Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory

As someone who stayed up late to watch Starhustler on PBS, easy astronomy always tickled me. Unfortunately, I never had the math skills to really study the heavens, but continue to seek out an understanding no matter how elementary. For those of you who don't really understand gamma rays or any other rays for that matter and are concerned about feeling ignorant (join the club!), I can reassure that this place's exhibits speak to basic knowledge of scientific principles. There's a really interesting exhibit about the weight of planets in soda cans. So simple, yet effective. There's another interactive that demonstrates wavelengths. A topographical map of the Santa Rita mountains is touchable (and very nostalgic of a 1980s science classroom). Visiting this place made me feel smarter, but more important, it made me want to keep looking up! Notes: no AT&T cell phone service; video requires requires at least HS science knowledge; exhibits are in English and Spanish; the view from the base is stellar. Hours 8:30-4:30 PM

We never made it up to the top of the mountain, because the road was closed for the season for repairs. So we only visited the visitor's center, which was well worth the short drive from Green Valley. The road is excellent, so no worries in that regard. Norm the docent was on duty, and he is a wealth of information. The place was not at all busy on a week day, so Norm gave us a personal tour with lots of anecdotes. The exhibits are limited, and Norm showed us an old video of the early construction days which is not normally shown. Also, don't miss the nature trail walk, and you can bring along a picnic to enjoy at one of the tables on the trail. Small assortment of souveniers also available. Suitable for elementary age children too. Easy to spend several hours here. No food or drinks available. Clean restrooms both inside and out.