Tours & Events

Fascinating and entertaining times are on the horizon.

View our tours and events below

Yerkes Future Foundation’s 5th Birthday Party

Join us for this fundraising event from 6-10pm on Saturday, September 13th as we celebrate five years since the University of Chicago entrusted Yerkes Observatory to the Yerkes Future Foundation. Thanks to your support, this beloved scientific landmark has entered a new era—restored, reimagined, and reopened to the public.

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yerkes Observatory at night during an open house event

Join us at Yerkes Observatory for an Open House! We'll have telescopes on the South Lawn, presentations, food, and educational activities for you and your family.

• SOLD OUT: Friday, August 15, 7:30pm-9:30pm – Perseids Meteor Shower Open House
• Saturday, October 4, 6pm-8pm – Community and International Observe the Moon Night

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Y.O. Speaker Series: Science Behind NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope with Dr. Julie McEnery

Join us for an evening with NASA scientist Dr. Julie McEnery on Friday, October 3rd at 6pm! She will share details about the next NASA flagship space telescope, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Scheduled to launch before May 2027, the Roman Space Telescope is designed to settle essential questions in the areas of dark energy, exoplanets, and infrared astrophysics.

Capacity sponsorship for this program is provided by Ann M. Drake and the Kikkoman Foods Foundation.

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Yerkes Candlelight Walk

It's the Yerkes Arboretum candlelight stroll through 2,000 candles! The walk will take place October 17th & 18th from 7-10pm. Our wild yet manicured Olmsted landscape will be illuminated like an autumnal constellation.

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Astronomy on Tap

We're back at Duesterbeck's Brewing in Elkhorn for our next Astronomy on Tap! Mark your calendars for Friday, October 24 from 6:30pm - 8:00pm, 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!