Who would have guessed that you could visit a decommissioned nuclear reactor in the United States? On the road between Idaho Falls and Arco, in Idaho, the National Historic Landmark named EBR-1 can be found. The Experimental Breeder Reactor-1 Atomic Museum is a fascinating site to visit. I came across the site when I was heading for the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, having not heard of the EBR-1 reactor before driving past the site.
Since it was open and looked like an interesting place to visit, I popped in. Fortunately, I happened to be in time for a tour that was just starting so I went along. I cannot remember whether there was an entry fee but my guess is no. One of the websites that I visited when I was writing this article says that you have to be a US citizen to visit the site. I am not a US citizen and was allowed to visit the site, so you too should have the same opportunity, but be prepared just in case you are asked for some sort of identification.
The site is around one mile off Highway 20-26 that runs between Idaho Falls and Arco, and can be found on Google Maps here. Apparently the site is open for visitors between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, so plan your visit accordingly.
Upon arriving at the site there is plenty of parking. Head straight for the Visitor Entrance, or perhaps takes a few photos outside first at the lovely blue welcome sign before heading in. Once inside you will be asked to wait until the start of the next tour. You will have the chance to explore the downstairs section of the museum first, taking photos before the start of the tour.
Once the tour starts, you will be taken upstairs for a quick discussion on nuclear power by one of the staff members. You will learn that EBR-1 is the world’s first nuclear power plant and that they soon were able to generate enough electricity to meet their own power requirements. You will then have the chance to explore the control room used to keep everything under control. You may even feel like a real-life Homer Simpson as you press random buttons in the control room. It’s fascinating to see just how far technology has come in recent years as we have moved away from analogue to the latest digital technology.
After your visit to the control room, the most exciting part of the tour starts. You will have the chance to explore the Mark IV Core of the nuclear reactor. You can even stand right on top of the core and take your photos to impress or scare your friends.
The tour lasts around 45 minutes, after which you will head downstairs again and have the chance to further explore the lower level of the reactor, seeing various power units and engines that were used in the generation of power.
All in all a fascinating detour on your drive around Idaho so if you are in the area make sure to pop in and visit the EBR-1 Atomic Museum.
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Booking.comOur other posts on the United States may be found here.
(Visited in August 2018)