Lowell Observatory
សារមន្ទីរ អ្នកអង្កេតនិង Annetarium កន្លែងសង្កេតមើលផ្កាយដោយអ្នកវិទ្យាសាស្ត្រ Aniaparium កឥការតាក់តាញ 1400 W Mars Hill Rd, ទង់ជាតិ, អារីហ្សូណា, 86001-4499, ស.រ.អ
21 Photos
About Lowell Observatory
Established in 1894, Lowell Observatory is a leading astronomical and planetary science research institution, National Historical Landmark, and one of the most popular nighttime destinations in Arizona. Our astronomers and planetary scientists work to reveal our universe with advanced instruments, such as the 4.3-meter Lowell Discovery Telescope, the 5th-largest optical telescope in the continental US. State-of-the-art public telescopes provide incredible views of the cosmos, and our historical telescopes offer a look into our history of scientific progress. Admission includes constellation tours, exhibits, and access to our Giovale Open Deck Observatory. See why we are recognized as the world's first International Dark Sky destination. Effective Monday, March 7th, 2022, Lowell Observatory has lifted our on-campus mask requirements to match new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Contact & Hours
1400 W Mars Hill Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001-4499
http://www.lowell.edu/welcomeback
Opening Hours
- Sunday: 12:00-22:00
- Monday: 12:00-22:00
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 12:00-22:00
- Thursday: 12:00-22:00
- Friday: 12:00-22:00
- Saturday: 12:00-22:00
Nearby Attractions
Highlighted deals
Reviews (1989)
Excellent for evening educational and entertaining experience! I would think good for kids 8 and up
Excellent! Very knowledgeable staff of planet / star lovers. The night planetarium experience was excellent (heated seats for outdoor comfort!). Getting to look through telescopes at different celestial objects was very cool. The wintertime is the best time, I would guess, to visit to avoid humidity for a clear sky. Make sure you have a cloud free evening sky before going.
Wonderful facility for all ages to appreciate the universe
We started our visit by getting our tickets and reserving seats for the free dark sky show right away. We then ate a light meal in the Planet X cafe. The cafe is located in the new (opened Nov 2024) museum facility. We each had a hot sandwich with potato salad as our choice of side. The meal was convenient, tasty, and reasonably priced. You can find the menu at their website. We then bypassed the very fun looking children's area since we had no little ones with us. We spent time looking through the interactive exhibits in the main area. The displays were engaging and appealing. At dusk, we went outside to a viewing deck where three telescopes were positioned to view Jupiter, Mars, and a star within the Orion constellation called Beetlejuice. Then we wandered back into history to the Pluto telescope. This was very interesting to learn about the tedious work of the dedicated young man, Tombaugh, who discovered Pluto in that very building! We were fortunate that the Rotunda building was open and we could see the homemade telescope of Tombaugh. We also saw the " blink comparator " tool used to analyze the images of the sky. These two buildings were highlights for us. Next, we went to the dark sky show on the roof of the new building. What an amazing place to view the actual night sky! Heated seats make it a very comfortable experience. Dress for the weather since it is outside…and there is walking between buildings as mentioned earlier. Our educator gave us a humorous and educational experience viewing several constellations pointing them out with his laser light. It was 30 minutes long and another highlight. We finished our visit with a walk over to the Clark telescope building where we could view the star cluster, M146. That telescope and building are 128 years old. Very interesting experience. Flagstaff is very committed to limiting light pollution, so it was a fantastic opportunity to see the night sky. Definitely recommend for all ages if you are mobile. It might be harder if you have limited mobility.
Wish I could give a review of Lowell Observatory
In all fairness I'm sure this is a great place to visit. Unfortunately for us we arrived about dusk, (after waiting all day to go), only to be told they were closing early as a snowstorm was expected later that night. We checked their website before leaving but nothing was mentioned. Suggestion: Call before visiting to be sure you aren't left out in the dark like we were.
Loved Lowell Observatory!
A surprisingly enjoyable experience. All of the staff were enthusiastic and helpful. Telescope viewing was amazing as was the rooftop constellation talk - heated seats! We had a GREAT time.
Fascinating Experience for All!
My husband and I went to Lowell Observatory for a Private Stargazing session and were blown away by the experience. I am a novice by all accounts and my husband is an enthusiast - we both had a fabulous time and cannot recommend a visit highly enough. The entire facility is gorgeous and perfectly designed to foster excitement for all age levels. Everyone we encountered was joyful and clearly loved where they worked - the enthusiasm was contagious! Our guide, Amber, was awesome. She was so knowledgeable and fun to talk with as she curated a wonderful experience that we'll remember forever. Regardless of anyone's age or knowledge level, I think they'd have a great time exploring in a way only this facility can offer.
Don't miss the chance to visit!
Come before sunset and stay to stargaze. We arrived about 4:45pm and were able to see the Sun and Venus before sunset. Fascinating exhibits inside and the guides are personable and very informative! Highly recommend! Stargazing at 8pm in heated seats. Well worth the drive from Sedona, if you aren't staying in Flagstaff. Will return.
Not worth the money
We thought this place was average at best. The outdoor show on the warm seats was good for the first part then they drifted off into fantasy land when all we wanted to do was see the stars and be told about them. I don't really care what fables that were ever changing the ancients made up I just want facts about the stars. Telescoped outside a let down and honestly I've seen far better star shows and even stars in Alice Springs, and Coonabarrabran and Broken Hill. The sky just wasn't dark enough. Expensive and not worth the visit. Visitors with toddlers seemed happy as there was a play place inside.
Went to learn about the observatory and enjoyed my time there
We went to the 2 and 3 pm tours and later to the 5:30 pm event where they brought out the telescopes. It was great. Mostly outside things and you walked. But paths were smooth. We saw Saturn with its rings and Venus. Plus a few other stars like Vega. The lady there had monitors that she explained the stars and other planets. It was good.
Great day, better night!
If you can get a clear night with very little moon, you will have the best experience. But my last trip was cloudy with a big bright full moon and it was still a blast. Visit during the day so you can appreciate the effort it took to establish and utilize this historic site. The exhibits, buildings and statues are intriguing and provide a good background for when you return after dusk and meet he astronomers and the equipment. You will have expert guidance to equipment you will never be able to afford (or properly use without years of training) and get to see Saturn's moons, our closest stars, constellations galore and spend hours realizing how small and insignificant we really are! And feel great about it. All in the fun college town of Flagstaff!
Great for adults and kids!
5 telescopes, staffed by knowledgeable guides, provided opportunities to see multiple amazing things! We enjoyed learning about the Clark telescope and the discovery of Pluto too. Super evening outing!
A bit of an effort from Sedona to visit
It was ok. The big telescope 24 inch was not open for public viewing. Some of the smaller ones were an it was good. We travelled from Sedona but determined that it was a bit far for what you get to see. We went at night but I think it would be better driving in the daytime from Sedona as you could also spend some time in flagstaff
Not a great experience
Going during the daytime is an underwhelming experience. While the guides might be knowledgeable, there is really not a lot to see or do and the exhibits are not very interesting if you are not an astronomer or deeply in to the stars. It might be better at night but I think going during the day isn't truly worth the price or the time and effort.
2 visites dont une le soir pour profiter du mlieu
Le prix est élevé 29$. Réduction de 10$ avec carte etudiant. Il faut y retourner le soir après 20h30 pour observer les étoiles planètes avec du matériel pro et la ouahouh. Profitez aussi des visites guidées et conf organisées en anglais uniquement.
Such a cool experience!
This was a such a cool experience for kids and adults alike. The staff is educated and eager to share their knowledge. Going at night and being able to see the constellations was a very educational and fun evening. The view of the city and sunset is worth the trip.
Great day and night experience
This is a must-do in Flagstaff. Although the admission ticket is a bit pricey, it is good for the entire day, so take a tour with the expert guides during the day to see everything, then return at night when they have the telescopes out and trained on specific stars and constellations. We had a great tour guide with a good sense of humour who explained to us about the history of Lowell, the discovery of Pluto (ah, poor Pluto--still a touchy subject at the Observatory), and showed us the different telecopes around the hilltop campus. It's a good tour of about 45-60 minutes, and you are free to wander the campus after, although you can only get into some of the telecope buildings with the tour. At night they have the telescopes out, most on the open deck observatory, with staff eager to explain and show you the stars. We were also lucky that the night we went, the original Clark telecope (which Lowell used to discover Pluto) was operational and we got to peer through that. So cool, even for non-astronomy buffs. Note that the observatories are not heated, so plan accordingly if you visit in the winter.
