University of Texas McDonald Observatory

Astronomy buffs! Another item checked off the bucket list! In a natural west Texas setting, located near the town of Ft. Davis, the observatory is a scientific must for astronomy buffs. Our drive from Alpine, took us toward the Davis Mountains, past Ft Davis to the observatory. It was a scenic easy drive. The desert grounds are pristine as are the abundant stars in the sky on a dark evening. I recommend scheduling one or two seminars for an additional fee. Mine, concerning sun-spot activity was particularly detailed and specifically interesting. There is a small gift shop on site. You will enjoy, no doubt!

This my first and hope to be one of many more trips to this amazing place. This place is a gem of Texas, of the United States. The scenery is gorgeous. The staff were knowledgable, polite, accommodating, and helpful. I have learned a lot coming here. A nearby small charming town is also worth a mention and a visit.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. We did the guided tour and solar viewing. I would recommend both of them. If you have to choose one , guided tour is better. The drive to and from the observatory is also really beautiful.

It was okay. Discouraging though for our younger kids and especially our 9 year old who is very interested in astronomy to not have really any engagment or observation of equipment. The day tour is just a lecture so not really worth it with pictures and info readily available on YouTube. No real value in making the trip to see just the outside of buildings and view from the mountains especially for kids 6, 9, 11, 16 with me.

Don't ask if they have a veteran's discount, apparently the lady at the front doesn't like it. Definitely make reservations or all you can do is get a general admission self guided tour. And you'll see nothing but the Observatory lobby, and the telescope lobby. The views outside are nice tho.

This is a great visit if you have an afternoon and evening to be in the area. I made reservations a week prior for a guided tour, a solar viewing, and the evening Star Party. I showed up at 12:30 pm and the Solar Viewing started at 1pm and lasted about 45min. It included a great presentation about the sun and included live feeds from their solar telescope with lots of great information. Very cool! At 2:00 pm the guided tour starts with a brief overview of what to expect and then a trip up to the two biggest telescopes they have with a detailed discussion of how they work and how they are used. They do not have any daytime viewing but the tour was excellent. The entire tour lasted about 2 hours. There is a 4 hour break before the Star Party starts. Sign in between 8:30-9 and the program starts at dark around 9:30 this time of year. We had some clouds come in but we did get a little time on the telescopes and then went inside for a “make up” presentation that show slides of what we were supposed to see. Even missing out on a full 2 hours of telescopes the program was fantastic. The staff is great and their passion shows for what they do.

Don’t bother unless you’re able to book the “Star Party”. The general admission ($3) only gets you to 2 small lobbies of the telescopes, a view of the outside of the HET, and the gift shop. The views up/down the mountain to get there were sadly the best part.

Choice place to learn about astronomy. The drive to and from is very scenic. Tours are available, star parties, the visitors center has a wealth of information, displays, and videos explaining all aspects of the observatory. I have been here several times and it never disappoints. My recent visit was for a star party and it was excellent.

Amazing Star Party experience. Rachael was our host. Her presentation was mixed with knowledge and humor. She truly is a star Jedi. We had clear skies and were able to see four different stars through the telescopes. I recommend you dress warm and bring a blanket. You are on too of a mountain and it can get cold and windy. Highly recommend.

Loved it!! Star party is a must! Solar viewing and guided tours during the day a must! Our guide was Abby and she was the best for all ages. So patient and smart! I learned so much! Excellent for families.

We had the best time at last night's star party! Even though the sky told us early on that the clouds were going to get in our way, the McDonald Observatory team had a plan. We were offered a refund if we wanted to cancel but we went anyway for their "cloudy night" agenda. We learned so much during the theatre programming they planned for us and it just so worked out that they were able to get us out to view! The team watched for every moment to get a great view and set up telescopes for us. We saw andromeda, Sirius, Orion's nebula, mars, Jupiter, the seven sisters, and double clusters - all on a cloudy night. The entire team was so eager to please! They are clearly super passionate about sharing their precious dark skies with us all! I can't remember everyone's name but they were all exceptional. Rachel was our guide and James was so eager to aim the telescope on any star or planet we could think of. Definitely go! It was stellar :)

A special experience awaits you at one of the McDonald Observatory Star Parties. When planning my trip out here, the observatory was a must-visit. All my life I've been reading about it and i wasn't going to miss it. You must make reservations to look through the telescopes. Refer to the website. Fortunately, I snagged a reservation and now all I had to do was hope the skies were clear on my nite out. Lucky me. After a few days of partly cloudy, the skies mostly cleared up and I headed up to the observatory. They time the star parties as they call them, to coordinate with sunset. Located in the Davis mountains, this is the highest point in Texas! A first for this Texan who has lived here all his life. A staff memeber\researcher\Post Grad student begins the presentation just before sunset. Guests which number about 200, gather in a beautiful stone bench amphitheater under the Big Texas sky. Relating the history of star gazing in the area, pointing out constellations and planets, it was infinitely more interesting than i had imagined it would be. The presenter had a giant hand-held green laser about the size of a large flashlight. He used this to point out things in the sky, which was amazing. After about 45 minutes the guest are released to gather and look through 6 different telescopes of different magnifications. Even the smallest is probably larger than most will ever look thru. Fortunately, two of the dome-housed big telescopes were used allowing us to see nebula and constellations with incredible clarity. it was more than chilly and cold as the night wore on but a beautiful experience. If heading this way be sure and make time to visit the University Of Texas McDonald Observatory. A Big Huge Definite... G0!!!!

