Entry No. 70 — the New Orleans file — filed under: after-dark

Highland Road Park Observatory (Baton Rouge)

Run by BREC with the Baton Rouge Astronomical Society, this observatory opens to the public on Friday and Saturday nights and houses a serious 20-inch reflector that has been used to discover more than 50 asteroids, plus an all-accessible 16-inch scope. Friday's free 7:30 PM lecture is aimed at the 14-and-up crowd, after which the telescope opens for viewing if the sky cooperates. Saturday is family night with a marshmallow roast under the stars.

The move: Catch the Friday-night astronomy talk together, then step up to the 20-inch telescope to look at the moon, planets and star clusters once the dome opens.

📍 Before you go Open for evening programs Friday (adult lecture 7:30-8:30 PM, then viewing) and Saturday (family night); admission free, viewing weather-permitting. About 75 minutes from New Orleans in Baton Rouge.

• 📍 Baton Rouge
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 13800 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70810

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 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-23