Great place!!
Great place to see the stars!!! Well worth the trip. Staff was awesome, knowledgeable and fun. Highly recommend for any sky lovers.
Great experience
Family of five (three college students) and we all enjoyed it. Tours were informative and enjoyable. Staff was friendly and helpful. Unique experience and very glad we added it it to our itinerary.
Science made real
Nice evening activity in Flagstaff - looking at stars and galaxies through high powered telescopes with volunteers and scientists providing explanations and answering questions. Good time.
Great Astronomy Experience, worth going
My husband and I went in mid-April and if you love astronomy, or science or are just curious about our universe this is a wonderful experience. One of the best parts of your tickets is, after the observatory opens at noon, you get to attend lectures on how the observatory was constructed, how Pluto was discovered (the observatory is famous for that) and other astronomical topics including a tour of the 24 inch Clark refractor telescope. In the day you can observe the sun through a telescope with a special sun filter and see its sun spots and solar flairs. Then, after we left and went to dinner, your ticket gives you free entry into several evening talks and tours. There are much larger crowds in the evening. We loved the one on " The Colors of The Universe " showing how the spectral light from stars is interpreted. Our tour guide lined up beakers of chemicals and then added other elements to produce different colors with a small blast of very contained, tiny, fires within the beakers (it is very safe) while the audience watched through special glasses which are handed out. You are then asked to guess which gas or element was produced. Kids and adults loved it. But to me, the very best part was looking through different telescopes at he moon (no planets were visible that night) and then having an eye opening opportunity to view the moon through the 24 inch refractor Clark telescope. The staff also show and discuss the different constellations, answer questions and are wonderful. Be aware, depending on weather, the large Clark telescope might not be open.
First time at an Observatory
It was a clear sky night and it was fantastic. The observation deck was open with 5 telescopes being operated and one astrophotography telescope taking pictures. Well worth the cost.
Fabulous time learning astronomy history and viewing celestial objects
We love astronomy and history, so this was the perfect place to visit. The observatory is on a mesa above Flagstaff, so you have a beautiful view over the city, day or night. It is open noon to 10 pm, so we were able to go up in late afternoon and walk around, then stay after dark. They have video presentations and live talks about the history of the observatory, the discovery of Pluto in 1930 (you can see the equipment used to discover it!) and other subjects, plus they have telescopes available to view celestial objects once it is dark. We opted to go to the Discovery of Pluto talk, which started in the Rotunda building, then we walked up the hill to see the astrograph telescope which was used in that discovery. Tour guide and astrophysics student Gavin gave a great talk, and was able to answer lots of questions. The Rotunda building has history displays, and hosts other talks, like Moonrise. As we were there the day after a full moon, guide Kate talked about the moon, then led a walk to the overlook to watch the rising moon. We were able to view Saturn and its rings on the historic Clark refractor telescope, then went to the Giovale Open Deck observatory where we viewed Jupiter and its moons, as well as a globular cluster in the constellation of Hercules. They only have water and candy bar type of snacks, but you can come during the day and keep your receipt, then go eat in Flagstaff, and come back to look through the telescopes. Be sure to bring warm clothes, as it gets cool quickly at this altitude once the sun goes down. It was also windy.
Stars, Planets and great tours. We would go again
We went at 5 pm at night stayed till 10 pm. It was great. Mostly outside things and you walked. But paths were smooth. We saw the moon (no cheese that I saw) we looked at Saturn and the rings you could see the moons too. The lady there had monitors that she explained the stars and other planets. There was a few movies to watch. It was more than I expected. And my husband and son was thrilled with it all.
Daytime Visit
Last minute decision to go and enjoyed the beautiful, landscaped grounds. Took two tours and had trouble hearing the guide. Lots to read and would have liked to have gone back in the evening for night viewing through the telescopes.
Magical
Lowell Observatory is simply magical. While it may be a bit hit and miss, given need for a clear night, if you get one, it is amazing. There are several telescopes through which you can see, depending on time of year, planets, star clusters, nebula, etc. On the night we went, you could see the Milky way with the naked eye. The staff and docents are all fabulous. This is a don't miss
Not worth it
The telescopes were not operated citing cloudy weather. That was a bummer to start with. There should be two ticketing options - one including telescopic viewing and one without, so that whenever cloudy weather forecast is there people can choose whether to buy that. Also the person at rotunda museum was not audible.
So interesitng
What a fun and interesting place to visit. The history you learn and the explanatory and demonstrative talks are so informative. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and able to answer questions. If you stay till dark and it is a clear night, the building holding about 6 telescopes slides back. The staff hooks up the telescopes to large screens and you can see things you would never imagine. A great place to take the family.... but not really young kids.
Historical, Educational and Live Experience All in One
This place can meet people on many different levels. Explore the history of astronomical science as it was performed in the late nineteenth to early twentieth centuries, along with the fascinating lives of those who worked here. I advise setting aside an entire later afternoon / evening. My space-interested teen boy loved it. My non-spacing loving older teen boy and wife really liked it as well. The Lowell home as well as many of the items he and his colleagues used are on display, many still in the place they were used, such as his wicker chair he sat in to observe Mars through the Clark Telescope. Some of the historical scopes are still in use! The scope used to discover Pluto has its own little observatory. Educational programs run in two segments, afternoon (about 3pm until 6 pm) and evening (about 7pm until 10pm). You can pick and choose what you would like to attend, they range from historical to scientific. We did 2 afternoon lecture tours lasting about 45 min each then took a food break at the delicious Diablo Burger in downtown Flagstaff before returning for evening program. This consisted of computer enhanced imaging and live telescope viewings of the Ring Nebula, Venus and the Sombrero Galaxy from the observation deck as well as the M5 star cluster through the historic Clark telescope. We capped it off with a night-sky star gazing tutorial. Students in astronomy from Northern Arizona Univ. provided much of the tutorial work and they were intelligent, enthusiastic, kind and informative. We attended on a Sunday just before local schools let out and we did not experience problems with crowds as some reviews suggest. Complaint of getting little scope time can be unfounded as well. On a tour, 30 seconds at each scope is plenty; you don't need 10 minutes to get a great experience. Overall a true 5 star experience.
Lots of telescopes and programs
This place is where they discovered Pluto. There are several talks during the day on a number of topics related to space and telescopes. The telescopes are huge and the talks are informative. There is no food on premises. We spent almost 4 hours there and so I felt it was worth the price. There is a AAA discount.
À faire et de nuit
Visite à faire de nuit ! L'atmosphère est exceptionnelle : petite conférence en extérieur sur les étoiles, possibilité d'observer les astres depuis un télescope…
Cool but pricey
If you're an amateur astronomer, you will already know most of what the docents and guides will tell you about the sky, but it's still a cool experience. There is a lot of history on top of the actual astronomy. We've been a few times and have seen both long and short wait times for viewing. You only get a few seconds of viewing time, but there are quite a few scopes. The gift shop is cool as well. Don't make it a destination unless you're sure the skies will be clear. They have lectures and presentaions which can be very interesting. I suggest arriving before dark to ensure you have time to do everything available. The $29 ticket is pretty steep, but if you take advantage of everything, it's worth it.
Not repeatable
Don't have great expectation. The staff is friendly but they don't know how to deliver info (they talk in high pitch, fast, no punctuation or pause for audience to absorb the info; things are worse when the speaker wears a mask - they really are just guides not scientists). The content is interesting if you are out of elementary school, short of that all info is old info. You will spend about 60 minutes or more of your time waiting in lines for telescopes viewing (crowds), the actual viewing experience is about 2 minutes (at all the telescopes combined) Don't have high expectations regarding what you can see through the telescopes. I had better moon views with my home 4in Bushnell telescope. Sirius appears like a dead pixel. Mars is a 2 mm red spot. Clark telescope shows you two 1mm spots, a double star system. Little interesting is Orion and it's cloud (maybe a 3 mm spot on the eye piece). The sun viewing is interesting if you have more than 10 seconds to observe. I wish I would have known all of this before visiting it!.
Big price tiny delivery
They packed the crowd into the exhibits and parking with no regard to the size of the crowd and exhibit sizes. the lines were 50 people deep to look through 8 scopes. It's absolutely not worth it.