I usually don't like to leave a bad review, but we came for the star party, and had bought our tickets weeks prior. Upon arriving and entering, before even hello or welcome, the blonde woman checking folks in was bluntly rude, "hello unfortunately we don't allow pets" when indeed my dog is a service animal and when i told her she got attitude "well then i got some questions for you" and i answered them politely and she gave attitude, as the woman next to her on the laptop checking us in was very welcoming. Very rude woman. The gift shop prices were a bit over priced, and although we weren't able to go into observatory's or see anything because of the weather, we gave two stars because they did allow us to get a refund. Not much variety for drinks or any snacks. Everything they speak or talk about is available online - so if there is a star party that's not allowing viewing but indoor movie and talking it isn't worth it. The outside crew working were very nice and friendly and all loved my service animal. My service animal was more behaved than any of the children in attendance who were bored, impatient and lack of interest in the event.

I have to admit that I'm not a big astronomy fan. It's cool but just not really into it. We scheduled the solar tour which was at 1 pm which is 45 minutes. By the time we tried to book the star party it was full so yes you must plan ahead. It was a great presentation about the sun. I learned a lot but my husband knew most of the info. I naively assumed we would get to look through a telescope which was not the case. She live streamed it. Although my husband was not surprised. But great facilities, friendly staff, nice gift shop, and self tour. You can totally geek out or just do a quick tour like I did. The drive was so gorgeous. Who knew we had such pretty mountains in Texas? And now I can say I've been there! Bucket list.

McDonald Observatory was incredible! If you can go for a star party, do it as you get to learn about constellations and look through some of the smaller telescopes and a few in the domed observatories with their dark skies! So many stars on this clear night! I then went the next day to do a tour of the 107-inch telescope which was so cool to see. I geeked out a little here. There aren't a whole lot of observatories open to the public so McDonald tours fill up quickly from people from all over the world. It was a highlight of my trip.

Make sure to plan in advance because reservations fill up fast. And if they are full, don't be disheartened - add your name to the waitlist and stay optimistic. That's how we finally got tickets to the evening sky viewing and just a couple of days before we were going to be there, we finally snagged two spots for the star party! The two experiences are different and complementary, so if you can stay late, definitely book both! The host was humorous, engaging and informative. It was really cool to spot constellations and learn so much about the night sky. The star party actually throws up some real-time telescope images, which was also such a special experience! Oh, it does get really cold up the mountain, and the entire programming is outdoors of course, so be prepared! If you have a pair of binoculars, bring it.

Worth the trip. Far out and beautiful. The Star Party was amazing. Clear sky initiative in use to showcase constellations and nature's beauty. Museum is fun and educational. Must see!

Visiting the McDonald Observatory was a game changer for me. While you can't have a Happy Meal here, you will experience something much more satisfying. First, make sure you order your tickets online well in advance as spots get reserved quick (especially during COVID times with reduced capacity). I didn't know this and waited too long to find out that they were sold out. I tried again later and luckily two spots opened up! You can come during the day and at night but I highly recommend coming at night. We had a late showing and it is an experience getting to the Observatory as it's located on Mount Davis. That means winding roads and the possibilities of coming across deer, jackrabbits, and javelina on the road (especially on the return trip). After we made it safely and parked, it was so dark that you could barely see in front of you. This is what it's all about folks! You're here to see the stars and you will see them here in a way you never have before. After checking in, once your time arrives, you walk down a path outside to the outdoor planetarium. Make sure to bring the proper clothes as you'll be outside for a good hour! The path leading to the planetarium is dimly lit with blue lights. It feels like you're in an alien settlement---very cool! From there, your guide provides the group with an educational and entertaining presentation. Using a high-powered laser pointer, he will point out famous stars, constellations, planets, and anything else that is visible of note. It's an hour of learning but also entertainment as our guide did a great job of sharing interesting facts and keeping things engaging. Fort Davis is known as one of the best places in the country to view the stars. When you combine the high elevation, the lack of light pollution (e.g. man-made light), and the sparse population, it's a recipe for success. I kind of compare it to someone who has poor vision seeing a supermodel. He won't be able to appreciate her beauty due to his poor vision. That's basically how we see the stars in major cities. You can't appreciate the true beauty of the sky in large metropolitan areas. McDonald Observatory changed all of that for me. I have never seen the night sky as I saw it here! There are so many stars and the night sky lights up. It was a sight to behold.

We've been out to 2 star parties here and they were both wonderful. It was shocking to see them point out the obvious light pollution from the Permian Basin when we went a few weeks ago, I went out and got some Milky Way shots and the light provided from the oil fields was obvious in many shots. Go here, educate yourself up, sit under the stars and breathe. Let's find a way to keep this place dark, too.

