The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History Reviews

This is a must see for visitors to albuquerque. I was very fortunate to meet Jay who volunteers there, and his knowledge and anecdotes of an amazing history made it more than memorable. Great visit, thanks to Jay and the entire museum!

This is a well laid out and very informative museum to the benefits (and tragedies) of nuclear power with a real focus on Trinity, Manhattan Project and the military applications. Very informative workers and docents. Outside is filled with various planes and other missile delivery vehicles. It was REALLY hot outside so we didn't do that much perusing. Bought a small piece of Trinitite (the glass made from the heat of the first atomic weapon detonation.

Reasonable admission and a ton of information...A great place for all ages and the planes out side were fun to get close to although i wish you could have gone inside them.

Indoor and outdoor exhibits were fun to view, everything was accessible for a wheelchair, staff were amazing and so knowledgeable! What a fun thing to do with teens to explore the evolution of the use of “nuclear”.

Worth the stop! Lots to see. Staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. You can easily spend a couple of hours here. Planes outside are a great photo op.

We enjoyed very much. It was very educative and also provided more insights to WWII. We learned details on the war we didn't get from visiting WWII National Museum.
Worth every penny

Everything you wanted to know or not know about nuclear energy and the atomic bomb is here. If you are a science nerd, this place is a fascinating education on nuclear fission and the brilliant minds who conceptualized and carried out the dual creation of weapons vs energy. For history buffs, it chronicled the details of the creation of the bomb. And for kids, go outside for an amazing display of their planes, cannons and submarines that are nuclear capable. If you read everything, figure three hours. But otherwise, you should plan 1-2 hours. Worth it.

The staff was so welcoming. The museum had interactive and exciting exhibits for adults or children. There was great artifacts from the Manhattan Project and even a B-29 in the yard! This was a great find while we were in the area. I’m so glad we went!

This museum covers the foundations of nuclear science during war time all the way to modern day energy production. Great displays of nuclear weapons, planes, and missiles. Whether you have a little knowledge or advanced knowledge of the science, it is sure to interest you.

Top notch museum with lots and lots to see. Everything you ever wanted to know about atomic energy, from Einstein to Fukushima, the scientists, the bomb, nuclear power plants and toys. One of the best museums I've been to, a must see when in Albuquerque!!

We spent a couple of hours here. It was a great addition to having seen the Trinity site last year. They have a very nice collection with unique items (loved seeing the atomic era toys). The history lesson is concise and interesting. The only ding I would give them is the outside collection could use some care. They do appear to be working on that as they were painting one of the missiles and had the fighter area cordoned off for work. Its worth a stop.

We spent 3 hours at this museum because it was so interesting. We learned the history of nuclear science from Madame Curie to Three Mile Island and Chernobyl.

If you're looking for a fun souvenir, check out the glow-in-the-dark soaps. They really do glow in the dark!

I visited here with my 11, 13, and sister in law on a quick trip to Albuquerque. What a great museum! We loved the B52 exhibit and the kids area was really cool! We were here about 2 hours but could have stayed longer. Will definitely be back!

It gets hot outside for static exhibits so do that early in the day. Nice staff inside the museum. Great value.

The museum is unique outside the Smithsonian in D.C. It provides a comprehensive recount of the people and steps in the discovery and development of nuclear fusion, atomic weapons, the medical use of radiation, nuclear power generation and the major events in the back story. The displays and video clips are well organized and informative and the exhibits are very impressive. Outdoors is a display of airplanes of the types which were important to the story. A tour of the displays is self-paced and can comfortably be covered in under 2 hours. It's more suitable for adults and advanced teens who are familiar with episodes such as the Cold War, WWII and the Cuban missed crisis, and is wheelchair accessible

It is large, informative, and includes several fun, interactive exhibits for children and adults alike. While the admission prices are fairly high compared to some museums, it covers a unique facet of history and science that is not really covered in detail at most other facilities.

You've seen it in the movies and it doesn't disappoint. Great displays and the staff are very knowledgeable. It definitely puts the icing on the cake of the knowledge of the first nuclear bomb and the race to achieve it. Keep up the good work.

This is a museum I never would have thought of seeing but was very surprised. We spent close to 3 hours looking at all the displays. There were guides walking around that gave extra information. Go outside to the displays if you can.

Worth getting off the road and spending a couple hours. The entire history of our nuclear age is here including some of the weapons we created. Super educational - learned a lot.
Nice gift shop.

We only had 2 or 3 hours at the museum, and that wasn't nearly enough.

The museum lives up to its name of presenting both science and history; sometimes a single exhibit combines both approaches. For example, there is one area set up to illustrate the various techniques that the scientists used at Los Alamos when they were developing the first atomic bomb. Small groups of equipment, with explanatory signs, show the various processes that the atomic workers carried out. Each of those small exhibits is part of larger "stage set", furnished with racks of period scientific equipment, period furniture, period lamps, period mechanical desk calculators, and the like.

The museum has full-size mockups of the bombs dropped in World War II. Staff members are there to explain how they worked. They have genuine versions of other nuclear hardware, such as the outer casings of nuclear bombs that were dumped into the ocean near Spain when a B-52 collided with another airplane. I was shocked at the small sizes of those and some of the other, even smaller, nuclear bombs.

The museum also shows the cultural side of nuclear power; you can watch the "duck and cover' videos that instructed school children to hide under their desks during a nuclear attack.

In the museum's back yard are nuclear era aircraft, such as the WW II B-29 Superfortress and the later B-47 Stratojet. Next to those planes is the conning tower of a nuclear missile submarine, the USS James K Polk, looking as if the sub had just surfaced in the middle of Albuquerque!

I’m not much of a military or science buff, but found lots to enjoy in this well designed museum. The docent that greeted us was very informative and got us started outside to see the aircrafts before it got too hot.

Although it could benefit from a little modernization, this is a good museum overall. The displays were educational (I did not know the U.S. put so much effort into the development of numerous types and sizes of nuclear weapons). The films are a old and not greatly interesting.

I’ve always been a fan of the U.S. nuclear program. This museum has it all. The amount of in depth detail on display about how all this stuff works is amazing. And you an get close up and personal with most of the displays. From kids to seniors, there’s something for everyone.

Very good medium sized museum. Lots of New Mexico related exhibits covering animals of NM from that Jurassic, Terrassic and Cretaceous period. Also, lots of information on the mineralology of the state and the history of the geological formations. Don’t miss the planetarium or the 3D movie. Plan to take 4 hours to enjoy the visit.

A unique experience. All that is nuclear is covered here. The section on nuclear medicine was particularly interesting.

This was a really cool place to learn about the history of nuclear science and it's effect on the world and the environment. My husband loved the outdoor area with all of the planes and missiles.

You can spend hours at this museum! There is so much to ready and see. And outside there is a huge area of planes, rockets & missiles to view with benches to sit. They do honor Veterans with a discount. Lots of parking and easy to find. Not far from Old Town. People of all ages will enjoy this museum.

Fascinating museum to learn about nuclear history. Friendly staff and easy to walk through. Things to see outside and tons to see and read inside. This was put together with great care and gives a very fair view of how nuclear helped shape our country.

A good place to learn the story of the Atomic Age, from early research of nuclear development through today’s more peaceful uses of nuclear technology. From their website: ‘They cover everything from the very origins of atomic theory, the complexity of the political scenarios contributing to World War II, the height of the Cold War, to modern-day advances in nuclear medicine – and even begin to speculate about the future of this fascinating and exciting field.’

There is almost too much to see/read for just one visit. I was there for over 3 hours and never saw all of it. The museum feels like it could be easily seen in two parts anyway. My attention span just got frazzled with that much interesting information. I love that there is a large elements periodic table on the floor as you enter the building. Cleverly done and a great way to highlight their sponsors.

Did you know Brazil Nuts are the world’s most radioactive food? One nuclear fuel pellet the size of your fingertip produces as much energy as one metric ton of coal? If a race car was as reliable as a centrifuge, it could travel non-stop at top speeds for well over 30 years without a pit-stop? That your toothpaste may have a little radioactivity in it? That a NM State driver’s license issued to a Los Alamos resident in 1944 would read Full Name as ‘Number 224’, Address as ‘Special List B, Santa Fe’, and Signature as ‘Not required’.

Those are some of the fascinating things you can learn here as well as the story of the Manhattan Project, New Mexico’s own involvement with the Trinity Site and Los Alamos. Learn more about plutonium vs. Uranium, the mistakes made along the way to producing ‘clean’ nuclear energy, Fat Man, Planes, Bombers, medical use of radiation, how close we came to not existing (if Kennedy didn’t get involved) and much more on the political, philosophical and practical aspects of it all.
Well laid out. Interesting. Definitely worth a detour.

The exhibits are really well done and have plenty of information. Definitely requires a few hours to get through everything. There are even some fun interactive exhibits for kids and adults.

We enjoyed this museum and the exhibits. We learned a lot about nuclear science during this brief visit. Highly recommended for those interested in chemistry & World War II.

The museum is the place to learn about nuclear science, energy and its use in national defense. An extensive collection of inert (meaning no radioactive or explosive materials) nuclear weapons are on display for your perusal, including engineering replicas of the first atomic weapons Fat Man and Little Boy. Also, a significant collection of Cold War aircraft, including a B-29 and a B-52, is on display. And a tribute to sci-fi time travel--a genuine DeLorean. How cool is that?

This is a fantastic place to visit. So much history and great exhibits. The people that work here are incredibly nice and outgoing. They'll share all the history they can with you.

We only planned to pop in for a few minutes and ended up spending a few hours. It's a large museum packed with historical content. The exhibits are well thought out and there are a few interactive displays to keep younger visitors attention. Younger children will enjoy the kids center but may get board in the rest of the museum.
My teens enjoyed the exhibit with toys from the 40's and 50's. They were shocked that toy makers would make games and puzzles with a nuclear bomb theme. Oppenheimer on everyone's radar right now and there was quite a bit of background on him in the exhibits.
They have a number of planes and displays out side on display tool.

Hardly ever give a bad review but based on our reaction and the reaction of many people in our tour group, this place did not capture our attention. Could be because we had a has been tour guide in the museum who was boring and convoluted. We were all turned off. Most of the information you can read online and see pictures.

I read some negative reviews on here and started to question whether or not I wanted to go. I’m so glad that I did. The history and examples were absolutely fascinating! There was a lot of attention to detail and thought put into this museum.

We had a special group tour of the museum by one of the awesome docents. The museum has some incredible displays with artifacts dating back to the 1940s and the original Manhattan Project. They have a few excellent films also which are a must see while touring the museum. And, they have an awesome assortment of aircraft and spacecraft as well as other artifacts associated with nuclear energy, bombs and how they are/were transported. Be sure to tour the outside displays where the full size aircraft and more are displayed.
I highly recommend this museum if you are in the Albuquerque area!

The planes displayed outside were impressive and the inside was a wealth of exciting interesting and worthwhile information with actual objects for you to see. It is fascinating and definitely worthwhile

Great exhibits and even my teens thought were interesting. Kinda frightening to see the process of the development and eventual use of nuclear weapons. The outdoor display puts size into perspective. Worthy of a stop. Check Groupon before arriving for savings.

