Group & Private Tours

Planning Your Group Trip To

Williams Bay, Milky Way

Group Admission Information

Reservations

Please fill out the Group Reservation Form and we’ll provide you a quote. This is NOT the form for school groups. You can find that form here.

Our per-person rate for private tours is the same as our current per-person adult rate for the public tours. Group tours must have a minimum of 25 people or a rate that is the equivalent of 25 tickets at the adult rate. Because of the nature of some of the smaller spaces inside, each tour has a maximum of 42 people. If your group is larger than 42, we’ll work with you to split into sub-groups to create an extraordinary experience with multiple tour guides.

IMPORTANT: If your group has less than 25 people, it’s easier and more cost-effective for you simply to purchase tickets for our regularly scheduled tours. You don’t need to fill out this form. Just buy tickets right here!

Group Reservation Form

Tour Highlights

All tours last approximately an hour and fifteen minutes with time at the end to browse our exhibits and gift shop. Tour guides will discuss the history and architecture of the Observatory, the famous astronomers who worked here, the ongoing restoration of this iconic landmark, and our current arts & science programs. The Space & Spaces tour is our award-winning experience that we provide for groups. The tour visits the largest refracting telescope in the world in the Big Dome, the historic libraries, the architectural splendor of the Hagenah Rotunda, and the exquisite ornamentation of the observatory’s exterior.

View Tours

What to Expect Inside

All tours involve walking up and down staircases and a fair amount of walking in general. We have wheelchair-accessible washrooms and a water-bottle refilling station. We now have wheelchair accessibility for the central floor which contains the Hagenah Rotunda, Ann M. Drake Library, exhibits, and gift shop. Due to the 130 year old building’s delicate architecture, the three domes and top floor are not wheelchair accessible.

Group Reservation Form

We will check our availability and send you a confirmation message via email within 2–3 business days of receiving your request. If we are unable to accommodate your preferred date, we will contact you by phone and/or email to find an alternative. If your visit is less than one week away, submit the reservation form and call us to confirm your request. And don't forget: If your group is less than 25 people, simply buy tickets for the regularly scheduled tours right here on our website.

Questions about the reservation process or your request?

jlund@yerkesobservatory.org

Group Planner’s First Name *(Required)

Group Planner’s Last Name *(Required)

Group Name *(Required)

Day-Of Contact's Cell Number *(Required)

Email *(Required)

Email * Retype Email *

Preferred Date *(Required)

Preferred Start Time *(Required)

Group Size (number of people) *(Required)

Please describe any special physical, cognitive, or language accommodations your member(s) may need (e.g. wheelchair). Leave this blank if your group will not require accommodations:

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