Not doing a little upfront research sucks. Thank goodness for a bit of a self guided tour, otherwise the visit would have been a bust. If you plan to visit, be sure to BUY YOUR TICKETS ON-LINE, well in advance of your visit. We did duck into a rather interesting presentation (on the sun), but in retrospect I think it was part of the tour we did not have a ticket for. But there sure was enough room in the room, so I don't really think it was a problem. Surprisingly there is a cafe here, and a rather nice gift shop. The main reason for my rating not being higher is that many of exhibits were broken (see photos, to be up loaded shortly). After looking at the exhibits we jumped in our car to visit the telescopes. There are several large domed telescopes here, and you can visit (at least) two of them. They are impressive to see. You can peer through a glass window and see all the workings. Would have been neat to see, real time, through one of the telescopes. Ah, for the lack of planing. Bottom line: Do plan ahead! PS. Three star rating (A-OK) is because of so many broken exhibits. If it wasn't for that, it would have been four stars. I won't be a fan (4 stars), or better, until I actually get to take a tour. Rating not affected by lack of planning on my part.

Review #59 I am beyond thrilled we took an evening in our road trip to head to the observatory. We bought our tickets to the Star Party a few weeks in advance and I suggest folks do the same. The Star Parties sell out as I am sure other events do as well. The forecast said clear skies, however when we arrived that was not what nature had in store for us. First everyone gathers at the entrance and is lead to the outdoor theatre. There we were given a brief discussion and were informed it was going to indeed be a cloudy evening. They do have a PLAN B, so listen up! 1)You can get a refund. 2) You can keep your ticket for another time you will be returning. 3) You can stay and listen to talks/speeches and demonstrations. Because we were a days drive from home and we would not be returning any time soon, we opted to stay and listen to some of the talks. Yes, we were disappointed we didn't get to look through all the telescopes and see stars and planets, however the "talks" were extremely informative and we really enjoyed our time. Buying a ticket and coming out it worth it in any event. Also, the drive alone from any of the surrounding towns is beautiful. We saw a javelina and her baby crossing the road on our way there. Tips - Arrive a bit early and you can take a peek in the gift shop and small free museum. There is small restaurant if you have forgotten to eat before hand. BRING A JACKET! I can't stress that enough. Wear closed toe shoes - remember you are out in the wilderness and you never know what is lurking. Zero wifi or reception so get all your calls, social media and texting done before or after.

3 stars because I want to support them. However, we went last night and there were 230 people for our Star Party. I had seen images online of about 20 or less people which is what I was expecting. They had 6 telescopes for 230 people. You do the math. We left after 10 minutes.

Evening was cloudy so they offered refunds for the tickets but we went anyway! And to our luck the sky cleared up beautifully and we got to see the Milky Way, nebulas, binary stars, and clusters! Luckily we got a little PowerPoint presentation first to briefly learn about the stars then got to look in the telescopes! Also got a really cool puzzle and handkerchief for like $25!!

I brought my 2 kids , age 8 & 13 ,and we had a fabulous time. They have daytime tours and late evening star parties. Make reservations AHEAD of time to get a ticket. Also good to know is split the tours into 2 days to best enjoy the day. The star party runs late ( 9:45pm to 12 midnight in summer) so if your kids ( & you) can plan for it they have a n awesome program where they point out all the evening constellations & set up multiple telescopes to see the sky. There is also a Pre party ( about an hr earlier to show a presentation about the skies. The next afternoon we returned to tour the property and see the big telescopes! OF Note-view or print map before leaving Fort Davis as The observatory is in a dead cell zone! Our day went like this ( July visit- stayed in Ft. Davis about 20 min drive) Day slept late Late breakfast in town @ Old time Drugstore w/ soda fountain Visit FT Davis NP -edge of town Late lunch & nap ( hot that day too) Lite dinner Go to Mc Donald Observatory 8:15 Twilight show ( all about the moon -45 min) 9:45-midnight Star party re: constellations & Multiple telescopes to see Moon, Saturn, Mars, star clusters , gas balls. There were about 10 telescopes of various size set up to line up and view at leisure. The next day we returned to see the day tour of The observatory and learned about the sun. The tour runs 2 to to half hours. We got to learn about the large telescopes and spectrometers on the property. ( you don't view these but it was fascinating to the kids & myself). They have a café with good food and a gift shop with reasonable prices on property. We enjoyed both. I think we will definitely come back. -note -Kids enjoyed stars but not Mom taking pics-lol

We attended the Star Party event. While it was late and chilly, the evening was a perfect date night. We learned a few things, the stars were out in full force, and the staff was very friendly entertaining, and knowledgeable. The views on the ride from Fort Davis were stunning, so be sure to give yourself enough time to stop and some of the overlooks for pics.

