Entry No. 65 — the New York City file — filed under: after-dark

Custer Institute & Observatory

Long Island's oldest public observatory, founded in 1927 and run by volunteers, opens its doors every Saturday night. The main dome houses a 10-inch Zerochromat refractor, the largest of its type in the United States, and volunteers give you a tour of both the facility and the night sky. Out on the comparatively dark North Fork, far from city glare, the views beat anything in the five boroughs; a small suggested donation ($5 adults, $3 kids) is requested at the door.

The move: Drive out to the North Fork on a Saturday night, climb to the dome, and have a volunteer aim the big refractor at a planet or nebula.

📍 Before you go Open Saturday nights (7pm winter, 8pm summer, until midnight), weather-permitting; free with donations welcome. Steep stairs to the dome; roughly 90+ miles from Manhattan.

• 📍 Southold, NY (North Fork, Long Island)
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 1115 Main Bayview Road, Southold, NY 11971

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