Cincinnati Observatory — Attraction in Cincinnati

We went here as a girl scout event and our entire family loved it. I had no clue the oldest telescope in the western hemisphere was right here! The buildings were great old architecture, the telescopes were fascinating to everyone and the presenter was engaging and fun! I can't wait to go back! Be aware there are stairs up into the buildings, stairs up to the observatory rooms with the telescopes and the observatories are very echo-y. People with mobility issues and sensory issues will need to be ready. Parking is a little strange as there didn't seem to be lines. you just kind of parked where you could around the circle and walked up to the buildings. I recommend anyone who loves space (or has kids in love with space) to go here. We had nothing but clouds but the presenter was able to show us things on the computer. She then showed us how the buildings opened and telescope moved. Still...

Very disappointed they had several lines to view planets which was good if viewing different planets which was supposed to happen with Saturn, Jupiter, mars but all lines seem to just be viewing Saturn and we stood in second line got a look and it was Saturn also which was a waste of time to stand in line to view same dime sized view and at least I figured I get to see good detail of rings but looked like 1 ring. I wanted to see mars which was name of event but didn't get to see mars or Jupiter Very disappointed! . been at observatory few times in the afternoon and evening and fantastic knowledgeable volunteers are there to answer questions and show you around the buildings which is a fantastic experience and a 10 star experience those times so maybe we went on a bad night which I'll return at next viewing and hopefully a better...

Mediocre experience that would not recommend unless you have never seen a telescope in your life. After trying extensively to attend a “Date Night” (very hard to get tickets)we were disappointed with the overall night. The staff is great don’t get me wrong, very passionate about astronomy, but the customer experience is lacking. Basically the “date night” is attending a 1h powerpoint presentation on planets (in our case it was about the upcoming eclipse) and then -because you are like 40 people- do a line to see a planet, or the moon, or whatever that night the sky allows, on a very old -historic- telescope. No proper snacks, barely water/coffee served, no proper history of the observatory explained -nothing to consider this a “Date”. Anyway, If you can see through a friend’s telescope you will have the same experience without wasting...