Worth a visit!
It was a terrific and educational tour. After sunset, we were able to see faraway galaxies, attend a constellation talk, and see the Pluto telescope! Highly recommend!
Cool experience
Definitely worth a stop. We arrived at 6PM for their evening activities in March, and the timing was perfect. We attended two informative lectures and were able to see Mars, Jupiter, the moon, and the Orion nebula through the telescopes. I thought the views through the telescopes would show more detail than they actually did, but it was still pretty cool. Dress warm if it's cold because you will be outside for much of the evening.
Go on a cold clear night
Absolutely perfect. The sky was very clear. We got to see so many beautiful stars so clearly. The telescopes were very impressive. Staff, they know so much so great to learn from them.
Fantastic place! Make sure to plan ahead!
There is plenty to do during the day, it is all just structured, so you have to take the tours to see inside the buildings, at night is when you can just roam around. The educators are all super nice and knowledgeable, be nice back, maybe give them a tip if you can, it'll make their night. A few tips: 1) It gets COLD in Flagstaff so please bring a jacket and gloves and whatnot, they will not refund you due to weather so if you decided to go up underdressed then that is your own fault. 2) There are lots of hills and you will be walking around so be prepared. 3) Food and drinks aren't allowed near the telescopes. 4) Don't show up less than half and hour before close, you won't get to see basically anything.
Unique place
It was amazing! Looking into the stars is a unique experience. Seeing the telescopes, learning about it, the whole place is amazing. Don't do my mistake as I arrived at sunset: arrive well before dark, and prepare to stay late!
Late Night Viewing is the Primary Attraction
I went right before sunset, which in retrospect was a mistake. They have a couple of small exhibits, and you can see the historic telescope used to discover Pluto. The main attraction is telescope viewing of the night sky. It takes quite a while for the sky to darken sufficiently for them to focus on planets. I did get to faintly see a galaxy approximately one hour after sundown. They had another telescope set up for viewing Saturn and its rings. That was a cool experience. For me, the exhibits weren't enough to hold my attention waiting for the sky to darken. Though astronomy buffs may feel differently. Staff is very nice and knowledgeable. Remember to dress warmly. Flagstaff is at altitude and cools down quickly after sunset.
Expect to stay until closing - at 10pm
We were just passing through town and decided to check out the cool observatory - especially after we found out that this is where Pluto was discovered. The entrance fee is good all day, so you can come and go. There are tours of the telescopes, etc. and lectures - definitely recommend - and then you can go eat dinner and come back to see the night sky after dusk. We were driving to our next destination so we didn't get to stay late, but the darker the sky, the better. Loved the gift shop, too.
Amazing view of Jupiter!
We went on the perfect night in September, when Jupiter was closest to earth. We got to see that, a galaxy, and a star cluster with the big (not huge) telescopes. The guides were excellent and Flagstaff's sky is amazing for letting you see the Milky Way from near downtown.
Planets and star tours
An unexpected treasure almost right in downtown Flagstaff. About 5 minutes by car from our hotel next to NAU. They stay open most nights until 10pm, and we had the chance to look through the old Clark telescope at Saturn, and then using smaller outdoor scopes saw Jupiter and other stars and galaxies. Staff provides very informative laser-pointer " tours " of the night sky. This place is a winner for both adults and kids. An amazing experience.
Got me interested in astronomy
What a fantastic museum! I am not an astronomy buff, but with the cool history of the Lowell Observatory and the super accessible telescopes, I might become one. It is a little pricey, but the nighttime entry is spectacular. Telescopes are set up to see the planets and each is manned with an enthusiastic docent to help. Especially impressive are the retractable roofs for the old time telescopes that first located Pluto! The grounds are easy to walk on and the views of Flagstaff are pretty great. Highly recommend for all ages.
Really neat place!
Came during the day, couldn't go back at night but it was still worth the visit. Got to look at the sun and took the tour to see the telescope. The grounds are beautiful and peaceful. Would have stayed longer but we had to get done lunch!
Fully worth a visit
We went in the evening a little before sunset and toured the different telescopes. We loved the campus and the collection of telescopes, that range from the 19th century to the present time. The staff are wonderlfully and nerdily knowledgeable of astronomy and they engage well with the visitors as they share the history of the folks who came to Flagstaff and spent their lives looking at the sky, doing calculations, and making inferences. I felt very comfortable asking my primitive questions and hearing their answers, which streched my mind in a wonderful way. Most enjoyable experience.
A view beyond our galaxy
Wow! The observatory in up Mars Hill just outside downtown Flagstaff. My recommendation is avoid starting mid to late afternoon; earlier in the day is best or stay for the nighttime program (check the weather beforehand as clouds are a major distraction). The staff was well informed about the various telescopes, Pluto, why color is important past of astronomy, and history of the accomplishments at Lowell. New construction is underway to further expand the experience. Plan on at least two hours for the casual visit; much more if you are into astronomy.
Anywhere near Flagstaff... You have to go
Wow! What a great experience. We booked the Expanding Universe Tour which started at 7:45pm. The first 45 minutes of the tour was still around twilight but the sky was plenty dark for the planet and star viewing. The later tour times might even be better. The tour is very educational. Great history about the founders, the observatory and it's discoveries. The telescopes both old and new were amazing. You don't get to look through the older ones, but don't be disappointed, the new high-tech ones are incredible. There are a number of high-powered telescope stations set up for viewing _ guides will assist and provide great info on what you are seeing. We viewed Saturn's rings and Jupiter's moons! As well as other objects light years away. Wow! The tour concludes with a guide through the constellations visible in the night sky _ real time narration by your guide using a laser pointer. If you are anywhere near Flagstaff this is a must see.
You really should go
This was a fascinating place! We came here for an evening program and go a great astrology talk from one of the staff. Then we got to view Jupiter through a high power telescope and could see it's rings! We also saw the Pluto telescope and the original one used by Lowell and heard some very interesting facts about both the equipment and the people. Great program and the grounds are lovely to walk at night.
Scientific must see
The observatory is full of amazing photos of the years of its discoveries. Tours are given and talks are given in normal times. SO very well done and not boring!
Well worth the visit
My wife and I visited late last October as part of an Arizona vacation. As an amateur astronomer, this is one place I just had to visit. Lowell Observatory is most famous for the " discoveries " of Percival Lowell (canals on Mars that do not exist) and for Clyde Tombaugh's discovery of Pluto. While it has a rich history, Lowell is also still a functioning astronomical observatory. However, most or all professional work takes place 40 miles away using the 4.3-meter Lowell Discovery Telescope, a facility that is not open to the public. Arriving at about 10:00am, we spent nearly the entire rest of the day at Lowell. We took a guided tour, listened to several of the talks and explored the grounds on our own. We left to get dinner in town and returned to attend the evening session of talks and observing. No extra entry fee was required. The observing consisted of a peek through the famous 24-inch Clark refractor (of M15, a globular cluster in Pegasus) and more views through a variety of telescopes at the Giovale Open Observing Deck, which had just opened up a few weeks prior to our visit. The Observing Deck is essentially a large concrete pad for telescopes but the unique thing about it is that when the pad is not in use, a large building slides over it on railway tracks to cover all of the telescopes and protect them from the elements. We arrived from dinner too late to witness the building move but you can watch it on YouTube. If you are an amateur astronomer or merely interested in astronomy, in my opinion Lowell Observatory is definitely worth a visit, assuming it becomes possible and practical post COVID.
Interesting telescopes
Took the short tour to the telescope that was next to Percival Lowell's mausoleum. In another building which served as a library, I saw a tire from a space shuttle and an autograph of Neil Armstrong before he knew he was going to the moon. I did go back for a night program about Mars and got to look through a telescope outside at the moon.
Fascinating
Makes you realize your small place in the universe! Good lectures. Interesting telescopes. Wish the sky had been a little clearer the night we were there but could still see the moon and Venus very well.
Potential for 5 but tour guide=1so total=3
We arrived hoping to excite the kids about astronomy. There was a home school group there with same objected Kids were bored senseless with a tour guide that should know better as he had been a 5th grade teacher He digressed to using his credit card problems and tours of he took at other places. He gave very little information about the observatory. And took half the time for the Pluto tour with no info about Pluto. The sun presentation was by a real scientist and well worth it. Exhibits were good and informative
Fascinating place
We visited recently attending daytime lectures on Pluto etc and went back in the evening to observe through the telescopes in the new retractable observatory. We saw Saturn low in the sky and also the Andromeda Constellation. The lines were only about ten minutes wait and the experience was enjoyable.- it was fun chatting to others while waiting. The staff are friendly and informative and willing to answer any questions you may have in the evening. It might help if questions and interaction with guests were encouraged more during the daytime lectures however A place we would like to visit again.
