Lowell Observatory

Up on Mars Hill above downtown Flagstaff, Lowell Observatory has been in the stargazing business since 1894 — and it's the real thing, not a tourist-trap planetarium. This is where the search for what became the discovery of Pluto took place in 1930, and the historic Clark Telescope from that era still sits under its original dome, open for public viewing on clear nights.

What's there

The Discovery Center anchors the visit, with exhibits geared toward kids, a play and science area, a cafe, and a gift shop. The adjoining Rotunda Museum holds original documents and history from the Pluto discovery. Staff and volunteers run the working telescopes and walk visitors through what's in view — sun, moon, and planets depending on the night and the weather — and reviewers consistently single out the volunteers and staff as the best part of the visit.

• Rating: 4.7 stars from over 5,500 Google reviews
• Hours: open daily 1-11 PM, closed Tuesdays
• Good for kids: hands-on play and science areas in the Discovery Center

Plan for at least two to three hours — reviewers who moved through faster felt like they'd missed the point. The hilltop cools off quickly after dark, so bring a jacket even in summer. It's one of Flagstaff's most legitimate draws for anyone curious about the night sky, not just a rainy-day filler.