National Atomic Testing Museum

Cool museum and gift shop. Guess the pin ball hall of fame is near here too. Go to groupon for discounted entry for the museum.

Great place to learn about our country’s past. The exhibits are enjoyable to read through and there are several videos and clips throughout the building to help explain the history of the events. It is a family friendly establishment but I would recommend kids to be a little older so they would be able to understand and hopefully appreciate the history here (12+). Overall great experience!

This was a lot of fun to learn about the history of the atomic industry in Vegas. It was an informative experience, but also information overload to go through and read all the exhibits. My favorite part was the area 51 Martian exhibit. It was so cheesy, it became so awesome! If you want to go for the truly academic experience, keep an eye out for the lectures that they host and check out the reading room. They also provide a free children’s activity book — you can also download this online. I also bought some rocks (geodes) at the gift shop that you can break open later.

Great exhibit, lots of information. Lots of reading and things in all directions to look at. The path throughout is a bit narrow and bottlenecks with all the visitors. Might be a good idea for the museum to have people enter in groups/​by timed entry to allow the bottleneck of people to break up. There are videos and hands-​on things to play with. The museum does a good job of outlining atomic weapons and the overall history of the arms race as well. Definitely allow 2 – 4 hours to work your way through the museum. I’d be interested in going again, maybe with a guided tour. I didn’t notice if they had an audio tour available– if they do, that would have been/​would be a better way to navigate through all the information. The Area 51 exhibit is slightly cheesy, and turns into a history of U. S military aircraft throughout history.

Great museum with cool exhibits, my favorite being the bomb shelter scene. There is even an interactive movie and a spot where you can «press the red button». Do yourself a favor, get the Groupon and skip the area 51 experience.

This was a tough one to rate five stars. On the grand scheme of entertaining things to do in Vegas, this probably is not at the top of anyone’s list. Indeed, when our cabdriver dropped us off, he took a picture of the exterior because it was the first time he ever had a passenger request to go here.
By way of background, my wife is a science teacher, so this was a must see on our trip. I was very pleasantly surprised at how informative, yet accessible and interesting, the displays were. Some museums go out of their way to dumb things down too much, but I thought the content was accessible, but enriching enough to be interesting to an educated adult. Overall, a pleasantly informative break from the rest of the strip.

Very educational. From past to present.
Get groupon ticket, cheaper. Good for all ages.
Staff are very friendly.
It’s a quick museum your if you don’t read statements or descriptions about the display or exhibit

Great place to learn about nuclear weapons and aliens. Our tour was impressive. Great education benefits lie here. Soo much value. Highly advised to see this place. Put on your bucket list.

This is a great teaching museum about the cold-​war era and the atomic bomb testing that occurred in the Nevada deserts. They have several replicas and actual instruments (such as Geiger counters) that demonstrate the level of awareness (paranoia?) we had during that time. Included is an actual working example of a Geiger counter using a low-​level radioactive substance. Several videos and other artifacts from the era.
If you want to show someone (like your kids or foreign visitors) what it was like to live in the US during the 50’s-80’s under the cold war, this is a good exhibit that will give them an idea about the impact to the region when atomic bomb testing was going on in the Nevada deserts.
It’s an intriguing and informative exhibit, yet somewhat macabre, because we know how lives were lost because of operational deployments of atomic weapons. You walk through it interested and in awe, yet solemnly respectful.
Tip: The last time I went a few years ago, cameras and cell phones/​smartphones were prohibited due to quasi-​security reasons. Call in advance if carrying a phone or camera is important to you.
Tip: It’s close to the Pinball Hall of Fame Museum, where you can see and play pinball machines and video arcades from the 70’s and 80’s. It’s worth a few quarters.

well where to start … first we did find the information regarding the nuclear testing /​war usage interesting and for me extremely sad statement about war
but let me tell you about «Area 51» — even if you believe this display is C H E E S Y (a high school project with a few televisions) and information you can find on the Internet … there was nothing new or compelling so do NOT spend the extra $ 5.00

Unilocal Challenge 2016: ⁰¹²⁄₃₆₅
Aweeesome! I have a boner for artsy museums and when i saw this manly one it was like boner on viagra.
Everyone here was super friendly!!! However i got called in to get my butt back to the convention center before paying to enter the main exhibits.
I spent most of my time in the reading room. They have maps, books, and slideshows to educate us on technology i wish never existed. Nukes serve a limited purpose but remember folks… Nuclear waste is stored in caves, we dont have the means to dispose without killing humans.
Encourage all you to check it out.

