It is named for the Observatory’s first director, Dr. The Observatory and its research were made possible by banker and lawyer William Johnson McDonald, who left much of his estate to the University for the construction of the Observatory after his death in 1926.ĭedicated in 1936, the Struve Telescope was the first telescope built here. McDonald Observatory conducts research for the University of Texas at Austin Astronomy Program. The Star Parties also book up at least two weeks in advance. Star Parties are typically thrown on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights. It is closed to the public on Sunday and Monday. The Observatory is 450 miles west of Austin and 520 miles southwest of Dallas. The general admission ticket also allows access to the visitor center exhibit gallery and gift shop. Visitors who are not up for a tour or talk can simply purchase a general admission ticket, which includes a self-guided tour of the summits of Mount Locke and Mount Fowlkes. Filtered telescopes in the visitor center allow daytime visitors to view the sun safely during solar viewing programs. Guided tours to the research telescopes are offered several times per week. Home to several of the largest telescopes in the world, the Observatory is also a popular daytime destination. Telescopes are available for sky viewing after the talk. During the two-hour Star Parties staff members point out and discuss prominent stars and constellations.
For visitors, this means that stars, planets, constellations and meteors can be observed at night in their full sparkling glory, undiminished by artificial light from cities and suburbs. Located on Mount Locke and Mount Fowlkes in the remote Davis Mountains, the Observatory and its telescopes enjoy some of the darkest skies in the continental United States. The hottest ticket in West Texas? A reservation for one of the thrice-weekly Star Parties at McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis. And to the northeast, soaring pine forests and sinuous, cypress-lined bayous are perfect for hiking and kayaking. In the west, three mountain ranges top more than 7000ft, and Big Bend National Park is the state's premier trekking and primary rafting destination. Barrier islands with windswept dunes and public beaches stretch down 367 miles of coastline. And it ain't all just tumblin’ tumbleweeds. More than 261,000 sq miles, in fact: that's larger than Germany, England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands combined. We know you've heard, but Texas is big…really BIG. Beyond the cities, Texas also has countless small towns with courthouse squares, landmark cafes and eclectic antiques and boutiques to explore at a slower pace. San Antonio has pockets of bustling activity during the day, and there's a fiesta every night on the River Walk. For partying, Austin is the place, with its endless live-music concerts and an outdoorsy, alternative vibe. Dallas and Houston boast rich arts and culture districts to explore by day, as well as active nightlife. And delightfully flashy on occasion – this is oil country, after all. Cities & Townsīig cities in Texas? Fun-loving, vibrant and friendly. And we haven't even dug into the ubiquitous Mexican food, Dallas' fine upscale dining or the foodie-fave restaurants around Houston.
In Austin and other cities the food truck phenomenon continues. At festivals, rodeos and fairs much of your meal can be served on a stick, from corny dogs to fried PB&J sandwiches. And great barbecue is not the state's only fun food. There's just something about eating a big pile of brisket off a butcher-paper 'plate.' Don't dare ask for a fork the best BBQ is for fingers only. Even if most Texans now live in urban areas, they're influenced by the state's agricultural, roping-and-riding heritage – and they escape to the country just as often as they can. Slowing down, taking the rural, farm-to-market back roads steppin' out in polished boots and starched blue jeans for a Saturday-night dance under the stars doin' nothing more on a Sunday afternoon than floating down a lazy river… Life in the country lopes along. 'Country' is as much about a way of life as a place. Bigger than a whole heap of countries, Texas is vast, diverse and welcoming: from big-city lights to small-town simplicity, white-sand beaches to high-country hikes.