National Atomic Testing Museum (Las Vegas, USA)
Welcome to The National Atomic Testing Museum!
If there’s one attraction in Vegas that’s guaranteed to blow you away it’s the National Atomic Testing Museum (NATM). Covering 10,000-square feet and set just over a mile away from The Strip, this fascinating affiliate of the famed Smithsonian Institution lifts the lid on the once hyper-secret world of nuclear testing that was carried out in the desert north of Las Vegas between 1951 and 1992.
As the only official atomic testing museum in the entire USA, this somewhat unique facility utilises everything from interactive exhibits and brief films to period artefacts and authentic equipment from the actual Nevada Test Site (NTS) to bring Cold War history vividly to life. Moreover, the NATM also highlights the darker side of atomic testing and thermonuclear brinkmanship, showcasing the controversy and propaganda that went hand-in-hand with the hubris of becoming a nuclear superpower.
And before you ask: yes, you will have a blast…
The National Atomic Testing Museum Experience
With more than 16,000 photographs, 6000 documents and all manner of gadgets, gizmos and artefacts on display, the wealth of material on hand to tell the ambitious, shocking and often quite surreal story of nuclear testing in Nevada is staggeringly impressive. And yet, it is perhaps the 10-minute film shown in the bunker-styled Ground Zero Theater that makes the greatest impact. Step inside and you’ll experience what it was like to observe an atomic explosion, with air blasts hitting your face and vibrations rocking your seat. Electrifying and unsettling in equal measure, it should definitely be on your ‘things to do in Las Vegas’ list!
Further on you’ ll find the evocative Today and Tomorrow Gallery. This is well worth loitering around at for an extended period as, in addition to showcasing a piece of the Berlin Wall (an iconic symbol of the ending of the Cold War), this thought-provoking area also contains pieces of the World Trade Center, a timely reminder of how conflict has changed in the 21st century.
It’s worth noting that, while the NATM isn’t as large as some other Vegas museums, it’s beguilingly comprehensive so make sure you allow yourself a good few hours to enjoy it thoroughly.
Las Vegas Hotels Near The National Atomic Testing Museum
As one of the more central museums in Las Vegas, the NATM is surrounded by a wealth of accommodation options. If you like things lively and you’re happy to spend the bucks then the renowned Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on nearby Paradise Road is likely to tick all your boxes. Those looking for a more mid-range option may well appreciate the Silver Sevens Hotel & Casino. Also on Paradise Road, this casual offering boasts a gaming floor, an outdoor pool and two restaurants. While the Mardi Gras Hotel & Casino is slightly further away (yet still on Paradise Road), it proffers very good value for a budget hotel. A 24-hour casino lounge and an outdoor pool are on hand here, too.
Contact
755 East Flamingo Road, 89119,
Telephone: +1(702)7945151