Super friendly retired servicemen as docents... great information,well laid out, great aircrafts and full of history. Spent over 2 hours taking it in til our brains quit on us. Worth a visit!

My husband who was wanting to see the Atomic Annie, was amazed at all the WWII memorabilia that they had to offer. I being a history nerd soaked it all in. They have something for the entire family including an area for children to learn more about science!

I am so glad we stopped. This is a huge museum and traces the history of nuclear discovery from its very beginnings to the development of the atom bomb used in WWII and how much of it was done in New Mexico and its aftermath. It also tracks the use of it in medicine-both hoax, dangerous and beneficial. The benefits of nuclear energy are also addressed as well as how byproducts are disposed of. There is a special exhibit right now about B-52 bombers. Outside, in the back, the B-52 and other planes, missiles and bombs (deactivated, of course)are on display. There is a little Einstein room for kids but it is currently being updated and not in use now. We spent almost two hours and just hit the main points. You could spend hours here. They could turn up the air conditioning, though. It was pretty warm the day we were there.

This was a great museum with interesting exhibits inside and outside. When we went, there was a couple outside offering free telescope views of the sun, solar eclipse glasses, and info on solar flares and activity. Inside, the staff and volunteers were very friendly and knowledgeable. The movie on the Manhattan Project was well worth the 40 minutes' time, and the exhibits were interesting and well-described. There is a lot of reading to do and some hands on exhibits, in addition to the aircraft and replica bombs. Definitely plan on at least 2 hours.

Cool museum. Shows the lead up to the bomb and lots of ww2 history as well as some of the weapons made. The planes outside are pretty cool. A little something for everyone here.

A great museum and since Lisa had watched “Manhattan Project” she had a greater appreciation of the exhibits. Also incredible aircraft and missiles outside that you can get right next to -well worth the price and could spend a whole day if you get thrilled by jets!

Amazing collection of items - seriously stunning assembly of material items from various eras in the development of nuclear technology. It's hard to imagine that someone would save every piece of office furniture nowadays from a lab somewhere, eventually, something very famous would happen. But, someone did and it's set up here in this museum. Very unusual -- and fun to look at!

Outside of the museum is a static display of military aircraft including a B-52 (70 years old and still in service) and B-25 as well as disassembled rocketry that would have been used to carry a nuclear payload if necessary. For me it was a worthwhile trip!

This museum doesn’t seem large on the outside but we spent 2-3 hours going through the exhibits inside and outside. The amount of artifacts on display was impressive.

We spent about an hour, adults and teens, and it just didn’t hold our interest. The section about current applications of nuclear energy was clearly sponsored by the industry. Many other sections really could have been more fleshed out, to make it worth what we paid.

Be in the mood for some dark facts and ugly history when you visit here. The information is very educational. The facts of what we’ve done and how and why can be very disturbing.

Spent three and a half hours here. Interesting, educational, and visually stimulating. The static outdoor aircraft, missile, rocket, and other displays were fascinating to an aerospace buff like me. The inside is full of interesting displays, video, and some interactive sites for all ages about nuclear energy, nuclear medicine, nuclear research, and nuclear weapons/ warfare. There is plenty of free parking.

I'm was a "Nuke guy" in the USAF so many of the exhibits and artifacts were familiar to me from when the museum was on Kirtland many years ago. That said, there was much to learn here and everything was very well displayed and explained. The only reason for 4-stars instead of five is that I thought it was pretty expensive compared ot many other museums.

The visual presentation was excellent in tracking the start of the nuclear age and going through its stages to almost to the present day. Military warfare items were displayed, including planes outside, to illustate our development and progress through history. Part of the museum was extremely helpful in explaning the technolgy to children. A worthwhile experience.

Whether you love science, history, or just a good museum, this place is a must-see. The museum had a variety of diverse, thought-provoking displays, including "broken arrows" (broken nuclear hardware), nuclear themed children's toys, and plenty of information. They have top-notch docents including one named Jay (retired Navy), who helped make this aspect of history really come to life. Some of the display posters had typos, but they are aware and will fix them eventually. This is definitely a place worth your time if you are in Albuquerque.

We enjoyed the historical exhibits with memorabilia laid out on a timeline. The docents we spoke to are retired from one facet or another of the nuclear history of the US.

Really cool place that delves into the history of nuclear science and its impact on the world. Museum is well organized and easy to follow.

...not just weapons, although they get most attention. Friendly staff, especially the retires volunteers. Museum shop is a bit kitschy.

I enjoyed the way the self-guiding tour was set up guiding you through the history of nuclear development and uses. Additionally, the guides are informative and educational.

Coming from the DC area, it means a lot to us to hear that a museum is affiliated with the Smithsonian, as the Nuclear Museum in Albuquerque is, and it did not disappoint. The exhibits were well-curated, with a good mixture of reading material, artifacts, and interactive demonstrations. However, the "star of the show", by far, is the impressive outdoor area behind the museum, where numerous pieces of nuclear-related military hardware are on static display. These range from missiles to bombers to artillery. The ticket is a reasonable price for all you get to see, and we could have spent more time there, but our visit ran up against the museum's closing hour. Be sure to take advantage of the docents wandering around; when you start chatting with them, you'll really appreciate their very relevant and specific knowledge of these topics.

We had about 1 hour prior to our flight for a quick stop at this museum. Would recommend at least 2 hours, but we were able to see and quickly enjoy all the exhibits except the movie, which I wish we would have had time for. The museum covers early nuclear history to current with many authentic exhibits. Very well and chronologically organized. Docents were helpful and knowledgable. Will return when we have more time. Close to Alb airport.

We are not science geeks but we did enjoy the exhibits, and especially the ones outside. If you're into all things nuclear, you'll love this place.

This museum is about the history of nuclear weapons with indoor and outdoor exhibits of bombs, planes and rockets. It’s next to a nuclear weapons laboratory, and headquarters buildings of the Air Force’s Nuclear Weapons Center and the Energy Department’s National Nuclear Security Agency. Despite the Museum’s name “National Museum of Nuclear Science and History,” it has little to do with civilian areas of nuclear medicine, nuclear reactors and power plants, and nuclear fusion. That was disappointing.

Awesome place to visit, with plenty to see including a huge outdoor exhibit of planes, even part of a submarine. Inside of the new facility is roomy and well laid out, taking you through the evolution of the nuclear age. Sobering and fascinating at the same time. Someplace everyone should go and visit.

spent 3-4 hours there and lots of information and historic pictures. also had outdoor place for aircrafts. gift shop has many cute things and I wish I bought more:)

Excellent museum about the history of the nuclear bombs used in WWII and the military and civilian people that were involved including Albert Einstein. There were lots of information, videos, pictures and artifacts like the bombs, nuclear weapons and missiles. There was an outside museum of bomber planes and missiles. It took us 3 solid hours to cover mostly everything.

History heavy and very thoroughly presented. If you read everything you ca spend quite a long time. At points I overloaded - after a day of long flights - so failure to give 5 stars is probably personal. There is a lighter side - America's atomic obsession in the 50s & 60's - games, toys, et al. Surprised there isn't Dr. Strangelove in here somewhere, but might have missed it. The marketers certainly sold the bomb. Fallout shelters, poingnant memories of Hiroshima, much weaoponry and a collection of warbirds, missles outside for those with heat tolerance (why not) - all signed for context. After the initial creation story, hits most of the highlights, and you'll likely go away knowing more than when you arrived - though you might not go away realizing we are far less armed to the teeth than we once were - problem of course being ever increasing proliferation - the Club is now 9 (or 12, depending on how one counts)

Outstanding presentation of all aspects of nuclear science development. The primary focus is on nuclear weaponry, but everything is represented, including nuclear medicine, power, and even "quackery". The outdoor exhibits form a loose timeline of American preparations for nuclear warfare, with bombers, missiles, and even one of the "Atomic Annie" cannons! The docents are eager to help and discuss the displays, and share their personal knowledge and experiences. Much of the material may be a bit dry for kids, and be aware that the museum bravely does not shy away from WWII history: there is frank discussion of the Holocaust and Japanese atrocities in China, and even some Nazi artifacts on display.

I took my brother-in-law to see this hidden gem. He is a retired Navy LCDR. He worked with some of the ordnance on exhibit. He was impressed with how the topic was so interestingly and the world class presentation.

We traveled New Mexico visiting every nuclear science museum we could find and this was probably one of the best. We had three hours to spend and could have spent more. Because of our previous museums, we knew a lot of the background, but appreciated the clear and thorough explanations of history provided here. The museum houses a lot of interesting artifacts. They have the car that the Gadget's plutonium core traveled in to the test site, along with a limo used by the top scientists. Shells of bombs that were dropped accidently? They are here. True stories of whoops moments and the real dangers that nuclear weapons have unleased on the world? They are here. Outside you can view more planes and rockets. A nice gift store is at the front of the museum. No food service is available. This museum is a definite if you are interested in the history of nuclear science in the world.

Fun place to stop if you're into science and the military. Plenty of displays with good descriptions and details. They even have 2 atomic bombs that were dropped by accident during a training flight incident. Inert, of course. Fun afternoon.

This is a Smithsonian affiliated museum and it shows. It is definitely a top notch museum. The atrium opens up to a large periodic table on the ground. The museum has several areas and is quite large. The outside has many missiles and planes. All displays are very well done and have information well posted. There is an interactive area for kids (and adults). The day we toured, there were several science stations setup, including viewing of the sun.

A must stop while in the Albuquerque area.

The museum is well put together, focusing on the science and history of everything atomic. A fairly small property, but packed with good information and exhibits. The outside exhibits are pretty well maintained, something that isn't easy to keep up with.

The museum describe the history of the atomic bomb, nuclear war heads and delivery systems, as well as other things related to nuclear. The museum feature both props and the real things, atomic bombs, missiles, warheads, and outside they have an area featuring airplanes and large missiles carrying warheads. There are movies, posters, and a game teaching you about the history of nuclear weapons, the Manhattan project, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, the cold war, types of nuclear weapons, and the men who developed the nuclear weapons and the nuclear physics behind it. The museum is geared towards everyone but especially school kids. Some will find it disturbing others will find the museum entertaining, or both disturbing and entertaining, but in any case it is good education. We don’t talk much about nuclear weapons anymore but they are still around. I especially enjoyed the outside with all the impressive airplanes, jet airplanes, missiles and ICBM’s. Poof bang we are all dead. Kidding aside, the museum made you think.

Been there several times and there is never enough time to see everything. No place like this anywhere I can think of.

This museum is a nice size for a few hours, you really can see the whole thing. Lots of great stuff for kids, people interested in science, people interested in history, and basically anything else. We loved the interactive parts of the museum and the mix between science and history. Overall a great stop!

Easy to get to its the most comprehensive and well done (and fun) exhibits on the history of the development of the Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs, and the stories behind it. The volunteer we met was a Navy vet who worked in the nuclear industry both in the service and post service. His history and stories were enthralling and brought the history to life. Important history for both adults and children. Our time at the museum flew buy..... Make sure you don't miss this one, you'll be glad you went.

