UT McDonald Observatory Review

Love this place and people. Great information, enjoyed day tour and star party!!!

It was a cloudy night. However you've got to remember when in Texas wait a bit the weather will change. Excellent views of our bright moon, , Saturn, the rings of Saturn, Titan. An excellent experience and their food and staff is very friendly.

The observatory is placed among beautiful surroundings, definitely try that if you (or your children) are interested in astronomy!

We had a great experience
Be sure to do the dark sky star show. The guides were exceptional and being able to view the solar system thru the various size telescopes were a once in a life time experience. Please note that this trip was before Covid19 started. Please check with the observatory website for information on this show.

Really cool place. We did a star party and saw lots of cool stuff like Jupiter, and a sombrero galaxy, and of course the moon.

Fun place. I didn't get to do the activity because of weather conditions. Your reservation are good for any other time you decide to go.

Always a great time learning and enjoying the night sky. Must do the Star Party!

Although this place looks very cool and educational located on the top of some bueatiful Texas mountains, we showed up to late to really get full value for our efforts. The information desk lady wasn't to helpful or informative when we asked her about it either. I would say to check online for all your information and plan you trip before going.

Disappointed it wasn't open when we went. Nowhere on the website did it say they are closed. On my bucket list again now

This place is incredible. The dark sky tour is highly recommended.

We went to a Star Party. These sell out WEEKS in advance. If you don't have this ticket there is nothing to do! PLAN YOUR VISIT!! YOU CANNOT JUST DRIVE THERE AND WING IT. Fantastic experience for the kids and me. Would not recommend for kids under 8 as you would have to lift them up to see through the telescopes and they do not want you to touch the scopes at all. This was my second time, but only the first time to look through telescopes. CHECK THE WEATHER before you go! Telescopes can not see through clouds. This time the moon was full so the star viewing was less than 1/4 of what you can normally see. The facility has several telescopes set up outside so we got to see Jupiter, several clusters, and the moon of course. The displays inside the building were very informative. The boys loved the gift shop, there was something for everybody but the big hit was the Astronaut food. Extremely informative and friendly staff. Would definitely do again!

We were fortunate to have a crystal clear night with a half-full moon to thoroughly enjoy stargazing with dozens of other folks. The lines were long for some of the telescopes but we endured and got to look through all nine of them. Probably the best view of the night sky I've ever had considering it is hours from major light polluting cities and nestled into the side of the mountain away from the small town lights of Fort Davis.

If you're out this way, you gotta do a star party at the observatory; it was so much fun. There's a presentation and then the opportunity to actually look through the telescopes at various celestial bodies. If you're there in the winter time, you'll definitely need cold weather gear, possibly even in spring and summer too. A must see on a visit to west Texas.

Magical place to see the stars with some of the darkest skis in North America!

Love this place. The star parties are exceptional and the staff are amazing. Worth the trip for sure.

It was Awesome!!! Cloudy when we went but they were accommodating to show us a movie n we were able to look thru several telescopes.
Well worth the visit!!!

This is our second trip to the Observatory and will be back again. We have attended the Star Watch both times we visited. Once during a new moon and once during a full moon so the programs were very different, being based on what you would see that night. The people manning the telescopes were well informed and very patient making a great night for children and adults.

Very cool. Did the day time tour. Very informative.

Had a great experience and got to see so many stars. Went in Sept which was rainy season but the sky cleared out for us so we were able to stay a bit longer. But they offered a rain check or refund for those who chose not to stay. Decided to have dinner there. But the cafe options are limited comparef to what is posted on confirmation email. Plan on going again but will have dinner in Fort Davis before we go to the star party.

If only this place wasn't so far from me.. it was a great experience and very interesting. Be sure to reserve for the twilight and star parties! The prices are reasonable, but they fill up fast. You don't want to drive for hours for nothing. Overall, I loved it and the views. Bring a light jacket and/or blanket as it gets cold at night. Be aware of the lunar cycle as a more illuminated moon makes it hard to see much else. Highly recommended and great even for kids. The cafe has snack type foods, but be sure you get there with time to eat it before your event. I had to inhale mine!

