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Visiting the Very Large Array

Visit the Very Large Array

Welcome!

The Very Large Array (VLA) Radio Telescope facility is a two-hour drive from Albuquerque, 50 miles west of Socorro, New Mexico. The Visitor Center features an award-winning documentary narrated by Jodie Foster, plus exhibits describing radio astronomy and the VLA telescope. A self-guided walking tour features large, informative signs and takes you to the base of one of the giant dish antennas. A gift shop offers VLA souvenirs and educational materials.

Hours

We encourage purchasing advanced admission due to limited connectivity at the site.

    • The VLA is open to the public 7 days a week ONLY from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • No one is allowed on site after 4 p.m. without prior authorization.
    • We are closed Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday of Nov.), Christmas Day (Dec. 25), and New Year’s Eve Day (Dec. 31).

Gift Shop

  • The Gift Shop is currently CLOSED due to staffing shortage.

Food Options 

  • There are no food options on-site at the VLA. Please bring adequate food and beverages for your visit.

Admission

Adults (13 – 64) $10.00
Seniors (65+), Military & Veterans $8.00
Ages 12 and under FREE
Socorro & Catron County Resident bringing a paying guest FREE

Admission to site includes access to:

  • Our Visitor Center including our documentary film and current exhibits
  • Our outdoor self-guided walking tour (weather permitting)
  • A VLA guided tour, delivered by a staff member (when available; see event calendar for guided tour dates)

*Please note: Beginning May 1, 2024, timed-entry will no longer be required so admission.  Your ticket is good for anytime between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Reserved Group Programs

For education and special interest groups of 10 or more individuals, we provide private guided tours and other programs when possible. Reserved program requests must be made at least three weeks in advance. To learn more about our programs visit our Reserved Programs page.

Contact

Call 575-835-7410 or email us at visitVLA@nrao.edu.

Directions

The Very Large Array Radio Telescope is a two hour drive from Albuquerque, 50 miles west of Socorro, New Mexico.

When driving west from Socorro:

  1. Travel through the small town of Magdalena and continue on US-60.
  2. Turn left onto NM-52 just west of mile marker 93.
  3. Drive 2.5 miles then turn right on NM-166 (Old Highway 60).
  4. Drive 1.6 miles and the VLA Visitor Center will be on your right.

When driving east from the Arizona border on US-60:

  1. Drive through the town of Datil. Just past mile marker 90 you will cross rail road tracks that mark the North arm of the array.
  2. Continue east on US-60 past mile marker 92 and turn right onto NM-52.
  3. Drive 2.5 miles and then turn right on NM-166 (Old Highway 60).
  4. Drive 1.6 miles and the VLA Visitor Center will be on your right.

Note: NRAO has offices located in Socorro, NM, and entering “Very Large Array” into direction-finding services may sometimes direct you to this location. Use the Google map below to get directions to the VLA Visitor Center. GPS coordinates for the site: 34 04 24.636N 107 37 20.640W. Please note that you may not have cellular or data reception within several miles of the VLA. All roads leading to the VLA are paved. If you are on a dirt road you are not on the correct route.