Don't want to say too much, but go and learn more about Nuclear energy all the good and bad this place is a gem not to be missed some of the best most informative indoor displays ever and then go outside and see real full sized planes and missiles. Nuclear Bombs - Atom bombs are these the "Crown of Creation? or what does away with it ? Only the future can tell...

First off, the film on the Manhattan Project is a must-see to appreciate and understand the museum’s displays. This is a great venue for children excited by science. There are many interactive opportunities to test the principles and properties that young minds (and some of us still young at heart) want to prove. The gift shop also has some old school treats like gyroscopes, Rubik’s cubes, and other brain teasers.

As baby boomers we thought this had good displays of the atomic bomber era. Civil defense information and protocols, informative descriptions next to displays of labs and missles. No touch displays open. Outdoor display of aircraft was well done.

This is a great museum that has a lot of the history about the development of the nuclear weapon we used...very intriguing and informative...

Amazing, gorgeously curated museum. Docent and people at admissions-gift shop were all very nice and well-informed.

The museum provides a decent overview of the decision to pursue development of the first nuclear weapon and how the weapons were designed, constructed, and tested at nearby facilities in New Mexico. For better or worse, the museum is not too detailed. For those who are unfamiliar with the development of the first nuclear bomb, the museum provides a good overview. If you already have an extensive knowledge of the subject, the visit to this museum will be rather underwhelming.

The museum also talks about further development of nuclear weapons after World War II. Most of the focus is on the Army and Air Force employment of the weapons. There is scant mention of the U.S. submarines that have carried thousands of nuclear weapons over the last 50 years. So, their depiction of the employment of nuclear weapons is not really complete.

Also, even though this museum is named “The National Museum of Nuclear Science and Technology,” it focuses very heavily on nuclear weapons and very little on other areas of nuclear science.

The museum has several outdoor exhibits – airplanes that carried nuclear weapons, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and a mock up of the tower used to test the first nuclear weapon at the Trinity Site.

If you are in town to visit the Trinity Site during their April or October open house, you might as well drop by this museum. It’s also worthwhile if visiting Albuquerque for another reason, but definitely not worth a special trip.

They love sharing personal history stories with guests and they have the inside scoop on a lot of these fascinating exhibits.

In New Mexico, you'll have many opportunities to learn about nuclear energy and the Manhattan Project. The National Museum is the best of the bunch, If you visit the National Museum, you could, without missing too much, skip similar experiences in Santa Fe and Los Alamos, (Visiting all of the Manhattan Project sites is worthwhile, but if you have to pick one, the National Museum is the one.

Unlike other nuclear sites, the National Museum teaches you about the entire history of nuclear science, not just modern events.

Lots of interactive exhibits.

We even got to chat with the museum director.

I love science and history and this museum is a great combination of the two. They talk about different eras in nuclear science such as WWI, the Cold War, and modern days. I feel like I left there smarter than when I walked in.

This museum was my boyfriend's pick of the day. We were there for about 1.5 hours. It was a nice museum. They had volunteers all throughout to answer questions and point you in the right direction, which was helpful because it's not real obvious which direction one should go. It kind of winds you around in a weird way. There is a large outdoor area with a playground for kids to play on, as well as more exhibits for guests to view. It was a good museum to visit in order to get out of the hot sun during our summer trip!

If you have any interest at all in the history of the nuclear age, this is the place for you. The planes and rockets involved in delivering nuclear devices are outside so get there early and do this first as at 9:30 it was already 90C. Inside was detailed, clearly described and great video presentations. Kids are also catered for so it really is for all ages. Totally recommend this museum.

Really enjoyed this museum and even though we spent 4 hours we did not see it all. Great combination of science and the history of the nuclear industry in the US. Also amazing selection of planes and missiles outside the museum. Probably more suited to adult than children as a lot of reading about heavy subjects and not a lot of interactive displays for children.

We went because this is something that my husband is very interested it...I , of course, went, knowing that I would learn things , which I did and I think kids would also learn things here..they make it interesting for all ages and the people that either work there or volunteer, whichever they are,,,they are ALL very knowledgeable about EVERYTHING there! If anyone in your family or party you are traveling with is interested in this type of thing,,definitely worth the trip..

This is a really interesting musuem and a must-see if you are interested in the nuclear deterent of the United States. The displays are very well done and the museum is well laid out but many of the most fascinating things are in the outdoor exhibit. As it is usually very bright and sunny in New Mexico I recommend you bring a hat and don't miss out on the outdoor displays. Outside they have everything from a replica of the tower used for the Trinity test of the first nuclear weapon to bombers and missiles. Whether you believe we should have nuclear weapons or not, it is good to see what is behind the deterent. Just a great museum to understand it better and see the history of a huge US program.

Will give you a well rounded informative day. Bring the kids and the grandparents will love it! Look outside for some great old planes!

this lesser known gem of scientific knowledge includes excellent enhibits and films about our past and present Nuclear events that I recommend to all curious adults and children

Good coverage of the race to an atomic bomb by Germany, Japan and U.S. during WWII. Enjoyed the coverage of the Cold War and Broken Arrows. The Heritage Park with B-29, B-47, B-52, F-16, etc was great. They even have a few ICBM’s on display. Limited coverage of nuclear medicine, waste disposal, and accidents. Easily spend 2 to 4 hours there depending on your interests.

My son and I stopped in here on the way to Los Alamos and Santa Fe without expecting much. It turns out this is the best museum for Manhattan Project and Oppenheimer history we visited. While the Manhattan sites are all in Los Alamos of course, the detailed history at this museum was the best we saw on our ‘Oppenheimer’ trip. They have great recreations of the labs, models of the bombs, and photos and videos, plus you can see the recreation of the Trinity Test Tower (the original was obliterated in the test) and a B29 Flying Fortress, so you can really see the whole Manhattan Project story ‘for real’. Really great.

So much information about nuclear bomb and energy, clearly described. Don't miss the outside display of bombers and missiles.

Much bigger on the inside than it appears, really good explanation of the history of nuclear technology. Outdoor portion with planes was quite nice to see as well.

Little Albert's science center was cute, though the animatronic Albert Einstein needs a tune-up.

Guides are a wealth of information, and quite friendly.

Finding this museum was a surprise. It’s a short drive outside the main area of Albuquerque. If you like science, war history or you are into aviation you would enjoy this museum and it’s an inexpensive afternoon $15 a piece. The exhibits were well done but some seemed a little out of date. The docents were around to answer questions or give tours.

Really interesting museum. Great exhibits inside and out and an extremely well done and interesting general history of the atom bomb and Manhattan project and into the Cold War (much, much better than at Los Alamos). Quite a lot of background and civilian uses, especially nuclear power and medicine. If you only go to one museum on nuclear history make it this one.

A great way to learn about nuclear science and the development of the atomic bomb. There was a small area for younger kids. The outdoor exhibits included a model of the Trinity Site and several planes and missiles. However, since it was insanely windy the day we went, we visited that part quickly.

Just an incredibly informative museum with excellent exhibits and signage that explained history succinctly. Highly recommend

This museum was fine, though I thought that it was lacking in both the number of actual artifacts it had, as well as in the way that they were presented. THere is definitely a strong focus on bomb making and military applications, which, obviously, is a part of nuclear history.

This museum was very complete, but on a subject that carries a lot of emotion. It was good to refresh my knowledge by rewatching the movie “The Manhattan Project,” which gives a good background into the history and people involved in the development of the atom bomb. While very informative, it is also a good reminder of the condition of the world, then and now.

Very good volunteer guides to explain history of the place and airplanes etc. Very knowledgeable. Several were retired service personnel who had interesting stories to relate.

What a great experience! I'm a scientist and thoroughly loved all these exhibits. The history of the atomic bomb was absolutely outstanding. Love the Oppenheimer exhibit! While I was walking through exhibits, there's a volunteer that had real world experience with the making of the atomic bomb.

I go to many museums, and found this to be outstanding.

a B52 in the back yard! Incredible history, planes, artefacts, bombs, missiles and clean energy lessons. Love this place!

A well stocked and interesting place which charts the development of nuclear weapons and medicine from 1945. All sorts of artefacts and displayas which friendly and informative Veteran guides. The external area is still under-development and not yet full, but some famous airplane models and a submarine conning tower (?) alreay in place.

Wasn't sure what to expect from this museum but kiddos and I enjoyed it. History of bomb, sections on energy. Outdoor area with aircraft and space to run around. Hands on activity that kept 5 yr old busy. Not a large museum, spent a couple of hours here but worth the price of admission.

We visited in June 2018. Many very interesting displays on the history of nuclear research and its energetic and destructive byproducts. The outdoor area hosts several interesting missiles and aircraft as well. A great stop.

An absolute gem, full of the most fascinating exhibits and information—much of which was completely new to us. Just before heading to the exhibits outside, we got chatting with one of the docents. He accompanied us out and was a font of interesting details about all the exhibits and really brought everything to life. Our planned 1-hour visit lasted more than 3 hours and we would have stayed longer if time permitted. A must-see.

Was better than I thought it would be. Nice pre-war coverage of atomic programs, and lots of artifacts and copies of famous bombs, etc. In the back, they have several actual airplanes.Pretty cool, and aligned with the Smithsonium - comparable product.

YThis was an learbnning experience that I enjoyed very much and would recommend to all who is interested in the development of nuclear for both military and also medicinal use. Great exhibitions and display of research equipment, nuclear devices and delivery equipment such as B52 bomber, subs and cruise missiles.

I love museums. Especially natural science museums. This one is great. Many of the artifacts and fossil are from New Mexico and that seems to make it all more meaningful and realistic. Lots to learn. Just a few blocks from Old Town.

Saw the museum driving down the street. Plenty of parking. Great displays and area history. We spent about an hour walking around. There is a lot to read as the displays offer plenty information. a showcase of hollywood movies highlighting the use nuclear technology. There is an outside display of planes as well.

We went to see the B 52's (not the band!) used by the AirForce for the past 60 years....lots of good info, short films, pictures, missles to view, plus info on radium and other scientific items.

If you are interested in the history of Nuclear science and development of Atomic weapons, this is the place to lose yourself for a day....... A large and really well laid out museum full of different exhibitions. I especially enjoyed the Radiation 101 exhibit with all the weird and wonderful uses (toys and homewares) of radioactive materials from the 1930s-1960s

Much of the museum is devoted to weapons development and the use of nuclear weapons. Both sobering and interesting. But the left-wing of the museum is devoted to the science and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Includes a really good hands-on kids science lab.

The museum staff are friendly and full of interesting facts and information. I would recommend getting to the museum early and then talking to the staff in the exhibition areas. They seem to be able to answer any questions.

It was a really nice day when we visited and so we spent a lot of time outside in the Heritage Park.

Brilliant museum. Great staff - Well worth a visit.

It's an interesting subject but a lot of it very depressing. I found the best parts to be about the science of radiation and historical products that contain it (looking at you Fiestaware), the toys of the atomic age exhibit, and the interactive section. I don't care about the military stuff but if you do then there is a ton here. If you read everything you would be there all day but you can skim and spend just an hour or two.

