Los Alamos
Around Los Alamos
Illustration made for Popchat
Town and around · New Mexico · 19k people
Los Alamos
Locals say the Hill · “Atomic City”, “The Hill”
Where the atomic age began and the mountains are your backyard.
mesa sunsetJemez night sky
Welcome to the Hill, where the air is crisp and the views stretch for miles. Whether you're here for the science or the trails, you'll find a community that loves both. Grab a green chile breakfast burrito and say hi!
Clubs for Los Alamos
No clubs for Los Alamos yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Los Alamos. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Los Alamos. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Ashley Pond Central gathering spot with walking path and events
- Bradbury Science Museum Exhibits on the lab's history and science
- Los Alamos Historical Museum Local history from the Manhattan Project to today
- Fuller Lodge Iconic log building from the Manhattan Project era
- White Rock Overlook Park Views of the Rio Grande valley
- Los Alamos Nature Center Trails and exhibits on local ecology
- Outdoors Hike the Pueblo Canyon Trail
- Outdoors Ski or snowboard at Pajarito Mountain
- With kids Visit the Bradbury Science Museum
- With kids Picnic at Ashley Pond
- Evenings Grab a beer at a local brewery
- Evenings See a play at the Duane Smith Auditorium
- Locals love hiking trails
- Locals love science museums
Through the year
- Los Alamos ScienceFest July Annual science and technology festival with hands-on exhibits and talks
- Los Alamos County Fair August County fair with livestock, rides, and local food
- Ashley Pond Summer Concert Series Summer Free outdoor concerts at the pond
- Pajarito Mountain Summer Music Series Summer Live music at the ski area during summer
- Los Alamos Holiday Lights Parade December Community parade with decorated floats and lights
High-desert mountain climate with four distinct seasons. Best in late spring and early fall; winters bring snow and cold, summers have afternoon monsoon thunderstorms. Best: late spring and early fall
Talk like a local
- “The Hill”
- The town itself
- “down the hill”
- Going to Santa Fe or lower elevations
- “the Lab”
- Los Alamos National Laboratory
- “White Rock”
- The neighboring community
Getaways
- Santa Fe Art galleries, historic plaza, and dining
- Taos Skiing, art colony, and Rio Grande Gorge
- Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Old Town, and Sandia Peak
- Las Vegas Historic railroad town and nearby hot springs
Local flavour
Rooting for Albuquerque Isotopes (Triple-A baseball), New Mexico Lobos (NCAA football/basketball), New Mexico United (USL soccer)
Eat and drink
- Green chile stew New Mexican staple, often with pork and potatoes
- Enchiladas with red or green chile Stacked and smothered, a local classic
- Sopapillas with honey Puffy fried bread, a New Mexican dessert
- Breakfast burrito Filled with eggs, potatoes, and chile—popular at Blake's Lotaburger
Where people go
- Mesa-top hiking trails Trails along the Pajarito Plateau with sweeping canyon views
- Bandelier National Monument Ancient cliff dwellings and petroglyphs in the nearby canyon
- Pajarito Mountain Ski Area Local ski hill for winter recreation
- Science museums and labs The Bradbury Science Museum and the Los Alamos National Laboratory visitor center
Heritage and traditions
Los Alamos is proud of its role in the Manhattan Project and its ongoing identity as a science town, where the atomic age began and cutting-edge research continues on the Hill.
This time of year in Los Alamos
- Fall colors in the Jemez Autumn Autumn foliage in the nearby mountains.
Say it like a local: “Atomic City” — Nickname for Los Alamos
Festivals
- Los Alamos County Fair August A traditional county fair with livestock, food, and games.
- Ashley Pond Summer Concert Series Summer Free outdoor concerts at the pond.
- Pajarito Mountain Summer Music Series Summer Live music at the ski area during summer.
- Los Alamos ScienceFest July A celebration of science with hands-on activities and guest speakers.
- Los Alamos Holiday Lights Parade December A festive parade with decorated floats and holiday cheer.
Landmarks with a story
- Fuller Lodge A historic log building from the Ranch School era, now a community center.
- Los Alamos Historical Museum Museum detailing the area's past from ancient pueblos to the Manhattan Project.
- Oppenheimer House Home of J. Robert Oppenheimer during the Manhattan Project.
- Bathtub Row Original houses for scientists, many with bathtubs, now a historic district.
- Los Alamos Ranch School The original school that became the lab site.
Food traditions
- Green chile roasting In the fall, locals roast Hatch green chiles, a New Mexico ritual.
- Posole A hominy stew served at Christmas and New Year's.
- Tamales Handmade tamales are a holiday staple.
- Biscochitos Anise-flavored cookies, the state cookie of New Mexico.
- Carne adovada Pork marinated in red chile, a local favorite.
Music and arts
- Los Alamos Symphony Orchestra Community orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
- Los Alamos Community Winds A community concert band.
- Los Alamos Art Council Promotes visual arts and hosts exhibitions.
A little history
- 1943 1943: Manhattan Project begins
- 1945 1945: Trinity Test
- 1957 1957: Los Alamos opens to the public
- 1960s 1960s: Cold War research
- 2000s 2000s: Multi-program lab
- Game day Skiing and snowboarding at Pajarito
- Game day Mountain biking on local trails
- Outdoors Hike the Pueblo Canyon Trail
- Outdoors Mountain bike the Camp May trail
- With kids Los Alamos Public Library
- With kids Los Alamos Creative District
People on the Hill speak with a neutral American accent, but use New Mexico Spanish terms like 'green chile' and 'red chile'. They often refer to Los Alamos as 'the Hill' and going to Santa Fe as 'going down the hill'.
Only here
- The town is built on a mesa top.
- The Manhattan Project started here.
- The lab is the main employer, so many residents have security clearances.
- The town has a unique mix of scientists and outdoor enthusiasts.
New here? A few tips
- Drink plenty of water due to the high altitude (7,300 ft).
- Learn to love green chile – it's on everything.
- The weather is dry and sunny; prepare for cold winters.
- The town is small, so get to know your neighbors.
- If you work at the lab, expect to go through security.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Part of Albuquerque area
Nearby
Every areaEspañolaNew MexicoWhere the Rio Grande meets the high desert.Santa FeNew MexicoWhere adobe glows and chile warms the soul.TaosNew MexicoWhere the mountains meet the desert and art meets the soul.AlbuquerqueNew MexicoBig skies, green chile, and the Sandias' glow.Las VegasNew MexicoWhere the mountains meet the high plainsGrantsNew MexicoWhere ancient mesas meet the high desert skyAlamosaColoradoHigh desert heart, wide open skies.FarmingtonNew MexicoWhere the desert meets the river
Los Alamos, NM. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.