UT McDonald Observatory Reviews

Well worth the drive! This part of west Texas is beautiful. The Observatory has something for everyone from the novice like me to the professional astronomer. Great programs and special events. Check their calendar on the website. We went on a Tuesday night and it was packed.

One note about the weather: We were there in October. We left Big Bend and it was 70 degrees. At the Observatory it was 40 degrees with the wind blowing about 15 mph. Take a jacket with you!

My family loves the observatory! The presentations are very informative and the staff is so friendly. There are things to see and do during the day, but in my opinion, the Twilight and Star party are my favorite. Space is limited but so well worth the time and you too will be oooing and awwing when they bring what's in space in prospective to Earth! Do pack a sweater for the evening for it does get chilly...even in the summer.

Great star party once all the clouds cleared. Got to see Jupiter and a few moons. Had 5 telescopes for people to view.

Wonderful interactive show! The telescopes set up for the star party were wonderfully planned. The views and staff were spectacular and very knowledgeable.

The observatory was amazing. My grandson's school had Field trip today and it was great to see how engaging our guide, Rachel, was with the kids. She was great and was able to keep the trip so upbeat and informative. We did have one issue with the staff in the cafe. Because there were 6 people ordering hot food and he said he could not serve food to anyone associated with the school. We attempted to explain we were not part of the group and he got short and refuse to serve us and changed the menu screen to snacks only. That left a bitter taste for wanting to come back. Or if you go bring your own food. The cookies yummy.

Very cool place to visit! The star party is a must-do!

Star Party. Do it. Well worth it. It will make your trip to Marfa not seem so wasted.

One very cool place especially if you visit on a night they host a Star Party. They set up several telescopes and allow you to view the objects in the sky that are visable during the time of your visit. The night we were there I thought Saturn and its rings were the talk of the show. It exceeded our expectations!

The star party and presentation are great! The Davis mountains are a sight to behold

Have multiple programs for the public both during the day and at night. We signed up for an hour long informative talk in the auditorium prior to the star watch portion outside. Unfortunately, sky occluded with clouds. Staff were quick to offer alternate learning activities or offer people a chance to reschedule or a refund. A great resource for anyone with an interest in astronomy. Kids really enjoyed the activities. We will reschedule and hopefully be back when its not so cloudly.

Good presentation but poor explanation of the static displays

We ve been to the twilight program, the star party, and we ve taken the tour. We would recommend all those events to anyone! We look forward to going back and attending different events.

Always wanted to visit here! The experience was really neat. If you want to take the tour I would recommend calling ahead for reservations though! Otherwise the self guided tour is OK too!

This should be on every Americans' bucket list. Awesome science happens here, and you can't beat the scenery. One of the coolest places that I've been to do a science teacher workshop!

I wish I planned ahead enough to buy tickets for the big big telescope but the star party was great all the same.

The stars at night...

Are big and bright...

The best telescope facility to visit. Be sure to get an appointment to tour the telescope complex, then stay for a star party. They set up several telescopes and point them at the most interesting celestial objects out that night. Be sure to allow time to visit nearby Davis Mountains State Park.

NIght viewing was spectacular. Solar session was informational. A very good package if you have never done anything like this before and are interested in anything to do with our galaxy and solar system.

We visited the McDonald Observatory Visitors Center in late July 2017 for their evening presentation and star party. If you want to do these events you must have reservations. Space fills up fast so get them in advance. There is an event before the star party. It is in the indoor auditorium. It is very interesting but the seats are very uncomfortable. The star party consists of an outdoor presentation in the amphitheater that is in the back of the visitors center. The presentation involves an astronomer who points things out in the night sky with a green laser pointer and talks about it. You are invited to enjoy this presentation and then visit the various telescopes around the amphitheater to see things in the night sky. You can also avoid the long lines and view during the presentation. The night we were there they had their telescopes pointed at Saturn, Jupiter, and a few nebulas. It was amazing to be up close to such big equipment. What is most amazing about the place is that the teaching and presentation staff really knows their stuff. You will learn a lot more about astronomy than you learned in High School.

