Collection of kid-friendly places to go around Minnesota and beyond. Spend less time researching where to go and more time creating amazing memories. Happy sKIDaddling!

  • Welcome
  • Explore
    • Search & Map
    • Things to Do
      • Indoor Playgrounds
      • Coffee Shops
      • Hiking and Biking
    • Best Of Lists
    • Weekly Activities
  • Trips & Adventures
    • Weekend Getaways
    • City Adventures
    • Waterpark Hotels in the Midwest
    • Themed Staycations
  • Seasonal
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
  • Birthdays
    • Birthday Parties
    • You & Me Day Tickets
    • Birthday Theme Ideas
    • Free Birthday Treats
    • Gift Ideas for Tweens and Teens
    • Gift Ideas for Young Adventurers
    • The Best Gift Ideas for Kids
  • Resources
    • Parenting
    • Free or Low Cost Fun
    • Classes for Kids
    • Volunteer
      • Volunteer Outside the Home
      • Volunteer from Home
  • Shop
  • Login
    • My Account
  • Contact Us
    • Questions & comments
    • Share a spot
    • Work with us
Main Menu
  • Welcome
  • Explore
    • Search & Map
    • Things to Do
      • Indoor Playgrounds
      • Coffee Shops
      • Hiking and Biking
    • Best Of Lists
    • Weekly Activities
  • Trips & Adventures
    • Weekend Getaways
    • City Adventures
    • Waterpark Hotels in the Midwest
    • Themed Staycations
  • Seasonal
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
  • Birthdays
    • Birthday Parties
    • You & Me Day Tickets
    • Birthday Theme Ideas
    • Free Birthday Treats
    • Gift Ideas for Tweens and Teens
    • Gift Ideas for Young Adventurers
    • The Best Gift Ideas for Kids
  • Resources
    • Parenting
    • Free or Low Cost Fun
    • Classes for Kids
    • Volunteer
      • Volunteer Outside the Home
      • Volunteer from Home
  • Shop
  • Login
    • My Account
  • Contact Us
    • Questions & comments
    • Share a spot
    • Work with us

Yerkes Observatory

373 West Geneva Street
Williams Bay, WI 53191

Categories: ACTIVITIES INDOORS, Other Tours, Science-Tech-Engineering-Math (STEM), TOURS
TOURSOther Tours
Login to bookmark this Listing
0 Reviews
Share

Share this:

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
Add Photos

Claim "Yerkes Observatory"

[contact-form-7 404 "Not Found"]
Claim Listing
Write a Review

Description

Yerkes Observatory is a facility of the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics of theUniversity of Chicago. It was established in 1897 on Geneva Lake in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Until the mid-1960’s, Yerkes Observatory housed all of the Department’s activities. Today the 77-acre, park-like site in southeast Wisconsin provides laboratory space and access to telescopes for research and instruction.
Yerkes Observatory occupies a unique niche for the educational and the scientific community. It bridges several important perspectives in formal and informal education. The history of astronomy and astrophysics of the observatory is a solid foundation for introducing all the important topics in current research as well as the practice of observational astronomy. There is a huge range of opportunities for learning. Because of Yerkes’ historical context, the world of professional and student astronomers and astronomy educators is drawn to the observatory. These communities learn from one another, build relationships, and create programs, which result in enriched experiences and learning opportunities for young and diverse members of our society.

Tour Yerkes on Saturdays, Throughout the Year
Yerkes Observatory is open to the public from 9:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Saturday throughout the year, excluding Christmas and New Year’s Day. Our expert, engaging and entertaining tour guides provide a fascinating program covering the Observatory’s history, architectural detail, astronomical research, and a look inside the 90-foot dome at the 40-inch refractor, still the largest lens-type telescope in the world.

Our general public tours are most appropriate for ages 6 and up.

Saturday tours begin at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m. Most tours last 45 to 50 minutes. We do not accept reservations. A suggested donation of $8 per person is requested to support our public programs. Groups of 20 or more should consider reserving a private program outside of Saturday public tour hours.

The interior of the 90-foot dome is not temperature controlled, so dress appropriately on the day of your visit the same as for any outdoor activity.

Visitors are encouraged to browse our unique gift shop featuring postcards, apparel, photos from the Observatory’s archives, jewelry, meteorites, posters, books, aids for viewing the night sky and some unique items found only at Yerkes Observatory.

373 West Geneva Street
Williams Bay, WI 53191
(262) 245-5555
tours@yerkes.uchicago.edu
astro.uchicago.edu
Get Directions

Reviews

Cancel reply

Your Rating

What’s Hot Now?

  • Minnesota Christmas Light Displays
    Minnesota Christmas Light Displays
  • Minnesota Christmas Festivals & Events
    Minnesota Christmas Festivals & Events
  • Categories
    Categories
  • Amazing Places Animal Lovers Should Know About
    Amazing Places Animal Lovers Should Know About
  • Winter Break in Minnesota: Things to Do & Places to Go
    Winter Break in Minnesota: Things to Do & Places to Go
  • Search for kid-friendly activities, attractions and adventures
    Search for kid-friendly activities, attractions and adventures
  • Minnesota Christmas Light Displays
    Minnesota Christmas Light Displays
  • Winter
    Winter
  • Birthday Parties
    Birthday Parties
  • Outdoor Winter Fun in Minnesota
    Outdoor Winter Fun in Minnesota

Create Account/Log In

  • Log in

Stay Connected

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On PinterestVisit Us On Instagram

Follow Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Facebook
Copyright © 2019. All Rights Reserved
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

Hi, welcome back!

Lost your password?

Connect with:

Login with Facebook Login with Google
logo


Sign up for

Your personal data will be used to support your experience throughout this website, to manage access to your account, and for other purposes described in our privacy policy.

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.