Centennial Observatory - Twin Falls, Idaho

Centennial Observatory

The Centennial Observatory, located at 315 Falls Ave, Twin Falls, ID 83301, United States, is a premier destination for stargazing and astronomy enthusiasts. With its exceptional facilities and knowledgeable staff, this observatory provides an unparalleled experience for visitors of all ages.

Main Services

• Public Stargazing Events: The Centennial Observatory hosts regular stargazing events, including Star Parties, where guests can observe the night sky through advanced telescopes.
• Telescope Viewing: Visitors can use the observatory's telescopes to get up-close views of the stars, planets, and galaxies.
• Teaching and Workshops: The observatory offers educational programs and workshops for children and adults, covering topics such as astronomy, space exploration, and stargazing techniques.
• Special Events: The observatory hosts various events throughout the year, including planetarium shows, astronomy lectures, and star parties.
• Gift Shop: The observatory has a gift shop on site, offering a range of astronomy-related merchandise, including books, models, and souvenirs.
• Facilities Rental: The observatory's facilities can be rented for private events, such as birthday parties, scout groups, and educational programs.

Location and Access

The Centennial Observatory is situated in the heart of Twin Falls, Idaho, at 315 Falls Ave. The observatory is easily accessible by car, with a wheelchair-accessible parking area available on site. Visitors can park in the designated parking lot and enter the observatory through the wheelchair-accessible entrance.

The neighborhood surrounding the observatory is quiet and family-friendly, with plenty of local amenities nearby, including restaurants, shops, and hotels. The Twin Falls area is also close to the Snake River, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Featured Characteristics

The Centennial Observatory is known for its state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, including:

* 10-inch and 14-inch telescopes for optimal viewing
* Advanced computerized telescopes for precise targeting and tracking
* Planetarium-style projection system for immersive astronomy experiences
* Comfortable and accessible seating areas for stargazing
* Large, domed roof for optimal stargazing conditions

Practical Information

* Hours of Operation: Tuesday – Saturday, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Sunday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Please check the website for seasonal hours)
* Admission: Free, but donations are appreciated
* Phone: 208-732-6666
* Address: 315 Falls Ave, Twin Falls, ID 83301
* Website: [www.centennialobservatory.org](http://www.centennialobservatory.org)

Opinions

This company has 46 reviews on Google My Business, with an average rating of 4.5/5. Visitors have praised the observatory's knowledgeable staff, friendly atmosphere, and exceptional stargazing experiences. Some reviewers noted the following:

* "The instructor was very knowledgeable and spoke to us in a personable way. The Star Parties were an amazing experience."
* "The observatory has a great selection of telescopes and knowledgeable staff. The gift shop is also a great find for astronomy enthusiasts."
* "The facilities are clean and well-maintained, and the staff is very friendly and helpful."

👍 Reviews of Centennial Observatory

Det R.

4/5

Experiencing the wonders of space was so much fun. We attended one of the Star Parties. The instructor was very knowledgeable and spoke to us in a personable way. The Star Parties can get crowded in the limited space in the observatory, but everyone was polite and took turns viewing the stars and planets.

Jaime N. (.

5/5

Finally made it here, bad weather was shutting it down. But what a treat!!! I took my kids and were able to see Saturn and its rings, Jupiter and its moons (4), Neptune, Uranus, Venus and the moon. Even though we read and see pictures about these planets, seeing them “live” through a telescope was AWESOME! Seeing my kids faces light up and to this day continue to talk about how cool it was makes me happy. Also, see the telescope and dome move for each planet is pretty darn cool! Take your kids, even yourself or a date! I highly recommend it. Also, check out the museum, pretty cool stuff!

Thomas V. L.

5/5

It’s outstanding to have this in Twin Falls, it’s located on the campus of the college of southern Idaho.

Derek

4/5

I can't speak much for the college itself as I just did a 5k race here. It is organized by a group in the college every year. The event was well planned, the campus was well maintained, and the experience was good. If that's any indication of how the rest of the school does things then that's good to know.

Dave W.

5/5

This place has many, many functions. It has reptile exibits, art shows, historical displays, and dinosaur displays. They recently held a sleep-over for 3rd graders+ that my sons loved to death. It is a good addition to our magic valley.

Courtney G.

5/5

Really cool place to go at different times of the year when they have the dome pointing at different celestial objects that you can look at through the telescope. They answer questions about all kinds of things and will look at many different objects. I had a great time.

Chris N.

4/5

Amazing, I love bringing my family here just to walk around and see all the stuff. They have great programs for the family to learn something new.

Julianne P.

5/5

So awesome. Chris (the guide) was so knowledgeable & friendly and going to the star party was a blast. Thank you!!

Det R.

4/5

Experiencing the wonders of space was so much fun. We attended one of the Star Parties. The instructor was very knowledgeable and spoke to us in a personable way. The Star Parties can get crowded in the limited space in the observatory, but everyone was polite and took turns viewing the stars and planets.

Jaime N. (.

5/5

Finally made it here, bad weather was shutting it down. But what a treat!!! I took my kids and were able to see Saturn and its rings, Jupiter and its moons (4), Neptune, Uranus, Venus and the moon. Even though we read and see pictures about these planets, seeing them “live” through a telescope was AWESOME! Seeing my kids faces light up and to this day continue to talk about how cool it was makes me happy. Also, see the telescope and dome move for each planet is pretty darn cool! Take your kids, even yourself or a date! I highly recommend it. Also, check out the museum, pretty cool stuff!

Thomas V. L.

5/5

It’s outstanding to have this in Twin Falls, it’s located on the campus of the college of southern Idaho.

Derek

4/5

I can't speak much for the college itself as I just did a 5k race here. It is organized by a group in the college every year. The event was well planned, the campus was well maintained, and the experience was good. If that's any indication of how the rest of the school does things then that's good to know.

Dave W.

5/5

This place has many, many functions. It has reptile exibits, art shows, historical displays, and dinosaur displays. They recently held a sleep-over for 3rd graders+ that my sons loved to death. It is a good addition to our magic valley.