Itinerary for a Winter Day at Lowell Observatory
So, you’d like to visit the observatory, but you’re not sure of the best way to budget your time? Never fear: check out this sample itinerary of a perfect winter day spent at Lowell, from morning to evening, to help you plan!
❄️ Notes & Tips
Average temperatures can drop as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter here in Flagstaff! For the most comfortable and enjoyable experience at Lowell Observatory, please be sure to dress as warmly as possible. Check out our Winter Trips page for a detailed guide on how to dress for winter weather.
Daytime Itinerary (12 PM – 6:00 PM)
12:30 PM — Solar Telescope Viewing
1:00 PM — History Talk: Origins of Lowell
1:30 PM — Celestial Visions
2:00 PM — Meet the Planets!
3:00 PM — Cosmic Highways: A Centennial Tour
4:30 PM — Pluto Discovery Telescope Open House
4:30 PM — Rotunda Museum Open House
6:00 PM — Dinner at the Planet X Café
Any Time — Explore the Astronomy Discovery Center
Any Time — Browse the Starry Skies Shop
❄️ 12:30 PM – Solar Telescope Viewing
Catch live views of the closest star you can see through any telescope–the Sun!
See everything up close safely through solar telescopes and filters. If it’s too cloudy for solar viewing, our fabulous educators will be happy to answer your burning (get it?) questions about the Sun, or any other astronomical topics!
Location: Dark Sky Planetarium
12:30 PM – Dusk (Weather Permitting) | Included with General Admission
❄️ 1:00 PM – History Talk: Origins of Lowell
Explore the origins of Lowell, from Mars research by Percival Lowell to an up-close view of the iconic Clark Telescope, used to train Apollo 11 astronauts.
1 PM, 5 PM | Included with General Admission
Location: Lowell Universe Theater
❄️ 1:30 PM – Celestial Visions
Stay in the Universe Theater for Celestial Visions, a rotating 25-minute film series featuring multicultural sky traditions, global perspectives, and modern astronomy.
Location: Lowell Universe Theater
Plays every half hour throughout the day. | Included with General Admission
❄️ 2:00 PM – Meet the Planets!
Take a live journey through our solar system—complete with vivid visuals and fun, accessible science. This 25-minute presentation explores the eight planets, plus Pluto!
Location: Lowell Universe Theater
2 PM, 4 PM, and 6 PM (Mon., Weds., Thurs.) | Included with General Admission
❄️ 3:00 PM – Cosmic Highways: A Centennial Tour
Bundle up for this indoor-friendly campus tour tracing the intertwined histories of Lowell Observatory and Route 66. Learn how astronomy, roadside Americana, and a century of exploration shaped both Lowell and Flagstaff. This guided experience visits key sites and stories while keeping you sheltered from the weather.
Location: Lowell Universe Theater
3 PM | Included with General Admission Plus
❄️ 4:30 PM – Pluto Discovery Telescope Open House
Explore the very building where Pluto was discovered! You can check out the Lawrence Lowell Telescope, a 13” astrograph that was built specifically to aid in the search for Percival Lowell’s fabled ‘Planet X,’ and was eventually used by Clyde Tombaugh to discover Pluto in February of 1930. An educator will be present to answer your questions about the mysterious dwarf planet and its discovery.
3pm-6:30pm | Included with General Admission
❄️ 4:30 PM – Rotunda Museum Open House
Open times vary, check with Visitor Services to see if the Rotunda Museum will be open during your visit. | Included with General Admission
❄️ 6:00 PM – Dinner at the Planet X Café
Escape the cold and enjoy soups, sandwiches, salads, pastries, and warm drinks from Jitters Lunchbox in a modern, fireplace-lit setting.
Location: Astronomy Discovery Center
Open daily 12 PM to 9 PM (closed Tues.). | Admission not required for entry.
❄️ Any Time – Explore the Astronomy Discovery Center
The Astronomy Discovery Center is a state-of-the-art facility with engaging indoor exhibits for all ages, including:
-
The Orbits Curiosity Zone
- A hands-on children’s exhibit hall designed for ages 0-8. This vibrant space blends fun and education through interactive displays, led by lovable alien mascots Marzee and Pluie.
-
The Stardust Lab Astronomy Gallery
- Dive into the wonders of the universe through multisensory exhibits that blend science, storytelling, and personal connection to the cosmos.
-
The Diverse Universe Wall
- Discover the stories of under-recognized scientists whose contributions helped shape the world of astronomy, physics, and chemistry.
