General Admission, 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, includes exploration of the Visitors Center, including the exhibit gallery and gift shop, and self-guided tours of both summits. General Admission passes can be purchased in person when you arrive at the Visitors Center.
General Admission provides access to the Visitors Center and self guided tours only. To visit the research areas, make reservations for a Guided Tour.
Solar Viewing:
The Visitors Center operates a set of specially filtered telescopes equipped with cameras that allow us to bring live, safe views of the Sun into our theater. Knowledgeable guides present history of the Sun, its formation, and what we expect the Sun to do over the next 5-6 billion years. Your guide directs the telescope to view the Sun and various surface features. On not so clear days, video and stills are used. This is typically a 45-50 minute program.
Guided Tours:
Join a Guided Tour for an up-close look at large research telescopes at McDonald Observatory in West Texas.
A Guided Tour Pass includes access to the exhibit gallery and gift shop inside the Visitors Center and a guided tour of our large research telescopes (approximately 90-120-minutes). Check the calendar for program offerings and start times.
Programs may be cancelled at any time due to weather or public health concerns.
Prices
Adults
DISCOUNT: Military Senior (65+) Locals Students (5+)
Children under 5
General Admission
Solar Viewing
Guided Tours
Star Party
$3
$5
$10
$25
$3*
$5
$8*
$20
$3
$5
$5
$5
*Locals receive free daytime General Admission and Guided Tours. "Locals" are residents of our tri-county area (Jeff Davis, Brewster, and Presidio) with valid proof of residency.
The system defaults to one adult pass. If you're 65 or over and want the senior discount, choose the "Snr (65+)" pass and remove the adult pass. Be sure to click on the "Book" button as your final step in making your reservation.
The Solar Viewing, Guided Tour and Evening Programs passes include General Admission.