Atomic Testing Museum

Atomic Testing Museum
755 E. Flamingo Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89119

Hours of operation: Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Cost: $10 general admission. Discounts are available for seniors, students and military personnel with proper identification.

For more than 40 years Nevada was known for its role in atomic testing. Today people can see just how big of a part the state played as they tour the 8,000 square foot Atomic Testing Museum.

During the 40 years, 928 weapons were tested at the Nevada site. The tests were brought to a halt in 1992 when all testing was ceased. Today people can tour the site and hear accounts from people that played a part in the site's role in the Cold War.

Televisions get a brief overview of world events while the Ground Zero Theater gives audiences a glimpse of an above ground detonation. In order to give visitors the true atomic experience, the theater was modeled after the concrete bunkers that were used complete with wooden benches and red warning lights.

Located inside the Frank H. Rogers Science and Technology Building on the Desert Research Institute campus, the museum has more than 370,000 documents for visitors to pour over. The museum is also filled with photos including one of America's largest nuclear tests.

The museum has plenty of things that will keep visitors busy. Feel free to check out the mechanical arms that were used to handle radioactive material, manipulators and interactive exhibits dealing with hydrology and radioactivity. Also on display are items with a little pop culture flair to them. Check out the Kix cereal box that has a Kix Atomic Bomb Ring, or the mixed drink book "Atomic Cocktails."

One thing is for sure, anybody that has a fascination with the history of war or just history in general will love checking out the Atomic Testing Museum as they are in for one explosive time.