National Center for Atmospheric Research – NCAR

Beautiful photographs and a picturesque view from the dining room.
The supercomputer exhibit was a bit anticlimactic.
The architecture exhibit was good.

This was a great side adventure on our vacation. It offers some really neat exhibits and had interesting things to learn about. It also offered a breath taking view. I highly recommend putting ncar on your list of things to do when visiting boulder and best of all its free!

The exhibits were cool and interactive. The front desk staff were grumpy and unhelpful.

As a kinesthetic learner, I always have a great appreciation for displays that allow me to touch and experiment while learning something new. NCAR has several fantastic displays that suit this standard and make it fun to learn about how the weather works. The building adds to the surrounding landscape rather than taking away from it and is well worth a visit. Bonus: it’s free!

Very nice place for all ages to enjoy. My kids went here today for a field trip and I must say even I was enjoying myself. There was a classroom you sit in for about 40 minutes in they learn about the weather, tornados, lighting and how to protect yourself If you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation. Ect… To much stuff to list on here but it was nice!

This place fascinated my 15 year old and 12 year old for hours — from the cloud bowl, to the tornado display, to the supercomputers, their attention was captured. Both boys willingly left their own «weather sketches» on display, and we spent many miles afterwards quizzing each other on facts we had gathered. We toured on our own with the tablet offered us, plus there were so many opportunities for reading, watching, touching and listening, without it becoming dry and boring. We walked the Walter Orr Roberts Nature Trail from the facility and enjoyed beautiful views of the Flatiron Mountains above and the vistas below. The only criticism we had was that the human hospitality was a little lacking.

Fun if you like weather. Very cool location in the Boulder foothills. Pretty cool story about its construction, too. Definitely recommend if you’re a weather geek.

Beautiful location, not crowded, and great educational displays for all ages. Loved it.
Oh, and did I mention that it’s free?

Brought my 14 and 11 year olds here. Great free museum! We didn’t get out much quite frankly because it was a little too cold but we went inside. They had some neat exhibits that the kids enjoyed along with historical and scientifical information that they enjoyed learning about. I have to admit both kids like learning. Great information about weather, beautiful backdrop of the mountains with an amazing view of Boulder as well as a look at their supercomputer!
I would say that this is not so good for younger kids as I saw some boys between 5 and 7 running around the museum while the parents were looking around. My kids really enjoyed it though and I would like to take them back to check out the trails as well when the weather is a little nicer!

The .4 mile walk through the woods is just the ticket for a nature refresher, and if you have the inspiration, you can connect to the Mesa Trail which will take you just about anywhere along the trail system around western Boulder from Eldorado Canyon into Chautauqua Park and beyond.
Don’t forget there’s also an interactive science area open to the public which is open even on Sundays (with a restroom!).

You can spot the National Center for Atmospheric Research on your drive into Boulder. This Boulder landmark of Modern Style was designed by I. M. Pei. The Mesa Laboratory with its pinkish color blends into the Flatirons of the Boulder foothills.
Our visit was to take advantage of the hiking trails that start at NCAR. We were in town and I love getting out into nature when I can. We stopped by on a Sunday morning; while I thought about going to Chautauqua I decided it would be nice to try something new instead. I’m so happy we did.
There was plenty of parking to be had in the lots. I’m not sure it this would be the case during the week? The trails start just past the entrance. You’ll find a message board with a map and the usual warnings about critters and creatures you may come across while on the trails.
There were a number of folks out enjoying a hike along the trails; couples both young and old, families, joggers, and groups. Some brought their dogs along as well.
These trails require shoes that have support. There is a lot of maneuvering around rocks and you’ll also find inclines and declines as you make your way through. We decided to stick with the Mesa Trail and hike it for an hour and then head back.
The highlight is of course the views. Not only can you see for miles, but you come across varied terrain and the view seems to change; always a visual delight. I would suggest heading out early for the best pictures.
Once we made our way back to NCAR we took a break and went inside. I wasn’t expecting much, and was surprised at how cool the learning exhibits were. The center offers visitors a free hands on experience to see how the weather has been impacting our environment; particularly global warming. My only disappointment was not having more time to spend checking out the exhibits. Our hike ended well past lunch time, and hunger trumped learning.
The views, the knowledge, and serenity all made our visit to the National Center for Atmospheric Research one I won’t forget.

This is a great place to go for a hike. Go to Mallory cave — it’s a little bit of a challenge, but the views of Boulder are worth it. NCAR itself has exhibits and hosts all kinds of kid and adult friendly events that are fun and educational.

awesome place to go for an easy hike/​walk. Good for out of town visitors as well as locals.

Do they still have the old Cray with the copper tubes downstairs?
Watch the 3D storm animation
May have to know someone
you didn’t hear about it from me

Great museum, with quite a few interactive exhibits. The nearby public hiking/​walking trails offer beautiful views of Boulder and the Flatirons.

This is a fascinating and free tour a bit off the beaten path in Boulder, or perhaps I should say ON the beaten path since there are hiking trails weaving all over it. For an hour (guided daily at noon) we watched videos, walked around following an informative, passionate tour guide and saw various parts and pieces of this incredible IM Pei-​designed non-​profit research facility. With weather patterns, climate change and bubble boy all in the news all the time, I can’t imagine anyone not finding something interesting here. We saw the world’s first supercomputer by Cray, a simulated tornado we could reach out and touch, weather satellites, tree rings, models and more. This was topped off by a quick walk outside on the nature trails leading up into the foothills of the Flatirons. Talk about a photo opp! Really interesting architecture and educational all around.
FYI the 50^th anniversary of NCAR is coming up next month with many additional free events and tours (including one of their aircraft hangar nearby).

My daughter has a serious love of any and everything associated with the weather, so NCAR was a definate must for us when we decided to do a day trip to Boulder. Since it was Sunday my family and one other person were the only ones there for the noon guided tour. It took about an hour and they show you around the whole building giving you little tidbits of info about NCAR, the architect who built it, and the surrounding area the whole time. My little stinker was in heaven the whole time! There are TONS of walking trails all around the center, but we had to opt out because of all the other things on the agenda for us to see. We will be back to visit again and again. Did I mention it’s all FREE??? The allure of free, educational family fun is undeniable people! Seriously, go if you have kids like mine who are into this thing, even if they aren’t it’s stimulating and in a beautiful setting.

Basically, what you actually need to know is that NCAR stands for
National Center for Atmospheric Research, so obviously this is a destination of great import, and true, what a place to take the ladies, or visitors… whatever. Anyways, you come up here for a fresh breath of air and a look around but really, this is where it all happens. No, SERIOUSLY, I learned about it in my Weather and Atmosphere lab it all goes down here and by that I mean, that the weather is measured, observed, controlled, determined, what have you, leaving us all with a little bit more knowledge and control ourselves. BUT not a bad place for a stroll.

This is another place we always take out-​of-​town visitors; the views are amazing and it is so peaceful up there. The museum is a little hokey but there are walking trails for enjoying the nature. Lots of deer sightings too.