The downtown area contains a number of artifacts of the early days of the "Manhattan Project" to build the bomb, and the even earlier days "when Los Alamos was a ranch school" the title, incidentally, of an interesting little booklet on the history of the town that is available in local bookstores. Start at pretty Fuller Lodge, one of the old ranch-school buildings and a local landmark, and work your way out.
Bradbury Science Museum
15th St. and Central Ave, Los Alamos, 87545, 505 667-4444 (http://www.lanl.gov/museum/). Sa-M 1PM-5PM, Tu-F 9AM-5PM. Explains the principles behind atomic energy and its uses in peace and war. Also presents the historical and social issues surrounding atomic energy. Adjacent bookstore Otowi Station, good selection of regional and technical books and gift shop. Free admission.The Los Alamos Historical Society (http://www.losalamoshisto...) maintains a small museum on the history of the area, with associated bookstore containing a number of books written by Historical Society members on local culture, history, recreational opportunities, etc., including the one listed below under "References." 1921 Juniper next to Fuller Lodge, 505 662-6272 24-hour information line.
The Fuller Lodge Art Center (http://fullerlodgeartcent...) maintains an Art Gallery with exhibits that change nine times a year. The Art Center promotes the development of local and regional artists. The center provides art classes and hosts an Arts & Crafts Fairs in August on the weekend of the Los Alamos Rodeo, and another in late October. Special interest groups meet at the Art Center for photography, Life Drawing and Painting. The Art Center operates a Gallery Gift Shop that specializes in hand made art works including jewelry, picture postcards, paintings, ceramics and more. Regular Hours are 10AM to 4 PM Monday-Saturday. The Art Center's website has class and exhibit schedules. 505662-1635.
Ashley Pond, or is it Ashley Pond Pond?
One of the downtown landmarks dating to ranch-school days is a little puddle, fed by runoff from the mountains, called Ashley Pond. The visitor might surmise that this lakelet was named for someone significant in the ranch school named Ashley, but would be only half right: the founder of Los Alamos Ranch School was named Ashley Pond. Punning students attached Pond's name in toto to the body of water, which should perhaps be called "Ashley Pond Pond" or "Pond Pond," but history and wit trump accuracy. Whatever you call it, Ashley Pond has undergone a transformation from its muddy stock-tank origins to a pleasant and well-kept little park just south of Fuller Lodge that's a nice place for picnics in the warmer part of the year. Tend small children carefully, as the pond has no constructed barriers to keep them from getting into the water.
Overlook Park
in White Rock contains athletic fields and a wheelchair-accessible scenic overlook of White Rock Canyon, the Rio Grande, and the mountainous country to the east, with a moderately rugged trail leading into the canyon. Pleasant for picnics, particularly in the fall; White Rock's lower elevation compared to Los Alamos proper means that it can be hot in the summer.The Black Hole
a surplus/salvage/junk lot at 4015 Arkansas and more formally known as "Los Alamos Sales Company," although absolutely nobody among the locals, even its proprietor, uses the name, is known locally as the best place to see genuine LANL artifacts and get a real feel for the contrary nature of the town. Drop by and buy some oddity, but do it soon; the long-time proprietor, one of the most notable eccentrics in a town well endowed with the breed, recently passed away, and the future of the enterprise is not certain yet.Pajarito Environmental Education Center
(http://www.pajaritoeec.or...) PEEC is free and open to the public Tuesday through Friday noon to 4PM and Saturdays 10AM to 1PM. The nature center offers residents as well as visitors to the plateau: Exhibits on amphibians, birds, butterflies, fossils, energy and more ; A classroom, herbarium and library; Connections to the LA County trail system; Live local critters and demonstration gardens; Friendly volunteers to assist you; books to purchase on the local flora, fauna and trails written by local experts.Casa Mesita Thrift Shop
747 Central Ave., +1 505 662-7235, (http://www.volunteermatch...) is another interesting "local color" business. It doubles as a second-hand store and repository for the townsfolk's odds and ends, some of them very odd indeed. Proceeds from sales support a group home for girls from difficult domestic environments.