Lowell Observatory

"We stopped here on our recent trip to Flagstaff. We are very happy that we did, even though the sky did not cooperate during our visit. They have a few very nice telescopes that they let the public view through. The history of the facility is just as impressive. I had no idea this facility is where the dwarf planet Pluto was discovered. There are a lot of nice displays and exhibits to interact with. The staff were all great. The shows in the auditorium were fun and informative. We definitely recommend stopping in and checking the place out."

"Lowell Observatory was a fantastic stop during my visit to Flagstaff. It’s really cool to see the place where Pluto was discovered, and the exhibits are very educational. The walking tour was excellent—our guide was very knowledgeable and made the history and science easy to understand. If you’re interested in astronomy or outer space, this is definitely the place to go. It was also a lot of fun seeing the various telescopes they have on display and learning how they were used. A great experience for all ages!"

"Lowell Observatory was a highlight of our trip. We easily spent 4 hours here with our 4 and 5 year olds. They spent 2 hours in the kids area, and were also engaged in the various talks being given around the large campus. It's incredible to see and learn about the historic telescopes and current research going on here. The gift shop is gorgeous. It's well worth spending the day here!"

"WOW WOW WOW. This is hands down the coolest science museum / observatory experience I’ve ever had. You get to look through ~5 scientific-grade telescopes, plus a massive telescope inside a dome that they actually let the public use. You even get to see the telescope that discovered Pluto. The staff takes it to another level – they’re genuinely excited, super knowledgeable, and happy to walk you through what you’re seeing and why it matters. And the best part might be the “open-air planetarium” vibe: you’re literally under the real night sky, and Flagstaff’s dark-sky setting makes it feel magical. If you’re even remotely into space, this place is basically heaven. By the way, the membership is only $20 more which gives you unlimited entry for the year AND gets you into certain monuments for free. You get free admission to Meteor Crater (among other sites)with the Lowell annual Membership; very very worth it!"

"My first visit was a fantastic experience! The live constellation show, while an additional cost, felt like a worthwhile investment for a complete nighttime experience. There are plenty of exhibits to explore, making it easy to spend a lot of time on the grounds. The auditorium show was a definite highlight, with the immersive elements truly enhancing the sense of scale. For those planning a visit, I'd highly recommend checking the moon phase beforehand, especially if you're interested in the rooftop observation. When the moon was nearly full, it made spotting constellations more challenging, as they were often positioned behind us, away from the observation area. It was also difficult to see the guide's laser pointer due to the bright light. Planning around the moon's cycle could help you get the most out of this particular part of the program.""