If you love the sky, this is the place to be. Do not, I mean do not miss the star party. Also before going to the star party attending the "Twilight Program" is highly recommended as they give insight into the night sky and how do we identify different objects and how they are organized. It is a great place for school kids.

Star party allows you to look through at least 5-6 high magnification telescopes. Galaxies, Nebulae are some of the objects that can be viewed.

Delivered freezers to the Visitors Center. Hadn't been in there prior to this buisness/work related visit. I am more acquainted and informed about the Center/Eatery/Store!

Well worth the time and effort . We did a star party and visited with resident astronomers as we went from scope to scope viewing celestial objects. Check out their website for programs.

Outside, sitting on concrete benches. In winter, bring a blanket - they're cold! Looking through he telescopes was great!

The location is phenomenal and views are outstanding.
We went to star party and it was full of people. We had to wait 20min for a telescope and only could look through 3 before we were to leave. They need to not sell as many tickets. We were disappointed.

My wife and I went to a Star Party and I would highly recommend going if you have a chance. The sky in this part of Texas is crazy good anyway, due to so little other lights, but the narrative about what you are seeing and then seeing these thru the telescopes was terrific. We went of a particularly cold evening but with the proper clothing and a couple of blankets (one for your legs and one to sit on) the temperature was manageable. We were there on a moonless night which helped...although it would be interesting to see the full moon in this part of Texas. FIVE STARS FOR SURE...

It's amazing to see the sky and the milkyway like this!!!

This is a must do if you are visiting West Texas. The star party is absolutely phenomenal! Make sure to dress warm and bring a blanket!

Regarding the Star Party: It was ok. The park rangers in Big Bend do the exact same thing for free - check the event schedule. And with less crowds. I mean, no doubt - the McDonald Observatory version is more professional. But I wasn't a fan of the big crowds and long lines. I went out to West Texas to get away from people and for the most part was successful... but not at the Star Party. It's very crowded. Long lines to look through a telescope at a white dot in the viewpiece. The good: All the staff were super nice. The ones running the telescopes were extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Some were even (seemingly) aspiring stand up comics cuz they were funny.

Star Parties, solar viewing, exhibits - They take public education seriously. Food cafe is small, but large outdoor seating area. Reservations needed for Star Parties. Highway approach from Fort Davis requires attentive driving due to steep mountain grades and curves - watch out for large animals on the road at night.

We had an excellent time there despite the less than cooperative sky. They gave a very informative outdoor program and a great opportunity to view through a variety of different telescopes, large and not so large.

Great place, just got overcrowded when 2 buses of high school kids arrived.

We went to a star party here recently and it was amazing! The knowledgeable, articulate staff, perfect location, and clear skies made our evening incredibly memorable. You must stop here!

Go there and learn things. Nice free camping at nearby wayside rests.

This was a great stop on our way back to El Paso from Roundrock.

I hadn't been out there in many years. The current visitor center is a nice facility and I significant upgrade from what they had before.

The inside show was great but the outdoor viewing is at the whim of nature. We had nearly a full moon which wiped out a lot of stars. We were able to view the moon and the planet Saturn.

Always interesting, unless its cloudy ( check weather )

The solar viewing & tour was a great way to spend the better part of my day! You actually take a couple short drives (or ride the shuttle bus) to a few locations along the tour and that way you get to see several of the big telescopes on the mountain. Great views the whole time!
Seemed okay but not great for younger children who were occasionally engaged by the tour guide but one ~5yo made a fuss whenever his interest wasn't piqued. The older kids seemed to have a decent time though!

Saul the summer intern did a nice job despite it being his first week and Rachel was good at helping to answer questions without taking away his spotlight as a tour guide! After the tour I ate my packed lunch on the patio and then I had some good conversation with Judy and Eileen (two staffers who were not on the tour) in the visitor center. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and friendly! Thank you so much for the fantastic day!!

