Entry No. 8 — the Miami file — filed under: observatory

Sadowski Viewing — Southern Cross Astronomical Society Observatory

Every clear Saturday since 1986, amateur astronomers wheel out an 18-inch Dobsonian — the largest public telescope in Miami-Dade — onto a concrete observation deck behind a suburban nature park, no ticket or reservation required.

The move: Show up at dusk with a blanket, split time between the big Dobsonian and the members' smaller scopes trained on Saturn's rings or the Orion Nebula, and stay till they close up around 10pm.

• 📍 Palmetto Bay
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 17555 SW 79th Avenue, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157 (Bill Sadowski Park & Nature Center)

Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: scas.org · miamidade.gov

last checked: 2026-07-19