Entry No. 66 — the New Orleans file — filed under: after-dark

Gretna Observatory at Mel Ott Park

The largest public observatory in greater New Orleans hides inside a 16-foot rotating dome on the West Bank in Gretna, run by the City of Gretna with Pontchartrain Astronomy Society volunteers. Its computer-controlled 16-inch telescope can pull in nebulae, star clusters, double stars, distant galaxies and whichever planets are up that season. It only opens Monday and Wednesday evenings, and only when the sky is clear, which makes a good night feel earned. Admission is free.

The move: Show up on a clear Monday or Wednesday night and take turns at the eyepiece of the big 16-inch scope, letting the volunteers point it at Saturn's rings or a faraway galaxy.

📍 Before you go Open only Monday and Wednesday nights, weather permitting (roughly 8:30-11 PM summer, 7-10 PM winter). Free. Call ahead at (504) 363-1597 on cloudy evenings.

• 📍 Metairie
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 1 Copernicus Street, Gretna, LA 70053

Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3

last checked: 2026-06-23