Every observatory (some planetariums, too) on the list have public access to the BIG telescopes and most are completely FREE.
Take note that this list is for open-to-the-public observatories located in America, only.
If you would like to help us grow our list of the best places to stargaze all over the Earth, or you would like this list sent to you as a FREE pdf send us an email to: info@starsnearme.com and let us know.
Also take note that starsnearme.com has no affiliation with any facility you will find on this list, so please follow the links provided and check the most up-to-date information regarding the observatory you are interested in visiting.
Here on the starsnearme.com website, you will find that the methods we teach to help you learn about the stars, sun, moon and planets and their connection to the most famous stories on Earth does not involve the use of any astronomy equipment, like a telescope, for example.
You will also find that much of the information we learned from making the enormous discoveries we did, directly contradicts much of what is being taught currently by mainstream education and science. In other words, our discoveries contradicts almost all of the information you will likely find being presented in every public observatory on this list.
So why did we compile a list of observatories that we already know are presenting information about our “world” that completely contradicts the discoveries we made? There are just a couple of reasons for this:
1) Many public observatories are likely already located in areas with little light pollution and clear lines of sight to the sky. This means that even if you don’t actually visit inside the actual observatory, being close to the location of one can make for a more successful night of stargazing.
Please note that since the craziness of the year we commonly call 2020, many of the observatories on the list have changed their policies about the numbers of people they will allow into their facilities at a time, etc. and some have decided to remain closed. This means that if you decide to plan a stargazing adventure near one of these observatories whether they are open or not, make sure you are not trespassing on anyone’s property…even if it’s publicly accessible normally.
2) Even though the starsnearme.com method of learning the sky doesn’t require the use of any telescopes, having the opportunity to look through these BIG telescopes is an experience definitely worth having.
Alabama
University of North Alabama in Florence, AL
Arizona
Kitt Peak National Observatory in Tucson, AZ
Pima Community College Observatory in Tucson, AZ
The University of Arizona Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium in Tucson, AZ
Arkansas
University of Central Arkansas Observatory and Planetarium in Conway, AK
California
University of California- Berkeley in Berkeley, CA
Fresno State Planetarium in Fresno, CA
Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, CA
Chabot Observatories in Oakland, CA
Mt. Wilson Observatory in Pasadena, CA
Colorado
Little Thompson Observatory in Berthoud, CO
University of Colorado Observatory in Boulder, CO
University of Denver Chamberlin Observatory in Denver, CO
Gunnison Valley Observatory in Gunnison, CO
Connecticut
Western Connecticut State University Observatory in Danbury, CT
Wesleyan University Observatory in Middletown, CT
Florida
Eastern Florida State College Planetarium and Observatory in Cocoa, FL
Broward College Planetarium in Davie, FL
University of Central Florida Robinson Observatory in Orlando, FL
St. Petersburg College Planetarium in St. Petersburg, FL
Georgia
Fernbank Science Center Observatory in Decatur, GA
Coca-Cola Space Science Center in Columbus, GA
Hawaii
Keck Observatory in Maunakea, HI
Idaho
College of Southern Idaho Centennial Observatory in Twin Falls, ID
Illinois
University of Illinois Observatory in Champaign-Urbana, IL
North Western University Dearborn Observatory in Evanston, IL
Barber research and Observatory in Springfield, IL
Indiana
Butler University Holcomb Observatory in Indianapolis, IN
Iowa
Ashton Observatory in Des Moines, IA
Kansas
Powell Observatory in Louisburg, KS
Lake Afton Observatory in Goddard, KS
Kentucky
University of Louisville Moore Observatory in Brownsboro, KY
Louisiana
Louisiana State University Highland Road Park Observatory in Baton Rouge, LA
Maine
Portland Observatory in Portland, ME
Maryland
Maryland Science Center Observatory in Baltimore, MD
Massachusetts
Merrimack College Observatory in North Andover, MS
Michigan
University of Michigan Detroit Observatory in Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan State University Peach Mountain Observatory in Dexter, MI
Minnesota
University of Minnesota Observatory in Minneapolis, MN
Macalester College Observatory in St. Paul, MN
Mississippi
Rainwater Observatory in French Camp, MS
Missouri
University of Missouri Schwartz Observatory in St. Louis, MO
Broemmelsiek Park Astronomy Site in Wentzville, MO
Montana
University of Montana Blue Mountain Observatory in Missoula, MT
Nebraska
Hyde Memorial Observatory in Lincoln, NE
Nevada
Western Nevada College Davis Observatory in Carson City, NV
New Hampshire
McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, NH
Dartmouth College Observatory in Hanover, NH
New Jersey
Sperry Observatory Union County College in Cranford, NJ
New Mexico
University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM
Chaco Culture Night Sky Program in Aztec, Farmington, NM
North Carolina
University of North Carolina Morehead Observatory in Chapel Hill, NC
Ohio
Cincinnati Observatory in Cincinnati, OH
University of Toledo Brooks Observatory in Toledo, OH
Wilderness Center in Wilmot, OH
Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma Observatory in Norman, OK
Oregon
Pine Mountain Observatory University of Oregon in Bend, OR
Haggart Observatory in Oregon City, OR
Pennsylvania
Keystone University Observatory in Fleetville, PA
Rhode Island
Frosty Drew Observatory in Charlestown, RI
Brown University Ladd Observatory in Providence, RI
South Carolina
University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC
Francis Marion University Dooley Observatory in Florence, SC
Tennessee
Bays Mountain Observatory in Kingsport, TN
Texas
University of Texas Campus Telescopes in Austin, TX
Univeristy of North Texas Rafes Urban Astronomy Center in Denton, TX
Utah
University of Utah Observatory in Salt Lake City, UT
Vermont
Middlebury College Observatory in Middlebury, VT
Virginia
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, VA
Washington
Goldendale Observatory in Goldendale, WA
Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin Observatory in Madison, WI
Notice: Links appearing in this post may be affiliate links. This means that should you make your purchase through any of the links we provide, though it will cost you nothing more, we may earn a small commission. This is just one way to help support independent creators like us and for that we thank you.
Remember to let us know if you would like this list with the links included sent to you as a FREE pdf, put “free PDF” in the subject line and send your message to us: info@starsnearme.com
If you are interested in astronomy books for adults, even as a beginning stargazer, to learn the star constellations by season of the year you can find those here:
The Constellations by Campfire series will help you to identify the star constellations of the Northern Hemisphere the easy and naked eye way.