On a recent trip to Big Bend Park, I got the chance to visit the observatory and all of its glory. This was my first visit but it won't be my last, highly suggest this place. I wanted to experience looking at the stars at night deep in the heart of Texas! :) The isolated location of the observatory makes it one of the best places to watch the sky. They are open during the day conduct normal observatory business as usual but what I think draws the bigger crowds are their star watching parties. When the Texas sky gets dark they hold (weather permitting) an outdoor lecture that introduces the guest to the night sky. After that, they have about 6 different stations with different kinds of telescopes that allow visitors to view the stars, planets, constellations etc. I did my research on that and I highly suggest booking in advance as soon as you know the dates of your travel. My trip was planned for June and I booked my ticket back in early May/late April. If you think you can show up the day of and buy a ticket you will be disappointed because when I arrived at the observatory they had several signs posted saying they were sold out for the star party. During spring break, Thanksgiving break and the months of May, June, and July are peak times and will sell out quickly. Your ticket will be emailed to you but when I arrived at the front desk all they asked for was my name and that's how they checked me in for the event that day. I had my confirmation page printed out and I suggest doing the same thing. Getting there, you have to be prepared to drive through the back winding roads of the hill country to reach the observatory. You can see it from a distance once you get closer to it and trust me is hard to miss. There was still sun outside when I arrived so i had no trouble finding my way around but after the star-watching party was over it was really nerve-racking driving down the one-lane winding road through the forest knowing at any minute a deer or nocturnal animal could jump in front of your car at any moment. I drive from outside of Marfa to the observatory because i was coming from the Prada store in Valentine, Texas. If you are anywhere in Marfa it is a lot easier to get to the observatory. Once you arrive they have plenty of parking for not just cars but RV and bus parking. Now to the fun part! The ideal sky viewing conditions include clear skies, little or no moon and warm weather! The night I went was cloudy and a full moon so the moon made it hard to see anything because it was so bright. Earlier that week it rained so a lot of clouds were still rolling The observatory is located high in the Davis mountains and the chill factor was more then I expected. Even though it was June it was chillie outside so bring a blanket or extra hoodies/jackets for warmth. After I checked in I went browsing to the gift shop and found some really cool stuff for my inner nerdy self. They also have a small concession stand where they sell coffee and hot chocolate (their best sellers at night). Once the time arrives for the party to start they will open up the outdoor amphitheater and one of the workers will start the introduction of the night sky and all that good stuff, this took about 45 minutes. After all, that fun stuff came the opportunity to see the sky with the telescopes station through the grounds of the observatory. Each station was looking at something different from the telescope, some were looking at the moon, others at a planet, others at a nebula, others at a consolation but since the sky was too bright some telescopes were showing the same thing. For example, 2 telescope stations were both showing the planet mercury, 2 telescope stations were looking at the craters from the moon, etc. All of the employers who were in charge of handling the telescopes were either graduate students working there or scientist that have worked in this line of work before. They were all very knowledgeable about the sky and answered all the questions thrown at them from visitors. They were all very kind and professional and you could tell they really enjoyed what they did. On this particular visit they had a movie about the night sky showing inside the theater because of the 'bad viewing weather' but that was optional. Towards the beginning the lines to look through the telescopes were long but the later it got the shorter the lines were. At one point I had already seen everything in all stations and I noticed the lines were shorter so I went in for a second look and some stations i just stayed and talked nerdy with the staff and just enjoyed being around others who love science as much as I do. Leaving the observatory at night is like leaving after a concert is over, crowded! Expect to be in slow-moving traffic all the way down the mountains because at night it is really easy to go crashing into the trees if you are going faster then 30mph.

We came on the night of March 14th for the class and then Star Party. It was cloudy that night so we didn't get to see any stars but the class was amazing. Marc, our teacher, was incredible. He was brilliant and engaging and superb with people - young and old. He did some demonstrations and asked for a couple of volunteers. Our 6 year old Henry (his birthday was actually this day March 14th) was part of his demonstrations. He even gave him a poster for his birthday and it made his day! We have been home a day now and he still talks about the experience and wants to get a frame to put it up in his room. We learned so much in our 1 hour class and will definitely return. Thanks Marc for being so awesome!

Website claims to have a good Star Party program even if the skies are not clear .... NOT SO! Definitely not worth $25 per person fee. Shame on UT! Shame on McDonald Observatory! An outdated ancient video "Power of 10" a presentation on Exoplanets and the presenter said several times the numbers were outdated. UT Austin doesn't have respect enough of their patrons to maintain current presentation data for the $25 fee when the skies are cloudy and we didn't get to look through the telescope up at the beautiful night sky. Get with the program UT! Respect your patrons and provide something worthwhile even when the skies are cloudy like your website states! You are rude to expect people to Shop! Listen to presentations that are outdated and view the facility without proper lighting on a dark rainy cloudy night! You Cannot tell me you are preserving "dark skies" when clouds prevent viewing! And you entrance fee is only $3 for the facility and that is supposed to suffice for the $25 fee for the Star Party????? I tried to reschedule my event but your staff Failed to answer the phones before 5pm!!!!! Another Shame On UT Shame on McDonald Observatory!!!!!

