If you’re planning a trip to Los Alamos, New Mexico, you’ll want to consider visiting the Puye Cliff Dwellings. Located in New Mexico’s high desert, the ancient caves were once used for experiments. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced hiker, you’re sure to find something in Los Alamos that piques your interest. This small town has a variety of recreational options, including an extensive trail system.
If you’re traveling with kids, the Los Alamos Nature Center is the place to go. This center offers fantastic views of the Jemez Mountains, as well as several family-friendly activities. The Los Alamos Nature Center is free to enter and features a planetarium, demonstration gardens, and mud kitchen. You can even take your children to watch the night sky while enjoying the nature center’s educational programs and movies.
The town is also home to an array of wildlife and vegetation. There are six distinct plant communities in Los Alamos, each with its own unique fauna and flora. The most common trees are Ponderosa pine, which are found in abundance at its elevation of seven to eight thousand feet. Other plant communities include Gambrel’s oak, wild rose, and sagebrush. And, although the climate in Los Alamos is temperate, it’s not overly cold or wet.
The first permanent resident of Los Alamos was Dorothy Scarritt McKibbin, who dispatched 65 people each day to the encampment. Her office was often described as “bedlam” as she issued passes and directed new comers to their homes. The office also handled household shipments. Dorothy also handled many of the personal affairs of the occupants. This history and physics made Los Alamos one of the most interesting places in the United States.
If you’re interested in learning more about the history of the area, consider visiting the Los Alamos National Laboratory. It’s where the world’s first nuclear bomb was created. Many Los Alamos residents are still employed at the lab, but there are also a variety of other attractions. A museum and historic society are just two of the attractions to enjoy in this town. Los Alamos is situated on the Pajarito Plateau and is an excellent place for an outdoor adventure.
There is also a visit to the Manhattan Project National Historic Park Visitor Center near Ashley Pond, which includes a walking tour map and details about the homes of key scientists. The Bradbury Science Museum is another place worth visiting. This museum charges a small fee, but does have an exhibit on the Ranch School and early photographs of Los Alamos. It was the lack of access to the mountain that made it challenging to build Los Alamos, so the location provided a great setting for scientists to work in.
The city of Los Alamos is home to one of two national nuclear weapons laboratories. Its unique location made it an ideal location for the Manhattan Project, which designed the world’s first atomic weapons. Scientists who worked in the lab conducted both experimental and theoretical tests using enriched uranium and plutonium from Hanford. Today, Los Alamos is home to the Los Alamos National Laboratory and an abundance of cultural and historic resources.