Boulder Museums & Tours Worth a Visit

Guide

Boulder Museums & Tours Worth a Visit

Published June 2026 · Updated July 2026

Rainy — or snowy — afternoon between films? Boulder's museums and tours punch above the city's size, and a couple are free.

FreeCU Museum of Natural HistoryDinosaur & early-mammal fossils and Southwest cultures, on the CU campus.Details ↗FreeNCAR Mesa Lab Visitor CenterEarth/atmosphere exhibits in the iconic I.M. Pei building; free guided tours + trails.Details ↗MuseumMuseum of BoulderBoulder's history, people, and innovation; rotating exhibits.Details ↗Dome showsFiske Planetarium (CU)One of the largest planetariums in the U.S.; fulldome shows and star talks.Details ↗TourCelestial Seasonings Tea TourWorking tea-factory tour with the famous 'Mint Room'; reservations required.Details ↗
The CU Museum of Natural History and the NCAR Mesa Lab are free. Note WOW! Children's Museum is in nearby Lafayette, not Boulder proper. (The former Leanin' Tree art museum has closed.) Always check current hours before you go.