Plan Your Visit

Public Tours

Open House

The VLA normally hosts two open houses a year – one in October and one in April. Open House events are free but require advance timed-entry admission. The day includes free tours and talks by NRAO staff and opportunities to meet and speak with VLA operations personnel. Additional NRAO staff are on-hand throughout the day answer your burning questions about anything and everything. Please check our calendar of events for details.

Saturday Public Tours

The VLA hosts public guided tours each Saturday at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. Guided tours require no reservations in addition to your advance admission purchase. Simply show up at the VLA Visitor Center 30 minutes before the desired tour time. These guided tours last about one hour and give visitors unique insight into the past, present, and future of the VLA. Staff and VLA Volunteers are on hand to answer questions. All upcoming tour dates can be found on our calendar of events.

Reserved Group Tours

For education and special interest groups of 10 or more individuals, we provide private guided tours and other programs when possible. Reserved program requests must be made at least three weeks in advance. Interested? Learn how to get started below:

Plan Your Visit

Public Tours

Open House

Saturday Public Tours

Reserved Group Tours

How to Get Started

Educational Groups

Special Interest Groups

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
	Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.
	The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."
	AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.