Ladd observatory is a great place to take the kids if they are curious as mine is about space and all the astronomical wonders out there. Tue nights is open to the public. It houses a refractor telescope which makes it great for observing the planets and other dark-sky objects. One thing they were sure would be visible very clearly was Saturn and it's rings.. wouldn't that be kool to see! But not in the day which was the time I was there.Definitely i learnt a lot from just one short visit. I hope to go back again and explore and experience more. read more

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Nice place for young and old. On certain Tuesday nights (weather permitting), you can go in and check out the stars and planets on the telescope. The view is set to whatever the scholar has pre-set, but still it is a great easy outing. The rest of the place has much literature and information on the planets, solar system and stars. Small venue for astronomy, but easy access if you live in the city or nearby areas. read more

Hey Kids! If you're looking for a cheap date night for you and your partner in the summer look no further than the Ladd Observatory on a clear Tuesday summer's eve. I guarantee you'll both have a universally good time! Swoon and romance the future Mr. or Mrs. with a sky full of stars and a full wad of cash in your billfold, because on Tuesday's your patronage is Free-ninety-nine! When you're finished it's just a short walk to the Hope Street Shops or Thayer for ice cream. Boom! read more

Ladd Observatory - Observatories Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

The observatory itself is very cool. A relic of a seemingly bygone era. There are a few rooms on the first level with sky charts and artifacts for viewing and then you head upstairs to the telescope viewing room. My gripes are with the way the visitor days are organized....or specifically, NOT organized. I believe the people who work these days are volunteers so I do appreciate their services but having to stand in line almost an hour for a 2 second glimpse (literally) through the telescope didn't really seem worth it in the end. It was hot and muggy, there were endless cranky kids out way past their bedtimes, and at the end of it all, I sort of felt annoyed. Even though it is free to the public, I think they should utilize a ticketing system to limit the number of people that are in the building at once. Overall it was a neat experience but not a lifetime experience. read more

Friendly neighborhood observatory. This is a functioning observatory so the open hours are hard to navigate, but definitely worth visiting one evening. Great for family, dates or to try something new during the week. Tip: Please also be courteous and don't flash your bright phone around while waiting on the roof at night or waiting in line. People are trying to adjust their eyes. read more

They have weekly (Tuesday evenings) free space viewings, with telescopes set up to show various interesting things and staff to explain what you're seeing and answer questions. If you like space stuff, it's a kick. Be sure to check their site before you go, as their hours are weather-dependent. read more

I was shocked and amazed when I realized that the Harvard Observatory was on Yelp but Ladd was not. Ladd is Brown University's observatory, up at the top of Hope St, and it is open to the public on all clear Tuesday nights. This place is a gem, if you've never been. It was left untouched through most of the 20th century, so it's a beautiful late-1800's building and a gorgeous observatory. The staff are very knowledgeable - unlike most observatorys' open nights, which are staffed by amateurs, these guys are the real deal. They will explain anything you want to know about those spots in the sky. The large telescope upstairs is pointed at something interesting - Saturn and Jupiter are common lately. If you've never seen Saturn's rings or the moons of Jupiter in anything but a picture, you OWE it to yourself to do it at least once. Downstairs, they have presentations on astronomy-related topics and the newly-renovated transit room, where they'll show you how clocks used to be set by the stars. read more

If you happen to be around on a Tuesday night, go! We were able to see Saturn on the massive telescope at the top as well as some other interesting stars and groupings. The staff were very informative and it's always neat to see outer space! Make sure you're okay climbing stairs and okay in dark areas! read more

Great place to visit has such a great history. Students who run it are knowledgable. The front lawn is a nice place to picnic or just relax during the day. A must see while you are in providence. read more