The National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, located on Eubank Boulevard SE in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the United States' only congressionally chartered museum dedicated entirely to the history and science of the atomic age. Established in 1969 as the National Atomic Museum on Kirtland Air Force Base, the institution moved to its current civilian campus in 2009, where it maintains more than 12,000 square feet of indoor exhibits and an expansive outdoor Heritage Park displaying historic aircraft, missiles, and nuclear delivery systems.
The museum's permanent galleries trace the full arc of nuclear history, beginning with the development of atomic theory in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and moving through the Manhattan Project, the Cold War arms race, nuclear energy development, and contemporary nonproliferation. New Mexico is central to this history: the Trinity Site, where the world's first nuclear device was detonated on July 16, 1945, lies approximately 100 miles south of Albuquerque, and Los Alamos National Laboratory—where the bombs were designed—is 60 miles to the north. Both connections are explored in depth throughout the galleries.
Among the most significant artifacts on display are a Fat Man bomb casing of the type dropped on Nagasaki and a Little Boy bomb casing of the type used at Hiroshima, along with full-scale replicas of both weapon designs, vintage Geiger counters, and radiological instruments spanning eight decades. The Voices of the Manhattan Project exhibit presents video testimony from scientists, engineers, machinists, and support workers who participated in the wartime program. Separate galleries address nuclear medicine, radiological emergency response, and the peaceful applications of nuclear technology including power generation and food preservation.
Heritage Park outside the museum contains aircraft that served as nuclear delivery platforms during the Cold War, including a B-29 Superfortress, a B-52 Stratofortress, and an F-105 Thunderchief, as well as ballistic missiles and rockets. The open-air park is included in general admission and provides a striking visual survey of Cold War air power. The museum serves more than 100,000 visitors annually and functions as a major educational resource for school groups, military veterans, and international visitors.
Why it matters
The National Museum of Nuclear Science and History is the United States' only congressionally chartered museum dedicated to the atomic age, preserving the history of the Manhattan Project—centered in New Mexico at Los Alamos and the Trinity Site—through to Cold War deterrence and contemporary nuclear nonproliferation efforts.
Location
601 Eubank Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123
35.0784, -106.5329 View on map
Highlights
- Fat Man and Little Boy bomb casings—original components of the type dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima in 1945
- Voices of the Manhattan Project exhibit with video testimony from wartime scientists and workers
- Heritage Park with Cold War aircraft including a B-29 Superfortress and a B-52 Stratofortress
- Galleries covering the full history from atomic theory through nuclear medicine and nonproliferation
- New Mexico's direct connection to Trinity Site (100 miles south) and Los Alamos National Laboratory (60 miles north)
Tips for visiting
- Plan at least 2–3 hours; Heritage Park alone takes 45–60 minutes to walk thoroughly
- Guided docent-led tours of the Manhattan Project galleries depart on a schedule posted at the main entrance and add significant depth
- Trinity Site, 100 miles south at White Sands Missile Range, opens to the public only on the first Saturdays of April and October—coordinate a trip if timing allows
- The outdoor Heritage Park is most comfortable in the morning before afternoon sun heats the tarmac
- Military veterans and active-duty personnel receive discounted admission; confirm current rates at atomicmuseum.org
- The museum gift shop stocks technical books and documentary materials not easily found elsewhere
When to visit
The museum is open year-round; spring and autumn offer the most pleasant temperatures for exploring Heritage Park. The first Saturdays of April and October—when Trinity Site opens to the public—make those weekends particularly significant for visitors tracing the full nuclear history of New Mexico.
Accessibility
The museum building is fully wheelchair accessible with accessible restrooms and designated parking. Heritage Park is paved and navigable by wheelchair; some aircraft interiors on display have steps or ladders that are not accessible.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a thorough visit to the museum take?
Indoor galleries alone take 1.5–2 hours; adding Heritage Park extends a full visit to 3–4 hours. Visitors focused specifically on the Manhattan Project galleries can complete those in about one hour.
Is the museum suitable for children?
Yes; the museum includes hands-on exhibits and clear explanatory panels accessible to older children and teenagers. Some content about the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki addresses difficult history and may require parental context for younger children.
Is the museum fully accessible for visitors with disabilities?
The museum building is fully wheelchair accessible with accessible restrooms and parking. Heritage Park's outdoor areas are paved and navigable by wheelchair, though some aircraft interiors have steps or ladders that are not accessible.
Is the museum English-language only?
Primary signage and exhibits are in English. Select exhibits include Spanish-language text panels. Audio guides and some printed materials are available in Spanish upon request at the ticket desk.