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Assassins, Spies & the Manhattan Project Walking Tour in Santa Fe

21 Reviews 4.95 out of 5 stars Based on 21 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Santa Fe, USA
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 30 (0) days in advance.

2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Discover the world of J. Robert Oppenheimer and Soviet spies on this engaging two-hour walking tour in Santa Fe. Led by museum-trained docents from the New Mexico History Museum, this tour illuminates key locations related to the Manhattan Project and Cold War espionage. Explore the back-room office for the Manhattan Project, learn about vital spy craft techniques, and hear compelling stories tied to this historic period. With insights into the motivations of spies and the secrets exchanged, this tour provides a rich educational experience in a captivating setting.

Private, customizable tours are available by request and docent availability.

- Two-hour walking tour led by museum-trained docents
- Discover key sites of the Manhattan Project and Soviet espionage
- Hear true stories and anecdotes from a pivotal historical era
- Tours available on select dates throughout the month from April to November
- Private, custom tours are available

What's Included

  • Audio equipment to hear the docent
  • 2 Hour Tour
  • Professional Docent/Guide
  • Gratuities
  • Pets are not allowed on this tour (exception is service animals)
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

113 Lincoln Avenue
Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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New Mexico History Museum

Discover the hidden world of Soviet espionage starting at the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe. This introduction explores the roles of spies and couriers, revealing how covert operations and secret intelligence activities shaped both global events and the region’s history. Learn the basics of spy craft and uncover Santa Fe’s surprising connection to Cold War intrigue.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Santa Fe Plaza

Discover key locations tied to Cold War espionage in Santa Fe, where history reveals the real-life world of Soviet intelligence operations. Learn about the Spitz Clock, linked to one of the most significant atomic espionage successes involving the transfer of sensitive information, and visit the site of Zook’s Pharmacy, once connected to covert plans surrounding the assassination of a Russian Marxist figure. Together, these stops highlight the surprising role of Santa Fe in global espionage and the far-reaching impact of spy networks.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

109 East Palace

Explore the human stories behind one of history’s most secretive operations as you’re introduced to key figures and moments of espionage connected to Santa Fe. Learn about Dorothy McKibbin, the trusted gatekeeper of the Manhattan Project in Santa Fe, who helped discreetly manage the flow of scientists and personnel linked to the top-secret program. Discover the significance of PO Box 1663, a seemingly ordinary mailing address that served as a cover for highly classified communications and operations tied to Los Alamos.Through engaging anecdotes, this stop also reveals how even the most carefully controlled intelligence efforts were not without flaws, with stories of security lapses that exposed the challenges of maintaining secrecy during wartime. Together, these insights provide a deeper understanding of the people, systems, and occasional missteps that shaped one of the most critical chapters in espionage and scientific history.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Cathedral Park

Discover how Santa Fe’s historic sites concealed one of the most secret operations of World War II. At the location now home to the Museum of Contemporary Native Art, you’ll learn how a former post office once handled PO Box 1663—a simple address that served as a crucial front for Manhattan Project communications and personnel logistics.This stop reveals how scientists arriving in Santa Fe were discreetly processed and assigned aliases to protect their identities before being transported to Los Alamos. By uncovering the clever systems used to maintain secrecy, including coded identities and unassuming locations, this experience highlights the extraordinary measures taken to shield one of history’s most important scientific missions.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

La Fonda on the Plaza

Discover a key moment in Santa Fe’s secret history, as Dorothy McKibbin meets Robert Oppenheimer—known under the alias “Mr. Bradley”—and is chosen to manage the discreet 109 East Palace office. From here, she quietly coordinated arrivals for the Manhattan Project, while scientists used everyday settings, like local bars, to spread misinformation and protect one of history’s most closely guarded secrets.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Inn and Spa at Loretto

Learn about one of the Cold War’s most dramatic espionage incidents, as former CIA operative Edward Lee Howard—after being dismissed from the agency—secretly fled Santa Fe in 1985 and defected to the Soviet Union. His escape highlights the enduring presence of espionage activity in the region and the high-stakes consequences of intelligence betrayal.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Walking route is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) on some uneven surfaces

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Assassins, Spies & the Manhattan Project Walking Tour in Santa Fe?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (MST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-5635810P3

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.95
21 reviews

Average 4.95 out of 5 stars based on 21 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
20
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1 star
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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 30 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Audio equipment to hear the docent
  • 2 Hour Tour
  • Professional Docent/Guide
  • Gratuities
  • Pets are not allowed on this tour (exception is service animals)

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Not recommended if you have difficulty walking
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Walking route is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) on some uneven surfaces
  • To ensure the comfort and safety of all our guests, please leave pets and other animals at home. Service animals are welcome.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

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