Visit Hanford, Washington

A black and white photo of a building that reads High School on a plaque. A black and white photo of a building that reads High School on a plaque.

Left image
Hanford High School was converted into offices for the Manhattan Project.
Credit: HANFORD HISTORY PROJECT

Right image
Visitors can see Hanford High School through a guided tour.
Credit: NPS/BURGHART

 

Plan Your Visit

The Manhattan Project at Hanford

Nuclear reactors at Hanford (now the Hanford Site) produced plutonium for the Manhattan Project to fuel the first atomic test and the Fat Man atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan on August 9, 1945. The story of the Manhattan Project at Hanford encompasses historic facilities and educational centers with the National Park Service, the US Department of Energy and the communities where Hanford workers and their families lived, which are all part of the Tri-Cities region today.

 

Explore Hanford and the Tri-Cities

 
Red-roofed single-level building with a sign that reads "Manhattan Project National Historical Park"
Visitor Center & Basic Info

Start your adventure with our visitor center in Richland, WA.

Black and white photo of old-time car with single seat and no roof, man in white shirt driving.
Directions & Map

Get directions to our visitor center.

Downtown pedestrian block with benches, street lights, and colorful mural painted brick wall.
Places to Go

Find out about all the places in the Tri-Cities region with connections to the Manhattan Project including historic sites and museums.

A uniformed ranger, two adults and four children look down at a colorful, circular table exhibit.
Things to Do

Explore the Manhattan Project with activities throughout the Tri-Cities region.

Orange sunset, a dark silhouette of large factory with single high smokestack.
US Department of Energy Tours

Learn about the US Department of Energy's guided tours of the B Reactor and buildings that predate the Manhattan Project.

A black and white photo of kids talking to a speaker who is pointing out newspaper clippings.
Trip Ideas

Learn about trip ideas at Hanford that last from a few hours to all day.

A glaciated mountain (Mount Rainier) sits under the vibrant colors of sunset.
Nearby Attractions

Explore attractions in the region including state and national parks.

Black & white photo of classic cars in parking lot in front of long two-story building.
Eat & Sleep

Find dining and lodging options in and around Hanford.

 

Let our park app be your guide


The NPS app is an explorer's best friend. Find all the places and activities within the Tri-Cities region related to the Manhattan Project. This includes guided tours with the US Department of Energy at the Hanford Site. It also includes the many historic sites and educational centers within communities like Richland, which the government planned and operated for Hanford Workers, and the neighboring communities of West Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco.

 

Last updated: September 24, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

National Park Service, Manhattan Project National Historical Park
c/o NPS Intermountain Regional Office
One Denver Federal Center, Building 50
Denver, CO 80225-0287

Phone:

Hanford: 509.376.1647
Los Alamos: 505.661.6277
Oak Ridge: 865.482.1942

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