Main reason we came to Flagstaff
Flagstaff is a great place! Cooler temperatures than most parts of Arizona due to the elevation. But the main reason we came to Flagstaff was the Lowell Observatory and we were not disappointed! Large complex with several observatories. So much history here. There are guided tours, lectures and scopes for public viewing. If you are in any way interested in science, history of astronomy or just want to stargaze in a dark area, this is the place to do it. Staff were helpful and enthusiastic. Not dog friendly (we were traveling with our dogs) but that won't be an issue for most visitors! Highly recommended!
Fascinating
Loved the tour. Incredibly interesting lectures. Stars and galaxies was very detailed a little much for our party but some enjoyed it. Recommend.
125週年慶, Lowell天文台之旅
高海拔, 完全沒光害, 手機都能拍下的星空, 直接觀察M5星雲, 但夏天還是很涼的, 建議穿暖些, 重頭戲都在7點入夜後, 人類發現冥王星的天文台, 值得一遊！
As belas vistas sobre Flagstaff e região a partir do miradouro da estrada já valem a visita
Um pouco antes do acesso ao Lowell Observatory, na estrada W Mars Hill Rd existe um miradouro que oferece linda vista de Flagstaff e região.
Lämnade besvikna
Lowellobservatoriet har fått sitt hamn efter Bostonastronomen Percival Lowell som 1894 skickade en expedition västerut med uppgift att finna en plats för ett nytt observatorium. De hittade Flagstaff, då en liten stad på 2 000 meters höjd med klar luft och redan 1896 stod ett 24-tums teleskop på plats på en kulle strax väster om staden. Observatoriet växte och ett antal viktiga upptäckter har gjorts här, 1930 hittade man t. ex. den f. d. planeten Pluto, man hjälpte till med att kartlägga månen inför Apolloprojektet och idag pågår forskning om små objekt i solsystemet. Här ges också mängder av kvällsföreläsningar för besökare.
Eh...
It provided good info about the campus, stars and our systems. Need to check weather before heading there. Just wish it had more interactive exhibits.
See Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Star Clusters, Shooting Stars, and More!
The story of our solar system, Pluto, and so much more! At their Flagstaff Star Party, my sister and I were able to see, actually SEE, Mars (2 years to rotate the sun), Jupiter (12 years to rotate the sun), the Milky Way, Saturn (24 years to rotate the sun) - as well as shooting stars, spiraling nebula, star clusters, and soooo much more! It made our annual sister trip even more wonderful and exploratory.
Flagstaff visit
My husband and I went to Lowell Observatory and really enjoyed it. We went to The Story of Pluto tour and the The Lowell tour and both were very informative and interesting. The weather at the observatory was beautiful too in this September month!
Educational and interesting
The staff was very knowledgeable and courteous. The tour guide was outstanding - he explained things is a way that we could all understand. I would high recommend this tour - an excellent experience
Telescopes, star gazing
Awesome place to go at night. They've got telescopes set up throughout. You can take a closer look at Jupiter, white dwarfs, the milky way galaxy, and the telescope that discovered pluto.
Checking Mars, Pluto, and the Moon
For the price was great be prepared for your all day. Had a wonderful time and Spectacular view. Be you me, you'll get excellent hand on and guide your. The education on so much they offer is worth the one admission price.
Fall in love with science, again!
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and only regret we were unable to stay longer due to other commitments. The entry fee covers a full days visit and you can come and go as you please after getting a stamp. This allows you to experience the solar viewing in the morning and the stars in the evening (weather permitting). We loved the solar viewing which was conducted by Jim. He also gave a lecture on the discovery of Pluto which was both fascinating learning and thoroughly enjoyable to listen to, due to his wit and ability to make complex science simple and engaging. There is also a brilliant walk that maps the solar system; providing fascinating information about each planet and the sheer magnificence of the solar system. I strongly recommend a visit; especially to take kids who will come back having fallen in love with science.
Great lecture and tour
One pays about $15 for each person or one can get a pass for the year. There is an interactive museum and the Observatory where Pluto was first sited after much hard work over a period of 9 months. We were able to look at the sun and the large sun burst promintory rising from the surface. The tour was throughout the grounds which was in a beautiful woods setting.
Great Piece of History!! Worth the admittance fee
Part of Wild West History, the Lowell Family in Mass, and this Telescope was instrumental in Mapping the Moon Landing!! The Telescope and its enclosure are an amazing relic of the past, and a Tribute to American Ingenuity and Technological Development. Out guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic!! Worth the 45 min of your time.
Fascinating Treasure
We were fortunate enough to have a private, behind the scenes tour of the entire property. The observatory sits on a beautiful piece of land overlooking Flagstaff. There is a lot of history here as well as science. I highly recommend it for the entire family.
Very interesting and educational
Having a passion for science and astrology I enjoyed the Lowell Obseevatory very much. It's great for adults and children of all ages with a lot to look at and learn. Staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. I recommend the guided tours as they are very informative and give a great story of the observatory.
Very Good Evening Program - Lowell Observatory - Flagstaff
We went to the night program at the Lowell Observatory. We went to two presentations. Both of the presentations also were accompanied by impressive photos.. We also looked through the telescopes, which was awesome. We looked at the exhibits. The presentations we listened to were: 1) Stars and Galaxies - This was a very interesting presentation with many great pictures. It was thought provoking. The presenter was very good and asked good questions of the audience. 2) The Unobservable Universe - This was also a very good lecture presentation with pictures to describe what you can and cannot see in the universe. The presenter did a very good job. For the telescope viewing, we looked both through the very Large Telescope as well as some small telescopes that they had set up outside the Rotunda Museum. There are also exhibits and movies to be seen. The movie we watched was called " Being an Astronomer ". The observatory was first established by Percival Lowell in 1894. We spent about 3 1 / 2 hours at Lowell Observatory and found the exhibits, presentation, movie and looking through the telescopes fascinating. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and very nice in answering any questions. There is a small admission charge. They do give AAA discount.
A surprising learning experience
I am so happy we had a few hours in Flagstaff on our way to the Grand Canyon, and that we chose to spend them here. We followed the same docent from presentation to presentation, and he was really good. I don't think the trip would be enjoyable without the guide - not a lot of information otherwise. The grounds are impeccably kept and beautiful.
Very educational
This is a good trip for folks who love to learn and love space. My personal favorite was the constellation educational tour. If you can. Go on a night when it is not cloudy and the moon is low for best star gazing.
Helping Make Astronomy Fun
We went during the day for the various astronomy and science talks and then returned at dusk for telescope viewing. The evening telescope viewing was great. Staff and volunteers moved the portable telescopes around a few times in order to allow visitors to look at several different things. They were very knowledgable on everything that was being viewed. As far as the 45 minute long astronomy and science talks, they have one talk with experiments that is geared for younger kids and my 6 year old grandson really enjoyed it, but the rest of the astronomy talks are more for adults and teens. I recommend that they add at least one more astronomy and science talk that is tailored for kids under 10 years of age.
Thought provoking
Very mixed emotions. Lowell was such a giant and I was awed to see the site of his legacy to us. On the other hand, he came here from the big city for clear, dark skies, dedicated his life to research and traveled the world because he was wealthy. I'm grateful he turned his business prowess and inheritance towards science and the betterment if us all: he predicted how Pluto would be discovered and it happened on Mars Hill in 1930. Now it's said to not be a planet not because if its size, mass and shape but because it has not achieved orbital gravitational dominance, by which criteria neither Earth nor Jupiter are planets due to asteroids crossing our orbits, not having been " cleared out. " Language is a code agreed upon for the sake of communication. We called it a planet for so long, and now everything is redefined? Something really impressive is called " sick " these days; what does this do to medical parlance? In the real world, nothing; slang is most ephemeral. But some things last. " Nebulae " tired out to be so much different than Lowell spoke of at his university graduation; his canals on Mars didn't bear up under scrutiny; other wealthy people followed his lead to flagstaff making light and particulate impediments to astronomy so that bigger 'scopes had to be constructed father out and higher. None of this bugs me. Lowell's quest to observe and to grow and to share makes him a priceless hero to science and we are indebted to him and his descendants who to this day preserve his bequeathment to us via the Lowell observatory foundation. This is the place where so much happened!
