Families can look to the celebs (and have down-to-earth enjoyable) on the Allegheny Observatory 

Riverview Park brings Pittsburgh households collectively for a lot of sorts of enjoyable. In the nice and cozy climate, the park is crammed with noise and motion from musicians and films, gears and wheels, and taking part in and splashing. Every member of the household can discover a approach to take pleasure in their day right here.

But together with all of the outside enjoyable out there at Riverview Park, there’s a particular place that households can take pleasure in year-round. You received’t need to miss the Allegheny Observatory.

Tour the Allegheny Observatory

The Allegheny Observatory’s free excursions provide alternatives to study the observatory’s historical past and see its telescopes. In the opening lecture, a tour information explains the historical past of the observatory’s administrators, whose achievements had affect in lots of spheres.

After a quick commentary of the John Brashear statue, the stained glass window depicting Urania, and different historic artifacts, the primary cease is the most important dome, which homes the Thaw Memorial Refractor. Families can uncover how the dome and telescope function. 

In the subsequent dome, you’ll study a historical past lesson concerning the notorious “lens-napping,” and observe a celestial physique by way of the Fitz-Clark Refractor — if the sky is obvious. The final cease is the crypt, the place the ashes of two former administrators and their relations are held. 

Children’s Tours are a current addition to the occasions supplied by the Allegheny Observatory. On these excursions, kids can study science and historical past by way of interactive actions. When excursions finish, visiting households go exterior to water the “moon tree” – a sweetgum tree rising from seeds that orbited the moon on NASA’s Artemis I mission in 2022. 

Autumn is the very best season to go to the Allegheny Observatory as a result of Jupiter and Saturn are seen by way of the Fitz-Clark Refractor, says Kerry Handron, the Allegheny Observatory Outreach Coordinator, who additionally leads kids’s excursions. (Note: Reservations are required for many occasions on the Allegheny Observatory.) 

Activity-wise, park rangers take small teams on hikes across the park that finish on the telescope. (Helpful recommendation from the Observatory employees: When it’s chilly exterior, it’s chilly within the domes. So gown appropriately.)

Along with kids’s excursions, most of the Allegheny Observatory’s occasions cater to kids, comparable to Haunted Space Mansion, which takes place yearly on the Sunday earlier than Halloween. Kids can debut their costumes a number of days early for this spooky night time of studying and enjoyable! It’s a preferred occasion: Attendees in previous years have numbered within the a whole lot, and hours will probably be prolonged this 12 months. Registration is required via Eventbrite. 

The SpaceBurgh celebration takes place yearly (this year on Oct. 5)  with actions exterior for everybody and contained in the observatory for these with timed reservations. This occasion is linked with  Riverview Park Day, a celebration of the park with enjoyable, free actions for kids and guided hikes. In previous years, there have been free sizzling canines, stay music, and a pop-up beer backyard.

The Allegheny Observatory gives excursions from April to the top of October at 8 p.m. on most Fridays, in addition to some Wednesdays and Thursdays. Tickets can be found here. Keep in thoughts that excursions replenish weeks upfront. Reservations are additionally required for many occasions on the Allegheny Observatory.