Experience Cincinnati: Essential Things to Do for Every Visitor

07 Explore the cosmos at Cincinnati Observatory

At the peak of Mount Ida, which overlooks downtown Cincinnati, is the Cincinnati Observatory. It features two massive telescopes you can use to gaze at the stars. It's the oldest professional observatory in the United States, and the 1845 Merz und Mahler 11-inch refractor may well be the oldest telescope in the world that is still in use. There are tours, opportunities to learn from some of the top astronomers in the world, and fun activities for kids and adults alike. The Cincinnati Observatory offers a stargazing experience, unlike many others.