This place was truly spectacular. Went to the Solar program they offered during the day on a Friday and then on Saturday went to the Twilight Party and Star Party. First, the Solar viewing was a lot better than I expected honestly and very happy we went. You had an informational class beforehand and got to view the sun through the telescope on the projector in an auditorium. That was a little less exciting because it's really just a white circle with a hint of fuzzy pattern on it. It's not like you're seeing flames shooting out but still cool! Saul ran this event for us and was very helpful and entertaining. After the time in the auditorium we made our way to view two of the huge telescopes at the top. (Go to the solar viewing because this is the only way you will be seeing inside a he huge telescopes) One of the telescopes you were able to see move and it was crazy seeing so much technology honestly. I even got to move one of the telescopes which was super fun! (Obviously, with a little control pad because that sucker was like 170 tons) So fun seeing these telescopes. The Twilight Program you were able to learn about the rotation and movement of our solar system as well as horoscopes. I had zero idea how the horoscopes were assigned to individuals birth dates but you learn this during the program. This program was really fun but you really must got to the Star Party afterwards to get your moneys worth for driving up to the observatory. The Star Party was a lot bigger than I expected but turned out okay. You were able to view Saturn through one of the smaller- large telescopes and Jupiter to a similar one. You could literally see the rings on Saturn! Not blurry or questionable at all. Saw multiple shooting stars while out at the Star Party and many satellites going overhead out in space (this always blows my mind). Truly spectacular!!! The individuals running these parties/programs were so kind and obviously love what they are doing. Can't say one bad thing about them. There is one tiny thing and I know it is very tiny. The gift shop workers were honestly kind of cold to us. My mother had asked if they would be open during the Star Party time while we were there the day before during the solar viewing (which was reasonable considering it was 9/10pm at night). The lady working basically responded and looked as if she was saying "Duh? What type of question is that?" With her face and tone. They didn't look interested in checking us out or selling anything. You would have thought it was the biggest burden to them. So when you're trying to sell items in the gift shop there may need to be some individuals actually wanting to sell items. I feel like I have learned a lot about our solar system and sky after these programs. It was a great experience and I would highly recommend to anyone out visiting! It's a must see!

We went to the star party but wouldn't recommend. There were way too many people for 3 telescopes. The lines were very long so the wait time was long. Once you got to the telescopes the visual of the star's was ok on 2 of the 3 telescopes. I guess my expectations were much more being it was observatory. The staff were great and informative.

The professors are great. Sometimes the graduate assistants are not friendly since they are annoyed that star parties are a requirement for their job.

This place is amazing! This has to be the number 1 stop to go stargazing in Texas. If you happens to be in ft Davis than this is a place that you need to visit.

I went to the Star Party on June 15th. Cloudy was the issue, but that didn't matter. The guides, staff and instructors are all so nice. Really nice. Despite there being some obnoxious guests, they never lose it! I'm impressed. The presentation was witty, informative and lots of fun. I will never say javelina again...they are now suicide pigs. Despite some clouds, we saw a lot and learned a lot. It is so worth it if you are in the area. Ps: Dont leave to go to the telescopes if you go to the star party, just stay and listen...you will love the presentation!

We had the pleasure of making a day trip to visit the Observatory. It was a true delight! We took the guided tour, as we happened to arrive just an hour before. The grounds itself are a breath of fresh air. The facilities are clean, modern, and organized. The staff was friendly and very knowledgeable. We can't wait to be back to experience one of their star gaze parties. If you have the chance, don't hesitate to visit this gem of a place!

Wonderful side trip on our weekend into Alpine & Marfa. Tuesdays, Fridays, & Saturdays they offer a couple of night events. The first, at 7:45pm is known as the "Twilight Program." This includes discussion and a slideshow about the moon and its phases. It is a bit interactive and very well done. The "Star Party" afterwards is an outside event where they show off some of the telescopes. On our visit, we had a very cloud & rainy night, so the staff announced alternative programs. We were given the choice, due to the weather, of staying for these programs, requesting as refund, or requesting a raincheck. We opted for the raincheck. The StarDate Cafe has a nice selection of affordable sandwiches, snacks, and even chili dogs (YAY!). They have a nice gift shop as well. The drive up the mountain is twisting & winding, but nothing untoward. The way down, however, it must be noted that it is EXTREMELY dark. Even once you get into Fort Davis, the lights are very muted. The community cooperates with the Observatory to maintain the optimal viewing conditions at the telescopes. Expect a lot of children. This is an interactive learning environment, and if either of those bothers you, this might not be the place to visit.

What an Amazing Experience! While staying at Indian Lodge, we decide to drive on over to The McDonald Observatory. It's a Colossal Site! You can see the Observatory for miles before you get there. It's perched atop one of the magnificent mountain tops in the Ft. Davis Mountains.....over 6,000 ft. high. After making it up to the Observatory, you realize how monstrous it really is. We hadn't booked a night time tour so we toured the little museum inside. It is truly a sight to see! I look forward to attending one of the "Star Parties" on my next visit. Be sure & call ahead first! The telescopes are Massive! The reason the Ft. Davis Mountains were chosen to build the Observatory is, the Davis Mountains are home to the darkest skies of any place in America. I can certainly attest to that! I've NEVER seen or experienced a night sky so beautiful & full of Stars, Planets, Satellites &.......Oh, That MOON! ! I really look forward to coming back with my family soon!

