next release spring 2027, sessions end 1:00 am); free LAAS star party 7–8 Nov 2026
- Prices, as published
- Grounds, museum and visitor gallery free (USFS Adventure Pass needed for parking); Public Ticket Nights price not stated on the page; star party free, donations accepted
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026.
Official siteVisiting pageBook (official)
- Public observatory
- Dated events only
- Night observing
Part of the Sunriver Nature Center, which describes itself as the nation’s largest publicly accessible observatory: solar viewing by day and scheduled evening programs.
- Schedule, as published
- Solar viewing Wed–Sat 11 am–3 pm and Sun 11 am–2 pm (fall hours); night programs: see the events calendar
- Prices, as published
- not published on the official page
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026.
Official site
- Research observatory
- Regular opening days
- Daytime visits only
Day visits only: a visitors gallery inside the dome of the 200-inch Hale Telescope (70 steps), a visitor center and gift shop; the observing floor is reachable on guided tours. The page mentions no public night viewing.
- Schedule, as published
- Daily 9:00 am–3:30 pm PT; guided tours do not run every day; may close without notice for weather, especially in winter
- Prices, as published
- not published on the official page
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026.
Official siteVisiting page
- Research observatory
- Closed to visitors
- Largest telescope used by the public: 610 mm
A University of Oregon observatory east of Bend that normally holds spring and summer outreach nights with several telescopes, including a 24-inch reflector; its homepage currently says it is closed to the public.
Currently closed to visitors.
- Schedule, as published
- Homepage: closed to the public until further notice; weekday tours limited to school and educational groups by appointment (541-382-8331)
- Prices, as published
- not published on the official page
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026.
Official site
- Research observatory
- Dated events only
- Night observing
- Largest telescope used by the public: 203 mm
Public observing events at the University of Central Florida, mostly with portable 8-inch Meade LX90 telescopes, by free registration. Coordinates are the campus, not the building.
- Schedule, as published
- Listed event times only; times become registration links about a week ahead; groups limited to 5; confirmation or weather cancellation by email a few hours before
- Prices, as published
- Free
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026. Visits in: EN
Official siteVisiting pageBook (official)
- Public observatory
- Dated events only
- Night observing
CU Boulder’s campus observatory holds free Friday open houses when skies are clear, with telescopes and camera images on screens on the observing deck.
- Schedule, as published
- Fall 2026 Friday open houses, weather permitting, from 21 Aug to 4 Dec: 9–11 pm until 4 Sep, 8–10 pm 11 Sep–9 Oct, 7–9 pm 16–30 Oct, 6–8 pm from 6 Nov; none 13 and 27 Nov; 18 Sep, 16 Oct and 20 Nov bilingual English/Spanish
- Prices, as published
- Free
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026. Visits in: EN, ES
Official siteVisiting page
- Club observatory
- Dated events only
- Night observing
Municipal observatory where the Salt Lake Astronomical Society has held Saturday star parties from spring to autumn, weather permitting; the official page could not be read, so the 2026 schedule is unconfirmed.
Secondary sources only; the official page could not be read. Treat as a lead.
Official siteVisiting page
- Research observatory
- Closed to visitors
- Daytime visits only
The Dunn Solar Telescope site and its Astronomy and Visitor Center are closed to the public after a mercury leak was found in January 2026; the site’s own wording ranges from indefinite to permanent closure.
Currently closed to visitors.
- Schedule, as published
- Closed to the public; liquid mercury found on the Dunn Solar Telescope platform on 5 Jan 2026
- Prices, as published
- not published on the official page
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026.
Official site
- Research observatory
- Access not stated
- Night observing
Wesleyan’s observatory has been described as open to the public on Wednesday evenings (Space Night) during the academic year; the department page does not confirm this, so check with the department.
Secondary sources only; the official page could not be read. Treat as a lead.
Official site
- Research observatory
- Dated events only
- Night observing
Vanderbilt’s observatory admits visitors only to ticketed events: telescope nights, astronomer talks with viewing through the historic Seyfert telescope, and star parties held elsewhere in Nashville.
- Schedule, as published
- Ticketed events only (Eventbrite): Telescope Nights, Meet the Astronomer evenings, free public star parties around Nashville; homepage lists 5 and 7 Nov events and says the observatory is closed for renovation through Summer 2026
- Prices, as published
- not published on the official page
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026. Visits in: EN
Official siteVisiting page
- Public observatory
- By reservation
- Night observing
- Largest telescope used by the public: 1016 mm
The 1895 observatory runs small-group evening tours of two hours that use the world's largest refracting telescope when the sky is clear, and move indoors when it is not. Daytime architecture and history tours also exist.
- Schedule, as published
- Exploring the Night Sky: April–November, 2 hours, 12 tickets per tour, ages 13+; sold out for 2026; moves indoors if cloudy
- Prices, as published
- Exploring the Night Sky: adult $140, ages 13–18 $85
Read on the official page on 15 Oct 2026. Visits in: EN
Official siteVisiting pageBook (official)