kitt peak national observatory

we took the 3 tours and all were very interestingpeople who gave the tours really enjoyed their worknice drive up the mountain to 7000 feetbe prepared it can be very windy up therealso no food available there other than candy bars so bring a sandwich along

Take a packed lunch. The Reservation doesn't allow food-for-profit operations, so there's no dining. They do have a gift shop. Everything is free unless you want the guided tours. If it's not cloudy, they may do a solar viewing through the mini telescope.We came to see the solar telescope. You can do just the individual tour, but we paid for the tour guide and got to go under the telescope too. There was a young graduate there who showed us what he was looking at. The mini solar telescope was available for us to see the actual sun through that, and that was so amazing. We have four young kids and they did well for that first tour. Then we took our own tour to another telescope, and that was a bit much... they were all worn out.

Good tour of the night sky even though there was a gorgeous, bright full moon that evening. We got to look through a telescope and learned to identify constellations by eye and with binoculars. Tour was a bit unorganized at times. Tour guides were knowledgeable. Worth experiencing; dress warm!

For 3 years in a row during our annual trip to Arizona we have made reservations to do a night time observation but have been rained/clouded out each time. This year we decided to visit anyway and were treated to visits to several telescopes, their control rooms and got to meet the telescope operators and some PHD candidates there performing research. The 2 tour guides did a very nice job of explaining things at a level most people could understand. A warning to those who don't understand that it does get cold in Arizona. The night we attended the temps were in the low 40's with winds of 30-50 mph. Dress appropriately and enjoy the experience.

We visited Kitt Peak on a cool winter day. It was literally 20 degrees colder at the top than at the bottom. The wind was bitingly cold as well. If you go in the winter, bring hats, gloves and warm things! We viewed the 4m telescope. Bit of an uphill walk to get to it - not hard if you have an average degree of fitness - but there were lots of seats along the way and you could drive up if you wanted. The views were outstanding and the tour interesting. You can't see much of the telescope other than the structure because they have to protect it for use by scientists. Bring a lunch if you go around meal times as there is no food at the top.

Kitt Peak is way out in the desert of Southern Arizona but easy to spot from 30 miles away. The road up to this Observatory is the attraction. It is a good and safe road up a very tall and steep mountain of 6800 feet. Many chances for photos for the surrounding countryside. Entry into the telescopes is free but a tour is around $7.00 Lots of parking and a nice gift shop. The drive oput was pretty through the Indian reservation. Worth the trip.

The tour was OK, however we were never allowed near the telescope and had to look at it though glass windows. We didn't know there would be so much walking, for a long tour you would think they would have a tram. The tour guide seemed to have limited knowledge and would steer away from the questions asked.

We arrived too late for the first tour so we paid the same for the two remaining tours. It was well worth it; just sorry we missed the first one. We were lucky that they had solar viewing while we were there. It was really interesting to look at the sun through the telescope. Our docents for the tours were very knowledgable & encouraged questions as they talked. If you have trouble walking at high altitudes, you can get a pass to drive to each of the telescopes. Be prepared for stairs for the actual viewing though. The views on the drive up & on the mountain are spectacular.

About 45 minutes out of Tucson center, this facility should be on everyone's must do list. They have several tour types; we opted for the 11:30 daily tour of one of the telescopes. Note: each timed tour - there are three - goes to one specific telescope - call to find out which one. They have monthly longer tours on fourth Saturday and an overnight tour also - check out webpage. The docents who lead the tours are very knowledgeable. When we visited there was a 40mph wind and temps in 30's...so call ahead for weather conditions. You can walk around the other telescope areas too w/vistas for miles.

I found the information about Kitt Peak's pricing a little difficult to initially figure out. Now have a better handle on it after visiting the Peak. Yes, you can walk around with a map and read all the information for free but really don't think you really get the experience. There are 24 telescopes. Only three are toured. They offer three tours a day - each tour goes to a different telescope. Each tour lasts about an hour to an hour an a half. Each is priced very reasonably but the real deal is if you stay on the peak for the duration of all three tours you can do all three for two dollars more than just one tour. Bring a lunch as they only sell snack food at the visitor's centre. If you are really into telescopes you might want to inquire into the VIP tour which again does all three telescopes but takes you inside. A very technical and informative time. They run the VIP tour only one Saturday a month and reservations are required. We took this. Guide was excellent. Not sure it was worth though four times the all day tour package. They also offer the night programs. The road is not a problem - wide and paved. Worth a visit.

If you are interested in astronomy, this is the site to see. Climbing up the mountain road, curving, but safe to an elevation of 7,000 ft. Dress in layers as it can be windy and colder. Excellent tour guides. The first tour starts at 10:30 am visiting the Solar Telescope, then the 2nd tour around 1:30 pm visiting the other sites. Some of the walking is uphill so wear good walking shoes. The Museum Building itself occupies your time between tours and bring as picnic lunch as there are No Services. Also make sure that your car has lots of gas as Kitts is out in the sticks and only one small gas station is available. Allow 20 - 30 minutes to climb the mountain road, depending on slower traffic as there is no passing.

Long drive there from the closest place to stay ( about an hour). Very high on the mountain but the drive is worth it. Beautiful sunsets and we stayed for the four hour evening night viewing. They showed us planets and stars through the big telescopes and we even learned how to look for certain stars. The meal was just a sandwich but they did have hot chocolate since it was only 35 degrees out that night. The speakers were very knowledgable and answered a lot of questions. Book ahead as they fill up weeks in advance. You won't be disappointed.

Hi...A group of 4, we started at 4:30 with a light dinner provided by the tour guides. The drive up is spectacular. We watched a great sunset and had a tour of all the telescopes( only on the outside). We got to use one of the telescopes and saw six different viewings. Its pitch black up there and dress warm. Geronimo was our main guide and Dean was the telescope guy. Both were really into what they were doing which made it a great experience. They do call you two hours prior to confirm the tour. From a price point, I understand why it costs what it does. The amount of money it costs to operate the place is unreal. As a Canadian, I understand the true costs of things, something many people don't always understand. This is not an amusement park. Ive done both day and night tours. I learned quite a bit, and the kids and girlfriend really enjoyed it.

Don't expect "wow." For $49 and the amount of time it takes, I expected more. If I had known, I would have just done the day trip. You won't see spectacular images in the scope, and you won't even see the cool scopes. With our large group, I was able to put my eye up to a scope only three times. You will do more binocular and eyesight astronomy than anything, which you could do on any mountain.

My large family (think over 15 people) and I decided to visit the observatory for the first time over the Christmas holidays. Although the start was a bit slow and the food was a bit basic, the experience overall was truly unique. Not only is the observatory located on a gorgeous mountain overlooking the desert, it also provides amazing views of the sunset and stars. The three guides were friendly and extremely knowledgeable. I learned a great deal and even my boyfriend, who is an aerospace engineer, learned a few things and was amazed. Two highlights were the Orion Nebula and the Moon, which, viewed through a telescope, are truly awe-inspiring. For those of you wanting to go in winter though, be advised that it is very, very cold up there. Despite multiple layers and UGG boots, I was quite chilled during the 4-hour tour. Some people in my party felt like the entrance price of $47 was a bit much, but I think it mostly depends on your interests. If you are someone who loves science, astronomy and getting peaks at worlds light-years away, this is an experience for you. If you're satisfied to stand at sea-level and look at the stars with the naked eye and you find scientific facts boring, this may not be the experience for you. It all depends on your personality. If you're like me and enjoy science, learning how to use a star chart and binoculars, and peering through the open roof with a telescope to see glorious things light-years away, I would recommend it.