American History and the Sky... A Story to Share
The visit to Lowell Observatory was, simply said, fantastic! Even if you are not a science geek or a stargazer or history buff (but come on, doesn't everyone have the urge to know and learn?) - this is a great addition to any visit to Flagstaff. You can go during the day, see the intro film, and explore the grounds. Then, using the same admission ticket, go back at night and actually take a peek through a number of the telescopes that are still actively used by the observatory staff. Pluto was discovered here! There's a bit of walking involved, but not too bad, and it looks like wheel chair ramps are here and there. The gift shop has lovely, unique items. Remember to leave time as you are leaving to stop at the Flagstaff overlook just outside the property gates, where you can have a great view down to the city, or over the San Francisco mountains. This place is an important part of science history - take an hour or two to visit!
Semi-Sad
Fantastic time touring the grounds. The history on the location's importance in the hunt for Pluto was very interesting. The methods of the time in mathematics are hard to comprehend in today's computer world. Staff was friendly in directing tourists of where to go. I found the place sad, as it appears that nearly everything has fallen out of repair. The telescope that was used to help map lunar landing sites for the Apollo Missions floor broke apart, and the other scopes are just relics of the past. I find tools like this can still be used today, maybe not by professionals, but others. Shame to find that funding here is limited to keep all tools up and running at full speed. Beautiful views of the city of Flagstaff below. I would absolutely recommend coming here. I would love to return for a night time tour.
Informational and friendly staff, even on a cloudy night
While the weather was uncooperative, we made the most of it and were able to view the moon through the telescopes that were set up. An informational lecture on the planets and constellations as well as the history of Lowell Observatory and the " museum " of sorts was worth it.
Got to See Saturn Through a Telescope. Presentations Could Be Improved
The cost of admission was $11. The setting was lovely and very peaceful. When we first arrived, we headed straight for the telescope they had because the sky had cleared up and they were showing Saturn. That was amazing and probably the highlight. Then we watched the presentations called " Cosmic Zoom " at 8 and " Sky Tonight " at 9 p. m. These presentations were informative but the setting seemed antiquated. It was just a pull down screen at the front of the room and it was hot in that room. The doors were open to probably cool down the room but that just drove in these huge bugs, which was distracting. I guess I was expecting an IMAX theater or something but instead, it was just this antiquated screen. Still, I did learn a lot about constellations and the various planets. I wondered if the presenters were students at nearby NAU, they were very young. The walk-through museum at the observatory was also very explanatory with cool exhibits. Don't expect to do too much star gazing with the naked eye at the observatory because the lights kind of obstruct viewing. But the guide recommended we go to nearby Buffalo Park (2400 N Gemini Dr, Flagstaff, AZ 86001) and that really was incredible. It was nearly pitch black and you could really see the night sky and all its stars. We even saw the milky way ring in the distance. Very cool.
A 'must see' while in the Flagstaff area
Recommended for all who enjoy science, history, and beautiful scenery. The tours are fairly short and inexpensive, so it's well worth the trip, and great for all ages. We were disappointed that the Alvan Clark Refractor was closed, but certainly did not ruin our visit. If you're visiting or passing through Flagstaff, make sure to stop by Lowell Observatory!
Not worth the money
We decided to visit in the evening so we would have a chance to do a little star gazing. The total for the four of us (2 adults, 2 under 17) was $30. We arrived at 7pm figuring that in the two and half hours until closing, we'd be able to see everything. The visitor's center had an interesting film about the building of their new telescope and how much goes into the process - very impressive. We then went out to one of the two telescopes open for the evening. We waited in line for about 25 minutes to see Jupiter. It was pretty cool, but it was a cold wait. Then we went up to the Clark telescope (the one which was used to discover Pluto). It was almost an hour and a half wait to get inside for a five minute peek at two stars. My youngest daughter got so cold that she couldn't wait anymore after 45 minutes. We went back to the visitor's center and walked through the space suit exhibit. That was interesting, but took 20 minutes. We ended up back in the car because there was nothing else to do. My husband and oldest daughter waited to see the Clark Telescope, but it took forever. It was after 9:30 before they met us back at the car. If you're a real astronomy buff, this might be worth it for you. During the day, it seemed like they offered tours and that may have been more interesting.
Nice campus worth a visit if you're interested in astronomy
We probably would have liked this place better if we'd been able to get here for an evening session and actually looked through the telescopes. As it was, we arrived in the afternoon and took part of a tour from an enthusiastic and knowledgable student. It was a nice campus situated on a mountain not far from the downtown area. The only scope we got to look through was one set up to look at sunspots. After the tour, we wondered around the campus and visited the impressive mausoleum of Percival Lowell, who established this place in 1894 to search for life on Mars. Of course, he thought he saw extensive canals on the red planet and caused some excitement with his writings about the civilization on there. Around 1930, it was observations from this place by Clyde Tombaugh which led to the discovery of Pluto. The folks around here still seem kinda bummed that Pluto was more recently downgraded to just a " dwarf planet. " Anyway, it's a park-like setting and a place where some significant scientific history was made.
Your chance to see the face of Jupiter!
I was scheduled for a night visit, so it was very cold when I arrived to see what was up in the sky! This is the place where they discovered Pluto and also where the theory that the universe was expanding was first posited and proved. As Flagstaff is the world's first international dark sky city, the clarity of the night sky is truly amazing. I lined up to see through the large telescope and, lo and behold, there was Jupiter looking exactly like it did in my school textbooks! It's probably had some more meteors smash into it since then, but I'd recognise ole' Jupiter anywhere! This is also the very same telescope that the Moon landing team used to learn the surface of the moon before actually going up there. There is a movie on the creation of the Observatory's new Discovery Channel Telescope that has opened up 65km / 40mi south-east of Flagstaff, and lots of interactivity for kids and adults alike. It's a not-for-profit organisation, so I encourage you to donate whatever you can to keep such an historic and cool place operating as long as possible. One more thing: ask lots of the questions. There's nothing science-guys like more than talking about their topic! I highly recommend this Flagstaff attraction!
Try to go when school is in session
Lowell's Observatory is a hit or miss kind of place. First because the weather will either allow for you to view the night sky or not and Secondly because unruly children can ruin a visit anywhere. I would reccomend going when kids are back in school. This is not the place to just let you kids run wild. There is a great deal of learning and lectures that go on here and they fascinating for those who wish to learn. Check the weather forcast before going because there are no refunds. If you are in Flaggstaff for awhile walk old town. The archetecture is amazing and the ambience great.
definitely worth a few hours of your time
My family and I were up from Phoenix to the Flagstaff area in December 2005 hoping to see some snow (none to be had) and spent an afternoon at the Lowell Observatory. Of the three things we did that weekend (the Polar Express Williams train ride, dinner at Black Barts and the Lowell Observatory), the Lowell Observatory was the most worthwhile. The tour is maybe a little rushed, but it is incredible what they provide for only $5 a person admission. In addition to seeing the ~100 year old telescopes in wooden domes which were used to discover the planet pluto and the first evidence of the expanding universe (and which still work), you also see Lowell's handwritten notes showing his planetary calculations, a nice multimedia presentation about the staff's current research and a hands-on optics and astronomy exhibit room, plus a neat gift shop. Not sure I'd drive there specifically to see it, but definitely go if you are in the Flagstaff area. If you go in winter, dress warmly, it was about 20 degrees on the mountain the day we went.
An observatory with tours for stupid people
What a waste of my time and money! We had a tour guide that was a mechanical engineering student with no astronomy knowledge to answer questions. She was rude, lacked interest in the subject matter and couldn't answer a single scientific question. This tour was clearly geared toward uneducated adults and children. Tour was mostly about the architecture and economics of building the observatory. There was little said about the history or science. If you wanted to learn anything scientific, you can go into a room with giant posters to read. What a joke!
Just awful!
