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Kitt Peak National Observatory, Tucson, AZ

Photo: KPNO/NOIRLab/ NSF /AURA/P. Marenfeld, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

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Kitt Peak National Observatory

Kitt Peak National Observatory is an attraction in Tucson, AZ, part of the Tucson guide. Cost: $25 to $50.

State Route 386, Kitt Peak, AZ 85634 · Tucson, AZ

Why you should go…

Kitt Peak National Observatory sits at 6,877 feet on the Tohono O'odham Nation, about 56 miles southwest of Tucson, and is managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. Its Visitor Center is open daily and offers guided daytime tours of the telescopes as well as nightly observing programs. Daytime tour tickets range from about $24.95 to $49.95 depending on the tour.

  • #astronomy
  • #science
  • #stargazing
  • #telescope
  • #observatory

What's around here?

The closest stops to Kitt Peak National Observatory, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

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    Local Gem

    Southern Arizona Heritage and Visitor Center

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    Tucson's official downtown visitor center, offering maps, event info and travel advice for exploring Southern Arizona.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Southern Arizona

    Free

    A nonprofit alliance of Tucson-area attractions that jointly promotes tourism through a discount attractions passport.

    0.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Reid Park Zoo

    Under $25

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    3.3 mi awayMore like this

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    Tucson Botanical Gardens

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    Wander themed gardens and desert plant collections across five acres in central Tucson.

    4.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Old Tucson

    $25–$50

    Historic Western movie studio turned theme park near Tucson with stunt shows and film-history tours.

    9.0 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Quirky Fun

    Ghost Ranch Exotics

    $50+

    A private exotic animal ranch near Tucson offering guided capybara and animal encounters.

    21 mi awayMore like this

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