Visitor Center Hours
- Open Daily: 8:30 AM - Sunset
Gift Shop Hours
- CLOSED - Monday,
September 29, 2008 - Mid-May to Mid-August
Mon.-Sat.: 9 AM - 6 PM
Sunday: 9 AM - 4 PM - Mid-August to Mid-May
Open Daily: 9 AM - 4 PM - Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years Day
Directions
The Very Large Array Visitors Center is 50 miles west of Socorro, New Mexico 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.
The Very Large Array (VLA) in its most compact configuration ("D-array").
VLA Visitor Center
The VLA is open every day from 8:30 AM to sunset for free, self guided tours of the VLA and the VLA Visitor Center.
The VLA Gift Shop is open mid-May to mid-August 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and mid-August to mid-May 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Gift Shop is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.
Twice per year we offer guided tours to the public: the first Saturdays in April & October. These date coincide with the opening of the Trinity Site. During the summer, NRAO summer students provide tours on weekend. The tours are free and no reservations are needed.
Field Trips & Group Tours
For educational groups, we provide tour guides by 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. Then give our Education and Public Outreach office a call at (575) 835-7243 to schedule the tour.
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.