Loines Observatory, Nantucket

Great experience. The staff were wonderful. Learned quite a bit through their talks outside. The waits were a bit long for the lines to view through the two telescopes. Dress to wait in the weather.

Open night is great with the kids. Guided stargazing, historical talks, and three professional grade telescopes pointed at whatever is interesting in the sky that night. Great views of Jupiter, Saturn, and etc. There's a research station, as well, and scientists to answer questions.

Open house night was great and well worth the $10 entry! Antique refractor telescope (used by Maria Mitchell) was set up for Moon viewing, showing dinner detail of craters and shadows. Research telescope showed a globular cluster of stars in the Milky Way. A smaller mobile telescope showed both Jupiter (accompanied by its four Galilean moons) and Saturn (rings included). Several undergraduate students ran the show in an efficient and knowledgeable manner. Mitchell history, a constellation tour, and more galactic factoids were shared. Time your visit around New Moon for darkest viewing conditions. Milky Way was barely visible from 9-10:30pm near First Quarter. Open twice a week during summer. About a mile walk from town, depending on where you are staying, but the historic sidewalks will slow you down. Bring a flashlight if you are walking to open house. Take an Uber to avoid twisted ankles.

Was there in August 2011. Great place! Saw Saturn through a telescope very well

The place was closed and no staff for any help.