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This 90-minute history tour of Boulder takes place on a traveling hillbilly shack—a converted school bus, complete with surprises like disco balls, saddles and a rubber chicken. Each tour features ghost, crime and historic vignettes, and departs from the Hotel Boulderado at the corner of 13th and Spruce streets. Spring tours start at the beginning of April, but can be arranged by appointment during the winter. Banjo Billy now gives tours in Denver, too. Schedule and reservations: 720-938-8885 on at the website. CELESTIAL SEASONINGS TEA TOURS From the local factory that produces 8 million tea bags every day come some tea-rific daily tours (except holidays) that feature tastings, a video presentation, and visits to the gift shop, cafe, herb garden and factory. Children under 5 are not allowed in the factory. Tours are on the hour weekdays 10am-4pm, Saturdays 10am-3pm and Sundays 11am-3pm. 303-581-1202. Directions: From Boulder, take Colo. Hwy. 119 north to Jay Road (first stoplight) and turn right. After one mile, turn left on Spine Road and continue one-half mile to Celestial Seasonings. Irresistibly quaint, Hoverhome opens its doors for occasional tours of the 5,000-square-foot mansion, which is owned by the St. Vrain Historical Society. Tours of the 1914 English Tudor/Gothic Revival building are led by guides in period dress. Check the website for upcoming events at the house, 1309 Hover Road, Longmont. 303-774-7810. LOUISVILLE HISTORICAL MUSEUM/TOURS Go back in time to Louisville’s coal-mining past in this two-building museum. The Jacoe Store contains historic photographs and coal mining equipment, while the Tomeo House provides a glimpse into a 1900 coal miner’s way of life. Open 10am-3pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and the first Saturday of every month. Special tours are available upon request. Located at 1001 Main St. 303-665-9048. NATIONAL CENTER FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH (NCAR) PUBLIC TOURS At NCAR, it rains fun facts about atmospheric science, climate change, and the NCAR mesa and building. Check out a comprehensive view of Earth’s past, present and future climate, and a photographic display of meteorological optics showing rainbows, lightning and dramatic light effects caused by different atmospheric conditions. Other highlights include a telescopic camera, working supercomputers, a gravity well, and demonstrations of lightning, a tornado, and fluid dynamics. A self-guided tour is available in English and Spanish for adults and children. Information and group reservations: 303-497-1174. Honey wine, said to be the oldest alcoholic beverage in the world, is made right here in Boulder. Visit Redstone Meadery at 4700 Pearl St., Unit 2A, for free half-hour tours weekdays at 1pm and 3pm and Saturdays at 12:30pm. Free tastings follow. Savor local music while you sip, with live music 2-5pm on Saturdays, through April. 720-406-1215. TOUR OF SOLAR AND GREEN-BUILT HOMES Off the grid, passive solar or super efficient: Tour some of the greenest homes in Boulder County as part of the Center for ReSource Conservation’s Solar Week. Take a self-guided tour of inspiring houses and speak with the home-owners as well as the builders, architects and solar contractors. Forums/Workshops/Lectures for information on other events held in concert with the tour. Visit the website or call for 2009 dates. 303-441-3278. WALKER RANCH HOMESTEAD Learn why James and Phoebe Walker settled in the Boulder foothills, and explore the family’s livestock barn, root cellar, blacksmith shop and log house. For dates of upcoming events, call 303-678-6214; or e-mail lcolbenson@co.boulder.co.us.
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