“the world's first nuclear power plant!”
The world's first nuclear power plant, Experimental Breeder Reactor #1 (EBR1), came online December 20th, 1951, Arco, Idaho, making it the first city ever to have its lights lit by nuclear power a few years later. A partial meltdown and some sixty years later, the old reactor is now an easily missed roadside museum.
Wow. Seriously, wow. This place is SO cool! The history of nuclear power is preserved here with an excellent self-guided tour. There is also a guided tour that didn’t line up with our arrival time, but from what we overheard was also excellent.
Basically, you get to walk around a nuclear power plant, check out all the machinery, and learn a ton about nuclear science...all while flicking the switches and turning the cranks of a lot of 1950s machinery. If you’re anywhere near this place, it’s a must see!
Free!
Oppening Time Memorial Day till Labor Day!
Stop by even if it is closed. The outdoor displays on the first atomic powered aircraft engine are fascinating.
Closed due to covid
This was fascinating!!!! By all means, if there’s a tour guid available, let them tell you everything!! Our guide was the sweetest little intern and so dang smart! She really gave my up and coming new college student some ideas for study. If you read everything and take the tour, you could easily spend 2 hours here and I think it would be worth it for any history buff. There are stairs and they are a little steep but all covered in non-skid tread. I think this was the best part of my history enthusiast day!
Definitely worth the visit. Free and lots of hands on learning for kids (and adults).
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Experimental Breeder Reactor-1 Museum
Hours
- Sun - Sat: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
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Outdoor Seating
Parking, Dining
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