Los Alamos Tourist Attractions
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Los Alamos is 34mi/55km northwest of Santa Fe (alt. 7,300ft/2,225m) - "Atomic City" - an atomic research center established during the Second World War. Here was constructed the first atomic bomb, which was detonated on July 16th 1945 in what is now the White Sands National Park.
Bandelier National Monument
45mi/72km WNW of Santa Fe, in the volcanic Jemez Mountains, is the wild and romantic Frijoles Canyon, whose principal feature of interest is the Bandelier National Monument. This area, once occupied by Pueblo Indians, was explored by the Swiss-American anthropologist A. F. Bandelier (1840-1914). Between the 13th and 16th centuries, the people built multi-story villages including Tyuonyi (Que-weh-nee), which had 400 rooms and three kivas (meeting rooms). They also built homes and kivas along the base of the cliffs, often carving back rooms into the easily workable rock. A short distance to the northwest are remains of the pueblo of Tynony, with some 400 rooms and three kivas. In the surrounding area, in country which is difficult of access, are remains of other Indian dwellings and cult sites.Over two-thirds of the park's 50 square miles is designated wilderness, with over 70 miles of backcountry trails; most are quite strenuous.
Los Alamos Historical Museum
The Los Alamos Historical Museum has exhibits spanning a million years of history in the region. Particular emphasis is placed on atomic energy and the building of the bomb.
Bradbury Science Museum
In the Bradbury Science Hall in Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory is an exhibition on the development of nuclear weapons.
Fuller Lodge Art Center
The Fuller Lodge Art Center in Los Alamos has monthly gallery exhibits of local, regional and national art.
Los Alamos National Laboratory
The Los Alamos National Laboratory is the location where the nuclear bomb was created under the Manhattan Project during World War II.
