Visit Blue Hill Observatory!
The Blue Hill Observatory welcomes thousands of visitors each year to take a tour, learn about the weather, visit our gift shop, hike the local trails, or just to enjoy the view from the summit of Great Blue Hill.
Tours
General Tour: Walk-through the Observatory with a guide and visit the top of the Observatory tower.
In-Depth Tour: Guided tour of the Observatory and outdoor instruments with in-depth description and discussion of the equipment followed by a visit to the top of the Observatory tower.
1 Observatory Service Rd, Milton, MA 02186
Public Tour Hours
Saturday & Sunday:
(Year-Round)
10AM-4PM
Federal holidays
and Patriot’s Day:
10AM-4PM
The Observatory is closed to the public for renovation until 2023.
Admission
$4 adults
$2 ages 5 – 17
Free children under 5
In depth tours:
$8 adults
$5 ages 5 – 17, members, seniors
Access to our gift shop at the Observatory is free.
Observatory Renovation Info:
Our facility is undergoing a major renovation and will be closed to visitors from Summer 2021 through Spring 2023. More information about the renovation and its impact will be provided once the work begins and throughout the project.
COVID-19 Info:
The Observatory and our Gift Shop are currently open with restrictions. Masks must be worn inside the Observatory. Whether visiting the Gift Shop or taking a tour, a maximum of four people (or up to six people all from the same household) are allowed at one time. Reservations for a visit at a specific time are encouraged.
Directions From the North:
Take either Route 128/95 south or Route 93 south to the Route 138 exit in Canton (Exit 2). Follow Route 138 north approximately 1 mile north through one set of traffic lights to the Blue Hill Ski Area and Trailside Museum parking area on the right. Hiking trails lead to the summit of Great Blue Hill from these parking lots.
Directions From the South:
Take Route 95 or Route 3 north to Route 93 to the Route 138 exit in Canton (Exit 2). Follow Route 138 north approximately 1 mile north through one set of traffic lights to the Blue Hill Ski Area and Trailside Museum parking area on the right. Hiking trails lead to the summit of Great Blue Hill from these parking lots.
Accessibility
The pedestrian route from the parking lot to the observatory along the summit road is approximately one mile in length, with an average slope of 15-20%. This road is not open to public vehicles. Special arrangements can be made for specific vehicles to drive to the Observatory. If you have concerns about reaching the Observatory, please contact Program Director Don McCasland.
Blue Hill Observatory is over one hundred and thirty years old, and was built in several stages on top of the hard granite hilltop. The route up to the tower includes steep slopes up to 18% and rocky natural terrain. Once inside, many of our public rooms are accessible to guests with limited mobility, but there are some areas that can be reached only by steps, including the observation room and higher spots in the tower. Many of the exhibits within the Observatory can be moved to accessible areas, and accommodations will be provided for those who do not wish to or cannot travel to the upper rooms.
The hilltop around the Observatory is rocky and uneven in many places, with steep slopes and abrupt changes in level. Accommodations will be provided for those who do not wish to or are unable to navigate the hilltop.
For more information or to request an accommodation, please contact Program Director Don McCasland at 617-696-0562 or dmccasland@bluehill.org.
Reservation Trail Map
The Blue Hills Reservation has prepared a map and description of the many color-coded hiking trails on the reservation, which can be downloaded below.
Blue Hills Trail Map