We decided to stop here over Spring Break 2014 as a fun and educational activity for our child. After our experience, I doubt my child will ever have any future interest in astronomy. We ended up spending $30 for a family of three to do the tour. They first led us into an old building that was supposed to be an observatory. It didn't even have the telescope in it, just a stand where the telescope should be. We were next shuffled to another building that resembled more of a church. We had to listen to a long, boring story about Mr. Lowell, his life, his wife, his money, yadda yadda yadda. I thought we were supposed to learn about and see Pluto, Mars and the Sun. Nope, just some old photos and antique telescopes. My family and two other groups left after this part even though the tour continued on. I went to ask for my money back since I felt this was a complete misrepresentation of what they were going to offer and learned that conveniently the sale ticket area closes right after the tour begins. Guess they get a lot of complaints about refunds.
Get the most out of Lowell
Lowell Observatory is a museum of telescopes that were cutting edge a few decades ago. The real observatory is farther away from town now, and is loaded with computer based telescopes, but you'll be touring the older facility. The tour takes you to the telescope that discovered Pluto, the main telescope where the first moon landing was planned from, and some of the other spots around the campus. Its very informative, and is offered during the day hours. At night, you can look through the main telescope, which is one of the best public availability for a large telescope in the west. The friendly, amatuer astronomers flood the grounds, and each one has a story to tell you about what he's pointing at. The best part about this is the night time activitiy. You can look through three of the campus telesccopes, and the main one is uually pointed to Jupiter or Saturn, or if Mars is close, they'll focus on him. Its a very big telescope, and you get a great shot of whatever its looking at. Also, the amatuer folks are friendly, excited, and happy to talk to you about what they're all about. They give the best tours of all. While you're there, there will be a short presentation about astronomy on a domed theater screen. Kinda neat, worth the effort. Also, the exhibit center is loaded with information about stars, and has a few interesting interactives like a light spectrum, and searching for asteroids. You'll get the best out of this place if you come get the tour and check out the campus during the day, and then come back at night for the viewings. You can't lose here.
Loved the telescopes!
We participated in the daytime tour of Lowell Observatory as well as the evening telescope viewing. I give it a mixed review, agreeing with many other reviewers - but overall it's worth the time to visit. Just don't go there expecting it to be like Disney World or Epcot. It is not fancy - it is a real place with real telescopes, staffed by a wide variety of ordinary people. Go there with realistic expectations and you'll be fine. We loved the history of the place. Getting to see actual facility, and some of the actual equipment, used for major discoveries like the discovery of Pluto - we are science geeks, so that can't be beat. It was my second visit to Lowell Observatory. The evening telescope viewing was a little disappointing because there was a lot of standing in line, and not much else to do, but we still had a really good time. We got to look through the large telescope as well as two smaller portable telescopes, and got to see Jupiter, a closeup of the moon, and a view of a ring nebula (cool but very hard to see). That alone was worth the price of admission. The downside is that the place just isn't very organized. They seem to have a lot of student employees and volunteers involved in these events, and the quality of the tours and demonstrations varies a lot depending on who is your tour guide, how much they care, and how much they know. In our case, about half of them were very good and you could tell they were excited to be talking about astronomy. Others seemed to just be putting in time. Two things to be prepared for: The day hours end at 5 p. m. and they don't re-open for the evening (selected evenings only) until 5:30. Which means you have to go kill time somewhere in between activities, then you have to pay an additional $6 each to come back at 5:30. The daytime guy tried to discourage us from paying for both - but if you don't come in the daytime, you don't get the tour of the facility, which we thought was one of the most interesting parts. And if you don't come back in the evening, you don't get to look through the telescopes. I highly recommend doing both if you've got the time. The schedule for the evening activities either isn't planned in advance, or isn't provided to the day staff. When we left at 5 p. m, we tried to get some advice from our tour guide about the evening's activities, what they would be doing, and what time we should be there. He clearly didn't know anything about it. I now realize it may simply depend on who shows up for the evening demonstrations, what planets are visible, sky conditions, etc. They probably don't plan it in advance. So - my advice is to just wing it, be patient and prepared for whatever happens, and plan to enjoy it. Lowell Observatory is definitely worth a visit.
Worth visiting when in Flagstaff
We have now visited the Observatory twice and both times have been excellent. Great for families, couples or senior travelers. During our last visit, we did an observatory tour with Ian, who was excellent! Knowledgeable, professional and delivered the talk extremely well. The observatory boasts some unique exhibits, such as a telescope that was used to discover Pluto, as well as a functioning Clarkson telescope that is over 100 years old. In addition, the Observatory does the evening tour when they open up the Clarkson telescope and let people catch a glimpse of a planet or nebula. Great experience. Would highly recommend. Tip: Get a Sedona superpass book, which gives you 'buy 1, get 1 free' offer for the observatory, as well as some other great offers.
Best at Night!
We went to the Lowell Observatory during the day and at night. During the day we learned about the history of Pluto and got to see the camera that caught Pluto. We went back at night to learn about stars and galaxies and went outside to see the constellations. We loved it, but there really isn't anything for younger kids. I would say 9-10 is the youngest that should really go to get something out of it.
A historic and beautiful place to visit
Well I am an astronomy enthusiast but that is not true with my family. It took me quite a lot of planning to make my family (including my 3yr old kid) agree for a trip to the south-west of US. On our way from Sedona to Grand Canyon we stayed for a night at flagstaff and managed to tour Lowell. I am proud to say that the visit did change my family's view on observatories. It was a very inspiring trip for them and I can already see my 3+ Yr old showing interest in star gazing. Out of the many great things two see the best part were two: A.) the live demonstration during sunset were we all saw the earth shadow and the physics behind the various colors at sunset. B.) the view of Saturn, Jupiter and Mars using telescopes. These two things are something that we will never forget for life. My recommendation will be to visit this place around late afternoon and stay until it gets dark. In case you wanted to see the sun through special telescopes then you need to be there around noon time. Last but not the least the history around that place does make you think on the advances in science sand technology that has been made in the last many decades.
So much more then I expected
We went late in the afternoon and caught the Mars tour. The guide was wonderful, he was enthusiastic and provided a lot of information. After the tour he even brought us to the Pluto telescope since we had missed the last tour of the day. We watched a great presentation of the night sky and the planets. By then it was dark and there were telescopes outside. We saw Saturn and checked out the moon through the Clark telescope. It was an amazing experience. I think we could have spent all day here.
Awesome
A highlight of our trip, thoroughly enjoyed the museum, movies and staff. Great tours, got to see Jupitor with four moons at night, and the famous Clark telescope. We spent one full day and night of vacation there. Would go again!
Not so interesting for smaller children
Adults in our party thoroughly enjoyed the observatory; the presentations were a little long and detailed for the smaller ones, however, so I would consider ages of children before visiting. I think a night time visit would be outstanding.
Such a disappointment... : (
I have loved this place for years, and taken family there many times. I was so gutted after going there last weekend - the place was so busy, a line to view through a single telescope was over 45 minutes. We only viewed one scope, and went home - the amount of people they let in was unbearable. This place was always so cool, it was a real disappointment for us. Perhaps it was busy because it was a couple weekends before schools started back up? Either way, was inexcusable. As we were leaving, they were still taking in peoples' Admission money - with only a half hour left to stay open - and they were telling people " there's a bit of a wait for viewing telescopes tonight, but you should be able to get a few in before closing ". Absolutely false. Paid a lot of money for a 20 second peek at the moon. They need to manage their crowds better: bring out more smaller scopes when needed, or consider yourself " sold out for the evening " once you reach capacity.
Go during the day, come back at night, also enjoy Flagstaff
Lowell Observatory was set up by Percival Lowell to study Mars back in 1894. It boasts one of the largest and finest refractory telescopes ever made (24 " lens). It was used for a number of investigations, including studying the moon for the Apollo landing sites. Before I forget to mention it, there is a monsoon season in Flagstaff, and from June into September there may be rain in the afternoon or evening. Keep that in mind when planning activities in the area. During the day you can visit the large observatory, the Pluto observatory (Pluto was discovered there) the Rotunda Museum, a display that changes in the visitor center and the new Putnam Center. At noon they usually do a solar observation. There are guided tours and the staff is always helpful. The large observatory is made of wood and is impressive during the day when you can see all the woodwork Don't forget to come back at night. The large telescope and one of the smaller observatories are open to the public. I have seen large galaxies throught the large telescope and Jupiter and it's moons through one of the smaller ones. In addition to these, there are usually various telescopes set up outside, and one is connected to a monitor, making viewing easier. They also usually have a lecture in the museum. Flagstaff itself is a great place to visit if you are coming to the South West. It is in the middle of a number of attractions. The Meteor Crater, the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest are to the east and can be covered in one day if you don't have the time to go to each separately. Williams is to the west and has train rides to the Grand Canyon. Farther west is the Grand Canyon Caverns, a little know attraction. If you have the time you can spend the night below ground in a very unique " hotel room ". South is Sedona, which has great stores as well as hiking trails. About an hour south is Jerome and Cottonwood where there is an amazing copper museum, a number of craft stores and the Valley Verde railroad. In Flagstaff there is the Lowell Observatory, Ice caves, a ski area and an Sunset Crater / Wupatki National Monument. There are also a number of hiking trails and a ski area. There are also great restaurants, Salsa Brava was featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. We lived in Flagstaff for three years and it was a great time. Flagstaff is at 7000 feet, so it doesn't get that hot during the days and there is about a 30 degree drop in temperature at night. If you want to visit the Southwest, I strongly suggest you consider Flagstaff.
