NSF NCAR Public Tours
Our School and Public Programs staff are on-site to answer your questions and assist you on weekdays (Monday-Friday) during business hours (9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. MT). Our public and private tours are best suited for groups of adults. Kids are welcome, but the content is best for students above 6th grade. The UCAR Code of Conduct applies to all tour participants.
NSF 75th Anniversary Tours
We will be highlighting the National Science Foundation (NSF) throughout our regularly scheduled public tours for NSF STEM Day. To celebrate NSF's 75th Anniversary, we will highlight the NSF/NCAR connection and our many contributions to science research over the decades. Please join us for our public tour from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday during the weeks of May 5th and May 12th. We will also be hosting an additional public tour at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 9th. Reservations are not required, but please feel free to let us know you're coming by booking tickets on our Eventbrite. We hope you can join us to commemorate this historic anniversary!
Public Noon Tours
Available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:00 p.m. (noon) – 1:00 p.m. MT (excluding federal holidays).
Meet up with our tour guides in the lobby to learn about atmospheric science and current research being conducted at NSF NCAR. No reservations are necessary, and the tour is free. If you would like to let us know you are coming for a Public Noon Tour, you can reserve a ticket in advance through Eventbrite.
Private Group Tours
Private group tours are offered for groups of 10-30 people. Private group tours fill up on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can view our live availability through the Schedule button below. We require private tour bookings to be made with at least 3 weeks' notice. If you would like to book more than 4 months out, and that month currently has no availability, those dates have yet to be released. You will have to check back later to book your program.
Sensory Tour
The School and Public Programs Team developed a Sensory Tour for groups with blind or low vision visitors. This 2-hour tour is designed to teach visitors about the history and science of NSF NCAR using audio and tactile engagement as tools. To inquire about this exclusive experience, please call 303.497.2401 or email the School and Public Programs Team. Please note that we need at least four weeks advanced notice before your visit in order to prepare this program.
Tour Social Narrative
Set expectations for our tour by reviewing our NSF NCAR Public and Private Tour Social Narrative document.
Explore on Your Own
The NSF NCAR Mesa Lab Visitor Center is free to visit, both as a walk-in and for any programs or tours. We are open 363 days a year*, every day of the week for public walk-ins on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. MT and on weekends and holidays from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. MT.
Review the NSF NCAR Visitor Map before visiting or borrow one on-site to help navigate through the NSF NCAR Visitor Center. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the exhibits on their own during public hours. Don't forget to check out the scenic Walter Orr Roberts Weather Trail located behind the Mesa Lab!
*The Visitor Center is closed 2 days a year for annual maintenance, and the dates are announced well in advance on our website.
Field Trips
To book a PreK-12 field trip, please visit our in-person field trips page to learn about our Learning Labs. We can also drop directly into your classroom with a virtual field trip.
Survey
Help us improve our tours and exhibits! If you've visited the NCAR Visitor Center, please fill out our NSF NCAR Mesa Lab Visitor Survey to provide feedback.
If you have any questions, please email or call (303.497.2401) the School and Public Programs team.