You’ve probably heard of New Mexico’s wine and chile trails—a collection of places you can easily visit to experience the state’s culinary facets—but did you know the Land of Enchantment is also home to an epic space trail?
A series of 52 historic sites make up this incredible trail where you can explore New Mexico’s contributions to astronomy, space travel, and more. Here are a few highlights you’ll want to make sure you add to your must-see list.
- Bradbury Science Museum, Los Alamos
Harald Padeborn/Google During World War II, the Los Alamos National Lab served as one of the primary places for the development of the nuclear bomb. While you aren’t able to go into the labs, you can visit the science museum to explore the laboratory’s history. This public portion of the Los Alamos National Laboratory has dozens of interactive exhibits that everyone in the family can enjoy. Address: 1350 Central Ave, Los Alamos, NM 87544 Website: lanl.gov
- Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Ideum - ideas + media/Flickr The Ancient Puebloans who lived in this expansive site were keen night sky observers and you can find hints of that in the buildings and petroglyphs left behind. Structures not only appear to align with seasonal solar events but petroglyphs also document both annual and ancient astronomical events. Additionally, the park often holds special astronomy programs and viewings. Location: Google Maps Website: nps.gov
- International UFO Museum, Roswell
Jirka Matousek/Flickr No list about space and New Mexico would be complete without some mention of Roswell. The site of an alleged alien crash landing, Roswell has gained notoriety over the years for its connection to extraterrestrials and this museum dedicates time and space to that 1947 incident. Address: 114 N Main St, Roswell, NM 88203 Website: roswellufomuseum.com
- National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, Albuquerque
Maik Heller/Google The Atomic Age played a pivotal role in New Mexican history and you’ll get a glimpse of that when visiting this Albuquerque museum. Sitting on the edge of Kirtland Air Force Base, this museum highlights the history of nuclear science and how it continues to influence our lives today. Address: 601 Eubank Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123 Website: nuclearmuseum.org
- New Mexico Museum of Space History, Alamogordo
New Mexico Museum of Space History/Facebook What better place to explore space than at a museum dedicated to space flight and astronomy? Exhibits include New Mexico’s own contributions to space science, rocketry, and a huge planetarium that hosts live shows. Address: 3198 State Rte 2001, Alamogordo, NM 88310 Website: nmspacemuseum.org
- Trinity Test Site, White Sands Missile Range
Terry Robinson/Flickr If there’s any piece of New Mexico history that seemed to catapult the state into modern science, it’s the Trinity Site, the location of the detonation of the world’s first atomic bomb. This site is open twice per year for open house events; you can visit Ground Zero and the location where the plutonium core was assembled. Website: wsmr.army.mil
- University of New Mexico Campus Observatory, Albuquerque
Jon Lewis/Flickr New Mexico is home to a handful of observatories but few are open to the public like this one at the University of New Mexico. The observatory is typically open on Friday nights for public viewing sessions. You can look at the night sky through the telescopes and have questions answered by on-site telescope operators. Address: 800 Yale Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 Website: physics.unm.edu
- Very Large Array, Socorro
Diana Robinson/Flickr Not only does the Very Large Array look absolutely stunning any time of day but it also serves an important role as a radio astronomy observatory. Astronomers have used this unique observatory to survey cosmic entities like black holes, stars, and the remnants of supernovas. Location: Google Maps Website: public.nrao.edu
Interested in exploring New Mexico with your tastebuds? One fantastic start is by hitting the Las Cruces Walk of Flame green chile trail. Read about this delicious journey in Las Cruces, New Mexico Is Home To A Green Chile Food Trail You Won’t Find Anywhere Else.6.
Harald Padeborn/Google
During World War II, the Los Alamos National Lab served as one of the primary places for the development of the nuclear bomb. While you aren’t able to go into the labs, you can visit the science museum to explore the laboratory’s history. This public portion of the Los Alamos National Laboratory has dozens of interactive exhibits that everyone in the family can enjoy. Address: 1350 Central Ave, Los Alamos, NM 87544 Website: lanl.gov
Ideum - ideas + media/Flickr
The Ancient Puebloans who lived in this expansive site were keen night sky observers and you can find hints of that in the buildings and petroglyphs left behind. Structures not only appear to align with seasonal solar events but petroglyphs also document both annual and ancient astronomical events. Additionally, the park often holds special astronomy programs and viewings. Location: Google Maps Website: nps.gov
Jirka Matousek/Flickr
No list about space and New Mexico would be complete without some mention of Roswell. The site of an alleged alien crash landing, Roswell has gained notoriety over the years for its connection to extraterrestrials and this museum dedicates time and space to that 1947 incident. Address: 114 N Main St, Roswell, NM 88203 Website: roswellufomuseum.com
Maik Heller/Google
The Atomic Age played a pivotal role in New Mexican history and you’ll get a glimpse of that when visiting this Albuquerque museum. Sitting on the edge of Kirtland Air Force Base, this museum highlights the history of nuclear science and how it continues to influence our lives today. Address: 601 Eubank Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123 Website: nuclearmuseum.org
New Mexico Museum of Space History/Facebook
What better place to explore space than at a museum dedicated to space flight and astronomy? Exhibits include New Mexico’s own contributions to space science, rocketry, and a huge planetarium that hosts live shows. Address: 3198 State Rte 2001, Alamogordo, NM 88310 Website: nmspacemuseum.org
Terry Robinson/Flickr
If there’s any piece of New Mexico history that seemed to catapult the state into modern science, it’s the Trinity Site, the location of the detonation of the world’s first atomic bomb. This site is open twice per year for open house events; you can visit Ground Zero and the location where the plutonium core was assembled. Website: wsmr.army.mil
Jon Lewis/Flickr
New Mexico is home to a handful of observatories but few are open to the public like this one at the University of New Mexico. The observatory is typically open on Friday nights for public viewing sessions. You can look at the night sky through the telescopes and have questions answered by on-site telescope operators. Address: 800 Yale Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 Website: physics.unm.edu
Diana Robinson/Flickr
Not only does the Very Large Array look absolutely stunning any time of day but it also serves an important role as a radio astronomy observatory. Astronomers have used this unique observatory to survey cosmic entities like black holes, stars, and the remnants of supernovas. Location: Google Maps Website: public.nrao.edu
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Address: 1350 Central Ave, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USAAddress: Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico, USAAddress: International UFO Museum and Research Center and Gift Shop, 114 N Main St, Roswell, NM 88203, USAAddress: 601 Eubank Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123, USAAddress: 1801 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, USAAddress: 3198 State Rte 2001, Alamogordo, NM 88310, USAAddress: White Sands Missile Range, NM, USAAddress: Observatory, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USAAddress: Very Large Array, Socorro, NM 87825, USA
