Located in the rugged mountains of Central New Mexico, the historic town of Los Alamos has made an indelible mark on human history. From its roots as a dwelling place for ancestral pueblo tribes who inhabited the area, to its atomic incarnation during World War II, Los Alamos continues to attract sightseers and tourists from all over the world.

Los Alamos is situated at the base of the Jemez Mountains at an altitude of 7355 feet and is a short drive from Santa Fe (35 miles) and Taos (55 miles). It has a mild, four-season climate with summers averaging temperatures in the 70’s and 80’s, a cool respite from the hotter temps in nearby Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

While not normally thought of as a stand-alone tourist destination, this town has much to commend itself to travelers. The Valles Caldera National Preserve has over 89,000 acres of pristine land that offers great opportunities for cross-country skiing in winter, and an abundance of wildlife in the spring and summer. Elk, coyotes and breeding birds are common sites in the vast open plains.

Not to be outdone as a popular attraction, Bandelier National Monument is one of this country’s treasures. Born of a volcanic past, the topography of Bandelier features towering cliffs, flat mesas and streams that feed into the historic Rio Grande River.

Archaeologists believe that the earliest prehistoric peoples were hunters, having found knives, dart points and arrowheads made from Obsidian and basalt. Naturally occurring caves, created by the action of wind and water served as refuges for early inhabitants and can still be explored today.

An on-site gift shop at Bandelier offers many books about the history of the area as well information about local birds and wildlife. A restaurant also serves food and refreshments, including an Indian Taco, sort of an oversized soft bread version of a typical taco containing beans, meat, lettuce and cheese. Locals prefer to bring their lunches, spend the day and have a picnic.

During WWII, Los Alamos served as the headquarters and laboratory for the Manhattan Project. This super-secret mission was to create the world’s first atomic weapon that was ultimately used on Hiroshima. Not much is left of the original Los Alamos building structures with the exception of Fuller Lodge (made of logs) and Bathtub Row that housed some of the world’s greatest scientists, including Robert Oppenheimer. These small structures were dubbed “Bathtub Row” since they were the only available housing that actually had bathtubs.