Cincinnati Observatory

Cincinnati, United States

4.9

15 reviews

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 513-321-5186
Website:
www.cincinnatiobservatory.org
Address:
3489 Observatory Pl, Cincinnati, OH, 45208
Mt Lookout
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
490 ftErie Ave & Tarpis Ave
850 ftErie Ave & Marburg Ave
970 ftMarburg Ave 3612
Categories:
QR code
Download QR Image Download vCard

Map

Streetview

Activate map

Bussiness info

Good for Kids
Yes

Today

Today –
Local time (Cincinnati) 03:58 Saturday, 31 May 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

The Cincinnati Observatory is one of the most unique astronomical institutions in the United States. It is a fully functioning 19th century observatory used daily by the public.

We specialize in showing people of all ages the Moon, planets, and stars through our historic telescopes. We have the oldest telescope in America and we invite you to make an appointment to look through it.

History

Established in 1842.

The Cincinnati Observatory was founded by Ormsby MacKnight Mitchel in 1842. By going door to door, Mitchel raised the money to purchase a world-​class telescope from Munich, Germany. The telescope resided at the Observatory on Mt. Adams (named after John Quincy Adams who dedicated the Observatory).

In 1873 the telescope was moved to Mt. Lookout (5 miles east of downtown Cincinnati). A new telescope and new building joined the campus in 1904.

In 1998 the Cincinnati Observatory successfully transitioned from an aging research facility to a cutting-​edge center for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education. Proximity to urban areas became an asset and the COC now provides access to a huge new audience in Ohio and Kentucky. After a $ 2.5 million restoration the Observatory has become a regional source for astronomy education.

Meet the Manager

Dean R.

Manager

Dean is a national popularizer of astronomy and an expert in observational astronomy, star identification, mythology, and myth debunking.

Since 2010, Dean has been the co-​host of Star Gazers, an iconic backyard astronomy program which airs on over 100 PBS stations around the world. Dean is a contributor to Sky and Telescope Magazine and Astronomy Magazine and blogs for the Huffington Post. He has also been a repeat guest on NPR’s Science Friday. Dean has been the Outreach Astronomer for the Cincinnati Observatory since 2000 where he has developed his skills as a dynamic writer and public speaker who brings the complicated field of astronomy down to Earth for students of all ages.

Nearby

Near this location:
730
ft
Popp Martin B MD
3530 Bayard Dr
760
ft
Goldsmith Cardel
3275 Erie Ave
760
ft
Drackett Designs & Antiques
3275 Erie Ave
810
ft
Hyde Park Mushroom House
3331 Erie Ave
810
ft
UDF
3350 Erie Ave
810
ft
United Dairy Farmers
3350 Erie Ave

