Discovering how nuclear testing in Nevada helped shape the rapid growth of Las Vegas, and what the Atomic Testing Museum reveals – and conceals – about this extraordinary chapter in American history. This guide was updated in January 2025.
- To skip the review and just book tickets, head this way.
The rise of Las Vegas and its explosive growth
For all the things that are incredible and absurd about Las Vegas, Sin City’s most remarkable achievement is how quickly it has grown. Today, the population of the Las Vegas metropolitan area is around 2.39 million. In 1960 – just 65 years ago – the population was 64,405.
I know this, because it says so in the Atomic Testing Museum – a Vegas attraction that deviates from the norm of faux Eiffel Towers, in-hotel roller coasters and Central American men trying to sell you prostitutes while you watch the dancing fountains at the Bellagio.
Las Vegas in the 1950s: The boom begins
The 1950s is when Las Vegas, realistically, began to take off. It was when the first resort casinos opened and the reputation for being a bit naughty set in. There are many reasons that Vegas has become what it is today – proximity to casino-free California, lax attitudes to law enforcement for mobsters, the building of the Hoover Dam – but the one that doesn’t quite get the credit it deserves is nuclear weapons testing.
How nuclear testing came to Nevada
The first atom bomb was exploded in New Mexico, and subsequent tests were carried out on the likes of Bikini Atoll in what is now the Marshall Islands. But testing in the Pacific was hugely expensive and inconvenient, so it was decided that a continental testing site was needed. Out of four candidates, a whopping great chunk of land in the Nevada desert that was already owned by the Federal Government drew the short straw.
The nearest city, lying within mushroom cloud viewing range to the south, was Las Vegas. Instead of stamping and screaming about the potentially lethal hazard being placed to the north, the moneymen of Vegas decided that this was not the short straw at all.
The boom of the test site era
The newly emerging resort hotels started to organise atomic viewing parties, and although the authorities at the Nevada Test Site tried to keep test times a secret, tourists and locals flocked to see the explosions when they were found out about.
More importantly, however, the Las Vegas Valley was designated a ‘Critical Defense Area’ and bucketloads of government money was poured into it. In 1950, the population was just 24,624. The Test Site money and the advent of successful tourism saw it almost treble within a decade – the boom had begun in more ways than one.
Inside the Atomic Testing Museum
The museum itself has its strengths – it covers the history of the Nevada Test Site in detail, it has copies of the letters from Albert Einstein to President Roosevelt that suggested nuclear power should be looked into as a matter of urgency and there’s a room where you can ‘experience’ an atomic explosion. In the latter, the floor shakes, steam hisses from speakers and the mushroom cloud goes up in front of you. Suffice to say, it’s not a particularly realistic simulation, as I wouldn’t be here writing this if so.
Criticism and missing voices
And that would be the major glaring weakness of the museum. In parts it’s little more than a propaganda exercise. There are no dissenting voices presented, and all the talking heads appear adamant that the billions of dollars spent blowing up bombs in the desert were vitally important for protecting our planet and preventing World War 3.
The horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are glossed over almost completely, as are the effects of those living near the Pacific atolls where the biggest blasts took place. As for what happened to the local people, we learn in a snippet of a sentence that “some reactor releases probably caused higher thyroid exposures” and that’s it. There’s an overwhelming stench of cover-up and of the full story not being presented.
As for the local Native Americans whose land it was, we learn that they were shunted off their land, and that they didn’t approve of tests being carried out there. Again, it’s a footnote.
The legacy of atomic testing in Nevada
The atomic history of Las Vegas and Nevada is engrossing. But it will be even more so once the full story is presented.
Entrance fees for the National Atomic Testing Museum
The museum is a non-profit organization located just off the Las Vegas Strip and is a site affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution. The facility operates as a cashless venue, accepting major credit cards and mobile payment options.
| Admission category | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General adult admission | $29 | Standard price for visitors aged 18 to 64. |
| Seniors (65+) | $24 | Requires a valid ID for discount. |
| Military/First Responders | $25 | Includes active and retired personnel with ID. |
| Nevada residents | $24 | Requires a valid ID for proof of residence. |
| Youth (7–17) | $15 | Reduced rate for older children and teenagers. |
| Children under 6 | Free | Complimentary admission. |
These National Atomic Testing Museum ticket prices were checked and updated in January 2026.
Nearby attractions to the National Atomic Testing Museum
The museum is situated close to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) campus and is a short drive from the main resort corridor, offering proximity to various Las Vegas sites.
- The Las Vegas Strip: The area offers a concentration of resorts, casinos, shows, and dining experiences. The museum is located about a mile and a half from the main Strip, where you can ascend the Strat Tower, see the best Cirque du Soleil show for children and do a whole lot more than gamble.
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV): Located nearby, the campus is home to the Thomas & Mack Center, a venue for major sporting events and concerts.
- Day trips to regional nature sites: The museum’s location allows for easier access to road trips to natural attractions outside the city, such as the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the Valley of Fire State Park. Seven Magic Mountains and Red Rock Canyon also provide agreeable escapes.
- Other themed museums: Las Vegas is home to many specialised museums, including the Mob Museum and the Neon Museum, which offer further history of the city. For more interactive, tech-driven attractions, try the ARTE Museum, Neon Museum, Area 15 and Omega Mart.
FAQ: Visitor questions about the National Atomic Testing Museum
Information on the museum’s contents and visitor experience.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the primary focus of the museum? | The museum, affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, focuses on the history of the Nevada Test Site (now the Nevada National Security Site) and the United States’ nuclear weapons testing programme from the 1950s onward. |
| What key exhibits are featured? | Notable features include a replica of the control point where nuclear countdowns were conducted, and the Ground Zero Theater, which provides a simulation of an above-ground nuclear test. |
| How long should a visit take? | Visitors typically spend between 1.5 and 2 hours exploring the exhibits. |
| Are reservations required for the Atomic Testing Museum? | Reservations are encouraged, particularly during peak times, but walk-ins are welcome. |
Disclosure: This guide contains affiliate links. Book through them, and I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
More Las Vegas travel
Other Las Vegas travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Which hotels are on the Las Vegas Monorail?
- Where locals eat and drink in Las Vegas.
- How to visit the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign without using a taxi.
- Why it’s worth visiting Dante’s View, Zabriskie Point, Badwater Basin, Artists Palette and Rhyolite on a day trip to Death Valley.
- What is the cheapest Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil show?