I came to Vegas with my mom to celebrate her birthday. She had picked out some stuff she wanted to do and asked if there was anything on my MUST do list. I eagerly said the National Atomic Testing Museum. I had heard about it from friends at work and a few dozen times on television. There was no way I was leaving Vegas without stopping here.
We bought a Groupon that got us access to the permanent exhibit and the special exhibit. The special exhibit was on Area 51 and the existence or nonexistence of aliens & UFOs. While I thought the special exhibit was a bit hokey, my mom really enjoyed it. The permanent exhibit was what did it for me though. Walking back in time to hear about the original designs for atomic testing, the lack of understanding of the real dangers of atomic fall out and the pop culture that thought it was the wave of the future. I loved the whole thing. I can’t wait to go back with my husband and see it all again.
This was a highlight of my trip.

Of all the interesting museums in Vegas, this one is not that great. The alien exhibit is just silly and a waste of time. If you don’t have a discounted ticket I would skip this and do one of the other million things Vegas has to offer.

Went to the Atomic Energy Museum, super interesting with actual bombs, artifacts, newsreals, etc. one really neat thing, I was reading and looking at a display from JC Penny’s, seems the clothes and mannequins were donated to the Nevada Test Site during the blasts. Didn’t know any of this but one of the Docents was on hand and told me the story. This was pretty cool, he volunteered information if you looked interested. He had lots of great stories, worked at the test site for 37 years. Would be great for kids, people who have never seen what an Atomic bomb can do, need to how devastating it is. used a Groupon, great deal!!!

The atomic testing part of the museum is sometimes interesting but overall underwhelming.
The UFO section is sad. Its large but a bit too silly.
Overall it’s an okay way to spend 2 hours but you can skip it.

On our trip to Las Vegas, I wanted to mix things up and plan a couple of activities off of the Strip.
I scoured Groupon for deals and the Atomic Museum came up. My husband is a science guy, so I thought me might especially enjoy this.
We came on a Monday afternoon of New Years’ week. I was happy that the museum was not overly crowded after an unpleasant experience at the packed Mob Museum.
It only took us about 2 hours to get through the regular museum and the Area 51 exhibit.
The main museum was entertaining and very educational. I especially enjoyed the movie demonstrating an atomic bomb blast. The theater shakes and vibrates during the movie, pretty neat.
The Area 51 exhibit was just so-​so for me, it would be great to take kids through.
Overall, this museum was great with a Groupon, but I am not sure I would have enjoyed it as much at full price.

Educational, and interesting. Depicts different aspects of atomic testing. Very good for kids, one of the «must go“s in Vegas for children.

Atomic test museum is awesome. Lots of information about our weapons program over time. Has lots of old equipment to view.
Area51 exhibit not so good. Basically a kids museum with black lights. Finally, map of our solar system not to scale.

We came here to kill some time prior to the World Monster Truck Finals, and it was quite interesting to say the least. The kids found it very informative and discovered what Area 51 really is. Very Cool.

This was a nice museum with lots of information about the Cold War, science and technology, and history of the Nevada testing sites. If you have time, there is a lot to read, movies and videos around the museum to watch. There was a section on the prehistory of the area, effects of nuclear testing on Paiute traditional cultural places. There was a section of the radiation effects of testing on the employees. There was a section on testing on groups of people such as the Marshall Islanders and fishermen during testing. The mannequin’s are eery to me, but apparently you can take a DOE tour and see the actual sites on an all-​day tour. Some of the museum staff actually worked on projects. The Area 51 display was kind of funky, it was too comical with aliens and flying saucers…