Open daily from 12 PM to 10 PM (closed Tues.). | Included with General Admission
❄️ Any Time – Browse the Starry Skies Shop
Stop by the gift shop for STEM toys, apparel, books, pins, and plushies of Marzee and Pluie. Perfect souvenirs for future astronomers.
Open daily from 12 PM to 10 PM (closed Tues.). | Admission not required for entry.
Evening Itinerary (4:30 PM – 10 PM)
4:30 PM — Historic Pluto Astrograph Open House
5:00 PM — Dinner at Planet X Café
6:00 PM — Meet the Planets!
6:30 PM — Celestial Visions
7:45 PM — Strange New Worlds
8:30 PM — Stargazing with the Clark Telescope
Dusk–9:30 PM — Stargazing with the Clark Telescope
Dusk–Close — Stargazing at the Open Deck Observatory
Any Time — Explore the Astronomy Discovery Center
Any Time — Browse the Starry Skies Shop
❄️ 4:30 PM – Historic Pluto Astrograph Open House
Visit the Pluto Discovery Dome to see the astrograph used by Clyde Tombaugh during his search for “Planet X.” An educator is on hand to share stories of the discovery and answer questions.
3 PM – 6:30 PM | Included with General Admission
❄️ 5:00 PM – Dinner at Planet X Cafe
Fuel your evening with warm comfort food inside the café. Sit by the fireplace, enjoy a meal from Jitters Lunchbox, and prepare for a night of indoor cosmic discovery.
Open daily 12 PM to 9 PM (closed Tues.).
❄️ 6:00 PM – Meet the Planets!
Take a live journey through our solar system, complete with vivid visuals and fun, accessible science. This 25-minute presentation explores the eight planets, plus Pluto!
Location: Lowell Universe Theater
2 PM, 4 PM, and 6 PM (Mon., Weds., Thurs.) – Available at 7 PM on Mon., Weds., Thurs. | Included with General Admission
❄️ 6:30 PM – Celestial Visions
Stay in the Universe Theater for Celestial Visions, a rotating 25-minute film series featuring multicultural sky traditions, global perspectives, and modern astronomy.
Location: Lowell Universe Theater
Plays every half hour throughout the day. | Included with General Admission
❄️ 7:45 PM – Strange New Worlds
Join us on the rooftop of the Astronomy Discovery Center at the Dark Sky Planetarium for Strange New Worlds, a live, outdoor presentation. Under Flagstaff’s breathtaking dark skies, we’ll tackle one of the universe’s most profound questions: Are we alone?
Note: Dark Sky Planetarium seats are heated, so we recommend bringing a blanket or purchasing one in the Starry Skies Shop to help you stay extra warm during your experience.
Location: Dark Sky Planetarium
7:45 PM, 8:30 PM, 9:15 PM | Included with General Admission Plus
❄️ 8:30 PM – Stargazing with the Clark Telescope
Step back in time with the iconic Clark Telescope, where you’ll view night sky objects through the same lens used for historic observations. Get in line early – this is one of our most popular experiences!
Dusk – 9:30 PM | Included with General Admission
❄️ Stargazing at the Open Deck Observatory
Head outside for some unforgettable stargazing under Flagstaff’s pristine dark skies! The Open Deck Observatory offers a suite of six cutting-edge telescopes that collectively give you a viewing experience that goes far beyond seeing faint smudges of light.
Dusk- Close | Included with General Admission
❄️ Any Time – Explore the Astronomy Discovery Center
The Astronomy Discovery Center is a state-of-the-art facility with engaging indoor exhibits for all ages, including:
-
The Orbits Curiosity Zone
- A hands-on children’s exhibit hall designed for ages 0-8. This vibrant space blends fun and education through interactive displays, led by lovable alien mascots Marzee and Pluie.
-
The Stardust Lab Astronomy Gallery
- Dive into the wonders of the universe through multisensory exhibits that blend science, storytelling, and personal connection to the cosmos.
-
The Diverse Universe Wall
- Discover the stories of under-recognized scientists whose contributions helped shape the world of astronomy, physics, and chemistry.
Open daily from 12 PM to 10 PM (closed Tues.). | Included with General Admission
❄️ Any Time – Browse the Starry Skies Shop
Stop by the gift shop for STEM toys, apparel, books, pins, and plushies of Marzee and Pluie. Perfect souvenirs for future astronomers.
Open daily from 12 PM to 10 PM (closed Tues.). | Admission not required