George Observatory

Activity Overview

George Observatory is a scientific facility belonging to the Houston Museum of Natural Science that contains three domed telescopes that are used weekly for public astronomy events. It is located about an hour southwest of Houston, Texas in Brazos Bend State Park, a beautiful nature area filled with diverse wildlife.

Spend an evening looking at the stars with your family - children of all ages will be fascinated as they look through the observatory's three research telescopes! It's a great place for families to learn all about space, stars, and more.

Things to Do

• View the stars through George Observatory's huge research telescopes. If you have any questions, just ask one of the many astronomers who are present during public events.
• Check out the Expedition Center, where kids can learn all about the research and science that is involved in space exploration through hands-on activities that involve real-life tasks done by astronauts.
• Visit the Discovery Dome Planetarium between 3:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. any Saturday night to see a fascinating movie related to space.

George Observatory Insider Tips

• Attend a Family Space Day event - kids older than 7 and adults get to participate in astronaut training on a simulated space flight! The missions are run by volunteers who work at NASA, making the experience incredibly informative and memorable.
• Celebrate your child's next birthday party at the observatory! They offer two different birthday packages designed for children 7 to 9 years old and children over 10 that feature astronaut training.
• Explore the rest of Brazos Bend State Park - it is home to mammals like river otters and armadillos as well as over 300 bird species and American alligators.