9 ‘Scopes to Scope Around the Country
In an age of increasing urbanization, reaching for the stars can seem even more challenging for a generation of people who’ve never really seen them. According to the UN, city dwellers now make up the majority of the world’s population, and for them a permanent curtain of artificial light has fallen over the cosmos. Enter astro-tourism, where the stars are the destination—at least from the comfort of well-appointed observatories. In the US, places that were largely known only to astronomers are welcoming more and more visitors—some curious, some longing to get their first proper glimpse of the Milky Way. Here are our recommendations for a stellar experience.
Yerkes Observatory (Wisconsin)
Located just 80 miles outside Chicago, the circa 1897 Yerkes Observatory evokes a time when fictional Victorian tinkerers assembled time machines and moon-bound projectiles. Built just four years after the Chicago World’s Fair, which introduced humanity to a spate of enduring novelties, Yerkes was no exception in an era of superlative scientific achievement. The so-called “birthplace of modern physics"—and former hive of the University of Chicago’s Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics—still claims the world’s largest refracting telescope.
Daily guided tours are available, and spots can be reserved for nightly programs that allow you to look through the telescopes. Visit the website (
Griffith Observatory (California)
One of the world’s most famous—and visited—observatories, Griffith has transcended its public astronomy roots to become a staple of Hollywood tourism. Opened to eager crowds in 1935, today it sits astride a network of family-friendly trails that afford photo-worthy city and ocean views.
In addition to outdoor telescopes, visitors have access to the Zeiss refracting telescope, which, according to the observatory’s website, more people have looked through than any other telescope.
Admission to the observatory and its grounds is free. Open Tuesday to Friday, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., and weekends, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Closed Mondays. Visit the website (
Green Bank Radio Observatory (West Virginia)
If you’ve ever wanted to escape the noise of modern life and contemplate the universe, head for the National Radio Quiet Zone, which offers 13,000 square miles of radio silence in eastern West Virginia. Here, the Green Bank Telescope (GBT)—the largest fully steerable instrument of its kind—listens for energy waves from space without the interference of Wi-Fi, radio, or other signals.
Taller than the Statue of Liberty, the GBT itself is an impressive sight. Guided tours of the observatory begin with demonstrations and a short film before a bus takes visitors to view the GBT and other telescopes up close. The site also hosts monthly star parties (weather permitting) and Science Center exhibits. The website (
Mauna Kea (Hawaii)
Rising nearly 14,000 feet, the island of Hawaii’s lofty, sometimes snow-covered peak is a sacred place for native Hawaiians, one that connects them deeply to their roots. For astronomers, the mountain—the world’s highest when measured from the seafloor—is an ideal base for powerful telescopes aimed at the souls of distant galaxies. More than a dozen world-class telescopes now march along the summit, and the overlap of scientific endeavor and spiritual significance hasn’t been without controversy. Always be respectful while on the mountain and observe the visitor rules(
Kitt Peak (Arizona)
High above Arizona’s sunbaked Sonoran Desert, Kitt Peak National Observatory offers stunning views both skyward and across the surrounding valley. Established in 1958, it represents the world’s largest array of optical and radio telescopes, and astronomers there have made important discoveries, including high-redshift galaxies and evidence of dark matter.
Guided tours of the observatory are available daily from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. The visitors center closes on some major holidays and under unforeseen circumstances. Call to confirm they’re open before setting out. Nighttime programs include stargazing and a dark-sky discovery program. Check the website (https://www.noao.edu/kpvc/ ) for prices and schedules.
