Frequently Asked Visiting Questions

We have a spacious visitor parking lot that can accommodate large vehicles like buses and RVs, but parking is first-come, first-served. Please note that overnight parking and camping are not permitted anywhere on Lowell’s campus. 

Lowell Observatory welcomes service animals and recognizes the important role they play in many of our visitors’ lives. We do not allow pets on our campus.

General Admission covers entry into campus, which includes guided tours, 150+ exhibits, historic buildings, Lowell Universe Theater shows and performances, and stargazing. General Admission Plus, only $5 more, includes access to the rooftop open-air Dark Sky Planetarium, where you can experience laser-guided tours of the cosmos from heated seats. General Admission Plus also offers early access to all Lowell Universe Theater shows.

Yes! General admission is good for the whole day, even if you leave the observatory and come back at a later time. Just be sure to hold on to either your admission sticker or proof of your ticket purchase, such as a receipt or your order confirmation email. 

That depends on the group! Some can stay from open to close to experience everything the observatory has to offer, others will stop by for an hour or so to take a tour or see the grounds. According to our Google profile, the average stay time is about 2 hours.

Reservations are not required for the purchase of general admission tickets, but reservations are required for our Premium Access experience. 

We typically open the telescopes around sunset, which varies depending on the time of year. It can be as early as 4:30pm in the winter, or as late as 8pm in the summer.

Yes! You can enjoy a delicious variety of sandwiches, salads, rotating soups, and beverages at the Planet X Cafe in the Astronomy Discovery Center. 

We are located in Flagstaff, Arizona, just one mile west of the historic downtown area. The observatory sits atop Mars Hill, a mesa that rises several hundred feet above the historic town.