Visit Us

NCAR’s Mesa Lab, located at the west end of Table Mesa Drive in Boulder, Colorado is a working research laboratory that welcomes the public to its Visitor Center seven days a week. Admission is free. The building and adjacent weather trail are wheelchair accessible.

The inspiring setting is worth a visit in itself. We maintain the site as a nature perserve. Mule deer, and other wildlife range over the area and adjoining mountain parks.

Tours

• Guided noontime tours are offered daily to individuals and families throughout the year, including weekends and holidays.
• Organized groups of adults or children need to reserve specific tour times in advance by calling 303-497-1173.
• Self-guided tours are available on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on weekends and holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. No reservations are necessary for self-guided tours.

Exhibits

The exhibits area features two new attractions. In one, visitors will be able to gain a comprehensive view of Earth’s past and present climate. Highlights include an explanation of climate change and information about climate conditions in prehistoric times, as well as a new two-story mural that shows the layers and features of the atmosphere in colorful detail. The second attraction is a self-guided audio tour for visitors to learn about atmospheric science, the architecture of the building, and the ecology of the NCAR mesa.

Other exhibits include a telescopic camera, three aircraft models, and a gravity well, plus demonstrations of lightning, tornado, and fluid dynamics. The NCAR mesa has an outdoor weather trail with interpretative information and views of Boulder’s Flatirons and the city below.