We saw things that had been part of our growing up and history in our grade schooling. Amazing. Hope we're past the killing of other people with A-bombs!

The museum has a little of everything: science, history, artifacts, and all types of memorabilia that will talk you through the lead-up, invention, testing and deployment of nuclear technology. The Air Force exhibit is very impressive as well.

The volunteers on duty were so helpful to our group; pointing things out and telling us about things. We had 3 generations and this museum has a really neat hands on area for kids to experiement and experience science. I especially loved the muppet type animated figure of einstein.

My brother and niece are science lovers, me not as much, so when I say this is a great place for a short visit it is. It explains how nuclear science evolved and the outside displays of aircraft are excellent. Most important are the people. The volunteers, ma y of whom have participated in the Armed Forces or science backgrounds are informative, friendly, and interesting. They make this place a great find. Not a little kids visit though except for them planes but young adults and above will enjoy.

This is a well designed well laid out museum about all aspects of all things nuclear. As someone who was brought up during the cold War it was particularly interesting to see the items on display from that era and the information to accompany those displays. There was so much dating back to the work completed on the build up to the Manhatten Project and the progress of that work to the devastating use of the weapons to end WW2. The staff on duty were so attentive and happy to discuss anything you cared to throw at them. A must place to visit if you are in Albuquerque

Excellent presentation of the Nuclear Industry both for Defense and Commercial Industry. Also had a good display of various delivery vehicles.

Very worthwhile history, with props, of nuclear energy from start to finish. Don't miss it! We were there for hours.

This was a good overall introduction to the history of nuclear science. There were several large planes and displays outdoors. Inside was factual information on the scientists and their discoveries. There was also lots of bombs and information on use of atomic weapons. There was a small display on the nuclear accidents that have occurred. I was disappointed because the day before I had gone to the Albuquerque Museum and they had a temporary exhibition that was much better. It had information on the spies, and displayed a "Duck and Cover" video. As a member of that generation, I found it fascinating that we were all so naive. Unfortunately that exhibition is leaving soon, but I wish the National Museum of Nuclear Science would provide more along those lines. There was some, but not enough for my liking.

There is truly a lot of information packed in this building and the surrounding yard. Make sure you have your walking shoes! Everything you could want to know about the atom bomb and WWII to nuclear energy. There is a hands on kid area, but the majority of the site is geared towards adults. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and can answer your every question. Overall an excellent way to escape the New Mexico heat at a very reasonable price.

Great museum as well as outdoor exhibit of airplanes, missiles, etc.

We were greeted by a very friendly volunteer who helped us become members. As soon as we had our tickets, another friendly volunteer greeted us and gave us an overview of the museum layout. The museum was just the right size - not too small and not too large. We leisurely viewed the exhibits on the Manhattan Project, nuclear usage for medical purposes and nuclear energy. About half way through, we walked outdoors and were wowed with the large enclosed area of historic planes & missiles.

We returned the next day to meet the curator and collection specialists (we had made an appointment in advance of our trip). They kindly provided wonderful documents in their files on a family member. They could not have been more kind or helpful. Their enthusiasm regarding all things nuclear was much appreciated.

As a history buff, scientist and someone who grew up during the Cold War, I found this museum absolutely fascinating. It is well-structured to be interesting to both young and old, which is rather challenging given the subject matter. The NMNSH has several other strong points: 1) incomparable access to real historical artifacts - behind the museum there are real B-29, B-47 and B-52 bombers and ICMB's that you can touch, walk around and under and marvel; 2) thorough treatment of the development of nuclear weapons, delivery systems and nuclear energy; 3) extensive description of nuclear history in New Mexico. Its strongest point, however, is the detailed view of research, equipment and strategies that were top secrets during the Second World War and Cold War. To see this unveiled in such a matter-of-fact manner was just amazing to me. I kept thinking "Am I really allowed to see this?". While this museum is not very large, I spent three hours here and only saw about half of the exhibits (admittedly, I like to read every sign and take lots of pictures). My only criticisms are that there was very little treatment of the Soviet and Chinese nuclear weapons programs and not enough about the theory of nuclear reactions. However, these would be icing on the cake for this highly educational and engaging museum.

This was an amazing place to visit. Be prepared to visit the outside portion of the museum. Take your time to read the very well-done placards for the best experience. We spent anout two hours here and could have spent more time.

Great for the whole family. Interesting interactive exhibits indoors, and a fine outdoor exhibit of several vintage military aircraft and missiles. Be sure and check and see if your existing museum membership has a reciprocity agreement, for free admission.

We spent about 3 hours at this museum and my husband could have stayed for at least 2 more hours :)

I am basing my review mostly on my husband's opinion since he enjoyed it and I didn't. My not enjoyment of it was just due to my limited interest in this aspect of science and history. I could have handled a quick looksy and that was about it.

The museum looks new and is clean and the guy working at the check-in was super friendly. There appeared to be a security officer in the parking lot - I didn't feel like this area was unsafe but some security is always good.

There is an indoor and outdoor portion to this museum. There is a small store at the check-in area and then indoor displays/info and then a large variety of aircraft outside in the back. I think I would have enjoyed the aircraft outside more if I could have gone inside to see the interiors.

Masks were not required for those fully vaccinated, which was nice and the museum was fairly empty so no problem with "social distancing".

We visited here on 6/9/19 and spent 2 plus hours exploring the museum and could have used more time. We found the section on the Manhattan Project, the nuclear weapons/Cold war, electric power generation and outside plane exhibits very interesting.
The museum is easy to find, has free parking and could easily take 2 to 4 hours.
Worth visiting

A wonderful museum for everything to do with development and history of the atomic bomb for World War II. The displays were authentic and videos were informative. There was an area designed for children that was good. I would recommend this museum for anyone that has a love of science history.

Wonderful displays of interest for families of all ages. I didn't think it would be something for me, but was amazed at the informational and well designed displays. Clever and talented people at work! LOVED the look back to the first MRI machine. Very clean and safe visit for travelers to the area wanting to do something different. HIGHLY recommend, it was a recommended to us by my son who wants to return on his next visit to the area.

SO GLAD I finally took the time to bring a Vet houseguest to visit. What a wonderful collection of history, science and military history. Sam could answer ANY question posed and was very interesting to talk to. The inventory of planes was fascinating too. Discount for locals! Everyone should bring their visitors here; a must-see for veterans.

The museum had so much information about our nuclear age. The replicas and spacecraft outside were so well done. Very pleased with our visit and learned so much!

This is a pretty limited museum, partly because it's trying to cover a lot of different things, partly because the people running it don't seem to think it's worth the effort to make it more interesting.

The displays about nuclear physics are lame, the explanations don't try to go beyond the basics. There's potentially interesting stuff, like the fail-safe (or positive action link) protocols and devices protecting the use of nuclear weapons, but they're really badly presented and explained. (Maybe they should have asked a high-school student to put it together.)

There's a motley collection of aircraft and missiles in the back, but if you've been to other aviation or space museums there's nothing new here.

We primarily visited this museum to see the collection of Cold War aircraft outside the museum, and they certainly did not dissapoint. The huge nuclear bombers such as the B29 and B52 are is superb condition and hugley impressive. It was difficult to tear ones self away from these gorgeous historic machines. The accompanying display of missiles and fighter aircraft was equally superb.

The museum its self is well laid out with a whole range of subjects of nuclear science covered - the military uses and history, medical employment and the science behind the subject all well covered.

We went quite a biy out of our way to visit this museum and it was certainly worth it. Highly reccomended.

Had a great time, allotted a couple hours to visit but could have used more time. Fun things to see for all ages including rockets and jets outside! So much information here from the history and development of nuclear power to its uses both good and bad. Tons of history here as well. The displays were very informative.

This a great place for all ages. The educational area was for kids big😃 & small. My Granddaughter’s boyfriend pick this place out as his main place he wanted to see while visiting Albuquerque, so here we are. Year around this is a great inside venue. So much history good & bad. Past, present, & future of Nuclear industry. New Mexico strong history in Nuclear Science is found every where in this place.
** if you need them take your reading glasses.
**embrace this place by watching the videos, read the placards, touch the items that you are allowed too, etc…
This is a visual & hands on place. If you have family & friends visiting this is a must see museum.
Even a playground outside to release some of your kids energy.
Senior & Veteran discount

What a great museum! We had to go through it pretty quickly as a last stop before going to the airport, but it was very informative. I would like to go there again and spend lots of time, there is so much to see, read and do!

There were so many neat and fun things to see here but the real gem was Jay! Jay is retired from the USN and has so many stories and fun facts about everything in this place that even my 8 year old son was completely captivated by him!! I want to say thank you to the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History for giving our veterans a place to share with us the history of their stories and allowing us the honor of listening to their first hand accounts as well. Thank you Jay!!

This museum is chock full of very clearly and well presented information from the earliest theoretical physics through the development of nuclear energy and its weaponization, WWII, and peacetime uses of nuclear power. Fascinating collection of decommissioned nuclear bombs, artillery, missiles, rockets, replicas of the first A bombs, restored WWII era vehicle, even a DeLorean from Back to the Future. Outside there are various bombers and fighter aircraft, the conning tower of a nuclear sub, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. Even if you read only half of the printed material, you will know a lot more about nuclear stuff than you ever thought you wanted to. Definitely worth checking out!

I learned a lot of things about nuclear science! Exhibits from using radioactive elements in medicine to army, to toys and even beauty products! There are volunteers that help at the museum as well as trained guides, and there is a wonderful experience for kids too.I saw few groups with their teachers and guides and they were thrilled with little experiments that were shown to them. The museum has exhibits inside and outside, so get appropriate clothes for weather.
Also, there is a little shop for interesting things (games, airplanes models, books and memorabilia...)

This was an unexpectedly emotional trip through the Manhattan Project. The best and the worst of science. The museum is awesome and has a lot of information. I highly recommend visiting and allow 2 hours to see everything.

Very interesting museum that showed the history of nuclear energy. Lots of interesting exhibits, videos and more. Great place to visit.

Very informative even for those who have lived through much of the time period. The museum filled in many knowledge gaps. Good learning areas for kids too. And volunteers are exceptional. We spent less time in the outdoor area, but for some it will be a highlight. We’ve lived through some exhilarating and horrific times. This place brings it all together.

Very easy to get to, ample parking, great displays. Lots of reading. Nice displays inside and outside.

This museum was very interesting and would be extremely powerful for the person who LOVES science. I especially liked how it pays homage to Nobel Prize winners in the area of Science and Technology.
It was really enlightening to see the different scientists in the world and their collaborations on scientific knowledge.
I also found the part about Japan and the rebuild of this country to be especially moving.
But a Groupon for additional savings.

Wow! Large enclosed area with multiple sections devoted to history including Japanese and German efforts in bomb development, life in the three geographic areas, bomb
R&D, nuclear medicine, etc. outside we’re several bombers and fighters including a B29, B47 and B52. Several missiles and bombs also displayed. Allow at least three hours.

