Location: Los Alamos
Top Things to do in Los Alamos
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Things to do in Los Alamos, New Mexico (NM): The Best Nature & Parks
Most famous for the National Laboratory that brought about such discoveries as the atomic bomb, Los Alamos is also a natural wonderland for outdoors enthusiasts who wish to explore the mountainous terrain. Take a tour of Atomic City and learn about America's history and scientific advances, or hike through the Bandelier National Monument to see wildlife and ancient Puebloan ruins. The area boasts year-round activities, including rock climbing, golfing, mountain biking, skiing, skating and more.
Restaurants in Los Alamos
1. Bandelier National Monument
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,107 reviews
Bandelier National Monument is 50 square miles of the Pajarito Plateau, on the slopes of the Jemez Volcanic field in the Jemez Mountains. Over 70% of the Monument is Wilderness, with over 1 mile elevation change, from about 5000' along the Rio Grande to over 10,000' at the rim of the Valles Caldera, providing for a wide range of life zones and wildlife habitat. There are only 3 miles of road, but over 70 miles of hiking trails. The Monument, founded in 1916, protects Ancestral Pueblo archeological sites, a beautiful landscape, and the country's largest Civilian Conservation Corps National Landmark District.
Reviewed By gleasonl - Cottonwood, United States
OUTSTANDING! What a GREAT Place for a Family Outing. There are GREAT Trails for hiking and exploring, Camping areas, Visitor Center Activities and Videos, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours, A Wonderful Gift Shop and So MUCH to LEARN. AMAZING! Don't miss the short .5 mile hike to the Alcove House.
2. Los Alamos Nature Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 87 reviews
Perched on a canyon with exceptional views of the Jemez Mountains, the Los Alamos Nature center is the perfect place to start your exploration of the spectacular Pajarito Plateau. The award-winning building is filled with interactive, hands-on exhibits including live animals, a large-scale 3D topo map of the plateau, a Children's Discovery Area, wildlife observation room, information about the formation of the Valles Caldera, a planetarium with star shows and full-dome feature films, and much more! Browse the demonstration gardens, get dirty in the nature play area, climb to the top of the Rotary Treehouse, find your next adventure on the Los Alamos Trails App (for iOS and Android). Explore local nature at the Naturalists' Desk, meet local critters, play on the model Pajarito Plateau for kids, put on a puppet show or cuddle up with a book in the Children's Discovery Area, or just relax on our comfy chairs and admire the breathtaking views from the floor-to-ceiling windows.
3. Frijoles Canyon
4. White Rock Overlook Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 292 reviews
Favorite park of tourists and residents alike provides magnificent views of the Rio Grande and facilities for outdoor sports and picnicking.
Reviewed By lorilouf - Overland Park, United States
This park is a hidden gem, sitting right on the edge of White Rock, NM. There are several little outlook points and trails, and even picnic benches. Trails are easy to follow and offer different vistas of nearby mountain ranges with the ever-changing clouds and storms and the winding Rio Grande River below. Enjoy the wildlife, flora and fauna in a peaceful setting. Leaving the park, you'll see the locals playing sports at the awesome city park and you can imagine that life in White Rock, NM is pleasant indeed. The family park also has restrooms.
5. Pajarito Mountain Ski Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
With more than 280 acres of ski-able acreage and 37 named trails of varying skill levels, this ski area is ideal whether you're a beginner or expert on the slopes.
Reviewed By SarahCZ - Austin, United States
Can be slow to get rentals and tickets since not many people work there. Our first instructor was pretty bad but second one was great. Slopes are challenging for us beginners. I have met people that came after skied in Santa Fe for more challenging slops. Price can't be beat. I saved so much $$$ on lessons, rentals and lift tickets. Always check online to see if they have any special rates. We will be back for more next season!
6. Tsankawi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 192 reviews
Reviewed By ANKER50 - Tampa, United States
Tsankawi is a detached portion of Bandelier National Monument near White Rock. It is accessible from a roadside parking area just north of the intersection of East Jemez Road and State Road 4. I am sure we have driven past this park more than a half a dozen times but finally took advantage of all it had to offer. An assortment of 3 ladders easily scaled by a 67 and 70 year old with interesting narrow trails etched into the tuft over the Mesa that was home to the ancestral Tewa Pueblo people in the 1400’s. Their descendants now live in nearby San Ildefonso Pueblo known for their stunning pottery. If you are fortunate enough to see fragments of pottery shards from an earlier time please respect this area as you would someone’s home. The trail is 1.5miles at an elevation of 6600 feet so be wary of any storms approaching.Lightning can strike up to 50 miles away from its origin! Carry plenty of water, wear sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
7. Ashley Pond Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Mountain_Momma3 - Carlsbad, United States
We enjoyed this beautiful park and what made it most interesting is it is in the place that was where the labs were that developed the atomic bomb! Pretty incredible. The flowers were beautiful and the ducks and geese were so fun, just a beautiful place for a morning or evening walk.
8. Manhattan Project National Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By leslied401
This was one the best Science Museum I have ever visited and I have visited many - from Totonto to NYC and Philadelphia. It is Free because it is funded by our taxes. They have an excellent History of Loa Alamos Labs - covering the period of developing the Atomic Bomb, they have several sections on their ongoing work - which includes medicine and other projects like bio-fuel, nanobionics. I think they study every thing there. Great town and the History museum up the street and a visit to see the Nobel prize won by one of the Scientist is also great.
9. Deer Trap Mesa Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
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