Los Alamos, New Mexico, is a town most known for its pivotal role in the Manhattan Project during World War II. We made a quick stop here after visiting Bandelier National Monument just a few miles down the road.
The Los Alamos Main Gate
One of the first things you’ll encounter is the Los Alamos Main Gate. This historic site marks the entrance to the once top-secret laboratory where scientists developed the atomic bombs during World War II. Established in 1943, the gate symbolizes the intense secrecy and groundbreaking work that took place in the area.
Today, it stands only as a historical marker – and bathrooms. The area around the building is now a picnic area and the Main Gate building has been turned into bathrooms. It’s still worth a stop for a quick photo (and bathroom break if you need it!).
Fuller Lodge
Fuller Lodge is another must-see landmark in Los Alamos. Built in 1928 as a dining hall for the Los Alamos Ranch School, it later became a social hub for the scientists and their families during the Manhattan Project. This log structure, made from 771 pine logs, now serves as a cultural center housing the Fuller Lodge Art Center and the Los Alamos Arts Council. And maybe best of all, the kids can run around on the grass in front of the lodge.
Los Alamos Visitor Center
We did not go in the Los Alamos Visitor Center due to time, but the center features exhibits on the Manhattan Project and the development of nuclear science, providing context for the sites you can visit in the area.
The Bradbury Science Museum
The Bradbury Science Museum was highly recommended to us by the staff at the White Rock Visitor Center (see Bandelier National Monument) and it offers a deep dive into the scientific history and ongoing research at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The museum features over 60 interactive exhibits that cover the Manhattan Project, nuclear science, and the lab’s contributions to national security and scientific research. We were pressed for time so we, unfortunately, could not make this stop.
Tours at Los Alamos National Laboratory
Maybe the most disappointing part of the drive up to Los Alamos is the limited ability to take a tour of the research facility. LANL is an active research facility, and only offers limited tours a few times each year. We did know this ahead of time, so it wasn’t a huge letdown that we would be unable to see some of the best parts of what put the town on the map!
Exploring Historic Sites
The list below includes the sites that were recommended to us, though we chose not to stop at any of them on our trip.
Ashley Pond Park
Named after the founder of the Los Alamos Ranch School, Ashley Pond Jr., this park was used by students for various activities. During the Manhattan Project, it was surrounded by technical laboratories; but those structures were removed in the 1960s. Today, it’s a peaceful public park and it also serves as a starting point for historical walking tours
Bathtub Row
This street features historic homes that were originally part of the Los Alamos Ranch School and later housed Manhattan Project scientists. The name “Bathtub Row” comes from the fact that these homes were the only ones with bathtubs during WWII. The architecture of these homes reflects the early 20th-century style and offers a unique window into the past.
Robert Oppenheimer House
The home of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the director of the Manhattan Project, is another must-see. Although currently closed for renovations, the house is an important historical site where Oppenheimer and his family lived during the project. The home was recently donated to the Los Alamos Historic Society and they are currently working on a restoration campaign. Once complete, the house will be open to the public.
Hans Bethe House
Named after the Nobel Prize-winning physicist, the Hans Bethe House now houses the Harold Agnew Cold War Gallery. The museum offers insights into the Cold War and the scientific achievements of the Los Alamos Laboratory.
Ice House Memorial
The Ice House Memorial is a significant site where the nuclear core of the prototype atomic bomb, “Gadget,” was assembled. The memorial includes original stone from the Ranch School Ice House.
Final Note:
Unfortunately, this stop felt like a bit of a dud. We spent very little time in Los Alamos as there wasn’t a lot to see or do related to the original Manhattan Project. If you are interested in the Manhattan Project, it was spread across three locations, and the Oak Ridge, Tennessee location provides regular tours of a few of the buildings there.
But be sure to check out Bandelier National Monument just a few minutes down the road!
