William D. McDowell Observatory - Lyndhurst, NJ

Luis A.

Really nice observatory been so close to the city, the members are all very friendly. Observatory is open to the public on Wednesday nights weather permitting.

Alvaro N.

The staff was very attentive, but I expected more from a telescope of that size. The nebula was something new for me. I've seen the moon and some planets better with $100 telescopes.

Viktor Z.

Visiting the William D. McDowell Observatory was truly amazing! As someone who has studied astronomy for over a decade, I deeply appreciated the quality of the Ritchey-Chrétien telescope, especially its ability to provide detailed views of Jupiter and Saturn’s rings. The retractable dome setup adds to the experience, making it an excellent spot for observing the night sky. Highly recommended for my fellow cosmic enthusiasts looking for an uninterrupted stargazing experience!

Hemant T.

As part of a University/School, the observatory is a cool place for anyone interested in looking at the stars and planets above. The school-staff is really nice. The group sizes were decent when we went-any more and it would have been very crowded. There’s no way to determine the crowd size though so it’s a gamble.

On our visit, we were shown craters of our moon, Saturn, and Andromeda. Due to light pollution, Andromeda was hard to decipher, but the Moon and Saturn were quite clear. Other than that one annoying person who must take a picture of every single thing on their phone- the rest of the group was pretty chill.

The entire experience takes about 2 hours. But you can leave anytime. If there are too many groups, the wait times might be longer.

It’s a great experience for kids but since it’s only open on Wednesdays in the fall, you will be risking tiring them on a school night.

Could be interesting date option. But there’s no food or restaurants nearby.

When you get there, the parking lot is super dark to prevent light pollution. It’s a good idea to bring a flashlight. But don’t use it inside the observatory.

When we went, there was no cost or reservation needed. Just be sure to check the hotline after 4pm.

Paulette F.

Small and secluded, if you don't know it is there, you will easily miss it. The road to get there is rife with construction, which serves as a huge deterrent, especially at night, with no real lighting.

TPOT T.

Unfortunately, on this night, the telescope was not working but that didn’t stop the staff from being so kind to let us in and view that area prior to it being open for the next time. I really hope that they get it fixed because I know they just invested a lot into it and I love watching everyone geek out about the stars

Kristin A.

This place is truly a gem. Be advised the ladder to get up and see through the telescope can be a little challenging for a younger child. This is why they say 10 and up. They are very welcoming to all though little kids can still come along and learn about space. Money is tight for so many of us these days so this being a free event is very special. They are all volunteers and they do a great job.

Nilufer G.

I had an up close personal view of Júpiter & its moons Saturn & her rings and more. Absolutely a magical place to be. Kids and grownups are welcome. Check the hotline before your trip to make sure they are open.