Before we walked into this museum, a massive plane flew pretty closely overhead. There must be a private airport nearby. It was pretty cool. I was slightly paranoid though because the day before our taxi driver talked about how planes drop weight by releasing some of their black jet fuel before they land and how it hit his windshield and to watch out for it. Eesh.
The museum was $ 20 a person including the Area 51 exhibit.
It is the National Atomic Testing Museum so it’s kind of an entire history of nuclear weapons.
We went into the theater where they simulate the Hood Atomic Bomb Detonation. The guide really builds it up in yer head. «You’re sitting on benches just like the ones on the salt flat that day. Yer wearing goggles just like the ones they wore on that salt flat that day. Yer not really on a salt flat just like they were on that salt flat that day.»
Well I don’t wanna ruin it by telling you what happens next; just have yer minds blown away pun when you see it fer yerselves.
Any who, the exhibit is insanely thorough. It’s like there’s no end to the amount of shit you can talk about related to atomic bombs. The US gov went fucking ham after we invented A-​bombs: we had to test all sorts of cool shit related to nuclear bombs.
It seems they play down pretty significantly, for whatever reason, that there actually were global (?) protests against using Atmoic bombs in the atmosphere. Initially though this led to an entire ban on atomic bombs. Too many people living downwind from the test sites in Nevada were being born deformed and sick.
The ban was kind of weak. It’s like buying a new toy and being like alright only I can play wit it. Well Russia wasn’t into that, so they kept on testing A-​bombs and in the atmosphere. So in order to get along wit Russia we was like «alright dude it’s fine if you wanna mess with atomic bombs tbh but like you have to only do underground trust us on this one”(verbatim from a placard there) Anywho, we created the Nuclear testing Limited Ban Treaty and that took care of that; now only everyone can only test nuclear bombs underground.
Again shit I all learned at this museum; fascinating stuff.
The underground testing of nuclear weapons far exceeded my superficial understanding of it; I honestly, up until going to this museum, thought the US gov tested nuclear bombs underground by jus having some poor radioactive schmoe dig a hole in dat dere ground and drop the bomb into it, cover it up and blow that sucker up.
Turns out the testing of nuclear weapons underground is INSANELY sophisticated and difficult and quite a technical marvel.
One of the first things you forget is that they have to measure these bombs somehow; nah, wait, even before that they have to get the bomb into the damn ground first. So they have to drill a huge hole into the Earth and fit it wit a chamber; then they have to lay out sophisticated measuring and wiring systems to figure what happens during the explosion.
An explosion where the critical component of which is like thousands of a second long so good luck measuring that. All while trying to do it super safely.
They tested the effect of nuclear bombs on satellites by putting an entire satellite in basically a lil tube enclosure thing; they then had to hook up to the tube to the underground explosion. Crazy complicated feat of engineering.
Every nuclear test participant — which included entities like the EPA, Boeing, etc — received a sweet custom certificate for their participation. Kennedy OK’d development of a nuclear rocket engine. ‘Murica FUCK YEAH. Oh and a nuclear ram jet wtf bro; it worked too barely. Awesome.
Honestly just didn’t even remotely think this much sophistication went into testing nuclear bombs.
I thought for sure we’d be spending a good hour or so in there and that’s it. We probably ended up being there for almost two hours and we hadn’t even hit up the shitty Area 51 exhibit.
The Area 51 exhibit was less than mediocre. I appreciate the effort and the art and whatnot but I jus don’t believe in aliens; nuclear-​powered triangles and shit what the fuck bro I jus saw that we actually developed nuclear ramjets no need to believe in government conspiracy triangles.
Anywho, the gift shop is amazing. They have some pretty tite shirts and a pretty dope patch. I fucks wit a gift shop tbh. I bought a bomb ass pun Fat Boy pin, and glow-​in-​the-​dark universe-​in-​the-​shape-​of-​Einstein tshirt, I demo’d the space pens and I bought a magic egg.
They have Trinitite which is apparently some mineral forged from the Atmoic bomb explosions from the Trinity site in Nevada cool.
Anywho don’t miss a beat and visit this bastion of good ol’ American history in the desert. Do the Area 51 exhibit jus for shits or don’t and be lame and save $ 10; carpe nucleam.

