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Community Resources & Things to Do · Observatories · 17 resources
Westminster
Bear Branch Nature Center Planetarium
A 29-seat digital planetarium in a county nature center, programmed with the Westminster Astronomical Society. 29-seat digital dome; monthly second-Saturday public shows; club astronomers on hand; paired with a nature center and trails.
Cost
Admission to Bear Branch Nature Center itself is free, but county-run planetarium shows are typically about $5 per person (with some junior shows priced separately), and the surrounding park collects a vehicle entrance fee of about $5 per car for residents and $10 for non-residents, with seniors and active military free; visitors to programs generally must register and pay program fees.
Best fit
families
Before you go
Runs monthly, year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
monthly second-Saturday public shows
What's here
- monthly digital planetarium shows on current night sky ↗
- junior planetarium shows tailored to younger kids ↗
- public star party following shows, with telescopes outside ↗
- hands-on educational exhibits inside nature center ↗
- Discovery Room with games, puzzles and puppets ↗
- observation beehive and live animal displays ↗
- wilderness trails starting at Bear Branch Nature Center ↗
Alexandria
Boardwalk Astronomy at Huntley Meadows Park
Evening astronomy programs held out on the wetland boardwalk, away from tree cover. Stargazing from a marsh boardwalk inside the Beltway; naturalist-led; ages 8+; combines wildlife listening with astronomy.
Cost
Park entry is free (no entry fee for individuals or families); program registration may apply.
Best fit
kids, teens, ya
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Ages
Ages 8 and up
What's here
- naturalist-led constellation tour along wetland boardwalk ↗
- stargazing focused on current night-sky events ↗
- guided discussion of comets and deep-sky objects ↗
- opportunity to listen for beavers, owls and wetland wildlife ↗
- evening program inside large freshwater wetland ↗
- small-group astronomy experience away from city lights ↗
Programs
- Boardwalk Astronomy ↗
Marriottsville
Howard Astronomical League Public Star Party at Alpha Ridge Park
A county-listed public star party at the astronomy club's observatory in Alpha Ridge Park. Free views through the club's observatory telescope plus members' scopes set up outside; indoor programming and Q&A; scheduled monthly-ish evening dates; genuine club-astronomer mentoring for interested teens.
Cost
Free — "Event is free. Admission: Free."
Best fit
kids, teens, ya, families
Before you go
Runs monthly, year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
scheduled monthly-ish evening dates
What's here
Baltimore
Maryland Space Grant Observatory (Johns Hopkins)
A rooftop research-grade observatory atop the Bloomberg Center for Physics and Astronomy that opens to the public. Free Friday-evening open houses; a university telescope run by JHU astronomers; question-and-answer time with graduate students; urban location easy to reach.
Cost
Free — "Open Houses are free and open to the public."
Best fit
kids, teens, ya, families
Before you go
Runs weekly, year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Free Friday-evening open houses
What's here
- public viewing through 20-inch Morris W Offit Telescope ↗
- rooftop observing of planets, moon and star clusters ↗
- camera-based comet and deep-sky imaging demonstrations ↗
- guided telescope use with observatory fellow ↗
- occasional dark skies presentations before open houses ↗
- directions and campus wayfinding help for families ↗
Takoma Park/Silver Spring
Montgomery College Planetarium
A 100-seat community-college planetarium under a 30-foot dome that runs public events. 100 seats under a 30-foot dome; free-to-low-cost public shows; college astronomy faculty presenting; accessible by Metro.
Cost
Official planetarium and astronomy pages list public programs but do not state any admission fee; a related Montgomery College astronomy facility explicitly has free public admission, and external listing only notes that tickets/admission are required without giving a price. General interpretation: public planetarium programs are free, possibly with required registration or tickets.
Best fit
kids, teens, ya, families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- Immersive Digistar 7 shows of sky from any location ↗
- visual fly-throughs from Sun to edge of universe ↗
- Programs using Layered Earth and 360-degree VR videos ↗
- free live public shows on first Fridays in fall ↗
- special themed shows like Navigate the November Sky ↗
- community events combining documentaries and sky shows ↗
Great Falls
Observatory Park at Turner Farm / Analemma Society
A county park with a dedicated public observatory and roll-top telescope building, staffed by volunteer astronomers. Free Friday-night public stargazing sessions; teaching telescopes including 11-inch and 14-inch SCTs and a 7-inch Astro-Physics refractor; dark-sky-protected county park; volunteer astronomers who let kids look through their own scopes.
Cost
Free public stargazing; Analemma Society membership is $20/year if you want to join.
