UT McDonald Observatory Review

Astronomical science on display for those interested in our earliest beginnings.

Enjoyable, educational, and interesting gem in West Texas.

Wow what a place to visit. Wish we had time to do a day time your. Star party great along with the earlier show.

The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, I really enjoyed myself. Bring a coat. It gets cold on the mountain at night :)

The tour they offer is very informative and enjoyable. Who knew it was so pleasant in Texas in August at 6700' elevation!!

Excellent informative tours and well-maintained property

Excellent adventure! Space, the final frontier. Its mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.

The twilight and star party was so much fun for the family.

Just rode our motorcycles through. Couldn't find public transportation to get our group up there at night.

The biggest problem is the complete lack of service at the cafe and the gift shop. The day-time tour was great, the evening program and the star party were excellent. But make other plans for dinner.

This place was pretty incredible. We participated in the solar viewing and daily tour. The program facilitator, Joe, was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions.
We then participated in the Twilight Program to learn about what's in the night sky. Mary was a great program leader and explained different aspects of the solar system in a way that made it easy to understand and fun to learn about.
Afterward, we participated in the Star Party. This was by far the best program. The main program leader (didn't catch his name) was humerous, knowledgeable, and great at what he does. The telescopes were fun to look through, and each person working the telescopes was easy to talk to, didn't judge your questions, and pretty funny. There were only about 130 people in our cried, so we were able to look at each object multiple times and had only short or no lines.
The cafe has a limited, but tasty menu. It was cold outside, so the coffee was a huge plus. There gift shop is well stocked with items for all ages.

Awesome experience for the whole family. We attended the daytime/Sun party. We loved everything from getting up close to the giant telescopes to seeing live shots of the Sun through a telescope. Very cool.

So much to know, so much awareness; classroom education with pictures in the theater (at Visitor center); Guided tours with the Telescope in action, and your kids are given the remote to operate the Telescope (at the Observatory itself)

Amazing location and facilities. The drive alone is worth the admission. The nightly star parties give you a view of the Milky Way - a tret for city dwellers - satelites, galaxies. Add to this an opportunity to look through telescopes. The staff are friendly and engaged. Cold at night so bring warm clothing.

Would love to have been there on a star party night, maybe next visit. But loved the exhibits and got to see the hobby eberly telescope, bit not in operation.

One of the best places to stop if you're in the Big Bend area. Saw the presentation and live viewing of the sun along with a tour of the telescopes. The star party is great with a laser used to point out the constellations, look at planets through their telescopes and a scientist to answer questions. Fantastic place to view the stars at night. The gift store is a must to stop at and there's a small restaurant inside the main building too.

What a joke. We did the self guided tour. You walk and walk and get to a stairwell that is locked. No breath taking night sky pictures, no gadgets, nothing. "An empty locked stairwell is your prize!!! A total joke...

We went to the start gazing party and had a great time. The staff starts off with the constellations, then goes into celestial bodies like planets, notable stars, and galaxies. Once that initial presentation is complete, you walk around to the many telescopes they have set up to get a close up view of select celestial bodies.
We would go back if we were in the area.

I went for day and night time activities. Both very interesting and educational!

Oh my god best observatory ever. Super dark skies with a hugely informative guide who shines lasers at the sky.

I like the place. I was busy in a friend that lives there.

Very educational. Amazing sight to see... Star party was awesome!

Kiddos learned a lot about the solar stem and enjoyed the drive up to the dome!

This is a great area to explore. Very different area of Texas. The mountains are very nice and the weather is usually great. I went for Astrophotography. I travel the state doing mostly nightscape. It is an excellent dark sky area. Very clear and dark sky most of the time. The observatory for now, only takes online registration. If you just go there without a ticket, you will not get in. You have to book early. I didn't find a spot so I did my own thing. Taking the surrounding area. Hwy 118 is a great dark sky area. Very open and DARK. You can stay at Ft. Davis State Park or Prude Ranch is a good option if the park is full. Highly recommend the area.