It’s high time a museum focused on this nervous, jittery phase of American history was erected, and as many complaints as I have for Las Vegas, this metropolis a mere 65 miles from the Nevada Proving Ground is the perfect place for such an edifice.
The Atomic Testing side of the museum is a warren of utterly fascinating memorabilia, instrumentation, photographs, documents, and other educational installations that I could have drank in for far longer than the three hours we were there.
The Area 51 exhibit, allegedly held over by popular demand, was mostly completely corny and goofy X-​files-​invoking smarm. There is a segment of it that actually deals with craft tested at Area 51 and memorializes victims of accidents related to the site, and we had tremendous curiosity and respect for this information. Expanding that to fill the exhibit and getting rid of the «ZOMG ALIENS» silliness should be priority #1 for the museum’s curator.
The gift shop is also a bit threadbare. Lots of shirts and hoodies, a few interesting books (including Michael Light’s enthralling «100 Suns»), of course Peter Kuran’s fantastic DVD sets (and some others), and not a whole lot else that really captures the imagination.
All in all this is a must-​see while in Las Vegas. For a moment just ignore the shows, hold off on the clubbing, forestall the siren song of the casinos, and trek through this excellently-​designed reminder of our own potential and the razor’s edge of the Cold War.
Now if only one of those nukes could have gone off course and taken out The Strip …

Pretty darn cool!
Great little museum to go to if you are interested in the development of nuclear power and nuclear weapons in particular.
This museum takes you through history starting in the 60’s on how nuclear power was developed, eventually turned into a weapon of mass destruction and tested in Nevada (near Las Vegas by the way!).
You will see video of atomic bomb testing underground, on the ground and in the atmosphere. There will be a history lesson on the cold war between the US and Russia on atomic bomb stockpiles. You will see some of the old equipment that was used to gather data on nuclear detonations. Lastly, they build model rooms that show how employees of these nuclear test facilities used to spend their days. Lots of little artifacts and exhibits to look through.
As a bonus, they have an Area 51 exhibit that you walk through and learn about all of the different stories and conspiracies about this legendary location in Nevada. Super cool and the kids will love it. They have an alien laying in a bed about to be examined that will certainly entertain your little ones.
GENERAL ADMISSION $ 22.00
TWO EXHIBITS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE
INCLUDES AREA 51 EXHIBIT
Group Tour Self Guided (10 or more) $ 18
Family Pak (2 adults with up to 3 youth 7 – 17) $ 65

Very
Interesting place to visit it, we’ll worth it & the learning you get, area 51 was fantastic you must visit, you will be surprised with the Ufos I believe, I beam is from twin towers ⁹⁄₁₁

We were looking for a good place, off of the Strip, to bring my parents for their visit.
I have always been curious about this museum, and my parents were excited to see what it had to offer. They were kids during the time of the atomic testing, and remember drills at school preparing them for a disaster.
This place has a lot of things to look at, many things to read, and some video footage. There was even a room where you could experience a simulation of an explosion. It was pretty interesting, and I even yelled out a bit when the ‘aftershock’ hit. The narrator of the film was difficult to hear though. They do offer two phones in the back of the room that allow those who have trouble hearing a better option.
Because there is so much reading to do, and so many diagrams this is not a good place to take kids. Even my young 20-​something kids would most likely be bored. Unless a younger person is really interested in the atomic testing era, I would not bring them here. We also stopped in at the Area 51 exhibit. I was not impressed. It was sort of on the tacky side. Although it had some interesting information, most of it was writing on the walls from various sources. It had the feel of a cheap fun house.
The most interesting fact that I read was the list of daily flights at McCarran that take personnel to Area 51. This showed the call signs for the flights out there, as well as the time frame when they fly.
I am glad that we went to the Museum. It was really informative.

Don’t bring your kids!
It’s a lot of reading, nothing a child under 6 will enjoy.
BUT, for $ 20 you can experience the Atomic museum and the Area 51 exhibit. (Use a Groupon).
The Atomic museum is very interesting. I’ve lived here for years and never knew how much this state has done for our country.
The UFO exhibit though is kinda cheesy. I’m so glad they added a wall for George Knapp. He isn’t given enough credit for his work.

If you’re into history, war, and bombs, this is the museum for you. We spent a good two hours here.
A smaller section of the museum is about Area 51. A bigger part of the museum is about bombs and wars. A lots of information so bring your reading brain.
They also have a small gift shop. I was hoping they have more things but it was limited.

