national center for atmospheric research

I knew nothing about NCAR before visiting but I learned SO much from visiting here. The exhibts are really educational and interactive and our free 1 hour tour was excellent. Our guide knew so much and learned a lot about what kind of research was being done and what was important in the area of meteorology.

I had always wanted to visit this place. I took several people with me and we really learned a lot. The tour was very interesting

If you want to know more about the weather, this is the place to go. I'd lived in Boulder for awhile and didn't realize it was here until some friends were visiting. I'm glad they suggested it. There are several exhibits that show you how things like tornadoes and hurricanes are formed. I found them very interesting. It's not a very big place and you can see everything in under an hour but it's definitely worth a visit.

Having had a conducted tour of the Met. office in Exeter I was expecting a similar experience. Far from it. Both have their exhibition areas, and Exeter a stunning reference library, but America's equivalent was an really enjoyable day out. The building itself is a wonderful example of architecture blending into the landscape. The exhibition areas, open to the public at all times unlike ours, is thought provoking and will satisfy both adults and children. There is a superb restaurant used by the staff and public; we sat and chatted to a few of the researchers from different disciplines - fascinating. Outside you can wander into the hills behind through layer out circuit to start off with for those who are less energetic. Boulder's "met office" should definitely be on one's to do list

I am not a big science or weather enthusiast, but have been intrigued by this huge building that sits overlooking Boulder. We drove up on a Sunday morning (it opens at 9 a.m.) and had a wonderful visit! The drive up was quite scenic and the building itself is unique (designed by I.M. Pei). There are walking and biking trails all around the area as well. The exhibits themselves were quite interesting - though we did not spend a lot of time reading every word on every display. The cloud machine, the tornado exhibit and photos for around the world were very interesting. We probably spent 20 minutes inside the exhibit and 40 minutes walking around outside on all the patios and scenic areas. Well worth a visit - if just for the view!

Visiting NCAR is an easy, fun, (and free) way to spend an hour (or less if you're in a hurry). Hopefully you can spend some time hiking the many trails around the facility also. We visited the exhibits several times when our kids were from ~7-12 years old.

Strongly recommended (but I am biased.) Fascinating exhibits and explanations of the weather, the atmosphere and the influence of the sun on our planet. Some explanations are so new that they are still being developed. Multi-colored computer simulations (using high powered computers in the basement) give instructive realizations. Among the many new things I learned was the existence of "sprites" and "elves" both of which are fleeting phenomena sometimes accompanying thunderstorms. See the Science Times section of New York Times of 9/30/14, for a rare photo of sprites!

If you’ve arrived in Boulder via Highway 36 and seen the sand colored stone towers midway up the Flatirons, you’ve seen the National Center for Atmospheric Research, NCAR. When the CU Parent Weekend bus to visit was full, we learned that you can drive up and visit on your own—it’s only a few minutes away. The website provides driving directions, and there is a large parking lot. When you approach you’ll see the striking angles of the I. M. Pei designed building, great for photos with the mountains peeking through. There’s no admission charge and inside there are two corridors of displays, one upstairs and one downstairs, that initially don’t seem like much to see. If you arrive when there’s a guided tour, it’s worth listening for highlights of interesting facts on the cloud, weather, and climate forensic work that goes on that you might not get from reading the detailed displays, operating the weather exhibits, or listening to the cell phone tour. There’s also a short movie for an overview. Don’t miss the exhibit on I. M. Pei detailing the approvals needed for construction of the building—inspired by Mesa Verde and Stonehenge and likewise designed to last 1000 years. If you’re interested in computer history, don’t miss the Cray computer on the lower level and the ghost town of a data center downstairs below the Pei exhibit. The cafeteria has the best value lunch with the greatest view in Boulder. There’s a salad bar, soups, entrees, and made-to-order sandwiches—three of us ate for under $20. Make sure to save time to walk at least the nature trail behind the building. Those with more energy can tackle 50 miles of walking only trails—no bikes or dogs.

Our visit to NCAR was one of the highlights of Family Weekend at CU. The tour guide was knowledgeable about the architecture of the building, as well as the science carried out there. He presented the information in an engaging and lively manner. I can't wait to go hiking in the surrounding mesa.

Very good exhibits about climate change. Interesting architecture. Beautifully located at the foot of the iron flats.

The center is up on a very high elevation and the view is outstanding, The building has a most interesting architecture design and is very impressive. Try to see this during the week and make the free 12 noon 1 hour guided tour with one of the scientists- most educational! After the guided tour you are free to go back and experience the hands on displays on your own. The cafeteria is open to the general public at lunchtime during the weekdays. Make time for this if you are in the Boulder area- you won't be disappointed!

Great combination. A little science at NCAR and a choice of different levels and distances hikes. The view is a big plus.

We did a guided tour, but not sure that's really necessary. The exhibits are quite self-explanatory. The architecture of the building (looked futuristic enough in the 1970s that Woody Allen used it as a location in the movie "Sleeper") is one of the chief attractions. The accessible trail behind the building has a nice view of the Flatirons and overlooks Boulder.

First of all, I have to say that my kids were none too excited about our plans to visit NCAR. Their opinions quickly changed though after the picturesque ride to the facility and walking in the front door seeing the myriad of awesome interactive stations about various weather aspects.We went early--no crowds. Did the self-guided tour with the brochure to guide us. My teenager & my middle schooler both loved the interactive exhibits, especially the "feel a cloud", the wind patterns, the tornado and the quirky gravity golf game. My husband & I enjoyed the fossils, the tree ring exhibit and the weather balloon station. The stations each explain complex atmospheric concepts in easy-to-understand terms. Very interesting and beautiful setting & view of cityscape below. Some personnel friendly while others seemed annoyed at tourists' presence. Nature trail was a nice excursion to end our tour on. The supercomputer area is so restrictive that it isn't worth a trip downstairs to visit it. Overall, extremely impressed with the level of technology, diversity of information and interactive learning. Will definitely return next time we are in Boulder. Thanks, NCAR!

Visited last summer with my husband, college aged daughter and our 18 year old developmentally disabled son who was in a wheelchair. Handicap access is VERY confusing (it was a weekend, not great weather, and it was practically deserted). The extremely rude, bitter security type woman working the desk made incredibly nasty comments to us when we were fumbling our way around to determine how to access one of the exhibit areas with my son's wheelchair. My entire family stood there in disbelief at her nasty attitude. We left immediately, and will NEVER return.