The Atomic Museum is inviting all “Fallout: New Vegas” fans and history buffs to join them on a unique Mojave Wasteland Bus Tour on Saturday, Nov. 16. Partnering with the “Fallout: New Vegas” Fan Celebration, this tour offers a chance to explore the post-apocalyptic world of the video game while learning about the real-world history of the Atomic Age.
Starting at the iconic Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings, NV, the tour will kick off at 8:30 a.m. with boarding, followed by departure at 8:40 a.m. The first stop will be at the Atomic Museum in Las Vegas, where attendees can immerse themselves in a collection of artifacts, including a decommissioned Mark III “Fatman” atomic bomb casing, a 9-megaton B-53 thermonuclear device, and radioactive trinitite. Visitors can also marvel at Ford’s atomic-powered concept car, the Nucleon, and take a selfie with Robby, the fission-powered robot. The Ground Zero Theater provides a simulated atomic test experience, adding an explosive element to the visit.
The museum’s exhibits further delve into Civil Defense, showcasing Geiger counters, Doom Town mannequins, and essential fallout shelter items. The tour concludes with an exploration of the 928 nuclear tests conducted at the Nevada Test Site and their impact on the development of Las Vegas as the Atomic City. Guests can even enjoy an ice-cold Nuka-Cola from the gift shop before moving on to the next stop.
The tour will then proceed to the Old Mormon Fort, the oldest building in New Vegas and the fictional headquarters of the Followers of the Apocalypse in the game. Here, participants can take a self-guided tour, search for the coveted Snow Globe in the Guardhouse, and explore areas like the Humanitarian Tent and the Followers Lab Coat. Guests also have the chance to enter a raffle to win a Followers of the Apocalypse Flag, which will be flown at the Old Mormon Fort that day.
After the tour, attendees will enjoy a Fallout-themed lunch featuring Fallout dogs and beverages before returning to the Pioneer Saloon by 1 p.m. The general admission cost for the tour is $80 per person, inclusive of taxes and fees, with admission fees to the Atomic Museum and Old Mormon Fort included. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so fans are encouraged to secure their spots soon to experience this special tour. For more details or to purchase tickets, visit the official website.
The Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort, the first permanent non-native settlement in the Las Vegas Valley, was built by Mormon missionaries in 1855 along a spring-fed creek. Serving as a way station for travelers, the fort’s remains can still be explored today in Downtown Las Vegas. The site features a Visitor Center with exhibits and photos showcasing its rich history.
Operated by the Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation (NTSHF), the Atomic Museum covers nuclear history from the first test at the Nevada Test Site in 1951. As an IRS 501(c)3 charitable, non-profit organization, the museum is part of the Smithsonian Affiliate program and offers exhibitions and programming on nuclear-related topics. For more information, visit their website and follow them on social media for updates.