Awesome, Awesome, Awesome
So worth going to. So very worth it. The entrance fee was $12. I cannot say how worth $12 this experience is. They had three huge telescopes set up and the staff was intensely knowledgable and excited to tell us all about what we were seeing (Orion Nebula, Jupiter, and the Andromeda Galaxy). The Observatory is a literal stone's throw from Flagstaff, but up on the hill the sky just opens up. You can see the whole town lit up below you. It is beautiful even without the awesome experience of the telescopes. And, because this was awesome and hilarous, there is a make-out point halfway up the road to the Observatory that is packed full of cars. It looks like a movie from the 60s.
Great to place to visit for a 1 night stay
As we only had 1 night in bishop, we decided to visit the Lowell observatory and we were not disappointed. At $10 entrance fee, it was great value for money and the guide was superb
Pluto's address on earth
Heard about Pluto? This place discovered it! To fully enjoy Lowell, spend at least hour hours. Ideally spend more than that, because there are different programs throughout the day, evening and night. The admission fee entitles you to attend all the programs, see the exhibits and view the heavenly bodies through telescopes. For me, the highlight of the day program was viewing the sun through a telescope! I saw a sunspot and solar flares! And I did not go blind! At night, despite the full moon, we saw several planets, constellations and nebulae, Awesome! The astronomer, Percival Lowell, is buried near the main telescope of the observatory that carries his name. His mausoleum is in the shape of a small observatory. Lowell searched for Planet X, long before computers were available. Planet X of course, turned out later to be Pluto. There is a permanent exhibit of the tools he used, and even a page of the handwritten calculations he made during his search. Children will enjoy the programs featuring hands on experiments, especially the ones using liquid nitrogen -yes, the very element used in cryogenic chambers. And nothing can ever beat seeing the sun, the moon, the stars, and the planets close up. There is no restaurant on site, but coffee, hot chocolate and snacks are available. However, downtown Flagstaff, with its restaurants, bars and attractions, is only a few minutes away. Once you pay the entrance fee to Lowell, save your receipt. With it, you can leave and reenter anytime that same day and night. Parking is free and ample. Be sure to bring a sweater at night. Arizona gets cold when the sun sets. Don't forget to visit the gift shop. It's small, but filled with smile-inducing products. For example, wormhole paper weights and glow-in-the-dark wall plaques. My favorite is a Tshirt that in front, said " Pluto demands a recount ". The back of the Tshirt showed a ballot and " [x] Planet [] Not a planet. " Planet, or dwarf planet, Pluto is a favorite of many people. Come July 14, 2015, NASA's space probe, the New Horizons, will come closest to Pluto. Mankind will finally see and have the most details about this fascinating heavenly body. Discovered here.
Just okay
Took 42 senior citizens. Pretty dark up there for moving around. Not good instruction on the best way to view. Guide probably knew her stuff but didn't bring it down to a level that could be understood by most casual stargazers that just wanted to view for fun.
PLUTO TOUR AND LOOK AT THE SUN
The Lowell Observatory is more than that; it is a campus of observatories. Go to their website first for hours and days open and a list of tours. MAKE sure you take a tour; show up 1 / 2 hour early and watch the very informative 17 minutes movie. Then, take your tours and buy trinkets to take home. This is a very special place with a whole lot of history. We took the Pluto tour and learned all about how that now dwarf planet was discovered. And, since we were there in the summer, we got to look at the sun through a special telescope. Seeing sun spots and flares was well worth it.
Night / star photography
I only drove to it to take photo of the stars and I wanted an interesting foreground. Workers left and never questioned me taking pictures. It was very serene. Felt like being at a park.
Great Evening Activity in Flagstaff
My husband is a big science buff - me, not so much. But even I loved the observatory! We went in the evening to enjoy viewings through the huge telescopes. We arrived around 830pm and I would recommend going earlier, as there can be long lines to enter the viewing domes for the most popular telescopes. Our visit was short but I think it would be well worthwhile to start things earlier in the day or evening to get full value for your admission - I know on their website there are several different guided tours with different theme during the day and early evening. The staff was very friendly, knowledgeable, and friendly and the attached gift shop was nice and a good spot to buy presents for anyone, especially kids, who are science, nature, and space fans. It's worth noting that they offer a small, 10% discount for AAA members and the staff was willing to apply this same membership to my Canadian auto club (private, not CAA). Helped us save a few dollars.
Stay home and watch discovery channel
Paid 30 dollars to walk around a broken down visitor center... with broken exibits.... tried to stay awake durning a subtitled video presentation... walked outside to all locked buildings. Would have had more fun thowing my money into the wind.
Best bit
Best part of a disappointing Flagstaff. Easy to spend half a day on the tour and exhibitions.
Tremendous day
When I was nine years old - way back in the mid-1960s - I read a small book about the discovery of Pluto by a young man named Clyde Tombaugh, working at the Lowell Observatory, and it sparked a lifelong interest in space and astronomy. My wife and I were on vacation in the Sedona area, and were surprised to realize that Lowell was only a short drive away. I was very excited to actually see the spot where Tombaugh made his discovery, and this visit was everything I hoped for. Our guide for the Pluto tour, Jim, did a remarkable job of telling the story of how Tombaugh came to Lowell, the work he did and how the discovery of Pluto took place. We also viewed the sun through a telescope, and took the " Deep Space " tour that provided a real education about the use of a spectrograph to better understand the universe. We had to be in Phoenix that night and couldn't stay for the night shows, but the three hours we spent there were fascinating, and absolutely lived up to all my expectations.
Not well run
If you like to stand in line, especially if you like to stand in line in the cold, be sure to visit. This used to be a fun place to visit about ten years ago, but now it's a tourist trap run by laxidasical college students. Most of the " interactive " exhibits didn't work and the place is a bore for children. The lines were incredibly long and you may likely stand in them only to be told the observatory is closing. The only positive were some students / staff who seemed to think looking at a very faint galaxy with a 36 " telescope was a wonderful thing. Overall we were very disappointed. The fees for entrance at night should be donation based.
Get there around or before 7 to avoid the crowds
Use your AAA discount for a few dollars off. If you miss the slide show at 6:30, the admission is still worth the fun of looking at specific heavenly bodies up close through an old and a new telescope. If you're lucky, they will be setting up even newer, smaller telescopes on the grounds for sharp and unforgettable views. The view of the city from the hill is pretty nice, too.
Disappointed.
We recently visited the observatory to veiw Saturn. We paid the admission just as they were closing the main telescope; the staff said the reason was weather related.. Since the sky was clear, and weather calm, there were many unhappy guests standing around, confused as to why it was closed.. Finally, a staff member / student brought out a backyard size telescope so we could see a very small image of Saturn while not touching the telescope; as we were told several times. If you went to the Observatory's website and found it disorganized and amateurish, you may find the Observatory itself to be the same.
Surprisingly wonderful
We stopped here on a cold snowy day not knowing what to expect on a gray sky day. We were treated to two wonderful talks / tours. We learned all about the founding of the observatory, the discovery of Pluto plus we walked to the location of the Pluto Discovery telescope in our first tour. The second tour included present day research and the refracting telescope. The tour guide was excellent!
