What kind of telescope to purchase for my family to observe our solar system. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Here is an excellent article for first time telescope buyers:
http://findascope.com/buy.html

Hi RickJ,
I have decided on the 6-8" Dobsonian Reflector. For an amateur astronomer, is that all I need? I have up to $450.oo budget, do you think it is enough? Thank you so much for your help.

Maria

Hold on one moment, though. Some Dobsonians have mounts that do not allow for minute adjustments on both axis'.

Which Dobsonian are you looking at and what type of mount does it have.

I can tell you this: With the right mount, $450 can get you a VERY nice scope.

I am looking at Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic or Zhumell Dobsonian 8 inch reflector. What do you think?

I'm not up on Dobsonians, but those mounts worry me. Everything you're looking at in the sky is going to be moving out of the field of view in an arc... so you want to be able to make minute adjustments to where it's pointing both vertically and horizontally, so that you can "follow" the object.

Before an investment of $250-300 I would suggest calling the dealer to confirm how the adjustments are made.