View of NCAR Mesa Lab from the parking lot

Visit NSF NCAR

The U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR) Mesa Lab sits nestled against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Boulder, Colorado. NSF NCAR's Mesa Lab Visitor Center, open to the public seven days a week, offers state-of-the-art exhibits, a variety of public tour options, and custom school field trips, all at no charge. Visit us in person!

NCAR's Mesa Lab in Boulder, CO

Plan Your Trip

Before coming up to the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab Visitor Center, make sure you know the building hours, directions, parking, and other basic information. 

A photo of the the White Light Coronal Camera, designed and built at NCAR in 1966. The camera is around 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide. Behind the camera is the architecture exhibit with a large photo of I.M. Pei overlooking a view of the mountains in the Boulder foothills.

Things To Know

Get prepared for your visit to the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab Visitor Center by reviewing what we have to offer onsite.

Tim explaining the climate exhibit

NSF NCAR Public Tours

Exploring the NSF NCAR's Mesa Lab Visitor Center is an enjoyable and educational way to spend some time in the Denver metro area.

School Field Trips

School Field Trips to NSF NCAR

A field trip to the NSF NCAR Visitor Center is a fun way for your class, camp, or club to learn about weather, the atmosphere, Sun and space weather, and more! 

Visitor Center Self Guided Tour

Visitor Center Self-Guided Tour

Our free app provides the perfect opportunity to explore the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab Visitor Center at your own pace.

Weather Trail

Visitor Accessibility

Questions about where to park and when times might be quieter? Check out this page to learn more.

Super Science Saturday

Super Science Saturday

Super Science Saturday is a public science celebration that draws thousands of excited and curious people of all ages to the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab to explore science!

A photo of a row of people on the NCAR Mesa Lab Tree Plaza viewing the solar eclipse using protective eyewear.

Solar Eclipse Viewing

Join us at the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab for a free Solar Eclipse viewing event with activities for the whole family. 

To view all of our in-person and virtual public events take a look at our Events page.