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Our Facility

A Historic Site with Today's Tools
for Science and Space Exploration

PARI’s ~200-acre campus contains many buildings with more than 100,000 square feet of floor space, perfect to accommodate groups of any size.

Thanks to the PARI foundation, our generous donors and business partners, much of the facility has been restored and the original infrastructure updated to today’s operational standards.

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Visitor Experience

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Museum & Visitor Center

Explore NASA artifacts, mineral specimens, meteorites, and hands‑on science exhibits.

Explore the Museum
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Planetarium

Immerse yourself in live-guided journeys through the cosmos under a digital dome.

Space Immersion
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Outdoor Walking & Picnic Areas

Enjoy scenic trails, picnic spots, and mountain views across the campus.

Enjoy the Outdoors
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Gift Shop

Take home science‑themed souvenirs, books, jewelry, minerals and meteorite specimens, and locally inspired gifts.

Take some PARI Home

Research & STEM Learning

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Telescopes & Scientific Instruments

PARI hosts equipment and instruments for universities, researchers, government agencies, and companies to support research and discovery.

Supporting Research
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Radio Telescopes & Antennas

Providing support for spacecraft and satellite tracking and communications.

Use our Services
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Classrooms & Labs

Hands‑on learning spaces for STEM programs, workshops, and research. Let us lead your learning, or rent the spaces for your own programming.

Space to Learn
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Astronomical Photographic Data Archive (APDA)

Home to one of the world’s largest collections of astronomical plates containing over a century of data. Tomorrow's discoveries with yesterday's data.

Discover

Campus Life & Groups Programs

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Lodging

Stay overnight in on‑site accommodations for camps and retreats. Choose from tent camping under dark skies, dorms for large groups, or comfortable, private, spacious cabins.

Stay at PARI
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Dining Hall & Kitchen

Enjoy hearty meals and group dining in our full‑service kitchen facility.

Dine at PARI
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Recreation Room

Relax, play games, and unwind in comfortable common areas.

Play at PARI
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Conference & Meeting Spaces

Host workshops, retreats, and events in flexible meeting facilities.

Host at PARI
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Ready to visit? Learn about museum tour options.
Or, plan a longer visit.

PARI reserves copyright on all content on this site except where otherwise noted. © 2026 Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute