With soaring elevations and large expanses of clear, dark sky, Southern Arizona is the perfect place to discover the intriguing mysteries of space and the far reaches of our incredible Universe. Take a journey into infinity and start your trip by reserving a stay at Wyndham Canoa Ranch Resort in Green Valley, AZ. Setting an elevated standard for Arizona golf resorts, we offer the finest of amenities and superior service in a picturesque and tranquil atmosphere near some of the most famous tourist attractions in Arizona. Make your Arizona vacation even more unforgettable by visiting two Arizona observatories near our Green Valley resort.

Kitt Peak National Observatory
While staying in the Southern Arizona area, make plans to take a drive and visit Kitt Peak National Observatory located on the Tohono O' odham Reservation, high above the scenic Sonoron Desert. This site boasts the world's largest collection of research telescopes, with 23 optical telescopes overseen by the National Optical Astronomy Observatory.

At the Visitor Center, join a tour of the observatory and learn how to operate the world's largest solar telescope and delve into the job of an astronomer and how telescopes are used to explore our ever-expanding Universe. Reserve a night visit for a unique experience as you find out even more on the science of astronomy. Make your reservations for the Nightly Observing Program by calling: 520-318-8726.

Here are some useful tips for your visit to Kit Peak Observatory:

• Hours: Daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
• Admission: Free. However, a donation of $2 is suggested.
• Be sure to dress warmly; at an elevation of 6,875 feet above sea level, the temperatures on Kitt Peak can be quite cool, usually by 15 to 20 degrees below that of the desert floor.
• Take along a picnic and your telescope; there is an area about 1 mile from the summit which provides a ramada, restrooms, picnic tables and water. This area also includes four concrete pads for telescopes and may be rented so you can do some exploring on your own.
• Pets are allowed; as long as they are on a leash.
• Use of cell phones on top of the mountain is prohibited; it can interfere with the radio telescopes on Kitt Peak
• Find out more.   

Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory
The largest field installation of the Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical Observatory outside of Cambridge, MA, Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory (FLWO) is just a short 9-mile drive from our Green Valley, Arizona vacation rentals. Within the Coronado National Forest at the base of Mt. Hopkins within the Santa Rita Mountains, the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory Visitors Center invites you to immerse yourself in the amazing world of astronomy and astrophysics, natural science and the cultural history of the area with interactive displays and innovative exhibits.

The Observatory houses several research-caliber telescopes, including a 6.5-meter Multiple Mirror Telescope and several reflector telescopes. Although these telescopes may only be seen and used by professional astronomers; at the Visitors Center, guests can view a model of the Multiple Mirror Telescope (MMT), a touch-friendly topographical map of the Santa Rita Mountains and an impressive three-dimensional model of the Universe's galaxies. Enjoy a natural history exhibit about the nocturnal animals of the region and learn about the history of the optical telescope, from the time of Galileo to the 21st century and beyond.

Here are some useful tips for your visit to Fred Lawrence Observatory:

• Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed on Federal Holidays
• Admission: Free to the Visitors Center.
• Take a reservation-only guided bus tour of FLWO; available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from mid-March through November and originates at the Visitors Center. Make reservations by calling 520-670-5707 or by writing to Whipple Observatory, P.O. Box 6369, Amado, AZ 85645. Adults: $7 | Smithsonian Associates (with membership card): $6 | Children (ages 6 to 12): $2.50.
• Be sure to check out the outdoor patio; revel in incredible views of the Santa Rita Mountains and view a Native American petroglyph found during the site's construction
• Use the two spotting devices on the patio; a 20-power telescope and a set of wide-field binoculars for close-up views of the MMT telescope on Mt. Hopkins and spectacular surrounding landscapes.
• Pack a meal and your personal telescope; a trailhead, restrooms and a picnic area are located outside the main gate and are open 24-hours a day. At an elevation of 5,000 feet, "Astronomy Vista", east of the Visitors Center, offers benches and concrete pads to enjoy some stargazing of your own.
• Learn more.

Don't miss your opportunity to visit some of the top tourist attractions in Arizona and save money on your lodging expenses with one of our superb Arizona vacation packages and golf specials.