Shanahan Ridge Neighbors

NCAR; $500 View, $5 Menu!

Feb 14, 2008

Where to take your out-of-town visitors or meet up with pals from downtown? NCAR's Cafeteria!

The stunning I.M.Pei architecture of the National Center for Atmospheric Research overlooks our neighborhood from the top of Table Mesa. What many residents don't know is that the lab has a wonderful cafeteria open to the public, Monday through Friday.

Meet friends in the lobby of the lab "at the tornado". The famous weather research facility has a number of public displays, most popular of which is the active "tornado". Watch as a vapor stream forms, breaks down and reforms as visitors intrude on the vortex with hands and passing wind currents.

Hungry for breakfast or lunch? Follow the signs in the lobby to the cafeteria and enjoy delicious entrees, standard favorites, or wrapped to go items. The cafeteria seating includes indoor area with changing art exhibits or outside seating overlooking Bear Canyon, the Flatirons, and South Boulder. Just a snack? Go for a gourmet coffee and frozen yogurt.

Eat too much, talk too much? Walk it off along the unique views and interpretive information of the now-famous "Weather Trail". A wheel chair accessable trail offering views of Boulder and Bear Canyon has many educational stops. Here, visitors can learn of the dynamic Front Range weather conditions/patterns. To access the trail follow lobby signs to the second floor (for wheelchairs) and/or start the trail from the front driveway of the NCAR Mesa Lab building.

The NCAR cafe is sure to become a regularly requested attraction for family and friends visiting your Shanahan Ridge home.