Kitt Peak National Observatory Reviews

I've been interested in astronomy for a few years and this place did not disappoint. The evening program is expensive, but the day tours are free. I suggest you get there early enough to experience a tour. We got there a little late, and missed a tour, still the place has much to offer. You will learn something, probably much. The visitor center was particularly informative.

We were a bit disappointed. Tour guides seem to know their stuff however one tour all you saw was old fashioned equipment and advised the telescope has not been in operation for a year and they didnt really show much else. Another tour you stand in a room and look at a telescope and they talk about it...but at no time do you get to see anything in action. We got in for free with our ASTC memberships but if i had to pay i would be very upset. The drive up and down the mountain were more entertaining. It was very cold and windy so we did not do the walking tour of the campus, might have added a bit more value to the trip.

Very informative tour on how the scopes work, history, and what they observe.

Kitt Peak is less than 50 miles from Tucson, so it's easy to get to. The observatories are accessible and quite educational. The visitors' center is a lot of fun plus there is a gift shop with cool space-related items. I recommend taking the guided tour, but they don't mind if you wander around on your own.
Be advised that the telescopes are at about 7000' elevation, so if you have breathing problems, they will be worse at the top. The road is winding and narrow, but we'll maintained. If you ride a motorcycle, is a blast to ride up to the top.
There is no food for sale here, so you need to bring your own.

I like to wander the grounds and bird. Tours available and interesting.

We did the Dark Sky Discovery program here last night. Our guide Carmen was great, she showed us through some great sights with the 16" telescope. The whole evening was well run, with a light meal included. It's well worth doing this program if you are interested in seeing some great sights through a good telescope.

Can't believe the view from here - spectacular. Next time, I just want to lay in the back of my truck with binoculars and stare up at all that beauty. It's a must go!

It was a great experience for me and my friends just bring a jacket

Looking run down and closing telescopes but still a special place

Nice drive to the top of the mountain and great views. To do the evening tour and use the observatory cost $50 and you must have reservations.

Sunset was lovely! DO dress warmly & bring head/ear coverings. It was 40 degrees & clear in March. Attended the Night Observation Program and it wasn't what I expected. Thought we would get to see a lot of stars through the telescopes, but each person had only a few seconds each to see 3 different views (2 different stars, and the moon, a total of about 30 seconds of viewing time). Arrived at 4:40pm (when they say to be there), and drove down the mountain in a caravan at 10:30pm. Nearly 6 hours and not worth it for that program. We were pretty bored, to be honest. Bathrooms are a hike outside to a different building. They forgot to give us red flashlights so we were rather handicapped by that when we were taught to use star charts. We were disappointed & wouldn't go again.

We did the daytime solar and the 2.1 meter telescope tours. I found the solar tour more interesting. And you get to look at the sun thru a small telescope. The guide was excellent. The price for all three available daytime tours is very reasonable at $13.

The most spectacular sky tonight... everybody should come and experience any of the night events... it's absolutely worth it

There is so much to see an do. The night time tours are the greatest , this is where you can really look thru the telescopes and see the stars.

A good but relatively small science/exhibition room. Everyone here is so very enthusiastic and helpful. You need to try to book one or more tours online to get full explanationsl. Thev are so reasonable in price. If you can also get an evening special, it's quite something, with an added bit of excitement at the end getting shepherded of the peak so as not to damage any of the astronomical work actually taking place.
Over the next few years they are improving the visitor experience, but need to be supported to help fund it.
One thing currently missing is anything to eat/drink other than machine coffee and a packet of chips, so take something to munch

The journey to Kitt Peak National Observatory was well worth the drive from Tucson. The views are amazing from the top of the mountain. The telescopes are pretty incredible and the docents really know their stuff. Fascinating to hear of the research going on and how the area was developed over the past 60 years.

I was very disappointed that we were unable to actually visit any of the buildings. We were able to walk around the property but all of the buildings were shut down it seemed. It doesn't look like anyone has been inside for years. There were actually buzzards.... almost like they were guarding the door at one of the buildings and challenged us when we tried to approach to check the door. We bailed. It is definitely beautiful atop Kitt Peak but again I was very disappointed to not actually get anywhere once we got there. Maybe summer if not a popular time there?

We did the nightly observatory program here at Kitt Peak. My husband and I both loved it! So much useful information and really awesome views of the stars through their telescope. I would recommend bringing a blanket, hat, mittens, and wearing warm socks. It gets cold at night and windy. The guides (Carmen and Brian) really know their stuff! So many interesting facts about astronomy and constellations!

Very good displays, lots of videos, smallish center. Took all three tours and they were great, docents quite knowledgeable, personable and enthusiastic. Learned quite a bit. Dress warm as it was 30 degrees F with blowing snow in February. We had a great day.

Very interesting and they have tours! Gift shop, good parking, nice road to facility, lot of facts inside the visitor center.

A very informative experience! The mountain itself is cool, clean, and refreshing. Keep your eyes peeled and you may see some of the local wildlife! If you reserve a special evening tour, make sure to bring warm clothes and a windbreaker jacket, temperatures drop drastically as dusk approaches. You'll be able to observe a number of stellar bodies with your eyes on a clear night, and afterwards receive guidance on how to pick out specific constellations with a chart.

Also, a reminder from Kitt Peak's staff for after dark hours, keep your cellphone screens off after dusk, as the light interferes with more light-sensitive viewing in their larger telescopes. Follow their imstructions and mind how you use what they provide for you during your viewing.

interesting but didn't see much because the last tour is 1:30pm. want to return. call 1.st

Fantastic visit! The guided tour is a bit long and doesn't teach much to someone already keen on science, but walking in this environment is great. And what about the view!

This is well worth the drive. Make sure to bring food and warm clothing.

Wife and I drove up and did the tour. We did the 2.1 mm telescope and found it very interesting. Next tour was for the 4.0 mm but we were pushed for time and couldn't make that one . You will learn alot by going for sure.

Very cool place with amazing views! Will definitely visit again.

Surprising! Did not know there were so many observatories in one place. Great views and very informative staff. Worth the trip up the mountain.

Took my visiting family. They loved the guided tour.

You can look at the sun through a solar telescope during the day tour. At night look at the planets or galaxies. The tours are affordable and extremely knowledgeable. This place is a must for all science and astronomy junkies. Very peaceful and beautiful. Absolutely lovely!

A must see! Great tour guides and so informative. You can visit and see the complex yourself, or pay for the very affordable tours. A lot of walking and a lot of it is uphill. You can get permission to drive your car to the tour destinations if you have a difficult time walking. Would not recommend taking small children. A total of 24 telescopes. Amazing place.