It was a perfect night for a Star Party, clear and crisp. The planets had aligned (literally) so Venus, Saturn and Mars were visible. At the outdoor amphitheatre, an engaging astronomer talked about our galaxy. He used a powerful laser pointer which could actually point out and outline various things in the filament to us. The sky was our living chalkboard. Amazing! For the first time, I could make out constellations like Draco the dragon, Scorpius the Scorpion, Libra the Scales and Cygnus the Swan. We also saw an Iridium flare, which is really sunlight reflecting off the satellite's antenna. And could it be? Yes, it's the International Space Station speeding across the sky. Oh look, there's the Summer Triangle! And the Milky Way! Afterward, through the many telescopes that were set up for our viewing pleasure, we saw some wondrous sights up close: live stars (Hercules Cluster and Wild Duck Cluster) a burnt out star (Ring Nebula) planets (Venus and Saturn) our lovely moon It was a fantastic experience. We left very late, weary but awed. It's humbling to realize that we're just a microscopic speck in our vast galaxy of space and time... no, scratch that, we're less than 1/1000th of microscopic.

Been here twice. The star party is really a great time and you can buy a laser pointer in the gift shop. Be sure to take a jacket as it gets chilly. The day tours are equally as great and seeing the large telescopes so close was fascinating. Note: if it is raining the night you go to the star party they will offer you a refund if you want, however, I suggest you stay and listen to the speakers. It's great stuff, educational and entertaining. I love this place and will be back next time we are in the area. Space is amazing!!!

Like MLK said "Only in darkness can you see the stars" I absolutely loved this place! My life has been full of failure, heartache, confusion, and hardship after hardship since about 2009- but last week at the observatory, looking up and seeing the stars made me appreciate all the pain I've endured. LOL. I feel confident things are on the up and up for me. Heck if you'd told me last year I would have a successful career as a rideshare driver for both Uber and LYFT, I wouldn't have believed it! Being out here seeing all the constellations I just knew things are only going to keep getting better and better for me. LOL. Go to the Star party and book in advance! I loved all the greek mythology part of it too. There's so much to be learned. During my visit here, it hit me that my dark times (from 2009-2015) served a purpose, they got me to where I am now. LOL. There's a great gift shop here too. I got some of those cool glow in the dark stars to put above my bed to remind me to keep reaching for the stars! LOL.

The darkest skies in the continental US, knowledgable and friendly staff, awesome visitor's center, and incredibly star parties!

My husband and I made a weekend trip to Marfa, and I had seen online that this was a fun thing to do if you're in the area. While I had tons of fun in Marfa, this experience in and of itself was worth the 6 hour drive for us. I booked two tickets to a Saturday night Star Party. It was about a 40 minute trek from Marfa and be sure to drive carefully since you're driving down windy roads while it's getting dark out, with lots of animals nearby. When we arrived, it was pretty crowded but they wrangled us pretty easily and took us to the viewing area outside. I honestly can't even make up how beautiful it was. The entire sky is covered in stars, and the tour guide is a really knowledgable and funny guy. We had such a blast, even though it was so cold out (make sure to check weather conditions as it was about 45 degrees the night we went, but apparently 70 or so the night before). The people here know their stuff and are so passionate about astronomy. We saw a meteor falling, as well as "shooting stars" and other great events that you couldn't see from a big city. They had telescopes set up so after the discussion with the tour guide, we went and saw several different stars / nebulas close up. I would make the journey again just to see these stars. There's nothing quite like it.

Star Parties are great if the sky is clear! Staff here all seem super passionate about the work they do here. The patients these folks must have when dealing with overcast sky's and star parties is admirable.

I've wanted to attend a tour/star party at McDonald Observatory since I was in the 3rd grade, and it did not disappoint! Skies were cloudy for the solar tour, but our guide Dan expertly filled the time with demonstrations and explanations of the actual telescopes. It was such a treat to see them in person and learn about the work the observatory is doing. The star party was absolutely magical. The clouds evaporated just in time. I've never been in a place with such dark skies (plan your trip during the new moon!) or on the side of a mountain where the stars seemed to extend below the horizon. Be sure to layer up so that the cold won't detract from your experience, and put your flashlights and phones away. Allow your eyes to adjust to the dark--you'll be able to get around better than you think! All of the astronomers manning the telescopes were friendly, eager to answer questions, and excited to help people who are completely clueless about stargazing. (Literally, one woman asked, "What makes the Milky Way milky?")

