Trip Idea
Hanford: Family Adventure in Science & History

Duration | Full Day |
Topic(s) | Cold War, World War II, Science, Technology and Innovation, Architecture and Building, River and Riparian more » |
Activities | Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Picnicking, Museum Exhibits |
Type | Kid Friendly, Educational, Indoors, Outdoors |
Parks | Manhattan Project National Historical Park |
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Manhattan Project National Historical Park
Hanford: Visit the REACH Museum
- Activity Fee: Yes
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Museum Exhibits
- Pets: No
- Location: The REACH Museum
- Duration: 1–2 Hours
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day
At The REACH Museum, you can learn about the natural and human history of the Tri-Cities. The museum houses rotating and permanent exhibits, including a robust exhibit on the Manhattan Project and Cold War.
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Manhattan Project National Historical Park
Hanford: Picnic and Play in Rodney Block Park
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Picnicking
- Pets: Yes
- Location: Rodney Block Park
- Duration: 1–2 Hours
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
Rodney Block Park in Richland, Washington, was originally created as a place to play and relax for the Manhattan Project workers and their families who lived in the alphabet homes that surround the park. Today, the park is still a place for recreation that draws people of all ages.
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Manhattan Project National Historical Park
Hanford: Visit LIGO
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Museum Exhibits
- Pets: No
- Location: LIGO Hanford Observatory
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer
- Time of Day: Day
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) is a modern example of cutting-edge research that has ties to the Hanford Site. Built on the site in Washington in the 1990s, LIGO uses laser interferometers to detect gravitational waves, which helps in studies of major stellar events like the collision of black holes. LIGO offers free-admission facility tours each month and drop-in visits for small groups during the week. .
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Manhattan Project National Historical Park
Hanford: Explore USS Triton Sail Park
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Self-Guided Tours - Walking
- Pets: Yes
- Location: USS Triton Sail Park
- Duration: 15–30 Minutes
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day
Enjoy views of the Columbia River as you walk around the sail of the USS Triton. The USS Triton was the first vessel to complete a submerged circumnavigation of the Earth in 1960 powered by nuclear reactor technology developed at Hanford for the Manhattan Project. Visitors to the park can walk along Richland’s Riverfront Trail, which connects walkers to other parks along the Columbia River. Tours inside the USS Triton sail are available.
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Last updated: May 18, 2022