Entry No. 9 — the Las Vegas file — filed under: atomic-history

National Atomic Testing Museum

A Smithsonian-affiliated archive built entirely around one subject — the more than 900 nuclear tests conducted 65 miles northwest of the city at the Nevada Test Site — with a Ground Zero Theater simulating an atmospheric blast, real Geiger counters, and an actual B53 nuclear bomb casing on display.

The move: Walk the Area 51 exhibit together, then sit through the blast-simulation theater and compare notes on how unsettlingly close 'downwind' Las Vegas actually was to the test range — it's the rare Vegas museum where the eeriness is historical fact, not staging.

• 📍 East of the Strip, near UNLV
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 755 E Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: Official site · Wikipedia

last checked: 2026-07-20