Returned to the observatory in August to attend a star party during the Perseids Meteor Shower. The start party started off with a constellation tour and general stargazing talk in the outdoor theater area. It was really informative and even entertaining. I learned quite a bit even though I'm not a complete newbie to stargazing.

After the constellation tour, there were several telescopes (around a dozen or so) set up for everyone to look through. There are astronomers attending each telescope, adjusting and refocusing as needed, as well as explaining each object you're looking at. It was way less frustrating than using my own telescope, as I didn't have to do any of the work! Saturn was in the sky when we were there, so they had a couple telescopes in the domes aimed towards it to help cut down on lines. We waited in line maybe 10-15 minutes to view Saturn. The other telescopes had even shorter lines. We looked at several deep space objects through a variety of Dobsonian telescopes, and one crazy telescope that I can't recall the name. The astronomers manning the telescopes were all very friendly and helpful.

There seemed to be a fairly large crowd at the observatory that night, but the lines and waits to look through telescopes went pretty fast. We went on a Saturday night during a new moon and a meteor shower, so I was pleasantly surprised how quickly we got to see everything.

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Ended up here after a scenic drive from Marfa - it was not as far as I thought. Nice scenic drive up the mountain from Fort Davis. Disappointed I did not make plans to do a star party here - will definitely be making a return visit in the future. Very nice facilities. Spectacular views.

Unforgettable experience, came for their star party event in January, despite the freezing temps, hot coffee and chocolate were offered inside for sale. A must do while in Fort Davis.

Amazing place and experience! Such friendly staff and beautiful views of the land scape and stars at night.

MO was a great trip. For first timers, take a jacket because it does get cold!

Fascinating! Did the night tour -- make sure you get reservations because it fills up all the time. I learned a few things with the solar system explanations. Viewed 8 different telescopes & saw a 5 minute video at the end.

I had a not so great time when I visited and I think it was because of my lack of prier knowledge of space but I would definitely recommend if you are interested in or knowledgeable of space.

So many stars! It was a great trip, the presentation was something that was great to see. Looking through the different telescopes showed so many stars and constellations.

A must see of you're into star gazing and astrology

Remember to make reservations ahead of time. My friend and I planned a last minute trip to the area and they were already sold out of the star party tickets. We still bought tickets to visit during the day which was still really neat! The staff was taking covid precautions and was super friendly. We wished we could have stayed for the star party or viewed the telescopes but was still worth it to visit. The gift shop has some great items as well!

I brought my 8 y/o granddaughter to McDonald Observatory as a 'spur of the minute' entertainment decision. I wasnt sure if the lectures were going to be over her head, or if the number of adults that were there (my age) would bother her. Lol, No worries folks! The tour is designed so friendly that there is a ton of information that is geared for all audiences. Our tour guide, Christina, was AMAZING, and made sure that everyone felt included. My granddaughter and I, both, learned so much!

Pro tip: Make sure you eat before the tour or bring a little snack. We had lunch at 11 a.m. and the tour started at 2 p.m. By the time we were finished with tour, souvenir shopping, and getting back down the mountain, I was feeling pretty poorly.

Went to the twilight program and star party here. It was educational AND stunning. All the people were really nice and answered everyone's questions. Got a grilled cheese at the cafe, it was pretty good.

If it is cloudy for the Star Party and you can't look through the telescopes don't bother. The lecture presentations are a really lame attempt and a comedy skit and the Really hippie lady just doesn't have it. Her 10 minute video was much more interesting and informative than her speech.

Very interesting and thought out place. Has tours ,star party's and a bunch of other things Google it before you go and make you plans in advance can get very busy here

Wonderful place to make forever memories. Would recommend for all ages.

The most amazing star experience you can have occurs at their star parties! Astronomers give a "constellation tour" outside in their amphitheater, and then you can visit the dozen or so telescopes set up to view celestial bodies, including a few of their smaller domed telescopes. Sometimes they are set up for stars, sometimes planets- always something amazing. Do not miss this if you are within 2 hours of this area!