Best fit
kids, teens, ya, families
Before you go
Runs weekly, year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Free Friday-night public stargazing sessions
What's here
- guided night-sky tours in Roll-Top Observatory ↗
- Astronomy Festival with guided stargazing and campfire stories ↗
- Girl Scout dark-sky and light-pollution patch programs ↗
- family exoplanet course Exploring Exoplanets Unveiling New Worlds ↗
- topical classroom seminars on planets, comets and galaxies ↗
- special viewing events for eclipses and meteor showers ↗
- science-fair and scout badge support by volunteer astronomers ↗
- analemmatic human sundial for hands-on timekeeping ↗
Columbia
Robinson Nature Center Planetarium
A digital planetarium inside the county nature center. Planetarium plus two floors of exhibits for $5; sensory-friendly planetarium screenings; free with SNAP EBT.
Cost
Included in the low nature-center admission ($5 adult / $3 child; free with SNAP EBT for up to 4).
Best fit
kids, teens, ya, families, sen
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- Children's Discovery Room with hands-on nature activities ↗
- life of the Forest two-story forest canopy-to-floor exhibit ↗
- Welcome to Your Watershed Chesapeake Bay watershed exhibit ↗
- Changing Lives, Changing Landscape local history exhibit ↗
- ViewSpace NASA livestream of space images and videos ↗
- Outdoor Nature Place exploration zone for climbing and play ↗
- Resilient Earth, Resilient Communities climate change exhibit ↗
- indoor wildlife mounts including bison and elk displays ↗
- ARTsites outdoor sculptures Long Walk Home and Insect House ↗
- lobby art exhibits featuring local fine artists ↗
Washington
Rock Creek Park Nature Center & Planetarium
The only planetarium in the National Park Service, inside the Rock Creek Park Nature Center. Free 30-minute ranger-led planetarium shows; the only NPS planetarium anywhere; Children's Discovery Room with books and games; bilingual "Discover Rock Creek" exhibit, a live eastern box turtle and a bird observation deck.
Cost
Free — the ranger-led "Stellar Star Show" lists "Fee: Free" (free placeholder ticket; arrive 30 minutes early).
Best fit
kids, teens, ya, families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- ranger-led planetarium programs about stars and planets ↗
- exhibit hall on Rock Creek plants, animals and habitats ↗
- water-wise native plant garden outside nature center ↗
- seasonal insects exhibit with scavenger hunt activities ↗
- free planetarium show before Exploring the Sky stargazing ↗
- children's programs and crafts during open hours ↗
- Stellar Star Show daily weekend planetarium program ↗
- free ranger-led astronomy night sky programs outdoors ↗
Washington
Albert Einstein Planetarium & Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory
Smithsonian Air and Space's dome theater and its rooftop-adjacent public observatory (free solar viewing). Look at the Sun safely through a real telescope on the Mall.
Cost
Museum free; planetarium shows ticketed (modest fee, some free shows); observatory free .
Best fit
kids, teens, ya, families
Before you go
Timing not listed. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Museum hours; observatory select days.
What's here
- daily ticketed planetarium shows in Northrop Grumman Planetarium ↗
- One World, One Sky preschool-friendly Big Bird planetarium show ↗
- The Sky Tonight live guided night-sky tour ↗
- free planetarium shows offered several times monthly ↗
- outdoor solar observing with filtered telescopes on Museum terrace ↗
- hands-on family activity carts in museum galleries ↗
- Flights of Fancy story time with craft for young children ↗
- Soar Together at Air and Space family science events ↗
Greenbelt
Astronomical Society of Greenbelt — Greenbelt Observatory
Community observatory at Northway Fields with free public star parties.
Cost
Free .
Best fit
kids, teens, ya, families
Before you go
Runs monthly, year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Monthly, weather-dependent.
What's here
- twice-monthly free public star parties ↗
- look through observatory telescope at night sky ↗
- bring-your-own-telescope observing with guidance ↗
- family-friendly environment for learning astronomy ↗
- help learning to use your personal telescope ↗
- monthly public meetings with astronomy lectures ↗
- hybrid in-person and Zoom lecture access ↗
- star parties roughly an hour after sunset ↗
Washington
Astronomy Festival on the National Mall
One-night free public astronomy festival (dozens of telescopes) tied to Smithsonian Solstice Saturday.
Cost
Free .
Best fit
kids, teens, ya, families
Before you go
Once a year. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
One June evening annually.
What's here
- guided telescope views of Sun, Moon, planets ↗
- solar viewing with specially filtered telescopes ↗
- optical and radio telescope observations on the Mall ↗
- hands-on astronomy activities and demonstrations ↗
- chance to meet and talk with astronomers ↗
- planetarium show inside 25-foot inflatable dome ↗
- exhibits of astronomical images and posters ↗
- kids' activities tied to Smithsonian Solstice Saturday ↗
- indoor backup location in Arts and Industries Building ↗
- evening telescopes set up near Air and Space Museum ↗
Programs
- Astronomy Festival on the National Mall ↗
Arlington
David M. Brown Planetarium (Arlington Planetarium)
Renovated Arlington Public Schools planetarium with public weekend shows run with Friends of Arlington's Planetarium. Cheapest planetarium show in NoVA; 1426 N Quincy St.
