Field Trips (Day visits)

Tours and programs are free for organized student and youth groups with adult leaders or faculty sponsors, but advance reservations are required. See below for more information about who qualifies and what activities are available. We strongly recommend making reservation requests at least 2 weeks in advance to ensure sufficient time to process and confirm your request. Please use this form to make a Field Trip Reservation Request. If you have questions, you may also email gro.y1758139612rotav1758139612resbo1758139612bg@ti1758139612siv1758139612 or call 304-456-2150 during open hours. All requests are subject to availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Green Bank Observatory Science Center is open to all public! However, we do offer special rates and activities for educational groups, which can include:

  • Organized school groups with adult chaperones
  • Organized groups of university or college students
  • Church youth groups with adult chaperones
  • Homeschool associations or clubs with adult chaperones
  • Scout, 4-H, Civil Air Patrol, and other after-school clubs or groups
  • Camp groups from other organizations or museums

Tours are free for all students, faculty, and staff; parent chaperones are also welcome, but groups are limited to one free adult for every four students. For example, if you bring 20 students for a tour, we will include five complementary adult tickets; if you have additional adults beyond that limit, all parents are asked to purchase a reduced-rate chaperone ticket. Parent numbers must be confirmed at least 1 week in advance of your visit; groups with more than 10 parents will be asked to collect payment in advance.

All Field Trips include a 1-hr site tour and time to explore our Catching The Wave Exhibit Hall.

You may request an additional activity for groups with 10 students or more; requests are subject to staff availability. Feel free to let us know what astronomy topics you are interested in or what your students are studying when you make your reservation request, or we can send you a list of available activities to choose from. Please email us at gro.y1758139612rotav1758139612resbo1758139612bg@ti1758139612siv1758139612 with questions. We are happy to help you plan your trip!

You can take a field trip the Green Bank Observatory any time of the year! We suggest staying at least two hours in order to visit the exhibit hall, gift shop, and take a tour. If you’d like to do other activities or eat onsite, please allow for more time.

May and early June is our busiest field trip season, so if you are interested in a May visit, we encourage you to get a date on the calendar early in the year to increase likelihood of availability.

Any groups of 10 or more who are just visiting for the day are eligible to order from our group rate menu. Options include a pizza party, boxed lunches, or a soup and/or sandwich buffet. If you are interested in this option, please ask for pricing and ordering details when you make your reservation request. 2 week notice required.

We are also happy to provide indoor space for students to eat packed lunches. Please just let us know your needs. Outdoor tables are available as weather permits.

Please email gro.y1758139612rotav1758139612resbo1758139612bg@ti1758139612siv1758139612 to request a visit, and we will set up a reservation for you. Our education team is very small, so if you do not hear back as quickly as you’d like, please feel free to call us at 304-456-2150 to check on the status of your request.