Not-to-be-missed side trip away from the casinos in Las Vegas.  

The Atomic Testing Museum is perfect for all ages, although little kids might be scared by the Ground Zero theatre.  This is what a museum should be -- filled with fun (and properly functioning) interactive displays that your family will love. 

Address:  755 East Flamingo Road (short walk from Terrible's Casino)
Hours:  Mon-Sat 9 am - 5 pm, Sunday 1 pm - 5 pm (Closed Major Holidays)
Website:  http://www.atomictestingmuseum.org
Phone:  (702) 794-5161
Museum Store:  Open 7 days a week
 (702) 794-5150
Must-Sees:  Ground Zero Theatre (Warning: First part of film has scary sounds); Timelines of historical events including the overlay of non-scientific events like the date Elvis was found dead.
Historical Signifigance:  50s attitudes towards atomic weapons; establishment of Nevada Test Site; today's more balanced views towards atomic weapons and their effects on the environment
Photography:  No photography inside museum.  Take pictures in the foyer and the photo gallery  only.
Photography Buffs: Check out the "Discovery and Innovation" Gallery.  Save some time for the touch screen interactive displays.  You won't be disappointed.
Children:  Kids will love the well designed interactive and educational touch screen displays.  In particular, they'll love "gearing up" - dressing in virtual safety gear and then dropping 52 stories underground (virtually) to a "test chamber."  There they must put pieces together, return to the surface control room, and detonate their newly-made explosive.  Display comes complete with countdown and a 'start' button.
  Tips:
  1. Buy a vintage postcard in the store and mail it to yourself as a souvenir. 
  2. Take a picture of your spouse with a cardboard stand-up of Miss Atomic Bomb.
  3. Buy an historical copy of a letter written by the late Albert Einstein dated 1939, in which he lauds the increasing importance of uranium, in particular, to the making of bombs.