what to do in los alamos
For the calendar of events in Los Alamos, as well as great guides, check out Visit Los Alamos.
BRADBURY SCIENCE MUSEUM
Approximately 60 interactive exhibits trace the history of the WWII Manhattan Project, highlight the Laboratory's current and historic research projects related to defense and technology, and focus on Laboratory research related to national and international economic, environmental, political, and social concerns. These exhibits together with extensive educational and community programs draw nearly 80,000 visitors a year. Free Admission. 3 minutes driving or 13 min walking from the townhouse.
- SUN & MON: 1PM - 5PM
TUES-SAT: 10AM - 5PM - Bradbury Museum has its own helpful guide of what to do in Los Alamos.
- The Los Alamos Nature Center (PEEC) features exciting, interactive exhibits that get kids and adults thinking and having fun while learning about nature in northern New Mexico. Check out calendar for talks, great selection of films in the planetarium, group hikes, nature playtimes, and family nights. Most events are free!
- Nature Playtimes are on Mondays, 10AM - 11AM. Nature Yoga is on Thursdays, 5:15PM - 6:15PM. Gentle Walks (group hikes) are on Fridays, 8:30 AM (9AM in winter). If you'd like to pet a snake, come for a Snake feeding time on Friday, 2:30PM to 3:30PM. PEEC is a really wonderful place for both kids and adults! 5 minutes drive from townhouse.
- Free Admission
Los Alamos Historical Museum
Historical Museum in the heart of downtown Los Alamos. Built as an infirmary in 1918 and later used as the guest cottage for Los Alamos Ranch School, the museum is in the oldest continually occupied structure in town. During the Manhattan Project (1943 to 1947), the cottage continued to serve as guest quarters, notably for General Leslie R. Groves, commander of the Manhattan Engineer District, whose office and residence were in Washington, D.C. Now it serves as an award-winning, comprehensive historical museum which presents our world-changing and varied history. A book and gift shop fills a former bedroom. Currently due to remodeling museum is housed across the road at 475 20th Street, to the left of the main entrance to the Teen center by the Ashley Pond. 5 minutes driving or 18 minutes walking.
Free Admission
Fuller Lodge was one of the main structures of the Los Alamos Boys Ranch School, serving as its headquarters in its later years. It was converted into a mess hall and guest quarters during the Manhattan Project. Visit upstairs to see the teacher's room. While you are there, stop by the Fuller Lodge Art Center to see art by local and regional artists. Walk the Bathtub Row Street for a glimpse into the past of Los Alamos, or print out the walking tour guide and enjoy learning about the secret city history as you stroll downtown streets. 5 minutes driving or 18 minutes walking.
LOS ALAMOS LITTLE THEATER
GORDON'S CONCERTS (FRIDAYS, MAY-SEPTEMBER)
FREE concerts by nationally-recognized musicians throughout the summer. Most of the concerts are held at Ashley Pond across from Fuller Lodge. 5 minutes driving or 18 minutes walking.
LOS ALAMOS CONCERT ASSOCIATION
Bringing world class artists to the local stage since 1947. Presents five concerts per season in the Duane Smith Auditorium at High School. 5 minutes driving.
NM WINE TOURS
calendar of events in Santa fe and the area
Tumbleweeds is a Santa Fe based online resources for families. Also check out New Mexico Kids http://newmexico-kids.com/
NATURE CENTER
PEEC is a kids magnet. Nature playtimes for toddlers are at 10 AM on Mondays. Fun, educational programs for older kids and the whole family. Kids backpacking camps in summer. Group hikes year round.
LIBRARY
Music and Movement programs for kids 0 to 5, on Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 9:30 AM. Story times for 2-3 y.o. on Thursdays, at 10:30 AM. More events are here. While you are at the library, check out Art Gallery Exhibits upstairs and the book shop to the right of the entrance. The book shop has great books at very reasonable prices, children books are 25c - $1. Check out the large Free section in front of it. 5 minutes drive or 21 minutes walking.
FAMILY STRENGTH NETWORK
A great place for some social time for both kids and adults. Nice play area with an indoor playground structure. A lounge area for the parents. Chat, knit, or browse books while your child is playing. You can check out toys from the toys library for 2 weeks. Family Yoga is on Tuesdays, at 9:30 AM (ages 3-5 with an adult, $10 per family). Open 9-1 PM on Tue, Th, Fri, Sat; 9-3 PM on Wed. Closed Sun, Mon. If you'd like to go for a walk, Olive street trail starts to the right of the building and connects to a network of trails. 7 minutes drive.