Loved the Star Party and awesome gift shop. It was all worth it to hear my son exclaim "The Moon! I see craters and Maria's!" The best thing was simply that the telescope attendants whom I imagine are grad students, we're so sweet and knowledgeable! You need a reservation from now on. TIP: when if first begins, skip the "talk" and go straight to telescopes. 15 minutes of absolutely alone telescope watch.:)

I heard it's cool. But we didn't get to find out. Didn't have advance tickets, which wasn't a problem. They sell out a good bit in advance and we knew we weren't going to get it. But we called ahead to see if we could still go through the exhibits in the visitor's center. The lady on the phone said, as long as there is a group, all the exhibits are open and you can do the self-guided tour. Once we got there, the staff told us we couldn't go through the exhibit. My wife said,"So even though I spoke to someone this afternoon who said we could go through, we now have to go home." They said, "Well, you don't have to go home, you can go to the cafe and the gift shop." They couldn't care less.

We did the star party and had a wonderful time. Every staff member was very knowledgeable and could answer just about any question we had. I'd recommend bringing a sweater (even in the summer) as it got quite chilly as the night went on. The lines for the telescopes could be a bit long at times but moved pretty quickly. The telescopes were angled at various things including star clusters and planets which was fascinating. The sky was a little cloudy the night we went but it is such a dark area that we could still see an unbelievable amount of stars. The view was incomparable to anything I've ever seen before. If you're in west Texas, the McDonald Observatory is well worth a visit especially if you're a UT student as they provide discounted tickets.

MacDonald Observatory is, bar none, the absolute best place for stateside assisted star-viewing. The extraordinarily friendly staff routinely hosts Star Parties, and gives a brief late-dusk primer on that night's best viewing. It's so good, it was rated #1 in the world by Lonely Planet. Located 6,500 feet up in the Davis Mountains (near Davis Mountain State Park - see other reviews for that) of West Texas, the observatory is blessed by some of the clearest skies in North America. Because of this, nighttime viewing of major astronomical bodies and events is already far above average. Add to that a dedicated staff using pro-line telescopes (better than you can buy in most stores) and offering take-as-long-as-you-like views of some of the best objects in space, and you've got an unbeatable experience. Crowds vary, but it's said to range from 50-200 people per night. Have patience, though, and be prepared to be humbled by the sheer infinity of space. Price: $10 (!!! WOW !!!) What to bring: Warm clothes / layers / blanket (it's at 6,500 feet, and even if it's a warm day, it's guaranteed to be a nippy night); binoculars/your own basic telescope (the dedicated scopes are all pointed at something, and there are lines, so you'll want to have some filler); a red-LED (to find your way around); your joyous curiosity. PRO: Cheap, organized, uber-friendly, unique CON: Chilly, semi-remote The observatory also hosts special dinners / viewings on their larger scopes (up to the 107), twilight shows ($5), and moon viewings. The observatory tour is interesting, but is more suited to amateur astronomy buffs. The star part is suited to everyone. Nearby/See Also: Davis Mountains State Park, Scenic Drives, Balmorhea Hot Springs

The guided tour is worth every penny! We arrived right at 11:00 when the first tour started. I asked about having my children on the tour, one is 7 and one is 4, the lady was very nice and told me the first 45 minutes of the slide presentation and information might be too much but I could always get up and walk around. She was right...my 7 year old did great. But I will say even my 4 year old stayed pretty quiet. It was very informative. When we rode up to see the telescopes everyone LOVED it. We went in the actual room with the giant scope. My kids even got to push the buttons to move the dome around. They loved it. Our tour guide was Dan and he was wonderful. This was a great stop.

We attended a Twilight Party and then a Star Party with our three boys over Spring Break. Though the place was packed, the staff did an excellent job of guiding us to see amazing stars and to learn more about our cool universe. One note of caution: we didn't want to eat there (hot dogs, grilled cheese, refrigerated sandwiches). We had 1.75 hours between events and that was really not enough time to leave for dinner down in Fort Davis. If we did it again, we'd do an earlier twilight party and then enjoy dinner before going back.

Spring break was a perfect time to reserve a spot for the star party. Our kids loved it! The crowds were not too huge although there were lines for each telescope to view after the constellation show. Wonderful learning experience for all ages!

I was here years ago with some friends, and we loved it! It's way the hell out there in West Texas, next to the community of Ft. Davis. Unless you're in the area for something or passing through, it's a very long drive out of the way. But if you do make it out there, it's definitely worth it. There's NOTHING in that part of the state, which is good because you can see EVERYTHING in the sky. Even with the naked eye, there's just a ridiculous number of stars visible. Through the ginormous telescopes they have at the Observatory, some of which are among the largest in the world, you can see details on most of the planets and "up-close" images of distant galaxies. There's also a gift shop in there, where you can buy posters of vibrant galaxies and star clusters and whatnot. I forget what it cost for entrance, but it wasn't very much. For city-dwellers who rarely get a real look at the sky, it's totally worth it. I grew up in suburban Austin, where there's quite a bit of light pollution. On a good, clear night you can see a few stars, maybe Venus and the very, very, very occasional shooting star. When I went with some buddies out here to the Davis Mountains, I was blown away. It's like the night sky just comes alive with greens and whites. It's literally full of stars and you can even see bands of galaxies. You can even see satellites, which was completely new for me. Of course, people who live in rural areas might take this for granted, but I was amazed.

