Buy Passes for Programs
Passes
Join us for the following activities at the McDonald Observatory Frank N Bash Visitors Center.
Daytime activities
Evening activities
All of our programs are subject to capacity limits and frequently sell out. We recommend reserving passes at least three weeks ahead of your program.
Programs may be cancelled at any time due to weather or public health concerns. Evening programs take place mostly outdoors.
Prices
| Adults | DISCOUNT: Military Senior (65+) Locals Students (5+) |
Children under 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
General Admission Guided Tours Solar Viewings Star Party |
$3 $10 $5 $25 |
$3* $8* $5 $20 |
$3 $5 $5 $5 |
*Locals (residents of Jeff Davis, Brewster, and Presidio counties) receive free General Admission and Guided Tours with valid proof of residency.
UT & Military Discount: The Visitors Center offers a discount to our UT colleagues with a current valid UT ID. To receive this discount, simply enter any passes for current UT students, staff, or faculty under the Discount category. Active-duty military should also select the Discount category.
Group Passes
Are you visiting with a GROUP (15+ people)? Please see our Group Reservations page.
Teachers - planning for a K-12 school visit? Please see our K-12 Visits page.
Important: McDonald Observatory, part of the University of Texas at Austin, is located 450 miles west of Austin and is on Central Time.
Use the tools below to buy passes. The system defaults to one adult pass. If you don't need that pass, click the number field and select zero. Please include all members of your party in your reservation (including children of any age). For the safety of all of our guests, minors must be accompanied by an adult (18 or over) on all of our public programs. Contact us for more information or to ask about accommodations.
Amphitheater with Milky Way (horizontal)