LOS ALAMOS, NEW MEXICO
Explore Los Alamos
Few places in the world carry the weight of history, the depth of scientific achievement, and the raw beauty of the American Southwest quite like Los Alamos, New Mexico. While you're here for the Forum, take time to experience the place that changed the world.
ABOUT THE CITY
A City Unlike Any Other
Los Alamos is one of the most unique communities in the United States, where science, history, and natural beauty meet on the Pajarito Plateau. Known worldwide for its role in the Manhattan Project and today's cutting-edge national laboratory research, Los Alamos also offers visitors rich cultural history, mountain scenery, and outdoor adventure.
Long before modern Los Alamos, this region was home to Indigenous communities whose presence and traditions continue to shape Northern New Mexico today. Nearby ancestral sites, canyons, and mesas reflect thousands of years of history across the landscape.
Whether you are attending the Los Alamos Nuclear Forum or extending your stay, the area offers meaningful places to explore.
Founded in secrecy during World War II as the home of the Manhattan Project, Los Alamos has grown into a vibrant community of scientists, engineers, artists, and outdoor enthusiasts — all drawn by the unique combination of intellectual energy and natural beauty.
Whether you have a few hours or a full extra day, Los Alamos rewards exploration.
PHOTO GALLERY
Highlights & Attractions
Bandelier National Monument
Manhattan Project National Historical Park
Jemez Mountains
Manhattan Project National Historical Park
Manhattan Project National Historical Park
El Santuario de Chimayó
Downtown Los Alamos
Los Alamos Nature & Gardens
THINGS TO DO
Places to Explore
Bradbury Science Museum
A free public museum operated by Los Alamos National Laboratory. Exhibits cover the Lab's history from the Manhattan Project to cutting-edge research in national security, energy, and space science.
VISIT WEBSITEBandelier National Monument
Just 15 miles south of Los Alamos, Bandelier preserves the ancestral homeland of the Pueblo people. Walk among ancient cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, and canyon trails carved into volcanic tuff.
VISIT WEBSITEValles Caldera National Preserve
A breathtaking 89,000-acre volcanic caldera offering some of the most dramatic scenery in the American Southwest. Elk herds, wildflower meadows, and miles of hiking trails await.
VISIT WEBSITELos Alamos History Museum
Housed in a historic Fuller Lodge, this museum tells the story of Los Alamos from its Pueblo origins through the secret wartime laboratory that changed the world.
VISIT WEBSITEPajarito Mountain Ski Area
A beloved local ski area with uncrowded runs and stunning views of the Jemez Mountains. Open in winter, the mountain offers hiking and mountain biking in warmer months.
VISIT WEBSITEManhattan Project National Historical Park
The Los Alamos Visitor Center tells the story of the secret wartime laboratory where the atomic bomb was developed. Walk the same ground where the world's greatest scientific minds gathered to change the course of history.
VISIT WEBSITEEl Santuario de Chimayó
A National Historic Landmark and one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in the United States. Located in the village of Chimayó, this 19th-century adobe chapel draws thousands of visitors each year seeking healing and spiritual reflection.
VISIT WEBSITEDining & Shopping
From green chile-smothered New Mexican classics to craft breweries and cozy cafés, Los Alamos County offers a surprisingly vibrant dining scene. Explore local boutiques, galleries, and shops that reflect the community's unique blend of science, art, and Southwestern culture.
VISIT WEBSITE