15 reviews of Cincinnati Observatory

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Cincinnati, OH
This place is very cool and historical. Stopped in for a festival they were having and got to your both building. It was during the day so we didn’t get to star gaze but we will for sure be back for their night events. They even have some adults only nights!
Place rating: 5
Phoenix, AZ
I’m posting a «thank you» that we sent to the Observatory’s director. It’s not quite a review but is definitely an overview of what you can come to expect from this beautiful place and it’s staff. Was absolutely a highlight of our trip.
I wanted to take a minute to express our sincerest thank you for being treated like royalty. We were in town visiting a friend, and on our last day in Cincinnati, we happened upon the Observatory. It was late in the day (a little after 6pm), but we wanted to stop by for a quick look. We met one of your staff, _​_​_​_​_​, in the parking area. We were hesitant to enter as it looked like everyone was gone and the Observatory was closed. _​_​_​_​said hello and asked if he could help. My friend informed him of our just stopping by for a quick look and that it was our last day in town. _​_​_​_​asked us where we were from and informed us of how the tours usually work. He also let us know that there was a «function» at 7pm. But that wasn’t it… he offered us a «personal tour» since we were from out of town. He then proceeded to spend the next 45 minutes of his time showing us all three telescopes in the two buildings. His historical data and knowledge of the equipment and facilities was AMAZING!!! His love for this field was evident. We were impressed, wowed and in awe. Never had we expected this kind of treatment, let alone at this time of day when he should have been finishing up and heading home. I cannot express enough, how thankful we are for ____’s dedication. It truly was one, if not the highlight of our visit to Cincinnati.
Place rating: 5
Cincinnati, OH
Interesting and beautiful place! We attended ‘Date night, late night’ and despite cloudy skies and no stars, we still enjoyed very engaging evening with mythology for adults stories and a tour around the building.
People are really dedicated and helpful, we liked the relaxed atmosphere and the stories we heard about how the observatory was built, damaged and restored.
We feel very lucky to have a public observatory here in Cincinnati! We will definitely be back for another event, to see planets or the moon :)
Very cool way to spend a date night!
Place rating: 5
West Long Branch, NJ
Fascinating and amazing place. Beautiful grounds and buildings. Dedicated staff with programs to please any age group. Highly recommend — date night, family night, something different night.
Place rating: 5
Newport, KY
We used the Cincinnati Observatory for our wedding venue in 2012. We had a small wedding (40 – 45 people) and were able to use the front lawn/​stairs for the ceremony, one of the buildings for a buffet style sit down dinner, and the second building for cake and dancing. We worked with Craig Niemi, the Observatory’s Executive Director. He was GREAT! We were able to use the Observatory’s tables and chairs, which helped us save a lot on rental costs. The evening was complete with Craig himself providing history on the telescopes and the observatory, we even had a private viewing set up for our guests once it was dark with the telescope viewing the moon.
Truly an unforgettable night, our guests are still talking about it almost 2 years later!
Place rating: 5
Cincinnati, OH
We went tonight for the special meteorite display and it was awesome. Several local collectors were there, and along with seeing meteors from the moon and Mars, everyone was more than happy to answer each and every question.
I’ve been to the Observatory many, many times, and while I am always awed by its history… building architecture, breathtaking telescopes, etc., what I really love is the passion of its people… from the staff to the volunteers, everyone is (as you would expect) very knowledgeable, but what really makes every visit special is the obvious love for what they do.
We are fortunate to have this extraordinary landmark (and the people who make it come to life) in Cincinnati.
Place rating: 5
Cincinnati, OH
For a $ 5 donation each, my friends and I enjoyed an evening at the Observatory which consisted of a quick lecture about space and the potential for life on other planets. This was met with mixed reviews. A couple of my friends appreciated it. Others did not. I personally love it! Once it was dark enough, we used the high powered telescope to check out Jupiter, Jupiter’s moons, the moon and Saturn! It was amazing! Saturn looked so surreal… and with enough patients, you could snap a picture of what you saw with your smartphone! After everyone got their turn, we headed outside to check out some constellations. As a bonus, our tour guide timed our session so we’d be outside just as the International Space Station flew over us! So exciting! I immediately recommended this to everyone I saw for the next few days. This is a place most natives dismiss/don’t think about but wow are they missing out!
Place rating: 5
Cincinnati, OH
I love this place, I have been here for 3 events now and I am never disappointed! This last time I went to see the 2013 Supermoon, I got some really amazing photographs of the Observatory and the telescopes during the sunset, I have never been here when there was sun was out and so was never yet able to photograph the buildings or get really good photos of the scopes.
