Photo by Dave Finley, courtesy NRAO/AUI An aerial view of the VLA with its antennas close together, looking toward the North-Northeast.

How to Get Here The VLA is located 50 miles west of Socorro on U.S. Highway 60. From U.S. 60, turn South on NM 52, then West on the VLA access road, which is well marked. Signs will point you to the Visitor Center. What You Will See The Visitor Center has an automated slide show and displays describing radio astronomy and the VLA itself. It is the starting point for a self-guided walking tour that takes you around the central region of the VLA site. The walking tour will take you up close to one of our 230-ton antennas and allow you to see some of the equipment that makes up the VLA. Be sure to bring your cameras; you are welcome to photograph anything you see. The VLA Visitor Center and walking tour are open from 8:30 a.m. until sunset every day of the year. Facilities, Food, Weather, Etc. The Visitor Center has restrooms, water fountains and a soft-drink machine. No food is available at the VLA site. The nearest restaurants are in Magdalena, about 25 miles to the east, and Datil, about 20 miles to the west. Many restaurants, as well as lodging, are available in Socorro, an hour's drive from the VLA. Order forms for souvenirs are available at the visitor center, or online. The VLA is at an elevation of 7,000 feet. At this elevation, the weather can be considerably colder than that at lower elevations. Snow is possible at the VLA from September through May. Check weather reports before your trip. During Fall, Winter and Spring, jackets or coats usually are needed, and warm hats and gloves are advisable during the colder periods. What About Guided Tours? For a short time we are offering guided tours for the general public. For the most part, however, our Visitor Center and the walking tour are designed to serve as a self-guided educational experience for tourists. For educational groups, we provide tour guides if available from among staff members who volunteer for this duty. We need at least two weeks' notice to arrange a guided tour. If you're thinking about arranging an educational tour, look at our information on bringing your class to the VLA. If you are an educator and wish to discuss a possible tour, please contact the NRAO Public Information Office at (505) 835-7000. Can't make it to New Mexico? Take a virtual tour of the Very Large Array, courtesy of students from Socorro High School. While in the Southwest, you may want to visit some other astronomical observatories. For information about observatories in this region, check out the Web page of the Southwestern Consortium of Observatories for Public Education (SCOPE) For more information: Guidelines for Commercial Photography and Filming at the VLA Aerial photos of the Very Large Array Basic Information About Radio Astronomy

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.