One of the World’s Most Unusual Vacation Destinations

by David
(New York)

High in the desert of Western New Mexico in the American Southwest is one of the world’s most unusual vacation destinations: a mile-long piece of “land art” called Lightning Field.

The 400 stainless steel, 20 foot high poles are set in a precise grid, designed to attract lighting strikes while you walk through them!

A small cabin with three bedrooms is adjacent to the ‘sculpture’ and for $250 per person per night (May through October), you and up to five other people are left alone for 24 hours to wander through the one mile by one kilometer grid.

This piece of experiential art, by American sculptor Walter De Maria, was commissioned in 1977, and is maintained, at great expense, by the Dia Art Foundation, which arranges the visits, and will drive you on the 45 minute trip from Quemado, New Mexico (three hours away from Albuquerque), to the secret location of the field.

Because the whole thing is a copyrighted sculpture, photography is not permitted, but you can purchase official photos from Dia. More information about Lightning Field, and details about visiting it, is available at lightningfield.org.

Go to 1001 Vacation Ideas Home Page