It was a great sight when the Supermoon peaked over the tree tops, and seeing it through another space-​lovers telescope’s that they brought themselves to share with the crowd was so cool! I also was able to photograph the moon and was to thankful that the clouds of the day had blown away, to be able to capture some great images. I took a photo w my phone, of me photographing the Supermoon, it’s in the gallery, if you want to check it out :)
They were really organized this time, compared to last time I came to see the Supermoon, they were also selling tickets to see Saturn through the older telescope, and that was really just so amazing! You could even see Titan! I am so glad they were so organized, and look forward to more of these events in the future.
While waiting our turn to see Saturn through the telescope, they were offering presentations of software for seeing what is going on in space, and that was really awesome.
I also, always love to look at the meteors they sell in the gift shop. I hope one day to be able to own some :)
Place rating: 5
Cincinnati, OH
I guess this review is because (I assume) Venus is closer to the Moon tonight than any time I can ever remember.
Reminded the time I visited the Cincinnati observatory. It was a few years ago when the Cincinnati Roller Girls had a meet there for seeing the Observatory, and the oldest operating telescope, and the International Space Station flew over too. We saw Saturn in the oldest telescope, and it looked like a tooth-​pick skewered olive. It was quite amazing.
There’s an amazing cornucopia waiting for you at the Cincinnati Observatory. So much history. Part of your history. Go.
Place rating: 4
Milford, OH
The Cincinnati Observatory is one of the most unique astronomical institutions in the United States. It is a fully functioning 19th century observatory used daily by the public and amateur astronomers, civic organizations, teachers and students, history buffs and science mavens.
Located atop the rolling hills of Mt. Lookout, the Observatory is home to the world’s oldest telescope still in use nightly by the general public. Two handsome National Historic Landmark buildings and the beautiful grounds provide a serene, park-​like setting while still being centrally located in the city of Cincinnati.
The 1843 Merz und Mahler 11 inch refractor — Housed in the «Mitchel Building». May be the oldest continually used telescope in the world. It is currently used for public education programs.
The 1904 Alvan Clark & Sons 16 inch refractor — Housed in the «Main Building». Used in public education programs and graduate research.
Place rating: 5
Cincinnati, OH
Where the Past meets the Future, a gorgeous building with tons of history, the staff here is helpful, and passionate about space and geekiness. they have tons of classes and programs to get kids and adults hyped up on space dust. On clear days or nights, there can be at least 2 or three smaller telescopes running on the grounds, in case the big ones aren’t up and running. And it’s just a short hike to Ault park, so it’s a great spot to have a picnic as well.
Place rating: 5
Cincinnati, OH
Pick a clear night and head up to the Observatory. Looking through any of the large telescopes is one thing, and when the volunteers are there with their portable telescopes it’s really fun because you can see so many spots in the sky. The whole scene is very cool.
Place rating: 5
Cincinnati, OH
This place is amazing! I stopped by during Mt. Lookout’s Luminaria, while they were having free refreshments and star gazing, and it was really fun and educational. I felt like I was in another time, using these huge telescopes that were made over a hundred years ago. I look forward to visiting again for one of their many programs!
Place rating: 5
Cincinnati, OH
Ah, the observatory: geekery’s finest combination of science and architectural history.
Founded in 1842, the Cincinnati Observatory was one of the nation’s first observatories and also houses the oldest telescope in the world. Seeing this telescope in action is amazing. Powered by industrial gears and belts, this gigantic device pivots around the room to catch a glimpse of the sky through the dome roof. Depending on the angle, visitors ascend a large wooden staircase to reach the height of the viewfinder.
During my visit, I viewed Jupiter, Uranus, a galaxy, the Orion Nebula, and a red dwarf. While the image through the lens was microscopic to our textbook images of Jupiter, the Great Red Spot was still visible. How cool!
Dean Regas was our guide for the evening, and was a blast to talk to. He told vivid stories about constellations, keeping things entertaining while still educating the group. We watched a slideshow prior to checking out the telescope, learning about misconceptions of space including how to prove the Moon Landing was NOT a hoax. (Not that I had any doubt… but it’s good knowledge for a debate.)
Four full hours of star gazing and stories, and it only costs $ 6.00 per person. Plus there are history tours and classes to learn about astronomy. The Cincinnati Observatory is definitely a hidden gem in this city.
To quote Bill Nye: «SCIENCE RULES!»
—–
Fun Fact: Mt. Adams received its namesake from President John Quincy Adams’s visit to dedicate the Observatory. Prior to this, the area was called Mt. Ida.
Place rating: 4
Cincinnati, OH
I went to an event here recently and enjoyed the history, knowledge and enthusiasm that the staff expressed. I got to look through a few telescopes and even saw Saturn and Orion’s nebulae. I know hardly anything about astronomy, and the staff were awesome and really helpful. Membership is pretty reasonable if I recall, and there are many free/​low cost events. I was really happy to see young kids faces light up after looking through the telescopes and actually get excited by something other than Justin Bieber.