Atomic Testing Museum
Closed on major holidays.
Atomic Testing Museum Overview
There is a lot about Nevada that newcomers to the city probably don't know. For one, did you know it had played an integral part in the atomic testing that occurred within the United States' own borders? The history of the atomic bomb is a rather interesting one, and you can learn all about it at the National Atomic Testing Museum. It's located in Las Vegas, just minutes off of the Las Vegas Strip, and it offers an abundance of information in the form of hands on exhibits, first hand accounts, and plenty of propaganda and tools taken directly from the era of atomic testing.
When you walk through the Museum, you're pulled into that time period with real radio and televised broadcasts that covered the progress of the bomb and the detonations that took place at the nearby Nevada Test Site. Learn about the awesome, destructive force of the atom bomb through info graphs or by taking a seat within the Ground Zero Theater. Sit inside of a simulated testing bunker and feel the force of an atomic blast in this exciting simulation.
Artifacts, from news pamphlets to mining tools used to create underground testing arenas, litter this exciting museum. Learn about how people prepared for the threat of atomic bombs through the Atomic Culture exhibit or see how the first atomic bombs were developed in the Development of the Bomb exhibit. The aftereffects of radiation can be a terrifying thing, and the Radiation exhibit lets you dive right into the science and methodology that is used to track the fallout after an atomic blast.
Go beyond Nevada with the Atmospheric Testing exhibit to learn of the many tests that were done around the world. See the devastating effects done to the environment post blast and watch mushroom clouds form in the distance in real footage taken from previous tests. It's a mind blowing experience that will have you wanting to learn more.
As an added bonus, the Atomic Testing Museum is also home to an exhibit about the most mysterious aspect of Nevada - Area 51. Go into a skeptics mind and learn all about the myth (or reality) of this secretive military base. Evidence is strewn about this mysterious exhibit, allowing guests to formulate their own opinion on the mystery of aliens, life in the universe, and the truth behind Area 51.