It was cloudy at the star party so they let us reschedule for the morning

Love to go out for that star party and look at the stars with the telescopes.

Star party was so much fun! Engaging and knolegable speaker, passionate staff and beautiful visitors center.

Very educational and informative. Love the programs and Mark was very informative and funny at the Star party last night. Thank you for showing us more of our world and universe!

What else you going to do out in West Texas but look at the stars!

Star Party has two parts. First sit outside on a concrete bench and listen about constellations. This was pretty interesting. Same thing you d get at a planetarium, but they have comfortable seats. Second, stand in line to look through a telescope. I saw a big black nothing in the center and some stars around the sides as I moved my head to get a better view. The guy helping was no help. Basically said too bad, next! Really a complete disappointment!! Best part of the event was spotting a havalina on the drive up.

Again, we got rained,/clouded out but we went to the show on solar. Learned a lot and loved the tour. Staff is well informed and professional.

Excellent place to head to for all things space very knowledgeable and exciting guide

You really need to see this place through a star party.

Awesome place to visit. If you are in the area you must stop by for a visit.

The best place to visit in Texas, IMHO! I love the Star Parties. The visitor center is also very nice, and touring the telescopes is a blast. Really advanced science research being done here. They are currently studying Dark Matter. The Davis Mountains are incredibly beautiful and peaceful. I even road my road bike around the Scenic loop this trip; over two days. I also brought my Enduro motorcycle. What a great place to ride. Little traffic and great scenery and great roads.

Awesome place, very educational and family friendly. Highly recommended!

My family and I went on an afternoon trip, we had a great time...

Great time very educational my 3 girls had a great time.

Star Party at 7pm was fantastic! Make reservations online... they fill up.

Star party was such a cool experience! Lots of telescopes all around to view various sights. Staff was very helpful and answered all my questions.

The staff is knowledgeable, the views are amazing, and it's affordable.

Very interesting place. The personnel was very attentive,knowledgeable and receptive.

Had a wonderful time at one of their "Star Parties."

I was impressed by their star party event, despite cloudy weather the staff is prepared to have alternate experiences in case star viewing doesn't work out. Located on a high but distant place.

I've been here twice. The presentations and star parties are awesome. The museum is lousy. Don't come here for the museum.

Such a neat and amazing place! It unfortunately was cloudy but we still got to sew some amazing things. The staff was so nice and always willing to answer any questions. It's an excellent spot for night photography when clear.

Great place to visit with family. The tour was great and the star party outstanding.

Came here on a vacation to Marfa with my wife. She had never looked through a telescope before this. We went to one of their open house night events.

The extremely dark skies in the area make just basic stargazing absolutely fabulous. The guide pointed out the Hubble in orbit zooming across the night sky and it was fantastic.

If you have even a small interest in astronomy I would suggest taking the track down here to look through their telescopes.

Very interesting. Martinique was a fun guide. Sadly clouds limited the star party at night.

The star parties here are wonderful - entertaining and educational. There is a small cafe and gift shop, as well an interactive educational center.

Knowledgeable staff. Great facility loved the star and moon gazing

Took the kids and we were amazed to see the 3rd largest telescope in the world. It was very nice to be out and seeing a real life meteor that does not stop moving.... It was great!

WOW, WOW, WOW!!! Awsome experience! Staff were phenomenal. You have to see it to appreciate it.

Wonderful experience fun of learning. A must if you're in the area.

Wonderful experience. We attended one of the special viewing nights. Even though there were a lot of clouds (unusual for the area), we were able to see several great objects.

So not so friendly staff. Everything is prepurchase and if you don't pay on line e before hand you'll have nothing to do. It is also very sad how 3 or more things in the oh so very small visitors center is broken and how outdated everything is. Incredibly sad given its a science orientated facility.