Los Alamos, NM

Travel Guide

Bandelier National Monument featuring tranquil scenes
Bandelier National Monument showing landscape views, a gorge or canyon and tranquil scenes
Bandelier National Monument which includes tranquil scenes
Los Alamos which includes tranquil scenes and a gorge or canyon
Bandelier National Monument showing tranquil scenes and mountains

The world’s first atomic bomb was created in the scientific research laboratory of this small town nestled in the Jemez Mountains.

The small New Mexico town of Los Alamos is home to the Los Alamos National Laboratory, where physicists crafted the world’s first nuclear bomb. Many of the region’s residents work at the nuclear research facility. Several attractions in the area, including a science museum and a historic society, are dedicated to the atomic past and present of the town. Away from the historic attractions, visit the scenic and rocky landscape of Los Alamos atop the Pajarito Plateau.

Find museums in the central area of the town. Look around the 40 interactive displays at the Bradbury Science Museum to learn about atomic energy and its history in wars. Peruse the temporary exhibits on a variety of themes, such as energy, nanotechnology and explosives. Try the audio tour that functions from your cell phone.

The museum of Los Alamos Historical Society sheds light on intriguing local geology, nature and human societies. See exhibits about the Manhattan Project, which centered on the construction of an atomic bomb by the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer during World War II.

Next to the museum, visit the Fuller Lodge Art Center’s gallery. See traveling exhibits that change monthly. Take art classes and attend photography events in the building.

Explore the picturesque countryside around the town. Hike to Overlook Park for mesmerizing vistas of White Rock Canyon, the Rio Grande and the region’s rocky landscape. Visit fascinating cave dwellings of the Ancestral Pueblo peoples at the Bandelier National Monument.

The town’s name comes from the Spanish for “The Cottonwoods” in reference to the trees dotting the vast countryside.

Reach the small town of Los Alamos by bus or shuttle from Santa Fe. Use one of the many direct bus services that take around 45 minutes to travel between the two areas. Many travelers choose to drive or cycle. The town is 1.8 miles (2.9 kilometers) from Los Alamos Airport. The Bandelier National Monument is located just outside the town.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Los Alamos Entrada Park by IHG
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Los Alamos Entrada Park by IHG
2.5 out of 5
60 Entrada Dr, Los Alamos, NM
$142 nightly
The price is $159 total per night from Jul 7 to Jul 8
$159 total
Jul 7 - Jul 8
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Los Alamos. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (681 reviews)
"The view driving there it’s pretty, but it you are not familiar with the area it can be a little scary at night but I will definitely come back!!"

Reviewed on Jun 25, 2025

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Los Alamos Entrada Park by IHG
Hampton Inn & Suites Los Alamos White Rock
Hampton Inn & Suites Los Alamos White Rock
2.5 out of 5
124 State Hwy 4, Los Alamos, NM
$119 nightly
The price is $133 total per night from Jul 9 to Jul 10
$133 total
Jul 9 - Jul 10
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Los Alamos. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (623 reviews)
"The coffee is awful."

Reviewed on Jun 27, 2025

Hampton Inn & Suites Los Alamos White Rock
Wingate by Wyndham Los Alamos
Wingate by Wyndham Los Alamos
2.5 out of 5
2455 Trinity Dr, Los Alamos, NM
$129 nightly
The price is $144 total per night from Jul 12 to Jul 13
$144 total
Jul 12 - Jul 13
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Los Alamos. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (526 reviews)
"Friendly staffs"

Reviewed on Jun 17, 2025

Wingate by Wyndham Los Alamos
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Fort Marcy Hotel Suites by All Seasons Resort Lodging
Fort Marcy Hotel Suites by All Seasons Resort Lodging
3 out of 5
321 Kearney Ave, Santa Fe, NM
Stay at this aparthotel in Santa Fe. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a business center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,169 reviews)
"Beautiful view from the room. Nice decor. All the ammenities of home."

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2025

Fort Marcy Hotel Suites by All Seasons Resort Lodging
Cielo Grande
Cielo Grande
3 out of 5
442 Greg Ave, Santa Fe, NM
Stay at this 3-star vacation home in Santa Fe. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and patios. Popular attractions Santa Fe Plaza and Meow Wolf are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (15 reviews)
"The property is one of many condos in a small complex. Our bottom floor, corner unit is burrowed beneath ground level on 1 1/2 sides. Kind of dark inside, coming and going. It has two bathrooms, one tub/shower. But the bathrooms are miniscule, compounded by laundry area. The parking area is sloped ..."

Reviewed on May 29, 2024

Cielo Grande
La Dea
La Dea
4.5 out of 5
2861 Agua Fria St, Santa Fe, NM
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Santa Fe. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Santa Fe Plaza and Meow Wolf ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (33 reviews)
"This place was just what I needed and the team was amazing on communication!!"

Reviewed on May 7, 2025

La Dea
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Los Alamos

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
15
5 - Excellent 47%
4 - Good
12
4 - Good 38%
3 - Okay
5
3 - Okay 16%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Property is located in walking distance to many areas of interest

3/5 - Okay

Doreen

Other than the Bradley Museum and the walk around the little lake there wasn't much else of interest. It was a convenient sleepover stop from Albuquerque to Taos Pueblo (with time at Bandelier). The town has understandably moved on from its past.

5/5 - Excellent

BakerFamily

Had fun with the history of the Manhattan Project days and the dowtown museum about it.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

We spent a lot of time there. Very interesting!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Lack of dining possibilities. Wonderful outdoor areas, trails and parks.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Residents were very friendly, helpful, and kind. The town goes along at a very relaxed pace.

Cities near Los Alamos