Touring Atomic New Mexico and the State’s Surrounding Attractions
‘It’s like my grandad’s house. I remember going there on picnics’
Atomic New Mexico and the State’s Surrounding Attractions
When you’re a child, the Atomic New Mexico site is a wonderland of wonderland. The first stop on most itineraries to the region, it’s a testament to our deep and abiding love for the state’s many natural treasures, all of which are represented at the Atomic site. A glimpse into the depths of a New Mexico mine and a glimpse into a different time and place: in the mountains that were not there then.
Atomic New Mexico is the name Atomic Tours, the first and largest tour operator in New Mexico, gave the area in 1971. It’s also the name of the museum (and visitor’s center) built on the site in the ‘80s, and it’s also the name of the one of the company’s iconic tours, in which the company describes the site as if it were an alien land.
There’s a reason for that: the ‘Atomic Tours’ name is a perfect reflection of what Atomic New Mexico is. Not every place in the state has a museum of its own, but we have ours. We’re a state museum, in fact. Alongside being New Mexico’s first and finest state museum, it also has the distinction of being the first and only New Mexico museum founded in the 20th century.
Atomic New Mexico is the one stop in the Santa Fe Trail that connects to more than 100 historic Santa Fe Trail parks, all of which are still considered New Mexico state parks today. It’s possible because of Atomic New Mexico, and it’s also possible because the Santa Fe Trail Foundation led the state in recognizing the site as a park in 1984. The foundation was founded by a group of prominent residents of Santa Fe, all of whom have served in high office: Gov. Bill Richardson, former Governor Bruce King and former Speaker of the House Jim Wright. All three have served as the foundation’s board of directors. The current board of directors includes former U.S. Sen