What do we love?! STARS Why do we love them?! BECAUSE THEY'RE PRETTY My boyfriend and I have been lucky enough to visit this place twice and get two different experiences. The first time was in September 2011, we went to the twilight program and star party. The whole crowd was 20 people max. Foolishly we didn't take any jackets and it got a little chilly but we had a great time viewing all the constellations from the telescopes. The second time around was Nov 2013, and we brought jackets.. and long johns... and beanies... and gloves... and guess what... it was SUPER COLD. But you're in the mountains, people! The glorious mountains with so many stars around. The total crowd was close to 100 people. Unfortunately we missed the twilight program and only got to see the star party. SAVE YOUR MONEY AND ONLY GO FOR THE STAR PARTY, it's the only money well spent here. The hot chocolate was super awful, and the indoor museum/kids center is a total 90's joke, but don't come her for that! COME FOR THE STAR PARTY!!

This is such a cool place to visit. You must do the evening tour where they let you see the sky through the telescope! you can see the moon like you have never seen it before!! There is so much to do and learn here. If you have kids, please do them a favour and take them here!! Food inside the observatory was great....they had a really delicious vegetarian sandwich with focacia bread.!! Loved it. also, there are some really awesome scenic drives nearby. Most likely that you will be the only car / vehicle on those roads!! (not many people do the scenic rides, because its far away from closer towns. Here is how you get to the scenic drive: If you are staying at Fort Davis, then you normally would take 118 to the observatory. that is the shortest route. Its scenic in itself. However, when you come back home in the afternoon, take Route 118 North towards I-10. You will hit Route 166 (before I-10). Go West / South on 166 and that is the scenic drive. Just keep driving on 166....its simply beautiful. No one drives in this road. Finally you will hit Route 17, which will take you right back to Fort davis. Of course, this is a longer way to come back home...but such a beautiful way!!

Being a bit of a geology geek I loved the McDonald Observatory. McDonald Observatory is in the Davis Mountains just North of Marfa, TX. They have several programs day and night offering a wonderful opportunity to view the stars and ask astronomers questions first hand. I opted to participate in the Lunar viewing getting a great view of the moons geological features during the waxing gibbous phase of the moon through high powered telescopes. It was truly amazing to see the features first hand and so clearly. We also got a glimpse of Saturn and a few of its five moons through the telescope. Afterwords they encourage guests to head to the cafe where there is ample hot chocolate to warm you up. The only downer is it is located in the mountains and it is terribly cold so definitely bring some warm clothing. I brought along hand warmers, and wore leggings under jeans, a turtle neck, sweatshirt, jacket, gloves, hat, 2 scarfs and was still chilly.

Had been watching the weather forecast for a few days while in the area. Friday was looking the best so we drove up here for a Friday night Star Party. It was clear on the way up. But lo and behold, it started clouding up and lightening in the distance. Went out to the ampitheater for the beginning of the program. The ranger offered for those that had the option, a rain check, to come back another night as it looked like we were going to rained out. We were, they are unable to open the telescopes in inclement weather. Bummer. They did offer two programs within the visitors center. We found them both to be interesting. Glad we didn't purchase the second option for the bigger telescope. Would not have been happy spending $65 and not being able to see anything. They also offer day visits with solar viewing. After the programs we went out and just sat in the car watching the lightening, pretty dang impressive in a non light polluted area.

Went for a star party, which was pretty impressive because I don't think I've ever looked through a legit telescope. They had like 25 set up, three huge ones that were all angled towards specific clusters or a planet. We happened to be there at one of the largest star parties ever so they broke us up into two groups. One went to go look through the scopes, the other listened to a guy pointing out constellations with the super laser pointer. Tip: Bring a jacket! Went in March and I was freezing!!!!!!

The Good: :: it wasn't that expensive to get in :: you have an amazing time being outside and beneath the beautiful stars with no light pollution :: plenty of stone benches outside for their guided presentation to the stars :: lots of telescopes for you to use to look at different constellations :: very thorough presentation by the guide. the guide has a very powerful laser pointer that makes it seem as though the laser is actually touching the stars! it's nuts. and it's also illegal as hell to point at planes, fyi :: plenty of outside seating :: their cafe...it's very small and gets super crowded but as you wait for your turn for your guided tour, it's awesome to grab a quick bite to eat, some hot cocoa or tea, and some amusing people watching. try their chili!!!! it's so good!!!!!!!!!! :: you may actually see other neat things during your guided tour, like satellites in space moving VERY quickly, shooting stars, or...maybe a UFO???? The Bad: :: the cafe gets the overrun from the crowds waiting to get called for their tours, so if you are hungry and looking to sit down and eat, you may be out of luck if it's freezing outside and you want to stay warm and not turn into a meat popsicle :: morons who don't listen to the guide may have their car lights on and ruin your star viewing :: the long wait for a view of jupiter is not worth the long wait to view jupiter via the bigger telescopes. seriously. it ends up looking like a globby white spot. a wee bit disappointing. maybe you will have better luck than we did? The Ugly: :: none Would I go back? Definitely!! It was so lovely to be outside and under the stars. How can anyone possibly say no??? This place is IN.