Opening Nov. 14 and on view through the end of the year at the National Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada, the World of Fallout exhibition dives into the universe that inspired and expanded the popular Fallout franchise. Launched in 1997 by Bethesda Softworks and developed by Bethesda Game Studios, Fallout began as a video game series and later grew into a successful television adaptation. Prime Video’s 2024 Fallout series drew more than 100 million viewers worldwide, increasing interest in the franchise’s distinctive blend of retro-futurism and post-apocalyptic storytelling.
© National Atomic Testing Museum
Presented in collaboration with Bethesda Softworks, the exhibition features objects, interpretive displays, and immersive elements that highlight core components of the Fallout world: the Vaults, the iconic Vault Boy mascot, and the devastated Wasteland that has become a hallmark of modern popular culture. While celebrating the franchise’s creative design and storytelling, the show also draws clear connections to real mid-20th-century nuclear history, placing fictional artifacts and imagery alongside historical documents, photos, and scientific materials from the Atomic Age.
“What makes this exhibit one-of-a-kind is that we’re putting iconic Fallout symbols side by side with the history that inspired them,” said Joseph Kent, chief community officer and curator at the National Atomic Testing Museum. “It’s a chance for gamers and history buffs alike to see just how closely the two worlds connect.”
© National Atomic Testing Museum
Operated and maintained by the Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation, the National Atomic Testing Museum preserves and interprets the global history of nuclear testing and technology. The region’s recorded nuclear history began on Jan. 27, 1951, with the first test at the Nevada Test Site, and the museum’s collection reflects the scientific, military, and social dimensions of the Atomic Age.
The museum is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last entry at 4 p.m. Tours are self-guided; the museum recommends allocating one to two hours to fully explore the World of Fallout exhibition alongside its permanent displays. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the Fallout franchise or curious about the real-world history that influenced its design, this exhibition offers a thoughtful, engaging look at how fiction and history intersect.