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All 92 Boulder Attractions »

National Center for Atmospheric Research

1850 Table Mesa Dr, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80305
303 497 1000
Ranked #18 of 67 attractions in Boulder
4.0 of 5 stars 20 Reviews
Type: Science Museums
Owner description: Free exhibits illustrate tornadoes, lightning, rainbows, and more about weather and climate. Our solar telescope and supercomputers are also on... more » Owner description: Free exhibits illustrate tornadoes, lightning, rainbows, and more about weather and climate. Our solar telescope and supercomputers are also on display. Wheelchair-accessible outdoor weather trail. Guided noon-time tours offered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, except holidays. Guide-By-Cell tours any time, so bring your mobile phone. Open 363 days a year. Hours: M-F 8am to 5pm; Weekends & holidays 9am to 4pm See our website for organized group tours and NCAR's 2 annual closure dates. « less
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20 reviews from our community

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    5
    4
    1
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Date Rating
Portland, Oregon
Top Contributor
233 reviews 233 reviews
Reviews in 123 cities Reviews in 123 cities
106 helpful votes 106 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 May 2012

It's worth the drive just to see the building designed by I. M. Pei. Inside the visitor center are interactive displays. We were there on a weekend when tours are not offered. Admission is free and there is a short walking trail. I never did see road signs for the place, but it was listed in our AAA Tourbook and... More

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Boulder, Colorado
Senior Contributor
28 reviews 28 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 May 2012

Beautiful location worth driving up there. Enjoyed the exhibits, but they were a little dated. So much more could be done with this place.

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See 9 more reviews by ponytales24 for Boulder
Dallas, Texas
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 April 2012

We were looking forward to learning about how scientists study the weather, but instead almost everything leaned heavily towards global warming information. Most of the "museum" was informational posters, and the few interactive elements they had didn't work very well. We did take a hike on the short trail behind the building, and it was the perfect length for us... More

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Ann Arbor, Michigan
Top Contributor
148 reviews 148 reviews
Reviews in 39 cities Reviews in 39 cities
38 helpful votes 38 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 April 2012

NCAR sits on Walter Orr Roberts Mesa high above Boulder, and is worth a visit for many reasons. My primary reason for visiting it is that it is a short hike from there to the center of Mesa Trail, which shortcuts the trip to the summit of Bear Peak, one of my favorite climbs. It has scads of free public... More

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See 8 more reviews by AnnArborMiBob for Boulder
Chicago, Illinois
Top Contributor
52 reviews 52 reviews
Reviews in 27 cities Reviews in 27 cities
98 helpful votes 98 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 April 2012

They do tours at noon, free, best way to see the small museum. We learned a lot in our hour visit, though there was more to see if we'd had more time. Definitely worth a stop if you or your kids have any interest in weather/climate. Building designed by IM Pei for those that have an interest in architecture.

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whitewater colorado
Senior Contributor
36 reviews 36 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 March 2012

'cutting edge' (State of "the art") goes on in a modernistic (it was in Woody Allen's "Sleeper") facility. there is a planetarium for groups which has quite informative shows. great views.

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See 8 more reviews by tiburondelnorte for Boulder
Shanghai, China
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 February 2012

This is a great place to go for a hike. There are many miles of trails out the back door. The views are grand. The building was designed using the insperation of Messa Verde and it is interesting to look at all the details including the textured concreete walls (you have the see it to understand it). The lunch time... More

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See 9 more reviews by NorthernPole for Boulder
Boulder, Colorado
Senior Contributor
32 reviews 32 reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 February 2012

We went on the guided tour -- lots more to see on your own. Excellent exhibits and information. The latest on climate around the globe.

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See 5 more reviews by judyisreadytogo for Boulder
Boulder, Colorado
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 February 2012
1
person found this review helpful

If you have any interest in weather and the climate, this is the place to go. At noon, you get a free tour that is very informative. Then, you can take your time and play with many of the exhibits, such as a tornado and a fog machine. The computer room is something else and the building designed by I.M.... More

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See 9 more reviews by nhpowdercats for Boulder
Boulder, Colorado
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 February 2012

We take all visitors to the I.M. Pei designed building. Views are spectular, science exhibits are kid friendly and short hiking trail is beautiful.

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See 7 more reviews by susanfern for Boulder

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