Tours & Events

Fascinating and entertaining times are on the horizon.

View our tours and events below

Space & Spaces Tour

A group of visitors stand in the Hagenah Rotunda.

$The Great Refractor telescope pointing at the sky through the dome's shutter with the telescope's staircase near the telescope.$

A bust of Charles Yerkes on a bookshelf at Yerkes Observatory.

An aerial view of Yerkes Observatory on a sunny day with Geneva Lake in the background.

Looking through hanging green plants inside through the open doors of Yerkes Observatory.

Experience this reimagined and reawakened international landmark! This 1.5 hour tour involves astronomy, architecture, restoration, and human stories of the cosmic castle in the arboretum.

It requires climbing staircases and visiting small spaces thus is not wheelchair accessible. $46 for adults. Ages 10-18 are $24. Kids 9 and under are $7. This is our classic tour of the new and old Yerkes.

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Hidden Spaces Tour

The entrance to Yerkes Observatory as viewed through an interior window.

Looking down from a dark spiral staircase.

$A group of visitors listen to a tour guide talk about the Great Refractor Telescope while standing in the dome.$

A dark hallway with red light in the distance.

Tall cabinets filled with folders used to store glass plates.

For the adventurous who don't mind climbing winding staircases, ducking pipes, and exploring small spaces where astronomers work, this behind-the-scenes tour is your ticket!

This is not for kids under 15 or for anyone concerned with physical demands. Not wheelchair accessible. 1hr 45mins. $79 for adults. Kids ages 14-18 are $49. Friday mornings only.

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Exploring the Night Sky with the Great Refractor Telescope

$The Great Refractor telescope pointing at the night sky through the dome's shutter.$

$The Great Refractor telescope pointing at the night sky through the dome's shutter in red light.$

$The Great Refractor telescope pointing at the night sky through the dome's shutter.$

$The Great Refractor telescope pointing at the night sky through the dome's shutter in red light.$

$The reflection of the Great Refractor Telescope on the dome's interior.$

This tour is offered April-November. If there are no dates available when you attempt to purchase tickets, this is because all of our dates are sold out. If you are interested in being notified when our next round of tickets becomes available, sign up for notifications here.

With only 12 tickets available, this exclusive 2-hour experience illuminates the inner-workings of Yerkes after dark. During the tour, our Telescope Team will take you on a journey through the night sky with the largest refracting telescope in the world if skies are clear.

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Open Houses

Join us for one of our Open Houses! Each event has a unique theme and activities, making it an exciting, exploratory experience each time. Reservations are required. See below for the themes for the 2026 Open House season:

• Friday, March 13: Messier Marathon with the Milwaukee Astronomical Society
• Saturday, April 25: Celebrating Arbor and Earth Day
• Thursday, May 21: Exploring Art @ Yerkes
• Saturday, June 20: Summer Solstice Celebration
• Saturday, July 31, 2026: The Wonders of Physics
• Saturday, October 17, 2026: International Observe the Moon Night

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Educator Professional Development Workshop

A group of people sitting around a large table in a wood-paneled library.

Calling all K-12 educators! Join us this summer from 10am-1pm on Tuesday, July 14th or Tuesday, July 21st for a workshop focused on incorporating scaffolded, NGSS-inspired activities into your curriculum. Each program date will include the same content, as well as scaffolding and break-out groups for different age ranges.

Participants in this event will tour the observatory, learn how to facilitate and receive materials for a hands-on activity, and attend a lunch-and-learn session highlighting techniques for bringing science into your classroom. Classroom materials and lunch are included in the registration costs.

Astronomy on Tap

We're back at Duesterbeck's Brewing in Elkhorn for our next Astronomy on Tap! Mark your calendars for Friday, April 3rd from 6:00pm - 7:30pm, and join us for a night filled with astronomy and great brews courtesy of Dusterbeck's. This free event is hosted in collaboration with Astronomy on Tap Madison and is great for all ages and backgrounds. We can't wait to see you all there!