Top 25 Activities in Los Alamos County for 2025
Published on January 16, 2025
Los Alamos County, New Mexico—the birthplace of groundbreaking scientific discoveries and a sought-after travel destination for history buffs, science enthusiasts, and outdoor adventurers—invites travelers to check off their 2025 vacation bucket list in Los Alamos, where discoveries are made.
“From science and history to a thriving culture of outdoor recreation, Los Alamos is a lively destination with small-town charm, friendly faces, and so much to explore,” said Ellyn Felton, Marketing Specialist for Los Alamos County. “Whichever time of year you visit, there’s always something to see and do to keep every family member's interest. As you plan your 2025 travel, we invite you to explore all there is to do in Los Alamos County!”
To get the most out of your visit, browse the top 25 things to see and do in Los Alamos County in 2025 below:
1. Plan a visit in late January to catch New Mexico’s only screening of the Backcountry Film Festival at SALA Event Center.
2. Hit the slopes at Pajarito Mountain, one of New Mexico’s leading ski areas.
3. Take to the ice for an amazing experience at the only outdoor, refrigerated, NHL-regulation ice rink in New Mexico—the Los Alamos County Ice Rink.
4. Take a memorable vacation photo and learn about local history at the Oppenheimer and Groves statues (depicting Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer and General Leslie R. Groves) in downtown Los Alamos.
5. Explore hands-on science exhibits while learning about the groundbreaking work of Los Alamos National Laboratory at the admission free Bradbury Science Museum.
6. Learn about Los Alamos history through the ages, take part in a walking tour, and don’t forget a stop at the gift shop while visiting the Los Alamos History Museum.
7. Experience history first-hand as you climb ladders and explore cave dwellings from Ancestral Puebloans at Bandelier National Monument.
8. Explore stunning night skies over a designated International Dark Sky Park at Valles Caldera National Preserve.
9. Learn about the Secret City’s contributions to history during World War II and view historic buildings at Manhattan Project National Historical Park.
10. Check out Pajarito Mountain’s summer schedule for Music in the Mountains, featuring local craft beer and bands for a day of fun.
11. Spring Break in Los Alamos to take part in the lively and quirky Skiesta at Pajarito Mountain. The full-day celebration includes ski events, costume contests, live entertainment, and libations.
12. Enjoy child-like joy, springtime excitement, and family fun at the Los Alamos Kite Festival, held each spring by the Los Alamos Arts Council.
13. Join the fun and excitement of Los Alamos’s iconic summer event—Los Alamos ScienceFest, an annual event held in June 2025.
14. Enjoy live music from local and regional acts each Friday evening during the summer months as part of the free Los Alamos Summer Concert Series.
15. Learn about local wildlife in an immersive, educational setting at Bear Festival, produced each August by the Los Alamos Nature Center.
16. Head to Los Alamos for a lively and fun Halloween celebration, including a trick-or-treat event that shuts down Main Street, during Halloweekend in October.
17. Plan a winter visit to spark holiday joy with festive events during the three-day Los Alamos WinterFest.
18. Add some entertainment to your trip at SALA Event Center. Whether you’re hoping to see a movie, a presentation, or a film festival, there’s always something interesting happening at SALA.
19. Spend a day getting to know the lay of the land at the Los Alamos Nature Center, where you can meet and learn about local wildlife, get trail maps, let the kids play on the playground and much more.
20. Get your feet wet year-round at the Larry R. Walkup Aquatic Center. With an Olympic-sized pool for laps, warm water therapy pool, leisure lagoon, and a waterslide, it is a must-visit spot in Los Alamos.
21. Grab a brew at Bathtub Row Brewing Co-op. No visit is complete without a picture in the bathtub out front or a Hoppenheimer IPA, named after Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer.
22. Capture stunning landscape photography at one of the area’s scenic overlooks.
23. Stand where your favorite actors have stood for a variety of film and television productions filmed in Los Alamos. Browse and visit film locations and plan your visit around them.
24. Take the self-guided Oppenheimer Film Tour to go behind the scenes of the major motion picture. Pick up a brochure at the visitor center to learn about the full story of Oppenheimer.
25. Stop by the Los Alamos Nature Center to celebrate their 25th Anniversary! With a planetarium, wildlife observation room, play areas, and interactive exhibits, it offers a perfect introduction to the region’s stunning canyons, mesas, mountains, and skies.
To plan your visit, go to www.visitlosalamos.org.