Playlots in Los Alamos
List of all playlots in Los Alamos. The list is in a column on the right of the page.
Teen center
Center provides a safe place for teenagers attending Los Alamos High School to congregate, study, play video games, and have fun. Located by the Ashley Pond. 4 minutes drive.
Meow Wolf House of Eternal return
Go there for some Magic. “The House of Eternal Return” — an interactive, multimedia art experience that one of Meow Wolf’s co-founders, Vince Kadlubek, refers to as “immersive storytelling.” And appropriately for the otherworldly space, created by a team of 135 artists. A fun place for both kids and adults! 44 minutes drive.
EL RANCHO DE LAS GOLONDRINAS
54 min drive and totally worth it!
Take a journey to the past at “The Ranch of the Swallows.” This historic ranch, now a living history museum, dates from the early 1700s and was an important paraje or stopping place along the famous Camino Real, the Royal Road from Mexico City to Santa Fe. Experience the life of another time in a location unlike any other in America. Make sure not to miss their spectacular events! 56 minutes drive.
TINKERTOWN MUSEUM
It took Ross Ward over 40 years to carve, collect, and lovingly construct what is now Tinkertown Museum. His miniature wood-carved figures were first part of a traveling exhibit, driven to county fairs and carnivals in the 1960s and ’70s. Today over 50,000 glass bottles form rambling walls that surround a 22-room museum. Wagon wheels, old fashioned store fronts, and wacky western memorabilia make Tinkertown’s exterior as much as a museum as the wonders within.
Inside, the magic of animation takes over. The inhabitants of a raucous little western town animate to hilarious life. Under the big top, diminutive circus performers challenge tigers and defy gravity while the Fat Lady fans herself and a polar bear teeters and totters.
ASPEN RIDGE ALPACA FARM
Experience the Enchantment of Alpacas. Learn about alpacas, herd management, alpacas as an investment, alpaca products, barns and fences, and training. Ranch is located in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico. This area offers alpacas and more: skiing, hiking, fishing, camping, hot springs, and magnificent scenery. In fact, the Jemez Trail Scenic Byway is the crown jewel of the Jemez. Dirt road off hwy 4, may not be suitable for all cars.Please call 575 829 3312 to arrange a time for a visit. Mickey and Evelyn Aspen Ridge Alpacas of Northern New Mexico (Off Hwy 4, 32 miles from the Los Alamos Bridge.) 57 minutes drive.
Rancho de Los Sueños Alpacas farm
Located near Pojoaque, on the way to Santa Fe. 20 minutes drive
ESPANOLA WILD LIFE CENTER
New Mexico Wildlife Center works to conserve and restore native wildlife and their habitats through action-oriented education, promotion of public awareness, strategic partnerships and responsible wildlife rehabilitation. Come look at the bobcats, grey fox, snakes and multiple wild birds! If you go on Thursday, stop by for a free lunch (donations welcome)and a tour at Sikh Temple. It is 5 minutes drive from the Wild Life center, which is 27 min drive from the townhouse.
RIDING LESSONS FOR KIDS AND ADULTS
Riding lessons from Roy-El Morgan farm. Located in Espanola, at the corner of McCurdy and Fairview. 1 minute from Walgreens. $50
RIDING LESSONS IN LOS ALAMOS
HORSE STABLES
Fun to visit with kids! Horses, goats, ponies, chickens, donkeys. Located behind the large soccer field at North Mesa. 13 minutes drive
U-PICK FARMS AND ORCHARDS
Read more at http://www.pickyourown.org/NM.htm#WEJZXXABSDOGz48L.99
Read more at http://www.pickyourown.org/NM.htm#WEJZXXABSDOGz48L.99List of
List of farms broken by regions. Salman raspberry ranch is popular with locals, despite a 2 hours drive.
MCCALL PUMPKIN PATCH
The farm is not only the place to find all your fall produce & Halloween decorations, but also a great place to bring your entire family for a full day of fun! Take a hayride to the pumpkin patch, pick your own pumpkin from the field, try to find your way through the 16-acre corn maze, feed the farm animals, race a pedal kart, launch a pumpkin, glide down our giant slide, mine for gemstones, shop, eat & much, much more. Open for fun from the end of September through October. 1h 34 min drive from the townhouse.
AROUND LOS ALAMOS
Free Activities and Museums around Santa Fe
Free admission days/hours for the museums and parks in and around Santa Fe.