The stars. A place that lies above us, a place that reminds us of a certain kind of bliss and serenity. A perfect place for some of our most beautiful dreams to begin. The opportunity for endless miscellaneous adventures and the opportunity for the Curious George in all of us to explore, that is what this oasis out in the middle of nowhere west Texas offers all of us. The McDonald Observatory, the gateway to explore something more. The something that has always been above and beyond us before our existence and will continue to do so after us.

Need to make reservations for star party well in advance.

We went to the Star Viewing Party. It was at 9:30 pm so you could see the best after sunset. There was a presentation at an open air ampitheare that was pretty cool and interesting. Then we we're able to go look through various telescopes along a paved pathway.
The guides were helpful but I wish there were signs up for each telescope letting you know what it was viewing.
The snack bar and gift shop we're open when we arrived and stayed open for quite a while.
The drive back is late and dark so watch out for wildlife.
Just a heads up, we looked for a place to eat on a Friday afternoon around 7 before going to the observatory and there are very limited choices in Alpine and Ft. Davis.

Very interesting tour. Good guide. We observed also the sun which was very interesting.

We had an awesome time at the Star Party! All of the staff was extremely helpful.

Attended the 'Star Party' on a Tuesday night out of Marfa. Lovely drive up at sunset (a bit more daunting on the way down at night). Such a fun time. Marc the speaker was funny and informative, much of he information was a little basic but such a good over view of the night sky and so entertaining! Telescope views of the moon were pretty intense considering our usual night sky view in London! I'll be telling my USA friends to attend soon!

Enjoyed the Star Party. Everyone was extremely nice and even though there was a big spring break crowd we got to enjoy as much telescope time as we wanted! The constellation tour was also very enjoyable.

Have been here several times for the Star party. Its a great facility with lots to learn each time. One of my favorite stops when in west Texas.

Took the tour, that was an excellent choiceyy! Got to see the 2 largest telescopes up close. Our tour guide Kelly, did a fantastic job. He was very knowledgeable. We were going to stay and the Star Party, but it started to rain and I thought it would probably be cloudy. Overall, great experience. Would highly recommend it.

This place should be on EVERYONE'S bucket list! Going back again and again!

Was not open for us to see anything, the self guided thy our is a joke

Amazing placeee, it has to be added to your bucket list. Extremely good and knowledgeable faculty that give you the correct information about our beautiful universe.
A total of 7 telescopes show you many star clusters, the Andromeda galaxy and the ORION NEBULA.
There's also a "show" where onc of the informants explain the constellations in the open sky with the laser torches, must not be missed by the people who wish to understand this complicated sky.
Please book in advance on their website as the place gets full. I visited this place by flying to the neighbouring town of alpine and on my way back I was able to capture these areal shots.

First learned about the sun and got to see live shots of the sun through special filters on a nearby telescope. Later visited 2 different observatories and got to see the telescope move and the dome move. Enjoyed the knowledge and excitement of our tour guide Martinique. Want to go back for a night viewing!! Highly recommend a visit and tour!!!

I was wanting this to be much more, but it wasn't. The museum wasn't really operational and the price to see the telescopes I thought were a bit expensive for a day time visit.

This is one place I just can't get enough of; getting ready for my 3rd trip!

Amazing!!! Be sure to reserve early for the Star Party!! Great facility, lots of things to see and do and learn!

Recommend to take the star party! Remember to reserve in advance and pray for the sky to be clear on that night. Check the lunar calendar so that you can see the stars better or the moon surface better!

Came back this year after trying for a star party 3 times 2 years ago. The weather just wouldn't cooperate so we had to leave town without our star party. Came back and had a great time this time on the first try. A must have experience for anyone.

An incredible experience. We came for the star party and it was my wife and kids first time seeing not only this many stars, but the milky way itself. Still dealing with post depression from not experiencing this again.

I was hoping to see more through the
telescopes, but it was pretty small. The Star party was great, we had a perfect clear sky view and our moderator was entertaining. Marc, our Astronomy educator was outstanding.

My mother (age 73) and aunt (age 80!) reserved a night at the Astronomer's Lodge and time on the 36" telescope last summer (2013). The telescope guide was an amazing volunteer who conducted a truly educational and fun tour of the night sky. We learned about the facilities as well. Being able to leave the tour at 1 in the morning and stumble 50' to our suite was a complete winner. Worth the cost, worth the drive, worth the time! Staff was courteous and the professors and interns were fun to hang out with in the dining hall. Food was simple but good and plenty of it. The best part of our summer!

