Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory

The Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory is the largest field installation of the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian.

Located at the base of Mt. Hopkins 35 miles south of Tucson, the observatory educates its visitors with displays on astrophysics, astronomy, natural science, and cultural history. Under renovation in 2023, the Science Center at Whipple Observatory will reopen to the public in mid-to-late 2024 with all-new hands on exhibits and a Science Demonstration station, allowing visitors to experience the science themselves.

Guided tours for the general public are currently closed and will reopen in mid-to-late 2024. There are no self-guided tours of the Observatory.

  • Accessible
  • Family Friendly
  • Parking Available
  • Location
  • 670 Mount Hopkins Road
  • Amado, Arizona 85645
  • HoursMonday, Wednesday and Friday (tours only): 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.Reservations required.

Listings on VisitArizona.com are intended to serve as a guide for visitors to and within Arizona, and all information is provided and maintained by each business owner or representative. Listings do not imply an official Arizona Office of Tourism endorsement, recommendation, favoring, or guarantee of products or services advertised. We highly encourage visitors to conduct their own research and assessments.

Discover

Cities & Regions

From the abundance of Saguaro cactuses and unique wildlife in the Sonoran Desert to the high country and forests of the White Mountains to the breathtaking Grand Canyon, Arizona’s regions are full of experiences that don’t disappoint.