Go early, stay late
Was in town w my teenage sons and visiting the Grand Canyon. Heard about this and decided to try to do something more educational than elctronics and social media. What a nice find. They have numerous educational lectures and activities throughout the day. Do yourself a favor and go early for these lectures rather than just showing up after dark and trying to see something through the telescope (s). Because the weather might not cooperate for you. The facility was nice and had history as well. The speakers were knowledgeable and enthusiastic but I have to admit my sons were a bit bored but that was their own fault and not the speakers lack of knowledge or enthusiasm. Overall a good experience and again go early to take full advantage of the program and experience.
Night Time Star Watching
Enjoyed the night time tours. Available telescopes provided a look into the sky. The time spent was very romantic. Given the opportunity to walk on our own as well as not being rushed was a hit.
Educational family visit
We came by on a slow weekday afternoon and had the opportunity to talk to a number of the docents about the history and science that goes on at the Observatory. Before coming here I had no idea it was related to the family that established the textile mills in Lowell MA. I would not recommend this for young kids as it can be pretty wonky and dry, (although the hilltop surroundings are nice, there are hking trails and a town playground at the bottom of the hill before you climb to the LO). But if you have any kind of interest / love for real science and discovery it is a fascinating visit. It's busier after sunset when they have student astronomers bring out various large telescopes and train them on interesting features of the sky 30M lightyears away (!) and explain to you what you are seeing. You can pay the modest admission fee during the day and see the films and facilities and then come back at night for stargazing on the same ticket.
Visit at night!
My husband and I arrived in Flagstaff late, and decided to visit since they were open until 10:00 p. m. I'm so glad we did! We were most excited to view through the different telescopes that were made available. We saw Jupiter, and two of its moons, along with the Cigar galaxy! The volunteers manning the telescopes were friendly and informative, and clearly had a passion for space! We enjoyed learning about the discovery of Pluto, and the campaign to restore it as a planet! I definitely recommend a visit here, especially for the evening programs!
Home Of Pluto!
Worth seeing for that " Pluto-Is-Still-A-Planet " nostalgia factor. It's also where they discovered the universe is expanding. They had a telescope set up outside to view the sun - very cool to see! Saw sunspots and some flares. Must-see for astronomy buffs, might be kind of boring if you're not. Nice interactive area for kids.
Evening Telescope Viewing!
Spent 2 hours at the observatory. Enjoyed viewing stars and galaxies in 2 of the observatories telescopes and listened to a good outdoor constellation tour. It is cold out this time of year so bundle up.
Clyde Tombaugh, planets and CCCold, oh my!
Got lucky and we found ourselves in Flagstaff on a clear evening when the observatory was open. IF you are lucky enough to go, dress warmly as the lines to view the planets via telescope are outside, and temps below freezing are common. Having been a lifelong astronomy fan, I always thought Clyde Tombaugh was really cool. He discovered Pluto here (a few others helped they like to say here). This is not your usual tourist location. It does have a 1960's Disney kinda' dated feel, but the place is not about how it is packaged but rather WHAT YOU GET TO SEE! On our night it was Jupiter and some moons, as well as Mars and some of its distinctive features. Highly recommended for parents with kids, or parents that still have a love of learning about the universe in them.
Great Experience
A wonderful tour through the history of the Lowell Observatory and Percival Lowell made come alive by our guide with factual stories and funny anecdotes. The Solar viewing was pretty cool and the night star gazing through the telescope amazing. You can go during the day and do the tours, movie and solar viewing.... then go back when dark for the star gazing the same day. Just show your receipt. $12 per adult
Dress Warm & plan to spend time
There are lots of things to see at the observatory, so plan to spend a least 2 hours. Most things are outdoors or in unheated buildings, so dress warm. There are several very knowledable guides who love to answer questions.
Pluto
Went for community day. What's great way to get thew community out. The presenter was very informative. The new solar telescope was neat and the newly remodeled Pluto telescope.
Totally underwhelming
I feel so guilty writing this review, because it's important for me to support science and local, historical institutions like Lowell. However, our visit to the Observatory left us completely underwhelmed. We kept asking ourselves, " this is it? " Perhaps it was our fault for going during the day; maybe nighttime is more interesting. We thought the solar viewing would be a really neat and different experience because we've done a lot of star gazing and night sky excursions, but never any solar ones. When I tell you that the solar viewing experience was nothing worth going for, I truly mean it. It's a little telescope they have sitting outside the courtyard -- you look through it, and see a yellow-orange ball. That's it. The staff member manning the telescope couldn't really answer our questions and had nothing interesting to point out. We were expecting a lot more out of the experience. Maybe if you have little kids with you who are REALLY into astronomy, you'd get more value out of this place than we did. However, we've been to a few astronomy exhibits and museums across the country, and have enjoyed ourselves and learned new things. Lowell just felt so.... old? Amateurish? Definitely not worth the admission price, in our opinion.
Come for the night sky presentations
We came for the night time viewing and presentations and it was a very informative evening. We arrived at 5:30pm and we sat in on two of the presentations and viewed three different telescopes. We were able to see Jupiter and it's 4 moons, the Andromeda Galaxy and a Nebula. It was a fantastic evening. For the night, we had an early dinner in Flagstaff and then spent 3 hours at the Observatory. Remember if going at night to wear warm clothing - jacket, beanie and gloves. We will be back again!
Education and interesting
We visited the Lowell Observatory as part of our road trip to the Grand Canyon. We visited in the late afternoon, evening, which was the perfect time to visit. It was still light enough for us to be able to view the sun through a special telescope. We were able to see sunspots and solar flares. Very interesting. We also took the Pluto tour, which took us up to see the telescope from which the planet (now dwarf planet) Pluto was discovered. Throughout the day, there are different tours and lectures you can attend. Once it was dark enough, there were several telescopes open for viewing the night sky. We were able to view the moon, Mars, Saturn and Jupitor through the telescopes and were able to see a lot of detail. My kids, ages 14, 11 and 9, really enjoyed looking at the different planets. While we were there, the docents also pointed out that we would be able to see the International Space Station passing overhead and pointed it out to us when it was visible in the sky. It was a thoroughly enjoyable trip and for anyone who has an interest in science, or remembers learning about the planets and solar system in school, it is a great side trip if you are in the area. It can easily be done in a few hours and the best time to go is at night, after you have visited other attractions in the daytime,
We loved it!!!
My husband and I loved it! We really did not know what to expect. We met an astronomer and he was so nice and patient with all our questions. You could really tell he loved his job!! We loved seeing both of the telescopes. Unfortunately, it was very cloudy so we could not look through the telescope. Nothing you can do about that. We also listened to a lecture and learned so much!! The young man giving it was so excited during the lecture it got us excited as well!! We definitely would love to go back if we ever get to Flagstaff again!!!
A great evening activity
We read other reviews about the Lowell observatory before we arrived in Flagstaff. It is true that if you can be there for a few hours you will enjoy most of the observatory features. There are more things to do during the evening hours. The staff is wonderful about making sure that you get an opportunity to do telescope viewing after the last lecture at 9 p. m. We arrived pretty close to 7 p. m. and we left just before 10 p. m. We obviously weren't there in the daylight time for the sun viewing so if you want to do that, you will want to arrive earlier. But we specifically wanted to see the night sky. It's really easy to get there and there is not a lot of walking required to enjoy everything there. The observatory has a good website that tells you what time the programs / lectures are being given. If you need wheelchair access I recommend that you call the observatory to inquire about how that can be accommodated.
OUT OF THIS WORLD
Highly recommended for anyone who shares the fascination of the cosmos! The scientists of the observatory are wonderful and they share their passion with their visitors. The different instruments let visitors see with their own eyes heavenly objects. LOVE IT!
Bem legal
Observatório que vale a pena a visita de algumas horas. Como gostamos de astrologia, visitamos. Vale uma visita conjunta com a Me teor Crater.
Would have enjoyed more time
This was a quick visit for us... with a little more time I'm sure the experience would have been more rewarding. We did enjoy our " Pluto walk " and the information learned from our guide.
Great educational excursion
We went in April 2007 and my daughters are still talking about it a year later. It is run by Northern Arizona University and an amazing way to cap off a day. College students give great talks about astronomy and my family learned a lot. There are several telescopes aimed at planets which can be viewed by visitors. Also has amazing views of the night time sky.
Beautiful stars
We were able to see four different areas of the sky. Saw Saturn before it set, then were able to see a nebula. The skies were clear and the stars were amazing. We would suggest arriving before sunset as there are some excellent exhibits indoors you might want to see before star gazing.