SANTA FE OPERA
From the unlikeliest of beginnings—an opera company located hundreds of miles from any major city, featuring American singers in a wide-ranging and challenging repertory, and treating theatrical and musical values as equally important in its productions — The Santa Fe Opera has grown to become recognized as one of the world's leading cultural festivals. John Crosby, its founder and musical director has rightfully claimed this "acoustically perfect amphitheater provides a miracle of sound." Before construction of the opera began, sound engineers fired riffles into the air to determine the location for the best acoustics. 32 minutes drive.
SHIDONI ART GALLERIES AND FOUNDRY
Located in Tesuque, NM. A beautiful place to visit on the way to Santa Fe, or as a separate trip.
Stop by at a funky cafe and bakery Tesuque Village Market for lunch or coffee with freshly made pastries. 34 minutes drive.
INDIAN PUEBLOS
There are 19 Pueblo tribes in New Mexico, and each Pueblo is a sovereign nation. Today Pueblo people are located primarily in New Mexico, however, at one time their homeland reached into what is now Colorado and Arizona, where they established incredible dwellings and trading centers like those located at Chaco Canyon in northwestern New Mexico and Mesa Verde in southwestern Colorado.
Pueblo people have preserved their identity and their beliefs and actions are still guided by Pueblo Core Values, which include Love, Respect, Compassion, Faith, Understanding, Spirituality, Balance, Peace and Empathy. Visit calendar of events for the list of traditional celebrations and ceremonies throughout the year. These ceremonies hold a significant spiritual meaning to all participants. Please be respectful and follow pueblos guidelines. Photo and video typically is not allowed or allowed at a fee.
PUYE CLIFFS
National Historic Landmark and home to the ancestors of today’s Santa Clara Pueblo people.
Experience one of northern New Mexico’s most awe-inspiring cultural attractions featuring cliff & cave dwellings, early Pueblo architecture, an original Harvey House and a stunning panorama of the valley. 17 minutes drive to the Welcome Center, tours are $7 - $35.
Los Luceros Historic Property
In a state blessed with numerous cultural gems, the 148-acre Los Luceros ranch located north of Española along the Rio Grande near the village of Alcalde is special. The cultural site is surely one of New Mexico’s most scenic and historically significant properties. Free apples picking in fall! 41 min drive.
Ra Paulette Art Cave Tour
World-renowned “cave digger” Ra Paulette has created a one-of-a-kind art-lined chamber bored into the center of a sandstone butte that towers majestically above the high desert floor near Ojo Caliente, New Mexico. Ra’s work has been detailed in the Academy Award-nominated documentary, “Cavedigger.”
A different route to/from Albuquerque. The Scenic and Historic Area encompasses 15,000 square miles in the heart of central New Mexico, linking Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The drive is approximately 50 miles along Highway 14. Enjoy a breathtaking view from atop Sandia Crest, then drive back into history through the mining towns of Golden, Madrid, and Cerrillos, now coming alive with art, crafts, theater, music, museums and restaurants.
PLACES TO RELAX AND UNWIND
Ojo Caliente
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs and Spa is one of the oldest natural health resorts in the country. Sulphur-free, geothermal mineral waters have flowed from a subterranean volcanic aquifer for thousands of years. Ojo is the only hot springs in the world with four different types of mineral water including lithia, iron, soda and arsenic. Eleven pools are filled with different types and combinations of these waters with temperatures ranging from 80-109 degrees.
All of the Springs and the Spa are a Whisper Zone so that guests can have a quiet peaceful experience at this unique retreat. Pools are open from 8 am to 10 pm daily. Children 12 years old and under are welcome with parental supervision from 10 am - 6 pm in the Large Pool only, and in Private Pools from 8 am to 10 pm for an additional cost. Children must be 13 years of age to enter all other pools. 52 minutes drive.
JEMEZ HOT SPRINGS
Jemez Hot Springs feature a few mineral pools located in the village of Jemez Springs.
Ojo and Jemez Springs are very different. I enjoy both of them. I choose Ojo Caliente for the spa experience. The variety that they offer is the best in the area. Jemez Springs are great as a final touch to a day of hiking in Jemez. 59 minutes drive.
SAN ANTONIO HOT SPRINGS
Free, and the most awesome. And when you soak in the pools, looking at the gorgeous mesas around, you realize, that a 5 miles hike isn't really much for this beauty. In fact, if you only could afford, you would gladly did it every day. You might meet some enlightened beings there, as this area is popular for sole meditation retreats. However, be careful at the parking area, as there were reports of broken car windows (apparently the radius of enlightenment does not exceed 5 miles).
50-60 minutes drive to the trailhead, and 5 miles of a nice hike. There are two shortcuts however, which are closely guarded by locals. Ask at La Cueva Store and you might get lucky.