For those that do not know very much about the holocaust or the devastation in Japan during the war this place has a lot of information. The guide was very knowledgeable and there were replicas of the bombs used with before and after pictures. They also have a gift shop. I will stop if I am in the area again and go through it more slowly.

This is a wonderful experience for an adult who has lived in the atomic age. Far too much reading for children or even young teens. They are trying to make it more youngster friendly with STEM days. An adult could spend a good number of hours witht he great displays and interesting reading.

Great place to visit and spend some quality time. The place is clean, informative and exhibits are well explained. Plus docents to add ore information and offer help if needed. Detfinitelly a place to visit while in Albuquerque.

Some museums live on slick presentation. Some on rarity. Some just have way much stuff. So many bomb casings, PAL encoders, missiles, some lovely vintage cars, and did I mention multiple (big!) aircraft outside? There was barely room for the labels, and more's the pity, especially when it comes to what I think was the star; Jim Sandborn's "Critical Assembly," which includes test equipment and other props from the actual Los Alamos years -- every one with some unique back-story of its own.

There's some educational and interactive exhibits, and a decent space given to popular culture from Radium Tonics to movie posters to a game box for Fallout 3. Less welcome perhaps was the space given to how safe nuclear power is, how safe the WIPP is; so strongly argued it crossed into "Methinks the lady..." territory, and "here's all the cool stuff Sandia does."

Me, I would have wanted even more of the history, and a lot more than a hardstand and a plaque for that B29.

I went here with my 14 year old son and it was more interesting than I expected it to be. There are volunteers that guide you to whatever you want to see. The planes we saw were fighter jets B52's and more.The volunteers are a walking discovery channel , they explained us all about cold war, The Manhattan Project actually everything that related to aero space and WWII. The torpedo's we saw were at least the size of a small plane and .they told us the submarine had 24 of those. There is so much more to tell but you should just go and see /hear it all for yourself.
My son told me he learned more here than he had ever learned in school. Al in all this is one cool museum.

There is so much to see and learn that one can easily spend a day at the museum. The dedicated volunteers are not only knowledgeable but enthusiastic. The have a nice gift shop.
A few more chairs would be good for the seniors.

Fee required, only nuclear science museum authorized by congress, very good learning site, lots of things to see and do, make sure to find a discount.

Telling the story of the atom bomb is not easy, but this museum does it well. The development, the use, the controversy, the after effects, all of it. There is even a section on pop culture that gives a lighter perspective on a very serious subject. If you like history, plan on spending a good part of your day here. It really is that interesting.

Our family of 4 loved this museum. The exhibits surrounding the Manhattan Project and the Cold War are so interesting. Seeing exact replicas of the 2 atomic bombs and the fascinating history behind their development and use was captivating. The outdoor airplane and missile gallery is equally interesting and fun to experience. Add the friendly, engaging and knowledgeable docents and you have the makings of a great 2 hour visit.

Great museum! Tons to see and learn and the docents are wonderful. I just wish we had more time to spend there (had a plane to catch). It's a don't miss!

A nice change of pace from the strip. A lot of interesting but dry information presented very well.

Would be interested to know more about other uses for nuclear during that time period.

The museum was very interesting with many cool artifacts, exhibits, & collections. New Mexico's history in this area is so cool to learn about!

This was a fantastic museum. The first half focuses on the history and creation of the nuclear bomb, the second is more about nuclear and other types of energy. Outside holds planes and bombs, and there are some parts of the museum that also focus on historical figures relevant to the science of nuclear energy. There was a lot to see, and the staff and volunteers are amazing. We also found lots of interactive things for the kids, including a "mini science museum" area that the younger kids loved. We spent two hours and decided to go back the next day to finish the museum. Highly recommend!

Very nice museum with excellent displays on research as well as the use of nuclear bombs during WWII. Interesting historic review of the research path to the development of the nuclear bomb. But also the positive side of the use of nuclear material in health science.

This Museum is a great place to learn about nuclear science. They also have a great display of jet, a B-52, B-29 and a B-36 all which could carry nuclear weapons. They have other jets too and it is a great display. The diplays are informative and well l;aid out and the docents and guides are great. They know it all.

The volunteers were great; the whole place is great. History buffs will like it. Lotsa bomb stuff. The outdoor part is just developing, but very interesting. Check out the Lionel trains and movie area. Big live snake in the parking lot, nice.

The National Museum of Nuclear Science was really interesting and very well organized. There is a lot of information and a variety of exhibits. Many parts of the exhibits are interactive and fun. The docents were knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. We happened to be in Albuquerque on a hot day, so went in the morning and viewed the extensive outside area first. This museum is a Smithsonian affiliate, and what you would expect for a quality educational presentation and experience.

Very educational and enlightenment about nuclear energy This gave a real education an perspective about nuclear energy and the advancements that have been made in nuclear power plants and the reason for the past failures and what caused them and what has been done to prevent them in the future. It covered Los Alamos up to current day

My science/tech/Area 51 minded husband suggested this. I went along as part of the matrimonial bond. Surprisingly interesting. No interactive exhibits - probably not interesting for kids, but very succinct and easy to follow information about the history of our nations nuclear creation and testing program. It combines world history to understand context. I would recommend for adults or older kids who can read the many placards guiding the tour. Very nice volunteer tour guides.

My first visit, very informative and very much enjoyed it! A must see if your in the area. As a geek, I enjoyed it very much.

The indoor part of the museum features all kinds of exhibits on nuclear fusion and fission, the Manhattan Project, Los Alamos, the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and pop culture of the period. Docents are friendly and well-versed in the history.
A small gift shop is interesting and there are clean restrooms available. Outdoors is a large lot full of planes to check out.

We only spent 2 hours and could have spent more! The replicas were fascinating. Atomic City and the bits on medical quackery were interesting. We do wish there had been a bit more science, and we feel Marie Curie didn’t get enough coverage, but the museum did a good job with Oppenheimer.

This was a very interesting museum that is very well designed and presented. We also went to Los Alamos after visiting this museum, and we visited the Bradbury Science Museum, which was not nearly as good as The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History. The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is far far better. It was the best presentation of the Manhattan Project and nuclear energy that we saw in New Mexico.

There's a ton of information about every possible aspect of nuclear science. Maybe more information than most people would be interested in. However, you can visit the sections you're most interested in and spend as much or as little time as you want.

I felt the most interesting sections were about the Manhattan Project, the Cold War, the outside planes and missiles, the use of nuclear in medicine, and nuclear energy in pop culture exhibits were the most interesting. These are the exhibits you go through first as you go through the museum. The exhibits I found less interesting were after these exhibits. Although maybe I was less interested because I was overwhelmed with so much information by that point.

I recommend at least 3 hours. We spent about 3 hours and still skipped some of the sections at the end of the museum. If you're really interested in every aspect of nuclear energy you could easily spend most of the day there.

Really interesting museum about a unique history for Albuquerque. The history of nuclear science is an unusual topic. The museum was fascinating. There was a special exhibit of a WW II illustrator's "comics" of the war in the Pacific. Truly fascinating.

The four of us visited the museum in early April 2019 and although it was raining we would have visited regardless. Very interesting info inside the building and impressive display of plains and rockets outside the building. Strongly recommend a visit to see how the atomic bomb was imagined and eventually, though unfortunately, brought to fruition.

Had a great time here. We enjoyed learning the history of the Manhattan Project - the politics, the science, the personal stories of historic figures, and the resources it took to get the job done. Fascinating. A very friendly place as well!

This Museum really surprised my wife and I (both PhD scientists). There were multiple storylines, documenting the historical effort (and not just the US), and how to apply it to warfare. From Heisenberg to Oppenheimer, the key players are introduced and documented. The outdoor display with a B-29, and B25 Stratofortress are just a bonus for me. Small children will enjoy the planes, but glaze over at the rest. If you can get your teens to look up from their phones, you might be able to explain to them that, if not for Kennedy's intervention, a lot of us might not be here. One of the better science museums we have been to. Recommended

Very interesting museum. Lots of exhibits about the building of the atomic bombs used to end WWII. The docents were readily available to answer any questions. Definitely worth a couple of hours of your time if you are in the area and interested in this history.

Fascinating experience: Interesting historical information, the development and use of nuclear science. Worth visiting!!

I was in Albuquerque visiting our son and his family. They have a membership to this museum. It was fabulous!! We spent about 90 minutes inside. The facility is beautiful inside and out. The staff is wonderful, cheerful and helpful. The museum is very easy to navigate. It’s not too big and spread out. There’s plenty of parking. They have one of the nicest museum stores I’ve ever been in. Beautiful collection of books, clothing, gifts and all very nice quality. The merchandise is well thought out and not the cheap junk you normally see.
The museum exhibits are really cool! It’s very user friendly and something for every age. The displays and artifacts are interesting and informative. There are a lot of interactive exhibits too. It’s well worth your time and money and I can’t wait to go back.

Make sure you are very interested in nuclear science and its history. $15 admission seems more expensive than it should be.

Excellent museum. Quality artifacts and nicely curated to tell a significant story in world history. My spouse was skeptical about going but she loved it.

Good humored and smart volunteer docents are floating around to help with questions.

Little kids can't grasp the significance of many of the exhibits, but they will still like the planes and missiles.

The places was clean as a pin. Entry price was low. Nice museum shop. Ample parking. Not to be missed by anyone visiting ABQ.

Don’t miss this if you are interested in the nuclear bomb development and modern nuclear information. The museum was well laid out and the people volunteering extremely knowledgeable and willing to share this. The museum plots the creation of the Manhattan Project and the bombing of Japan and has models of the two bombs. We didn’t do the whole museum as it was too big to take all that info in. Outside there are loads of planes and rockets with great info boards and a mock up of the tower used for the test before the Hiroshima bombing.

It is such a nice museum. I was not expecting both inside and out was a really nice place. The volunteers are super friendly with some good information. The biggest surprise was the size of the outdoor part, I know it says how big it is online, but until you experience in person, it is game changing.

The shop was also interesting, but I would only recommend to sell some swag from LANL and not just the Sandia labs. Overall, I would highly recommend this museum to anyone that is interested in this topic or this period of time.

We enjoyed very much! Very interesting with great presentation. Also enjoyed the aircrafts and missiles outside. Well worth the visit!

Wonderful historic tour through the beginnings of nuclear weapons and the cold war. Some great subtopics with nuclear power generation and other forms of power. Probably need at least an hour-to-90-minutes to see everything. Even longer if you read! Would have liked to have seen info on '90's and '00's S.T.A.R.T treaties and where current U.S and Russia nuclear weapons stand. Very enjoyable place, considering the majority of the subject matter!

Very educational. Appropriate for all ages. If able plan for more than two hours because there is a lot of informative reading. The guides are very helpful and knowledgeable about the nuclear history

A slightly different museum that puts a positive spin on nuclear power as well as exhibits about nuclear weapons. Nice collection of missiles and a nuclear cannon in the outdoor displays.

Very interesting museum, very good only as some exhibits are somewhat outdated in design, but nevertheless a lot to learn and process about the history, good and bad science resulting in destruction and ongoing conflict but also benefits in medicine and every day life.

