The Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas documents the Nevada Test Site, where over 900 nuclear detonations happened between 1951 and 1992. The Smithsonian-affiliated museum opened in 2005 and features a Ground Zero Theater that simulates atomic blasts with rumbling seats, plus Cold War propaganda and Area 51 artifacts. General admission is about $24.
If the movie Oppenheimer whet your appetite for the Atomic Age, then you've got to check out the Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas, which takes you straight into the heart of America's nuclear history. Opened in 2005 and affiliated with the Smithsonian, this museum tells the story of the Nevada Test Site, just 65 miles from Vegas, where over 900 nuclear tests were conducted between 1951 and 1992. Inside, you'll find everything from Geiger counters and Cold War propaganda to a replica of a nuclear test control room. My favorite highlight was the Ground Zero Theater, where you'll experience a simulated atomic blast complete with rumbling seats. It's not all doom and gloom though. There's also quirky pop culture, vintage PSAs, and even artifacts from Area 51. General admission is around $24, and the museum is open daily except Sundays. Follow for more fascinating Vegas finds, and remember, what happens in Vegas sometimes glows in the dark.
