Public Tours- Science Center Now Open!

Located at the base of Mt. Hopkins in the Santa Rita Mountains, 47 miles south from the University of Arizona in Tucson and just within the boundary of the Coronado National Forest, the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory Science Center features displays and exhibits on astronomy and astrophysics, natural science, and cultural history. The Science Center is now open! The Science Center is currently open on Fridays only from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed on Federal holidays).

In order to ensure the best experience possible for the many guests we expect to visit, timed ticketed entry is required (but free) to visit the Science Center. Every guest who enters the Science Center must have a ticket. Guests who arrive without tickets will be asked to wait or to return at a later time with tickets. Tickets are available now.

Tours up the mountain to the MMT and Ridge telescopes are currently closed while we work on developing new tour programs. Paid VERITAS Walking Tours are open. Tickets for Up Close with VERITAS must be purchased in advance online. Reservations are required and can be made here.