Nice museum detailing the history of nuclear science. The museum seems a little biased towards the negative uses of radiation AKA warfare versus the positive (clean energy and medicine). I had a pleasant conversation with the older fellow assigned to answer questions about the exhibits - very informative and cheerful guy who made the experience more fun and educational.

The only downside to me. The manager of the museum has bought into the hysteria of Covid-19 and REQUIRES people to sign a contact tracing book. Despite the failures of contact tracing and lack of a state mandate, we wouldn't be allowed into the museum if I didn't sign. I found it very unnerving that management could make up their own rules in that fashion, and its also an invasion of privacy. This and their paltry gift shop were big drawbacks to what would've been an otherwise good experience.

The two docents we interacted with enriched our experience here. They were veterans who had a great deal of knowledge about the military and history of the nuclear program. Great exhibits inside and don’t miss the aircraft outside as well. You can easily spend two hours here.

This is a fantastic museum about the dawning of the nuclear age. It is an affiliate of the Smithsonian, so you know it is high quality. We are total science and museum geeks, so we arrived when it opened at 9:00 am and left right before it closed at 4:55 pm. If you aren't into reading all of the displays, I think most people would still really enjoy this museum, if only for a few hours. They also have a great outdoor display of some aircraft. Highly recommend this museum.

WOW!! the history of Nuclear science and engineering on display is amazing. Tell the story and history of the atomic and nuclear age of the US, as well as how it has impacted the military. Great displays suitable for all ages from children to adults. They also have retired B52, F16 and rockets on display outside, many diffrerent missile and other weapons and tools of war inside. Museum also tells story of non-military uses of nuclear power with displays of power plants and movie history with nuclear story lines. Had a great time.

Very informative and well-ordered exhibits. Covers everything from the discovery of nuclear energy to the Manhattan Project to modern nuclear power and nuclear medicine. Also has an outdoor exhibit area with long range bombers, missiles, rockets, etc.

Amazing! This Museum is terrific! so much to see, do, learn, remember and more. An excellent education in all the scientific knowledge gained by the many researchers and scientists over the years. It takes you through early breakthrough including Curie - Einstein to the tonic bomb to rockets and so much more. We wished we had been able to join a tour and definitely needed more time. Excellent!

Very informative and very interesting. The museum looks small but you could spend an entire day there.

I've been a member for several years. The staff/volunteers are always helpful and ready to assist you. The rotating displays are always interesting and informative. The outdoor static displays are varied and many of the aircraft are well known to me during my 20 years in the US Air Force.

They have done a good job presenting the tragic history of the atom bomb. Very educational and enlightening. Great displays and examples of past and present uses of nuclear technology. They also have neat interactive/hands on exhibits for young kids. Definitely recommend.

We enjoyed this museum way more than the museum of natural history. My husband is really enamored by this type of stuff and one of the staff members walked around the plane yard talking about the planes with him. If you have to pick between the two museums, you should pick this one.

I’m not sure how anyone could give this museum less than 4 let alone 5 stars. My fiancée and I have been road tripping across the country for the past 4 months visiting various museums along the way. This museum blew us away no pun intended : ). I knew little or nothing about nuclear weapons, history of WW 1&2, The Manhattan project and I came out in awe. There were 300k US citizens working for the Manhattan project over 4 years and it was so secret Congressmen and women didn’t even know. Also, how the Manhattan project very well might have saved the US and world from this type of weapon getting into the hands of Nazis or Japan first. I spent 2.5 hours there but wish I would have budgeted 4 hours. Also the director and people that work in the museum are so nice and have a wealth of info they are willing to share...just ask! Worth it, wish this museum was in my city.

Having some history of WWII helps. Loved the recreation of the offices and Fat Man, Little Boy and The Gadget.

We watched a 45 min movie about The Manhattan Project.

It really is 2 parts. Pre Trinity and post Nagasaki.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and could spend more time there. DH was a bit bored.

Amazing history of NM, Aviation, nuclear science history bunch of airplanes in back to see. Great for families, or just to see if your in ABQ

Super interesting and some of the nicest volunteer staff I’ve ever met. We’re there for two hours and still didn’t see everything.

Very interesting museum that takes you through the history of nuclear science from an unexpected discovery of nuclear fission in 1938 to Manhattan Project, Japan bombing, Cold War and finally nuclear science in medicine and electricity generation. The outdoor exhibit of B-52 bombers and fighter jets is especially impressive.

Jim Walter, the Director of the Museum, was very kind to walk us through the Dark Cube exhibit (displaying a piece of enriched Uranium from a failed German WW2 nuclear project), explain the nuclear fission process to our kids and answer all of their questions including careers in nuclear physics.

Highly recommend!

Great displays inside museum. Enjoyed the temporary display on DaVinci. The planes, rockets, etc. outside were interesting. I wish some of the signage outside had more information.

Interesting museum with a lot of artifacts and a yard with several planes. They allowed our puppy to tour with us, which was very nice. A great day out of the rain/wind. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. Some first hand accounts of the area as well.

I was blown away by this museum. I love history, particularly military, and I'm a science buff. This has it all. There's so much to see that my 1.5 hours each day for 2 days wasn't enough time. There's a great staff to help guide you through everything and the interactive displays are wonderful. The gift shop has tons of neat stuff and the prices are great. This is something to do for half a day or more and kids can have just as much fun as adults. Definitely a top ten of places to see in Albuquerque.

The Museum is a short drive east of downtown Albuquerque. Admission for Adults is $15. We were greeted at the entry, given a map of the Museum and information on where to find certain areas. There is a gift shop at the entrance. We took the self-guided tour through the facility. There was so much information on the displays. You can choose to go in-depth at each section or get the highlights. Either way, you’ll likely walk away with more than you knew before. The museum has a large focus on WWII and the Cold War, but also provides information on Nuclear Medicine, Energy and more. Outside the building can be found numerous aircraft as well as missiles including a Titan 1 and Minuteman. The information is extremely interesting as well as sobering. A trip to the museum is definitely recommended.

The staff was available for questions. There were well written signs throughout to provide an informative self guided tour. They also had a nice gift shop. I would recommend this stop for all who want a better appreciation of the use of nuclear technology in weapons, medicine, nuclear energy applications.

This is a very special kind of museum. One that will most likely result in educating and reflecting of the power of nuclear science upon mankind. While this museum focuses on the negative aspects of nuclear power- such as during WW II. It also educates about how nuclear power can be used to help generate power. Two random highlights - two cars donated by Paul Newman and a local New Mexico businessman. Not sure why they were there - but they did garner much of the visitor's interest.

The museum docents do a nice job with giving some backstory to many of the exhibits. There also was a strong educational component for children and their parents.

This museum was great. The history was well presented, with lots of exhibit items but also a lot of reading materials. I usually don't feel compelled to read everything, but I absolutely did for this museum. The transition area between WWII and the Cold War was incredibly powerful and well done, and the outside area with the planes and other items was fascinating. I especially loved the blending of history, pop culture, and science in the museum. A wonderful part of our trip.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself during the few hours I spent here, and felt curious joy that I hadn't experienced since I was a kid. There are a lot of fun and interactive exhibits, as well as very interesting and detailed displays. I would absolutely bring my children here. It is very information and fun at the same time with enough of a range for anyone to find something they want to learn more about. I will absolutely be coming back when I'm in Albuquerque.

Such interesting history and facts, great for kids and adults. The staff was very approachable and helpful. Don't miss the kids area with cool interactive activities. We planned for a couple hours, but spent about 4. The plane yard out back can't be missed, the planes, bombs, submarines, engine parts were a big hit with our Air Force family. Wear sensible shoes, there is gravel.

This place is fascinating! I have been here a couple of times. There's a lot of great exhibits, both inside and outside. Everyone I've taken has enjoyed this museum.

I'll be honest, I came here to see the B-29.

But truthfully, this is a cool little museum. What drew me to the museum was the large aircraft on static display. These include the aforementioned B-29, a B-52, and several smaller jets. There are also several missiles and the sail of a submarine, which looks quite out of place sticking out of the New Mexico dirt. (I loved that.)

The museum is on the smaller side, but has a lot of information. There are displays on the early history and use of the atomic bomb, as well as nuclear medicine and popular culture. I was a bit time limited, so I didn't get to spend as much time looking around as this little museum deserves, but it was a good way to spend my lunch break.

This was a very interesting museum devoted to learning all about the atomic age , including exhibits on the Manhattan Project and the role New Mexico had in the creation of the atomic bomb. Outdoor exhibit of multiple planes and bombers. There is also a small model railroad exhibit, as well as an interesting science related gift shop.

An enjoyable education of our nuclear defense. Especially the early day. The best are the planes in the back. Including a B52 and a B29. Not to mention nuclear bombs sitting outside.
Not real high end and fancy but a different type of museum with a lot of actual items.

New Mexico is very much tied to nuclear science historically and today so this museum perfectly fits into any Albuquerque visit. There are displays for many age groups and interests. The science and technology is great for kids. Another excellent somewhat similar science museum is located in Los Alamos but this one is more convenient for most visitors.

This was one of my favorite parts of our trip to New Mexico. We ran out of time in Los Alamos to see the Bradbury Museum, so we made time to do this in ABQ. Very happy we did. The museum tracks the discovery of fission through the Manhattan Project to today's nuclear medicine and power generation. We all learned a lot and the people working there were very friendly and knowledgeable, answering all our questions and pointing out things we might have missed. Surprised to find an outdoor area that held a replica bomber and tower.

We went there to kill some time but found that it was so interesting we spent hours. There is a lot of history and my wife had worked in several places highlighted in the museem.

We had time before we had to get to the airport, so we spent about 90 minutes visiting this museum. We wouldn't have minded another 30 minutes or more, but we felt like we definitely got a good overview of this interesting museum.

It covers the entire history and development of nuclear power and weapons in the US. We especially found the section related to the nuclear bombs dropped on Japan enlightening and respectful. There is an entire outdoor courtyard with airplanes and even part of a submarine that were worth seeing (although it was fairly warm out there even in October).

The gift shop was also a fun visit, they had many related items that we enjoyed browsing through and purchased a couple gifts. Overall this was an interesting museum that we were happy to have the chance to see. We were able to get free admission based on a reciprocal agreement with our local science museum membership, so that might be worth looking up if you have a similar membership.

This museum is incredible! As you enter you are greeted by tile in the floor of the periodic table. A volunteer greets you & explains all about the various displays. As you continue in, more volunteers greet you to discuss displays. There’s so much to see. Let me also say that we wanted to purchase something that was out of stock & Molly made sure to get our number so when it came in, she’d call us to pick it up. Her customer service was exceptional!

You won’t be disappointed!

Where else can you find such an exhibit, but at the place or state writing the history and at the forefront of nuclear energy. Great transcripts and historical facts, from the evolution of atomic science to the latest nuclear technology applications. Tour Guides are available to gladly show the stuff. Depending on the day, it gets too windy at the entrance, so be prepared for the weather for the outside exhibits. Plenty of parking. Superb staff maintaining this precious history.