Cost
$5 adults, $3 children under 12 and seniors at the door ($3.50 online) .
Best fit
kids, teens, ya
Before you go
Saturdays and Sundays, year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Two weekends a month Sept–June: Sat 6 & 7:30 pm, Sun 1:30 & 3 pm; "Stars Tonight" first Monday 7:30 pm .
What's here
- weekend family-friendly full-dome planetarium shows ↗
- sunday matinee shows geared toward children ↗
- Live Stars Tonight program exploring current night sky ↗
- friends-sponsored themed science and astronomy programs ↗
- occasional film festivals like Dome Fest Weekend ↗
- shows featuring topics like black holes and unseen Earth ↗
- Child-focused show One World, One Sky with Sesame Street ↗
Fairfax
George Mason University Observatory public nights
University observatory open-house evenings with telescope viewing.
Cost
Free .
Best fit
teens
Before you go
Timing not listed. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Semester evenings; confirm.
What's here
- free public observatory tours during academic year ↗
- guided telescope tour of night sky ↗
- thirty-minute science talks before telescope viewing ↗
- content appropriate for ages 5 and up ↗
- tours of 32-inch Cassegrain telescope ↗
- view astrophotography captured with observatory telescopes ↗
- Evenings Under the Stars with planetarium segment ↗
- short planetarium show in Exploratory Hall atrium ↗
Lanham/Greenbelt
Howard B. Owens Science Center Planetarium
PGCPS science center planetarium with public family shows.
Cost
Low-cost public shows; 2026 price not confirmed .
Best fit
families
Before you go
Timing not listed. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
School-year public dates; confirm.
What's here
- newly renovated planetarium with Orpheus hybrid star projector ↗
- Family Science Night exploring planetarium and animal exhibits ↗
- live animal exhibit room with resident species ↗
- field trip planetarium shows like Oasis in Space ↗
- Sammy's Sky Stories constellation storytelling for young kids ↗
- Star Safari animal-themed constellation adventure ↗
- Skywatchers of PGCPS astronomy review experience ↗
- nature trail adjacent to science center ↗
Waldorf
James E. Richmond Science Center & Planetarium
184-seat, 60-ft dome planetarium at St. Charles High School (Charles County Public Schools) with public shows . Largest dome in Southern Maryland.
Cost
Low-cost public shows; confirm.
Best fit
families
Before you go
Timing not listed. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Scheduled public shows; confirm.
What's here
- Free Our Sky Tonight planetarium sky shows ↗
- weekly evening full-dome movies with seasonal sky talk ↗
- Mesmerica 360 Southern Maryland immersive art show ↗
- beautifica immersive light-and-sound dome experience ↗
- seasonal holiday dome shows like Let it Snow ↗
- science on a Sphere globe with planetary visualizations ↗
- STEM discovery labs tied to dome shows for groups ↗
- eclipse viewing events with live planetarium program ↗
Fauquier County
NOVAC public star parties (Sky Meadows, C.M. Crockett, Sweet Run, Udvar-Hazy)
Northern Virginia Astronomy Club volunteers bring telescopes to public star parties several times a month. Largest public star-party program in the region; Sky Meadows is a dark-sky park.
Cost
Free (state-park parking fee may apply at Sky Meadows / Sweet Run) .
Best fit
kids, teens, ya, families
Before you go
8 pm–10 pm, year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Evening events posted monthly; e.g., Udvar-Hazy Aug 22 8–10 pm 2026 .
What's here
- monthly public observing at Sky Meadows State Park ↗
- monthly public observing at C.M. Crockett Park ↗
- public star parties at Udvar-Hazy Center parking lot ↗
- public star parties at Sweet Run State Park ↗
- Junior Astronomer kids program at Sky Meadows ↗
- guided sky tours by volunteer astronomers ↗
- solar viewing with special filters at Star Gaze ↗
- Talks by NASA JPL ambassadors at Sky Meadows ↗
- free public stargazing at Udvar-Hazy bus lot ↗
- Earth and Sky Adventures program at Sweet Run ↗
Baltimore County
Watson-King Planetarium (Towson University) & Banneker Planetarium (CCBC Catonsville)
Two college planetariums with free/low-cost public nights .
Cost
Free or low-cost; confirm each semester.
Best fit
kids, teens
Before you go
Timing not listed. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Semester-based public shows.
What's here
- free public planetarium shows first and third Fridays ↗
- evening planetarium shows with themed astronomy topics ↗
- rooftop telescope viewing after shows, weather permitting ↗
- use of 16-inch Ritchey-Chrétien reflecting telescope ↗
- additional portable 8-inch Celestron telescopes for viewing ↗
- family-friendly shows recommended for ages 8 and up ↗
- Parking in Glen Garage free after 3pm Fridays ↗
- email contact for planetarium questions and scheduling ↗
- Free public Banneker Planetarium weekend shows ↗
- free weekday planetarium shows for school groups ↗