Rent The Observatory

Are you looking to celebrate a special occasion, or get a private behind the scenes experience at the Observatory learning about our history, telescopes, and weather permitting, viewing through our historic telescopes?  We’d love to host you at the Observatory for your celebration!

We offer a variety of opportunities to rent our beautiful buildings for an unforgettable event! Please see the options below and then fill out our Private Event Rental Inquiry Form to move forward with scheduling your event, or to learn more. Once we receive your inquiry, our Visitor Experiences Coordinator Kelsey Stryffe will be in touch with you.

Please note: While the Observatory is family-friendly, we do not currently offer our space for children's birthday parties.

We have limited available dates remaining for 2024, and are focusing on reservations for 2025 at this time. Thanks! 

Special Event & Wedding Rental Options

This information is for individual rentals, but the Observatory also offers corporate rental packages. For more information about this, email Observatory Executive Director Anna Hehman at anna@cincinnatiobservatory.org. Thank you! 

Basic Package ($1750)

• Rental takes place Sunday - Thursday.
• Up to 60 people
• Please note we are only able to accommodate 45 for a formal seated dinner.
• Access to both buildings and domes
• Observatory tour and viewing (weather permitting)
• Up to 4 hours, include set up and tear down
• Price includes use of the Observatory’s navy table linens (circular and rectangular), 12 6’ dining and 2 8” buffet tables, 1 5’ round and 5 cocktail tables, use of up to 10 24” tables, as well as 50 premium black folding chairs.

Premium Package ($2500 for Friday, $3250 for Saturday)

• Rental takes place Friday or Saturday.
• Up to 60 people
• Please note we are only able to accommodate 45 for a formal seated dinner.
• Access to both buildings and domes, as well as the grounds if needed.
• Observatory tour and viewing (weather permitting)
• Up to 6 hours, include set up and tear down
• Price includes use of the Observatory’s navy table linens (circular and rectangular), 12 6’ dining and 2 8” buffet tables, 1 5’ round and 5 cocktail tables, use of up to 10 24” tables, as well as 50 premium black folding chairs.

Please note that for either of these packages you are welcome to bring any items and do a final walk through the day before between 9 and 4. If you need to come between 4-8pm, it will be an additional $100 to cover the cost of staff time. 

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Private Experience at the Observatory ($325)

• Up to 25 people
• Up to 90 minutes
• Behind the Scenes tour of the Observatory, including both domes
• Viewing, if weather permits
• Private reception in West Wing

Proposals ($300)

We receive inquiries about private proposals at the Observatory. We are happy to offer our Romance at the Observatory package:

• Up to 90 minutes
• Private Romance themed tour of the Observatory, including both domes and reading of “The Wedding of Two Astronomers” poem.
• Viewing, if weather permits
• A celebratory floral bouquet
• A champagne toast

Photography & Videography Sessions (Price details below)

• Includes both Inside and outside, including private access to the domes
• Up to 1 hour - $100
• Up to 2 hours - $200

If you have questions, please reach out to our Visitor Experience Coordinator Kelsey Stryffe at kelsey@cincinnatiobservatory.org, or please fill out and submit this form and Kelsey will get in touch with you.

Thank you!