Very interesting museum (5/5), although the admission price is a bit high these days (hence the 4/5 rating). We visited in the past & took friends with us this time. They enjoyed it.

This is a great place for anybody who's into science or history! Went with family and enjoyed the various exhibits they had that walked you through the history of how it all started. We ended up staying about 3 hours walking around inside as well as their outside area containing multiple planes and shells for early nukes.

Lot of interesting exhibits. Outside display seems to be growing. Amazing to see the SCALE of the outside exhibits like missiles and planes, and the conning tower of a sub. Inside exhibits well laid out, nice timeline, and wide range of displays.

Giant Periodic Table on the entry floor is cool (if you are a STEM Nerd like me!)

National Museum of Nuclear Science and History was an unforgettable experience.

We started with the science part of the museum, the area in which I completely lack any expertise or even marginal ability to understand. My techie husband was glued to every board and read every single word.

Then we went to learn more about the Manhattan project and the Trinity Test, the first detonation of a nuclear weapon. It was conducted by the United States Army at 5:29 a.m. MWT on July 16, 1945, as part of the Manhattan Project directed by Robert Oppenheimer. The Trinity Test has happened right here in New Mexico.

It was fascinating to see the military planes on the airfield of the museum, part of the nuclear submarine, the rockets, etc.

Another treat was “Leonardo da Vinci Machines” exhibit, one more reminder what the Renaissance Man was all about. I visited his museum in Rome in December 2022 and had seen many of his machines, but this exhibit included some of the Leonardo’s machines, which are not on display anywhere else.

We spent three hours in the museum and could have spent more. Expected from such a stellar Smithsonian affiliate.

After visiting this interesting museum, we felt we understood so much more about the beginning exploration of nuclear energy and the use of it.

This is a great, family friendly, museum showing the history of Nuclear Science from WWII through to now. The museum is in chronological order and has artifacts as well as science through each area - the race to the atomic bomb, the cold war, and modern day. There are free guided tours of the inside where a docent will walk through the exhibits and tell additional history.

Outside is a large area with planes and rockets from all the same time periods. You can walk through the planes and read about it. It was very interesting for 2 young boys - and there is even a large playground outside for kids to play when they lose interest in reading about rockets.

Visiting this museum is perfectly paired with a visit to Los Alamos National Historic Center close to Santa Fe.

We've been the the Musem 6 times in 5 years a go to place when we have visitors, great displays and information for the uneducated nuclear crowd, go and learn, they have a teaching center for kids as well.

Same great museum with lots of community volunteers to answer questions and give tours. Our trip had volunteers from the Civil Air Patrol with kid projects related to airplanes and rocketry, a Radio Control club with hands on flight simulators and presentations on the B52. The raptor rescue center also had a red tail hawk, a great horned owl and a barn owl. Great museum, easily on par with the Bradbury museum in Los Alamos and a city and state treasure.

Educational overview of nuclear history and basic explanation of nuclear power and its many uses from war to power plants. Staff very friendly and helpful. Really enjoyed the afternoon there.
Liked the layout of the exhibitions

Excellent, modern and informative displays on a wide range of topics. Great interactive and special activities for kids available.
The outdoor displays of aircraft, missiles, and other objects is a fascinating collection, and you can get up very close and probably get excellent photos; Items are very well preserved and have informative signage.
Indoor displays include sections on nuclear power, waste storage, the Cold War, German research in World War II, the Manhattan Project, nuclear medicine, and even early household radioactive products, as well as atomic-themed toys and movies.
I really could have spent one visit entirely for the indoor portion, and another visit viewing the outdoor displays.

A large part of the museum is devoted to the development of the atomic bomb, those involved, the logistics, and the rationale for using it in Japan. Another interesting exhibit uses popular media such as movies, music and comics to show how attitudes towards nuclear weapons and atomic energy have changed over time. You don't want to miss the Back to the Future car-- and you can even take a selfie with the car and a Marty McFly vest. Displays show how uranium is mined and where it comes from in the world, and nuclear power's role in meeting today's energy needs. There is also a chronicle of nuclear disasters and many displays of nuclear weapon delivery systems, as well as an exhibit devoted to the Cold War. I was not expecting such in-depth world history to be included here, so that was a nice surprise for a history buff. Outside are many airplanes, as well as rockets-- the B-52 also can't be missed (literally and figuratively). More hands-on displays would enhance the experience-- some parents were reading displays to their children because there was a lot of text. Worth a visit if you are in Albuquerque as this story is such a big part of New Mexico's history.

Some friends and I were recently in Albuquerque for a business trip. By chance, we passed the museum and decided to stop. We ended up spending approximately two hours taking in the exhibits. As an aircraft enthusiast, I found the static aircraft display very interesting. The museum provides a unique insight into events leading up the use of nuclear weapons. There is an area dedicated to nuclear industry, too. The admission price is $12. It’s worth the time if you’re in the area.

A relatively small museum but definitely worth a couple of hours. An interesting mix of science, history and pop culture. Impressive collection of airplanes outside, lots of fascinating historical and scientific facts among the inside exhibits. Covers much more than the nuclear bomb.

We enjoyed the museum very much. Much of it related to times that we could recall so it was of special interest to us. The outdoor aircraft and rockets were neat. Walk around a B29 or B 51 bomber!
Nice little gift shop. Staff was helpful to us. Security in the parking lot.

Really cool museum. Lots of interactive displays for the kids, and tons of military displays. The outside area was by far the highlight, as I never thought I would stand beside a B-52 bomber or touch an actual ICBM. Well worth the visit, and a steal for the $15 entry cost.

This was a fantastic museum both in human ingenuity and very humbling. The exhibits were great, very informational and interactive. This is great for any age but particularly for elementary and middle school children as this is not something that is typically presented in the classroom.

This was a well-organized and clean museum with creative displays and a decent film experience.

We went with our son, and he loved it—frankly, my husband and I finished the exhibits before our young college-aged son did, because he loved each section of this exhibition. Geared towards folks with an interest in history and science…those of an artistic bent would not be as entertained.

The exhibits were easily understandable for non science people and children. The planes, bombs and rockets outside were very cool!

This was a great place to learn about nuclear science and history. Our oldest son was 9 at the time we went and is very interested in nuclear science so he loved it. This place may be too much for children younger than that though. They do have replica and some real rockets and aircraft outside which the younger child liked. Otherwise, it is mostly a learning experience about the history of nuclear science. If you have children that are interested in science, this is a great place to go.

We had a little time to kill prior to meeting up with friends. Our greeter at the entrance was exceptionally warm and welcoming. Worked on the project at a pilot after WWII. Appreciated all the details and learned not only about the WWII history, the museum showcases its use today along with military equipment of the past. 30 min to 1/2 a day worthwhile to go.

This is an excellent facility with a couple of hours worth of browsing. Staff are knowledgeable and courteous. Small gift shop with typical souvenirs. The interior has a good variety of style of display and some docents with personal history. Outside are planes, artillery, missiles and even a nuclear sub (partly). I would budget 2-3 hours for this terrific site.

Educational and informative staff to help guide you through the museum. Pay online and get in with ease, we went as soon as this opened and were the only ones for a while. Hubby and son enjoyed all the exhibits and I did to

I was hoping for a more balanced history of nuclear science. Naturally, there is a heavy focus on the Manhattan Project and military uses. Exhibits on WWII era rifles and B-52 artwork seemed needless. It seemed a good 2/3 of the museum featured military elements.

I appreciated the cultural references -- movies, toys, Back to the Future, the Simpsons, etc. much more.

The current science of nuclear energy was interesting, but much of it seemed too complex to understand. Most exhibits featured placards with too much reading for a casual visitor.

The outdoor exhibits of planes and rockets seemed out of place at this museum.

I don't mind paying admission fees to well-done museums, but the $14 per adult fee seemed out of touch for the content of the museum.

No matter what your views are about nuclear energy and weapons this museum lays out the reasons for their development and the processes that were used. Also gets into areas such as nuclear medicine which I found to be very interesting.

My interest was in both the physics of the atomic bomb, but also the political, the philosophical, and the practical of the Manhattan Project. I've read very widely on the subjects, but this museum covered all aspects historically and then moved on to current issues and prospects. I was able to follow the players and their contributions, along with their qualms and perspectives. It answered certain lingering questions I'd had (Why was the Trinity test on the Nagasaki bomb, not the Hiroshima one?). We spent three hours there and could have stayed longer. Plus, the gift shop had some very unique gifts.

This museum is just full of information about science & History of the nuclear age. Great artifacts to see and Labs for the children to demonstrate the science in easy terms. I spent Three hours there to look at everything. I got to touch a B29 and many aircraft deployed with nuclear weapons. Not just a museum with scaled models, but with the real thing.

Didn’t think I’d enjoy this as much as I did. Great exhibits and friendly, informative volunteer staff!

We went here with some family, and were a little skeptical (having a toddler and infant). We were worried the content might be a bit over their head. Low and behold, my toddler loved it! We spent nearly 30 minutes playing with the balance city table; she got her picture taken with the DMC, wearing the Marty McFly vest; turned her foot in to a neutron beam to split atoms; and I had the unique pleasure of getting to say a sentence I never thought I’d get to say: “Ok, please stop climbing on the nuclear missile.”

Thank you for a surprisingly wonderful experience, and for creating an environment that makes learning fun for children!

What a cool museum!!! Exhibits were very interesting and the outside area was extraordinary. Definitely worth a visit if your are in the area. Also, the new area dedicated to kids toys was fascinating!

Very impressive exhibit of artifacts and informative presentation of the history, science both from the development to the implementation of nuclear science.

This is not exactly my area of interest but my husband wanted to come, so we brought our two young children to check it out. I was very surprised with how much there was to see and how well put together the exhibits were. We especially enjoyed the area outside with the planes and missiles. The museum director himself came and spent a few minutes with me and my girls, making sure we were engaged, which I appreciated very much. You could probably spend a lot of time here looking at everything closely, but even a shorter visit is worth it.

I had a wonderful visit at this museum. It brought back memories of growing up, starting with the duck and cover drills. Museum is heavily focused on Air Force, but I found that to be very interesting as I had served in a different service. To me it was well worth the time in and money. And I enjoyed the full-size non-replicas (actual missiles and planes) That were present in the back of the museum.

Checked this place out and was amazed with all the history of the atomic era.Lots of factual reading in order from beginning to present on atomic age.You get to see casing of the real bombs as they were developed unbelievable.Outside they have an excellent display of all our missiles including a titan.Examples of many fighter jets and a real b-52 bomber are on the grounds as well.

Upon entering, a nice lady did some introduction about what's on display. Basically it starts with general history of nuclear science, followed by building the bomb, impact onJapan and the following Cold War. Having digested this, I have to admit, I took less time to absorb the subsequent information about civilian use. Also some alternate ways to make energy usable for people were shown. On the outside, several related airplanes.

The museum had plenty of interesting artifacts about a fascinating topic. We had learned much about the Manhattan project in Los Alamos earlier in the week, but this helped to complete the story. The outdoor exhibit features several bombers, fighters, missiles, and more!

