by Celeste Lipford and Terry Lipford - last updated on 8/16/2024
There are two questions people often ask as it relates to Los Alamos. Can you visit Los Alamos and Is Los Alamos still there?
Yes, Yes, Los Alamos is very much still there and you can visit Los Alamos, New Mexico. The town is open to the public and It remains an active town in New Mexico with a thriving community and continued scientific research. It is well-known for its historical significance, particularly related to the Manhattan Project, as well as its current role as a center for scientific and technological innovation through the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The town offers various attractions, including museums, historical sites, and natural beauty, making it a notable destination for visitors.
We visited Los Alamos as a day trip from Santa Fe after we had visited Bandelier National Monument. It was the perfect day trip from Santa Fe.
Los Alamos, New Mexico, was established in 1943 as a secret research site for the Manhattan Project during World War II, where scientists, led by J. Robert Oppenheimer, developed the first atomic bombs. The town's remote location in the Jemez Mountains provided the necessary security and isolation for this highly classified project. It became the home to many of the top scientific minds of the day: J. Robert Oppenheimer, Norris Bradbury, Richard Feynman, Hans Bethe, and many more luminaries. These scientists worked together to develop the theoretical and experimental tests that created the first atomic weapons, using enriched uranium from Oak Ridge, Tennessee and plutonium from Hanford, Washington.
After the war, Los Alamos National Laboratory continued to be a hub for nuclear research and development, evolving into a center for scientific innovation and technology. Officially incorporated as a town in 1968, Los Alamos now blends its historical significance with a vibrant community and ongoing contributions to national and global scientific advancements.
Los Alamos offers a range of accommodations to suit every traveler's needs. Here are five top-rated options:
These are just a few suggestions, and there are many other excellent accommodations in Los Alamos. Google says there are 34 accommodations in or near Los Alamos, click here to view the Google Search Results list of all of them.
Los Alamos was chosen as the location for the Manhattan Project for several key reasons:
Los Alamos is located in New Mexico and is approximately 35 miles (56 kilometers) northwest of Santa Fe. The drive typically takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic and road conditions. The route is quite scenic, offering views of the New Mexican landscape.
Click the above map link to view a Google Map of where Los Alamos is located.
Los Alamos is approximately 95 miles (153 kilometers) northwest of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The drive usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. The route is generally straightforward, following U.S. Route 84 and then New Mexico State Road 502.
Click the above map link to view a Google Map of where Los Alamos is located.
Yes, the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is still an active and important research facility. It is a major center for scientific research and development, focusing on a wide range of areas including national security, nuclear science, and advanced technologies.
Some key aspects of LANL include:
While many areas of the laboratory are restricted due to the sensitive nature of its work, visitors can access some public areas, such as the Bradbury Science Museum, which provides insights into the laboratory’s history and research.
Entrances: When we entered Los Alamos we drove from Bandelier National Monument. We had to stop at a security gate and we were required to provide a driver's license to enter. There are certain restricted areas that have these types of gates and they are not typically disclosed for security reasons.
When should I visit Los Alamos? You can visit any time, however, the weather in Los Alamos is best between May and September. At 7,300 feet in elevation and It’s very temperate in the summer with highs in August of 78 degrees with a low of 55 degrees.
During our visit we primarily planned to see the Bradbury Science Museum. After visiting, however, we did additional research and found out that parts of Los Alamos are part of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park which includes three sites, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Los Alamos, New Mexico and Hanford, Washington. We recommend visiting the official national public park website to get more information and to download the NPS app for your phone so that you can get the most up to date data on the sites to see as part of this National Historic Park to effectively fit the sites into your day while visiting Los Alamos. Don’t make the same mistake we made and miss those historic sites!
Los Alamos offers a unique blend of history, science, and natural beauty. Here are some of the top things to do and see:
When was Los Alamos founded? Although Los Alamos was founded in 1943 it didn’t officially become incorporated as a town until 1968.
What is the population of Los Alamos? As of the most recent estimates, Los Alamos has a population of approximately 13,000 residents. The town's population is heavily influenced by the presence of the Los Alamos National Laboratory and the surrounding community.
What does Los Alamos mean? Los Alamos is Spanish for "The Cottonwoods." The name refers to the cottonwood trees that are native to the area. They were abundant in the region when it was named
What is the elevation of Los Alamos? At 7,355 feet altitude, Los Alamos is "big pine" country with a mild, four-season climate.
In the trip menu list below, a "dark filled circle" represents a destination where we stayed, and the "dark filled arrow" items below that circle location, represent the destinations we visited while in that city or location. A circle icon that is not filled represents a city that we visited or stayed in, but did not necessarily explore.
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Alamogordo, NM
Chaco Culture National Historical Park, NM
Grand Canyon, AZ
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