Some of the most important astronomical discoveries in history have been made at Lowell Observatory. Established in 1894, it is one the oldest observatories in the United States. Among other instruments, it is the home of the original, 19th-century Clark telescope and the famous astrograph used for discovering Pluto in 1930. During the day, the solar telescope allows you to take a close look at the sun, while at night you can view the stars, the moon, and the planets. Some programs might not be available at the time of your visit, due to weather conditions. The observatory is located at an altitude of 2,194 m (7,200 ft) and the sun can be very bright during the daytime while nights can be pretty cold, so don’t forget to bring sunscreen and dress in layered clothes. To visit Lowell Observatory and get the most from your holiday in Flagstaff, create itinerary details personal to you using our Flagstaff driving holiday planning site.
Tours to Lowell Observatory
Lowell Observatory reviews
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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...
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... more »
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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..... more
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..... more »
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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.
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. more »
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This is one of my favorite places on planet earth. I recommend going an hour before sunset and staying until they close at night. The Flagstaff sky is unreal and I could not stop staring into the sky full of stars. Such kind and smart people work there. The location is easy to get to, only a five minute drive from downtown. Plenty of parking but it does get full so beware! There are stairs and ramps for accessibility. The gift shop is awesome. I’m in love with this place and I want to come back during every season. You will learn so much and see so much amazing history. It’s amazing that you can step into the observatory that discovered Pluto! So worth it.
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This Observatory is Amazing! If your in Flagstaff it's a must see! All day passes are $25 or you can get a membership for $50 which is good for a whole year and if you want to make it a dual membership it's only $65! They have a Family membership as well, but I don't remember the cost of that one. They have multiple telescopes to see. One telescope was built in the late1800's and another was built in 1928 and was the telescope that discovered Pluto! They also have 6 new telescopes that were built in 2019 that they view stars and planets with and they allow you to look through the telescopes eyepiece and are currently building additional attractions. They also have a list that shows a breakdown of the prices of the 6 telescopes and their mounting. The employees are full of knowledge and are extremely friendly. If you are a local or a tourist in Flagstaff I highly recommend this place, you won't regret it!
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Wow! What an amazing experience to learn about astronomy and view the solar system through their incredible telescopes. We attended 3 of the programs throughout the day - all excellent, and led by knowledgeable staff who are passionate about their job. Staff were all friendly and helpful. What a treat that we were privileged to use the famous 32 foot Clark Refractor once it got dark. The outdoor viewing deck was awesome! We had so much fun learning, seeing, and exploring the grounds. Must do for any age!
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There is no words that can describe the experience at this place. If I could I would give them 10 stars. It’s something that you have to see if you ever wanted to look through some real telescopes. Get warm clothes, bring some good sense of humor, mix it with your curiosity and it’s fun for you, you and you - and your families. Must see. Worth every single dollar. Thank you for making my dream come true. I have been waiting for that moment many many years. I’ll come back!
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An amazing place of discovery, science, and education for all of us. For the night show arrive a bot early it does get pack. No flash photography or flashlights. Star gazing is unreal and views via the telescopes are incredible. Great for all families and astronomy enthusiasts. Wonderful place.
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