Discovery Park
Discovery Park
4.5
Observatories & Planetariums • Educational sites
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Monday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
About
Contains 2 of the country's leading sky-watching sites (Aker and Mount Graham International observatories, the world's largest pin-hole camera and more.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
23 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
5
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Extraordinary17353
Phoenix, Arizona1 contribution
If you are in the area, or even if not, this is quite a jewel and a great surprise! Great for kids and adults. You can't go wrong. Enjoy!
Written April 22, 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TommyBear
Milwaukee, WI166 contributions
Jan 2017
It can be confusing trying to find information online because this "park" has gone from being a private "Edu-tainment" venture through a County project to finally being part of Eastern Arizona College. So unfortuantely, there is a lot of outdated information still online to confuse you. I can't post a URL, but if you search for it the way I've titled my review, you'll get to the CURRENT information.
I first found my way here because I was interested in a tour up to the Mt Graham International Observatory. Being a midwestern flatlander, I didn't realize that the area was closed in winter because of... snow. DOH!
But when I called for that information, I received a lot more about what the Park offered, so I decided to stop anyway, and I'm glad I did. In addition to a shuttle simulator they have a small museum packed with fascinating astronomical exhibits, another museum with historical exhibits (including a helioscope, used to signal from mountain to mountain using Morse Code) - just so much to learn and see and do.
Then there are some beautiful hiking trails through the desert, with Mt. Graham always in the background. I spent about 2 hours here, and greatly enjoyed my visit.
I first found my way here because I was interested in a tour up to the Mt Graham International Observatory. Being a midwestern flatlander, I didn't realize that the area was closed in winter because of... snow. DOH!
But when I called for that information, I received a lot more about what the Park offered, so I decided to stop anyway, and I'm glad I did. In addition to a shuttle simulator they have a small museum packed with fascinating astronomical exhibits, another museum with historical exhibits (including a helioscope, used to signal from mountain to mountain using Morse Code) - just so much to learn and see and do.
Then there are some beautiful hiking trails through the desert, with Mt. Graham always in the background. I spent about 2 hours here, and greatly enjoyed my visit.
Written February 5, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Fastmach B
Safford, AZ147 contributions
Sep 2014 • Couples
This place is free to visitors! Let me say that again, THIS PLACE IS FREE TO VISITORS!!!!! Are you kidding me? There is so much to do here and it doesn't cost anything! This is a must see if you are visiting Safford!
There is a flight simulator with so many different journeys to take. And yes, it's free!
There is a small museum that is fun to see. The museum even has old, I mean old telescopes.
There is a 20" telescope that they use on stargazing nights and the public is invited! Yep, you guessed it, free!
There is a pond with water fowl and foot bridges, and a four resident Great Horned Owls (I have pictures)! Hawks come to visit. There are acres and acres of trails to walk! There are recreated mud huts of what the Mogollan tribes who once used to live in our area would have lived in.
There is so much to see and do at Discovery Park and it is all made possible by grants. This is a wonderful place to bring your family, your kids, or those just young at heart!
There is a flight simulator with so many different journeys to take. And yes, it's free!
There is a small museum that is fun to see. The museum even has old, I mean old telescopes.
There is a 20" telescope that they use on stargazing nights and the public is invited! Yep, you guessed it, free!
There is a pond with water fowl and foot bridges, and a four resident Great Horned Owls (I have pictures)! Hawks come to visit. There are acres and acres of trails to walk! There are recreated mud huts of what the Mogollan tribes who once used to live in our area would have lived in.
There is so much to see and do at Discovery Park and it is all made possible by grants. This is a wonderful place to bring your family, your kids, or those just young at heart!
Written September 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Susan D
Remus, MI56 contributions
Apr 2014
Free entrance into a science lovers dream. Lots of info about space and telescopes. Ride a space shuttle to Pluto and back. Go on a Saturday and get a chance at using the largest telescope open to the pubic in the USA. Fantastic staff who spent over an hour answering my sons questions. Definitely will come back to this one.
Written April 16, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mountainloverPhoenix
Phoenix31 contributions
Mar 2012 • Couples
Good spot for birdwatching - thanks to staff we were able to spot a pair of nesting great horned owls! Displays inside were well done.
Written March 18, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Roberta R
Gold Canyon, AZ293 contributions
Sep 2014 • Couples
Discovery Park is at the base of Mt. Graham in Safford, AZ. If you sign up in advance, from here you can take a guided van trip up to the top to see 3 incredibly large telescopes. The Large Binocular Telescope is the largest in the world, and is a joint venture of Italian, German and US universities. Tour us up a windy road, interesting in itself, and if you are an astronomy fan you'll be fascinated by the telescopes. Call in advance, they only do tours in the late spring, summer and early fall. Discovery Park itself is a small but interesting space museum
Written October 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dutchkathy
Zaltbommel, The Netherlands1,332 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
We had a hard time finding the entrance. The address say Discovery Park Blvd but it's entrance is on the far end of the South 20th Avenue. We were greeted very kindly by the docent and administrator. He showed us where the displays were, started up the simulation Space shuttle flight and made the video room ready for us. It was small but interesting. Unfortunatelly we were not able to go to the observatory itself but the ride in the space shuttle and movie made up for that. He later showed us a small road to the lower part of the park where we fed his crackers to the ducks, saw some fish too. We recommend this park to everybody, go see and experience it.
Written October 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rvtravl91
South Haven, MI25 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
Great place to learn more about space
Even has ride experience that takes you on a space exploration.
A lot of exhibits that teach you about space.
Even has ride experience that takes you on a space exploration.
A lot of exhibits that teach you about space.
Written March 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dr Trish Sanders
Carpinteria, CA94 contributions
Jul 2016 • Business
This is a major Bucket list for anyone!! Totally incredible and every person involved went out of their way for us. Gives us hope for humanity.
Written July 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
842nancyh
Ankeny9 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
Discovery Park is an unexpected find on the outskirts of they quiet town of Safford, Arizona. The grounds are beautifully landscaped so it's a pleasure just to go there and walk around. They have facilities for groups of various sizes so you can bring a small group or plan the entire family reunion. Their observatory boasts the ability to climb up to view or watch in air-conditioned comfort from a comfortable room below. They have a museum of native pottery and information. And they have a shuttle "ride" that is much the same as we've enjoyed at Epcot Center. It's a great place to spend a few minutes or a few hours at any time of the year.
Written July 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Discovery Park (Safford) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Discovery Park
- Discovery Park is open:
- Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Sat - Sat 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Hotels near Discovery Park:
- (0.93 mi) Safford RV Resort
- (3.26 mi) SpringHill Suites by Marriott Thatcher
- (2.24 mi) Best Western Desert Inn
- (1.97 mi) Cottage Bed and Breakfast
- (2.71 mi) Best Western Plus Safford
- Restaurants near Discovery Park:
- (1.97 mi) Cottage Bakery
- (2.48 mi) Casa Manana
- (2.29 mi) Main Street Cafe
- (2.26 mi) Jerry's Restaurant
- (2.22 mi) Mi Casa Tortilla Factory