The National Atomic Testing Museum – Las Vegas Feb 2014

Who knew there were so many things to see in Las Vegas that don’t require us to spend time inside a casino? Welcome to the Cold War – Las Vegas style.

From the website - The National Atomic Testing Museum is a repository for one of the most comprehensive collections of nuclear history. As part of its mission, the National Atomic Testing Museum seeks to collect and preserve a wide variety of materials and artifacts relating to atomic testing, the Nevada Test Site, the Cold War, and nuclear and radiological science and technology. The current collection includes thousands of rare photographs, videos, artifacts, scientific and nuclear reports and data and one-of-a kind scientist collections.

So that doesn't really cover the cool factor of this museum or point out how strange the Cold War really was. Hopefully, these photos will help.

The Neon Museum – Las Vegas Feb 2014

                                                                                                  

So, confession time. When it first started, I was a fan of A&E’s Storage Wars. One of the episodes took place in Vegas and featured The Neon Museum. The Museum looked really cool since it is a bone yard for old Vegas neon signs. So when Lynn and were in Vegas for our anniversary, we stopped by to take a look.

Unfortunately, the graveyard of neon is by tour only and the tours were sold out for the day. (If you go, stop by early in the day.) However, I did manage to get a few pictures. 

About the Entrance Building/Visitor’s Center – This building was the lobby of the La Concha Motel. This distinctive shell-shaped building was designed by acclaimed architect Paul Revere Williams. The curvilinear La Concha Motel lobby is a striking example of Mid-Century modern design characterized by Atomic- and Space Age shapes and motifs.

For more information on Paul Williams and his work, please check out The Paul Revere Williams Project.