Sometimes a destination’s most interesting attractions aren’t where you expect them to be. Santa Fe is a popular destination for art and history, but most visitors might not know that the City Different served as an important location during World War II. The small mountain town of Los Alamos is 45 minutes north of New Mexico’s capital city and is home to the Los Alamos National Laboratory. This is the spot of the creation of the atomic bomb. You can learn about the lab and its importance at the Bradbury Science Museum. Plus, Los Alamos is a fun day trip from Four Kachinas Inn.
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Bradbury Science Museum History
The Bradbury Science Museum in Los Alamos captures over half a century of nuclear history. The sleepy mountain town in Northern New Mexico served as the home for scientists creating the atomic bomb during World War II. The museum is a window into Los Alamos National Laboratory and the work that physicists put into the famous Manhattan Project. Robert Krohn, who was in charge of nuclear tests, decided to construct a building to house historical artifacts and weapons built at the lab in 1953. 17 years later, it became the Bradbury Museum to honor Norris H. Bradbury, the lab’s second director. Whether you’re visiting Los Alamos for the museum or to escape the crowds of Santa Fe, this is a must-see attraction.
Visiting the Bradbury Science Museum
The Bradbury Science Museum has five exhibits highlighting an array of technologies and discoveries made at Los Alamos National Lab. The lobby, defense gallery, history gallery, research gallery, and the TechLab offer a fantastic look into this critical piece of science history.
The museum lobby and history gallery provide an introduction to why the U.S. Government strategically chose Los Alamos as the place to secretly create the atomic bomb, as well as a short film discussing the Atomic Age. The research and defense galleries have a handful of bomb replicas produced at the lab in the 1940s. You can also learn about a collection of explosives, nuclear deterrent systems, and cutting edge technologies that the lab creates to strengthen national security. The TechLab is a fun exbibit with a rotating list of interactive and hands-on activities that kids and adults will enjoy exploring.
It sits in the heart of town and is only a 45-minute drive from the Four Kachinas Inn. There are also a few parks and hiking trails in town that provide scenic views of the surrounding mountains and plateaus. If you want to continue a sight-seeing tour of important World War II historical sights, check out 109 East Palace, where scientists once waited for the bus to take them to Los Alamos.
Plan Your Santa Fe Vacation
Our Four Kachinas property provides you with the ultimate Santa Fe getaway. Each of our rooms features locally-made furnishings and beautiful Native American art. You can expect a unique stay that’s just steps from the heart of one of the most unique cities in the country. Whether you want to explore our area’s history or revel in the many nearby outdoor activities, there are endless adventures to experience in the City Different.
Start planning your getaway today by booking one of our rooms! We look forward to welcoming you to the Four Kachinas family.