PERFECT FOR THOSE WHO WEAR TIN FOIL HATS! OR LOVE SCIENCE, ALIENS, ASTRONAUTS, SPACE EXPLORATION, AIR CONDITIONING, READING, WAR TIME STUDIES & TECHNOLOGY! So, that’s me! Yay!
T H O U G H T S: Is there life among the planets that share this atmosphere and this space we also inhabit? Is it true that creation first requires destruction, as Picasso once said? Are WMDs to save our world or destroy others and why do we test them only to infect and harm nearby populations? Many questions swirled about me as I perused this non-​obstrusive, but inviting museum, off the main Las Vegas drag, with interactive opportunities and a simulation film with bench seating of what it was like for people in 1950s Nevada, California or Washington state to experience a nuclear test in their backyard. In 1950s Nevada, civilians had to wear dog tags ”in case of nuclear attack”. Los Angeles denizens would gather to watch the nuclear tests over the border.
The Frank H. Rogers Science and Technology and National Atomic Testing Museum leans towards the patriotic and chastises other nations for its atomic and nuclear explorations, but that’s politics and I appreciate all voices in a debate. The running dialogue has been that the United States should be allowed unencumbered access to science and technological exploration. If others got to it first, it was considered an affront to the American people. Albert Einstein is said to have told his best friend, Linus Pauling,“I made one great mistake in my life – when I signed the letter to President Roosevelt recommending that atom bombs be made; but there was some justification – the danger that the Germans would make them […]“
T I C K E T S: Upon entry, you’ll receive a neon green wristband and lanyard, you may keep or recycle, with a different alien species or creature description. If you want to only see the atomic testing exhibits, tickets are $ 14, if you add the X-​Files-​esque Area 51 observation it’s $ 20 per adult. A group tour of 10 people or more is $ 10 per person. Students are $ 17, children from 7 to 17 are $ 12, seniors over 62 years of age, military and Nevada residents are also $ 12. Children under 6 years of age are free. The museum stays open daily until 5p.m. but it’s closed on major holidays, as it is an affiliate of the Smithsonian and therefore receives government assistance.
A M B I A N C E: The vintage newspapers, old propaganda films and survival kits are absolutely fascinating and you’ll want to go slow enough to take it all in. The plaques are not overwhelming and it’s geared for the layman so all can easily digest this heavy topic.
Atomic testing was so beloved at one point, people celebrated with cakes and even a Miss Atomic Bomb beauty contest. Her outfit was a mushroom cloud.
This museum offers the chance to see the missiles, military accoutrements, a staged space of the actual items used in the military offices on the testing site, and other gear. Stop in at the reading library — your signature is required to enter, and you can peruse all sorts of documents (that the public are allowed to see, anyway), and can even take home some fact sheets and information. There are options to check-​out literature.
SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP: Don’t skip the museum store. They sell C.I.A. mugs and alien stickers, Tesla and Einstein and Oppenheimer trinkets and more. Plus, patches and military-​related reading material, including documentaries getting even more in-​depth on opinions, urban legends and secret politics.
T R A N S P O R T A T I O N: Buses are an option, but when venturing that far off from the Strip, you may find it more reliable to call for a cab, or if staying at a resort, wait at the taxi stand. I recommend Lucky Las Vegas Cabs, ask for Enrique Corona-​Sandoval. He knows the city and is very friendly, and professional.
P R O-​T I P: Look for the monitor that gives you control of the bomb scenes, and go as fast or slow as you want to see what an atomic bomb really looks like in motion, as it tears through the forest or village home or desert. Quite mesmerizing and disturbing.

Pretty cool museum for all those folks who say Vegas doesn’t invest in educational pursuits and has no culture. It’s not the best museum I’ve ever been to, and it’s not particularly child-​friendly, but it’s affiliated with the Smithsonian and especially relevant to Vegas considering all of this atomic research was conducted close by.
When I say it’s not a child-​friendly museum, it’s because the set up is information heavy and consists of reading large chunks of writing, repeatedly. It’s kind of overload. Before I was even half way through, I was just skimming. Few of the sections had interactive components– because no, having a screen with five different videos to pick from isn’t what I call interactive.
The part I most enjoyed was the time line: it showed popular events in pop culture, world history, and in atomic testing, all on the same diagram so you could see what events were happening at the same time as others.
On thing I didn’t care for was the inclusion of random canvases of art: someone with a paintbrush and some talent made a series of paintings depicting people during the time of atomic testing in various contemporary scenes. All included a small tag with the work’s name and sale price. I found this tacky. Sell things inside the museum store, not inside the museum itself.
Last couple of exhibits were related to south western Indian tribes, advances in technology, and a modern major events in history: with a chunk of the Berlin wall and one of the beams from the World Trade Center ⁹⁄₁₁.