About Our Exhibits

Touch a cloud, consider chaos, steer a hurricane, explore climate, take a look at the Sun, and browse art-science galleries. At the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR) Mesa Lab Visitor Center in Boulder, CO, our exhibits will take you on a hands-on journey through the world of weather, climate, and NSF NCAR’s history.

The sign outside the Theater that says "Now Showing" with a list of videos.

NSF NCAR Theater

Start your visit in the NSF NCAR Theater, where we have a selection of weather and climate videos!

Ozone Garden Exhibit at the NCAR Mesa Lab

Air Quality Exhibit

How does the atmosphere affect human health? In the Air Quality exhibit, you can find the answers to this question and more!

Weather Exhibit

Touch a cloud, learn how wind can change the landscape, and discover more about weather on Earth.

Climate Exhibit

What's the difference between climate and weather? What steps can we take to address climate change? Check out our second-floor Climate exhibit to find the answers to these questions and more!

The solar coronagraph with a sign in front about a Solar Eclipse.

Sun-Earth Connections Exhibit

By studying the Sun, scientists are able to better understand how the Sun interacts with Earth. The Sun-Earth Connections exhibit explores how the Sun impacts our planet, society, and daily life.

One side of the Architecture exhibit with a large photo of I.M. Pei smiling.

Mesa Lab Architecture

Enjoy the mountain view in our backyard while you learn about I.M. Pei and the architecture of the Mesa Lab.

Layers of the Atmosphere

Discover the layers of the atmosphere and learn about NSF NCAR developed dropsondes.

Archives Gallery

The NSF NCAR Archives Gallery includes photographs and artifacts spanning the history of the institution.

Photo of Vatnajokull Ice Cave and is part of NCAR's Art Science Gallery

Art-Science Galleries

See how artists use various media to communicate science in unique and creative ways in our art-science galleries.

The center of the exhibit with large text that says, “What Does A Scientist Look Like?” with four scientist profiles below.

What Does A Scientist Look Like Exhibit

Learn about career and community scientists with connections to NSF NCAR and UCAR in our What Does a Scientist Look Like? exhibit.

Weather Trail

As you hike the trail, learn about a variety of weather and climate features and how they affect Colorado's Front Range.

Real People, Real Climate, Real Changes

Take a journey through climate change with a visit to the traveling exhibition, Real People, Real Climate, Real Changes.

Exhibit Map

View of NCAR Mesa Lab from the parking lot

The exhibits are open 363 days a year from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Visitor Center staff are onsite and available during weekday business hours only. Public Tours of the Mesa Lab, including its Visitor Center and exhibits, are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at noon, excluding holidays.

Plan Your Trip to the NCAR Visitor Center

Example of an exhibit panel in the visitor center

Dig deeper into the Visitor Center with the online version of the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab exhibit panels.

Read the exhibit panels

Or visit the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab, NWSC, or the Research Aviation Facility virtually!

NSF NCAR 360° Virtual Visits

photo of NCAR's newest supercomputer, named Derecho

You can also visit the Visitor Center at the NSF NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center (NWSC) in Cheyenne, Wyoming, which offers informative tours and exhibits about weather, climate, supercomputing, and the broad spectrum of atmospheric research at our world-class science laboratory.

Plan your visit to the NSF NWSC