Every visit to Albuquerque, NM should include a stop at this museum. I've spent my entire professional career in the Nuclear weapons arena so a visit is so familiar to me. It's a great place for the novice to learn about our Nuclear history.

I grew up in the 60's, when Duck and Cover drills were the norm, along with Friday morning alarm siren tests. Also, my father was drafted for the planned invasion of Japan that never happened due to Fat Man and Little Boy. So I really wanted to visit this spot.

It's well laid out, with the timeline of radioactive discovery, the race to develop the bomb, and the history of WW2. There's a great display of life at Los Alamos, as well as one documenting the bomber crews who prepped for the historic missions with their atomic cargo.

Also included are timelines in the cold war, a hands on Einstein lab for kids, and an interesting exhibit of how nuclear waste is transported. There are histories of Three Mile Island, Fukushima and Chernobyl as well. A display of modern nuclear energy used rounds out the tour.

I was delighted to see a special exhibit of how Snoopy went to the moon with the Apollo astronauts, one of the best marketing tie-ins ever; I remembered sitting in front of a TV one summer day, holding my Snoopy astronaut figure, as humans walked on the moon.

Just outside the museum is a display of military planes, from a B 52 on down, plus a replica of Trinity Tower, site of the first bomb tests.

If you like history and science, this is a place to visit. It's engaging and entertaining, but informative and sobering as well. Oppenheimer's deadly toy, indeed.

This museum is excellent. It is a journey through time and the history of the nuclear age. The display are fantastic and well disgned.

Very informative! Highly recommended if you want to learn about the history of nuclear energy and the Manhatten project. The display of replicas of the WW2 nuclear bombs and some of the fighter jets in the yard (e.g. the one that dropped one of the bombs in Japan) are worth seeing, although a bit disturbing to come so close to these events.

Amazing museum with an incredible amount of artifacts and displays. Museum caters to all ages and has aircraft, missiles and other items in the outdoor area. Highly recommend.

Nice museum interior displays told the complete history of nuclear energy. The outside exhibits were more awesome including a B29, B52, and several other military jets. I had no idea that the B52 was so big! The Trinity test tower put sizing into prespective.

Entrance fee was very reasonable. The place was amazing. Exhibits for all ages. I am a senior and read alot of things I had no knowledge of. Pleasantly surprised how much we all enjoyed this museum. Thank you. We are glad we went!

Just kidding. So much to learn in this museum. We spent many hours there and their docent program is wonderful. Staffed with scientists who can answer any questions. We'll set up with plenty of reading material and displays. Go.

Excellent museum! You can EASILY spend half a day there. They have BOTH indoor museum and OUTDOOR aircraft displays. Everything you EVER want to know about about nuclear history.

The museum follows the nuclear aspect of war from WW II until modern day, which I haven’t seen in any museum yet. There is also a portion of the museum dedicated to nuclear medicine and energy. Make sure you go outside to visit a variety war time treasures.

My husband and I were very impressed by the scope of information presented here. Displays covered development and use of nuclear power in war, in industry, in surprising ways of everyday life -- glassware, beauty and " health" products, safety shelters, lessons for school kids. There was a tremendous display of toys and children's books using a nuclear theme from the 1950s. Outside are aircraft that were important to these endeavors. Highly recommend.

We didn't know this place existed but found it by simply searching local points of interest. Although it was full of school kids that day, we still managed to thoroughly enjoy our visit. Glad we went out of our way to stop in, as it is full of amazing history. For anyone interested in nuclear history, this is a must-stop.

Those interested in recent history and technology should visit the museum. Here, the history of atomic bomb and nuclear technology begins with the 2. World War I to the present. The large number of exhibits makes the museum look almost crowded, but offers a very detailed picture of history.

- Very complete main exhibit on the history of nuclear science and its military (extensive coverage of WWII and Cold War Arms Race), civilian (well balanced between advantages and risks) applications. The section on nuclear energy in pop culture is nice too.

- Amazing outdoors collection of well restored collection of war planes.

- Very interesting Smithsonian traveling exhibit on internment camps for American citizens of Japanese ancestry during WWII.

- Veterans around the exhibit always willing to share a bit of history, thanks a lot to them!

Fascinating and informative. I think everyone should visit this museum at some point in the lives. We need to learn the events leading up to the World Wars and steps taken to keep us safe and what could happen in the future.

You can spend an entire day here learning about the history of nuclear weapons, the military & other scientific histories. What is really good is that the development of nuclear weapons is presented in a non-technical manner that the average person can understand. There is a large outside exhibit showing thigs associated with the development of nuclear weapons & there are 2 films that are shown each day. You need at least 2-3 hours to see everything here.

We enjoyed our visit. The volunteers were very helpful and answered all our questions. There is plenty of parking. We bought tickets at the site. There was a school group that was with in there with us. The science behind nuclear technology is explained. Albert Einstein has his own section. The bombing of Japan is described. Its very hard to see the damage it caused and the number of civilian casualties for generations to come. There are planes on display outside as well to walk around as well as a telescope to safely view the sun

Very interesting reminder of our past and the nuclear race and more. Cool to get to see planes and missiles outside. So funny they have a little playground out there for kids. Prices in the gift shop were not as inflated as at some gift shops attached to museums and parks.

Really well-curated exhibits that did an excellent job of explaining in layman’s terms the variety of ways nuclear science was and is used.

The B52 exhibit was great.

Some hands on, some videos, and lots of things to see up close.

Appreciated the root cause comparisons of Three Mile Island and Chernobyl.

Outside the building are planes, missiles, and a reconstructed tower used in early atomic testing. Plenty to see up close outside.

Plan on spending at least 3 hours. You can leave for lunch and return with your original museum receipt to fully explore all the exhibits.

A small museum that will give you a fascinating trip through the evolution not only of the military and civilian uses of nuclear power, but also the history of the people and places that were instrumental in its development. It would be a shame to be in the area and not go.

Doesn’t seem very fair to say you are open to 5pm and then say the parking gates will lock closed at 5pm so you can’t actually enjoy the museum until the states closing time. We arrived with not much time but expected to use the museum until the stated closing time and not be rushed out worried we are going to be locked in. It seems someone really was locking the gate at 5pm as well. Strange, and not very fair. For this reason cannot recommend.

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History has much to offer with good displays of science and history in areas devoted to various topics such as B-52s, Los Alamos, the cold war, nuclear medicine, and energy. Outside, planes and missiles are displayed. We appreciated the volunteer who offered to take our photo in front of one of the planes. Multiple videos are shown in the museum theater. Visitors to this museum may spend one to three hours depending on level of interest and personal schedule.

Veteran, senior, and active military discounts are available.

I really had a great time here, spending nearly four hours but I am also both a chemistry teacher and a history buff. There’s a lot of storyboards, displays, and information and I think just about any intellectually curious person will find enough to be entertained and educated. But for me it was really special. The “graveyard” of decommissioned vessels in the back is quite impressive, too; you’ll see nuclear silo missiles and planes that were made to carry nuclear bombs. There are some interactive displays for kids.

Some of if will be over the head of average visitors but I just suggest to go there and look at whatever catches your fancy.

Excellent historical displays and information on use in war and peace - for health and research. Old photographs, engineering models AND a large display of aircraft.

It was something to do and somewhat interesting. We weren't very interested in the military applications and all that it implicated. However, the practical (and unpractical) uses of nuclear energy/products was very interesting.

You will see thing here, you will see no where else. Do miss this place if you are in town, only takes a couple hours and plenty of free parking.

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is on the outskirts of Albuquerque is well worth locating, full of fascinating facts, displays and very helpful and knowledgeable staff, the aircraft with a nuclear sub conning tower at the rear is awesome.

Fortunately a friend of my wife's recommended it or I doubt I could have gotten her to go. But she enjoyed it!

We wanted to visit Los Alamos...but since the Bradbury museum was closed, we went with this museum. Its got a lot of wonderful exhibits and lots of great info about what was going on in NM during WW2, and nuclear science since then.

We like our museums and this one was very good. A lot of information of the beginning of the nuclear age, with videos, photographs and guides to answer questions. Parking lot available and is free of charge

First of all, I'm really glad I stopped here. There is so much good information here.....things we really weren't taught in school. My only problem was that it wasn't organized as good as it could have been. There is no clear path through the museum you just wander. Sometimes you would start reading something and then realize that it is the end of an exhibit and not the beginning. I would have found it more enjoyable if there was a clear path through.

We were surprised at how great this place was. We spent hours here! The people that work here are full of wonderful stories about the planes that are outside. I highly recommend talking to the guys that work there about the submarine.

This is an outstanding museum! Excellent exhibit on the Manhattan Project. I especially liked the mock up of the Trinity test tower and the B-29 Superfortress outside. Docents are enthusiastic. Really fine facility!

Very informative.

Nicely done.

Lots of interesting exhibits.

Inside displays as well as outside aircraft and missiles.

The movie on the B52 is well worth the time to watch.

Amazing.

Well priced.

Friendly staff

Well done museum with interesting history sections. The pottery display was awesome. Learned a lot about the life and times of the pueblos. We were fortunate to see some dancing.

If you are interested in the history of the US nuclear program, you will probably find this museum as interesting as we did. They pack a lot of information into a fairly small place. The bulk of the museum is on the military aspects, but there are a few small sections on nuclear sciences in medicine and pop culture.

Interesting museum that appeals to many interests. The history section about the development of the bomb is well done. There are also displays about propaganda and the Cold War. Nuclear science and the pop culture fascination with nuclear energy is also interesting. In back the large static displays are also worth your time.

We had a wonderful time here with our grandchildren. They were excited to show us all the really fun and hands on things they could do here. We spent about 4 hours there and other than having to have a mask all the time it was a good experience.

We decided to stop here because we had some spare time and were pleasantly surprised. The museum does a really good job of presenting the history of nuclear science and of course how it lead up to the atomic bombs. Some great aircraft are located at the museum as well. Very nicely done. I would definitely recommend a visit.

A superlative museum complete with authentic artifacts and interactive exhibits. The staff are knowledgeable and eager to help you to enjoy your visit. Two hours should be sufficient for a thorough visit, longer if you want to geek out over some of the excellent displays and outdoor air vehicles of the nuclear age.

Surprisingly our visiting kids mentioned this place. We spent several hours walking and looking at the exhibits. They have outdoor exhibits as well as indoor displays. The docents are unobtrusive, but attentive, and very interesting if you engage them.

Great way to spend an afternoon whether you are a military buff, science buff, or history buff. Information is well presented and staff is knowledgeable and helpful. Plan to spend 2 to 3 hours at least.

An incredible museum! Walking though it, seeing the tools designed to end civilization, the mistakes, and the hopes. It was 2 hours well spent! Just wish they had better t-shirts, but I did get a lapel pin!

Did not expect this place to be as cool as it was. Tons of great exhibits ranging from info on many different types of energy to massive planes and rockets. The staff were all super cool and loved what they were doing. Just a breath of fresh air from the typical museum experience that you expect. My personal favorite thing from this place was the Uranium cube. I had never seen anything like that in my life