Atomic Museum

The National Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas documents the history of nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site, about 65 miles away. One of the 37 national museums in the U.S., it is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and opened in 2005. The exhibition takes you through the period from the first test explosion in 1951 to the present day. Highlights include a theater that recreates the experience of a simulated atmospheric nuclear test. You can also see Geiger counters, radiation protection equipment, Indigenous artifacts, and pop culture objects from the atomic age. Other exhibits that draw special attention include a piece of the Berlin Wall, parts of the World Trade Center, and a dedicated exhibit on Area 51.