Deeply Rooted

Infinitely Curious

Where science, nature, history, and the arts meet, and every visit opens a new way of seeing.

Yerkes is a place to look up and look deeper. From stargazing and scientific research to performances, exhibitions, and walks through historic grounds, discovery here takes many forms.

Tours, Events, and News

What's Unfolding at Yerkes

From music in the dome to astronomy talks and seasonal celebrations, there’s always something new to experience.

Space & Spaces Tour

Stand beneath the world’s largest refracting telescope. Explore sweeping architecture and the human stories that shaped modern astronomy.

Yerkes Candlelight Walk

Explore Yerkes by candlelight as 2,000 candles transform the Olmsted arboretum. Enjoy an unforgettable night beneath the stars.

Director’s Hidden Spaces

Wind through staircases, corridors, and tucked-away rooms rarely open to the public. A behind-the-scenes look at the observatory few get to see.

Exploring the Night Sky

An intimate evening beneath the dome. When skies are clear, view the cosmos through the Great Refractor and experience astronomy as it was meant to be.

Stay Curious

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Explore Yerkes

Discovery in Every Direction

Science, nature, history, and the arts come together at Yerkes to create experiences that inspire and expand perspective.

Explore the cosmos through the Great Refractor, guided stargazing, and research that continues to expand what we know about the universe. Science & Research

Aerial drone view of Yerkes Observatory at sunset

Wander Olmsted-designed landscapes and restored prairie where discovery happens under open skies as much as beneath the dome. Nature & Grounds

Foggy night view near the Yerkes Observatory dome

Step into more than a century of scientific breakthrough, architectural beauty, and human curiosity, where history is preserved and still in motion. History & Heritage

AREPO instrument inside the Yerkes telescope dome

Experience where creativity and science intersect through performances, exhibitions, and programs that reimagine what an observatory can be. Arts & Performance

Help Discovery Thrive

Your generosity helps keep Yerkes open, accessible, and alive with curiosity by fueling programs, preserving a historic landmark, and inspiring generations to come.