Rachel was very friendly and knew all the answers to our questions! We had a great time.

Saw a film about the Sun that was interesting. Rest is a gift shop on top of a mountain.

Some of the h displays didn't work. Sign up well in advance. Shows are booked weeks in advance.

Wow, just wow! It's out if the way, but very worth the trip.

While you are sleeping scientists in West Texas are solving the age old questions of the universe. Amazing drive up to the observatory from Fort Davis and amazing views from Mt. Locke and Mt. Fawlkes. It is difficult to get tickets to the star party and tours, so plan in advance. Also be sure to arrive early. There is an educational display/ museum with a few exhibits and a gift shop/cafe in the visitor s center. During the winter it is much colder at the observatory than it is below so be sure to dress appropriately for mountain top climate and wind.

Old and run down. Wish we were able to do the tour, but was sold out. Tip: make reservations weeks in advance

We went for a Star Party. It was great! Very informative and entertaining presentation and saw lots of neat stuff through the telescopes, including the Andromeda Galaxy and Orion Nebula. Staff was very knowledgeable and fun. Check out the little museum area. They have some neat stuff in there.

Very educational experience. The host for our star party was very entertaining, and kept everyone's attention. Being able to use the different telescopes was a delight. My 14 year old daughter loved it. The sky was overcast at first, but the clouds cleared out and there was an awesome star-filled sky to see. Very much worth the trip! Take warm clothes, or even blankets.

Great on a clear night. Staff and volunteers were extremely knowledgeable and friendly.

Great place to stop if you are in this part of the state. Hope to take in a star party next time.

The staff was not educational at all didn't tell us were to go or anything. We had no idea where we were suppose to go... I am extremely disappointed and this was my birthday present what a horrible experience...

It was a great tour. Saul was amazing. He knew every answer to every question everyone had. It's great to be around someone so knowledgeable and happy to be doing his job. Highly recommend this tour.

They have a little museum with a real meteorite. Stick around for a star party, a quick tour pointing out star constellations with a laser pointer and some telescopes set on visible planets according to the season.

We checked the website frequently on cancelations the day there was a Star Party. Fortunately there was 1 cancelation that we immediately booked online($12,- pp). When we arrived the friendly staff also frequently checked for us on cancelations and that resulted in having a second ticket($15,- at the door pp) for the star party that evening. After the introduction you're able to look through at least 7 telescopes, with friendly staff at each telescope to tell you what you're looking at. There's also a presentation and a small film playing on a constant loop in the Visitor Centre.
The star party takes place in the Frank N. Bash Visitors Centre.
We had a nice evening and do recommend the Star Party!

The staff person that ran our twilight party was very entertaining and engaging. She incorporated the children to make it interactive and brought in her own humor.

Star party was amezing experience!!..Although it was cloudy night patience to stick around and hope blanket of cloud will despair paid off big time.

One of my most favorite places in TX. A pain to drive to (9 hours from home) but that is TX for you - anywhere you go takes for ever due to the size of the state. Everyone should visit here once to learn about and see the dark skies and absolutely beautiful bright stars at night. Right now the COVID restrictions are there but this is a place that can be visited often and the lectures and star gazing tips are very good. Can't wait to be back once they open fully again.

Wonderful. Very good presentation. Would highly recommend this place to any driving through.

What an amazing experience. We made it out to the Star Party they have and were entertained as best as you can be with astronomy lessons. The guy presenting and showing the locations of the stars above you did it with such easy and fun details to where even kids could remember how to find these constellations on their own. We did go in January and it was super, super cold and windy but they do have a cafe that serves hot chocolate and coffee along with other snacks that make the cold bearable. Will definitely return to this awesome place.

Come during the day and you can go see the telescopes!!

This was definitely one of my favorite places to go, the Star Party is a mist. There is a lot of education they give your when there...CHECK IT OUT!!!

Great place. Enjoyed but check weather and dress approately.

Amazing things for the whole family. Highly recommend the Star Party.

Just be sure to arrange the weather to not have clouds. :)

This place is fun and very educational for your children, And that something we need more in this world to educate our children more about physics and astronomy, and less on how to take selfie's of themselves!