





Children's Museums
Astronomy Discovery Center
📍 1400 W Mars Hill Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001🌐 lowell.edu/discover/astronomy-discovery-center
🕐 Hours
| Monday | 12–10 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 12–10 PM |
| Thursday | 12–10 PM |
| Friday | 12–10 PM |
| Saturday | 12–10 PM |
| Sunday | 12–10 PM |
About Astronomy Discovery Center
Astronomy Discovery Center is a children's museum in Flagstaff, AZ. Features the historic Clark Telescope, a significant astronomical instrument available for public viewing at the Giovale Open Deck Observatory. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 18 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Planetarium
- Best For
- All ages
- Highlights
- Six advanced telescopes, Clark Telescope, planetarium shows, Pluto Discovery Dome
- Hours
- Daily Noon–10pm (closed Tuesdays)
- Special Programs
- Meet the Planets, Dark Sky Shows, Mars journey, planetarium films
💡 Did You Know?
- Features the historic Clark Telescope, a significant astronomical instrument available for public viewing at the Giovale Open Deck Observatory
- Located in Flagstaff, AZ near Lowell Observatory, positioning it in one of the most historically significant astronomy destinations in the United States where Pluto was discovered
- Operates Giovale Open Deck Observatory with six state-of-the-art telescopes available for public viewing, offering hands-on telescope experiences
- Offers nightly Dark Sky Planetarium Shows (weather dependent), making it an active venue for regular astronomical programming and education
💬 What Visitors Say
- Plan your visit before 9pm as ticket sales stop at this time daily. For evening telescope viewing at Giovale Open Deck Observatory, arrive well before closing to maximize your stargazing time.
- Check weather conditions before visiting for night sky viewing, as telescope observations at the observatory and dark sky planetarium shows are weather dependent. Clear nights in Flagstaff's high elevation location offer optimal viewing conditions.
- Avoid Tuesdays when the center is closed. Weekdays outside of school holidays likely offer shorter wait times for the popular Orbits Curiosity Zone children's exhibit and telescope access at Giovale Open Deck Observatory.
- Take advantage of nightly Dark Sky Planetarium Shows offered at the center. These specialized astronomy shows complement the daytime exhibits and are reasonably priced at $5 per person, making multiple show experiences accessible.
- Start with the hands-on Orbits Curiosity Zone exhibit to engage younger visitors, then progress to more advanced galleries like Stardust Lab and Origins Gallery. Plan 2-3 hours minimum to experience telescopes, planetarium shows, and exhibits without rushing.
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