Great place to visit and learn lots about astronomy

Too big of a crowd on Saturday night,our grandson only got to look through one of the telescope,waited in line for another for about twenty minutes to get told it had broken down
Tour of the telescope that afternoon was great

This is always an amazing experience but this time I got to go to a special viewing of the 36 inch telescope. I thought that the night was a wash because of the clouds but the guy who was guiding us stuck it out and we got to see Jupiter....man that was amazing. Saturn again no words....M4 and a double galaxy, a red giant and Vega. While it was hit and miss on some things everyone got to see something.

Nice and good learning experience great atmosphere great weather will return

Great place to visit. Be sure to make reservations as some events fill up quickly.

Very informative. Very educational. I like coming here. They have a great cafe and the cookies are WOW! Yummy!!

Despite a very cloudy night, we still got to see Jupiter and learned a lot. I'll keep coming back until I am there for a clear sky but this was a magical experience even in less than ideal circumstances.

Very different experience for mind expansion. Covid conscious staff keeps the facilities safe for you to enjoy the scenic views and star show. I personally recommend as a must do.

This is an amazing place to visit. They have a wonderful little museum type display room and a theater(for movies about the stars). The star party was undescribably beautiful and everyone there is super nice. The only problem is that they don't have the best food and the star date cafe.

I love space and it is a perfect place to observe space.

Very friendly associates. This is an awesome stop on the scenic loop.

It's beautiful. Rain or clouds are not their fault. Book your reservations in advance, be there at least a few minutes early. I was sick and had to leave early, the format of the star party is perfect for sickly people like me, or folks with fussy kids. During the constellation presentation, it's totally fine if you need to step away and come back, or just go to the different telescopes before lines form. I wish the red lighting around the constellation presentation area dimmed even more when the presentation started, but I'm sure for safety purposes they have to be at that level. Next time I'm anywhere within a 2 hour drive I'll be back.

Went there for star party. Presentation was good,but they allow too many people to attend. It causes long lines for their telescopes and there is no way to look at them all in the 2 hour window. The Day tour is interesting though.

The tour was fun and informative. Would love to come back for one of their night viewing events.

Best place in Texas for viewing and learning about the planers, stars and galaxies. Worth the 7 hour drive from Austin.

We visited Marfa for a end of summer trip. The owner of our Airbnb recommended the star party. Wow, this was the absolute best part of the trip. My 7 year old twins are still talking about it. We went back for a solar viewing which was cool but not as amazing as the star party.

Amazing star gazing experience. The scientists explained things so everyone could understand.My only objection was the announcements for the closing of the gift shop! It seemed way to commercial for such a peaceful and awe inspiring place.It can be cold,so dress accordingly!
Well worth it,get to know outer space!

Fantastic place to visit. I recommend planing your visit during their evening star party. They will have several telescopes pointed at interesting object in the night sky. Along with an individual who can answer your questions. Right before night fall they have a program that gives you information on locating various constellation in the skies above Texas for the time of year you are visiting. Highly recommended.

Although we couldnt see all those stars that clearly since the moon was so bright but the star party was still fun and it was really good to know about the total eclipse the next day!

Star Party is worth attending! Great show, but could have been more structured in narrative. Telescope viewing lines went quick. Star Cafe is bottomless coffee. Interior of visitor center is clean and orderly. Got shop was great.

A really nice exhibit and beautiful location. The Star Party is good, but may not be worth it if you have a cloudy night. The wait for looking through a telescope can be very long, so it might be worth to ask if they are sold out for the night.

Amazing facility and provides a truly great experience with their Star Party night exhibits. You must attend one

I've been coming here since I was a small child. Though it is by far one of the most nostalgic places in Texas for me, it never gets old, never gets boring. If you have even a tiny bit of interest in astronomy I highly recommend it. Go on a new moon, clear night of course.

Amazing. Worth the drive. Make reservations as far in advance as the website allows. Bring blankets to sit on. Bring hand and foot warmers.

Really interesting, but we were too late signing up for the star watching party.

Star party is always fun and interesting. Stars are spectacular.

Star Party was fantastic. Beautiful night and great presentation.

Very neat experience, also staff was very friendly and patient. You also really get a good look at what it really is.