Titan Missile Museum — Attraction in Sahuarita

------- I strongly endorse it for its educational value -------

The Titan Missile Museum in Tucson offers a truly unique and inspiring experience that takes you on a journey back in time. I highly recommend visiting this museum, as it provides a fascinating glimpse into a critical period in history.

This museum is situated at the actual site where an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) was kept active during the Cold War, from the early 1960s until 1984. The introductory film is exceptionally informative and sets the stage for your exploration of the museum's exhibits. Notably, the Titan II missile on display here is the largest operational land-based nuclear missile ever used by the United States.

Inside the museum, you'll find a realistic, life-sized re-entry vehicle and a mock nuclear bomb, offering visitors a tangible sense of the strategic importance of these weapons. The museum effectively showcases the complex war strategies of the era. Outdoors, you'll discover various missile engine parts, including stage one and two engines, an Air Force helicopter, a police jeep, and another re-entry vehicle, all on display for visitors to explore.

The highlight of the visit is the glass dome, allowing you to peer down into the missile silo. The silo doors are intentionally partially closed, ensuring that the missile remains securely in place, even by accident. Additionally, a cutout in the nose cone provides a clear view of the inert nature of the weapon.

The knowledgeable guides at the museum are incredibly helpful. They lead you underground through a tunnel with three levels of stairs, taking you to the control room, where original equipment and launch keys are preserved. Visitors have the unique opportunity to participate in a role-play exercise, simulating the actions of a commander and their deputy as they manipulate the original launch keys. Afterward, you'll be guided through a lengthy cable tunnel to the missile silo itself.

During our last visit, my 8-year-old daughter, who is quite the curious George of the family, was absolutely captivated by the guide. She stuck to the guide like glue, firing off a barrage of questions. To our delight, the patient guide answered all of her inquiries, enriching my daughter's knowledge in the process.

As part of the tour, it was explained that the missile currently situated in the silo is not the original missile but rather a training missile that was transported from Texas. The original missile's location is currently secure and undisclosed. However, it's important to note that the training missile on display is a faithful replica of the original one, faithfully preserving its appearance and characteristics for educational purposes.

One aspect that stands out is the museum's cleanliness and peaceful ambiance, making it an enjoyable experience for families. Overall, I can't recommend the Titan Missile Museum enough. It offers an educational and thought-provoking journey through a significant chapter in history that...

Titan Missile Museum: A Chilling Glimpse into the Cold War The Titan Missile Museum, nestled in the Arizona desert, offers a unique and sobering experience, transporting visitors back to the tense days of the Cold War. This preserved Titan II missile site, once a top-secret installation, now stands as a museum, offering a chilling glimpse into the era's nuclear standoff. What to Expect: Guided Tour: The museum's highlight is the guided tour, which takes you deep into the underground silo. You'll descend into the concrete depths, where the massive Titan II missile once stood poised for launch. The tour guides are knowledgeable and engaging, providing fascinating insights into the technology, the history, and the sheer gravity of the situation. Launch Simulation: A highlight of the tour is the simulated launch sequence in the control room. This dramatization brings home the reality of the nuclear threat and the split-second decisions that could have changed the course of history. Exhibits: The museum also features exhibits showcasing the technology of the Titan II missile system, the lives of the personnel who worked at the site, and the broader context of the Cold War. Unique Atmosphere: The atmosphere of the museum is unlike any other. The stark concrete and the massive machinery create a sense of awe and unease, reminding visitors of the immense power and the potential for destruction that this site once held. Who Should Visit: History Buffs: Anyone with an interest in military history, the Cold War, or the nuclear age will find this museum fascinating. Families: The museum is educational and engaging for visitors of all ages, although some of the concepts may be complex for younger children. Anyone Seeking a Unique Experience: The Titan Missile Museum offers a truly unique and memorable experience that you won't find anywhere else. Things to Keep in Mind: Tours are timed and often sell out, especially on weekends. It's highly recommended to book your tickets in advance. The tour involves some walking and stair climbing. The museum is located in a remote area, so plan your transportation accordingly. Overall: The Titan Missile Museum is a must-see for anyone interested in learning about the Cold War and the nuclear threat. It's a sobering and thought-provoking experience that will leave you with a deeper understanding of this critical...

Great experience. If you've seen the opening sequence to the old movie "WarGames", this is the real deal with an actual (decomissioned) ICBM sitting in its silo. Thank God it's still there!

Each group is about 26 people which seems to be a good number given the space in the command room where most of the time is spent. It begins with a short video presentation which provides some background. Recommend you get there about 30 min early to look through the exhibits which will put your tour in better perspective. You then go to the stairwell then into the command room. The guide does a great job explaining about the room, the people manning it, and the amount of destruction that single missile could cause. He takes you through a simulated launch then you walk down a long corridor to look at the side of missile itself behind a window. After that, you return to the top and can explore on your own. Be sure to go to the blast door and you'll be able to look down through a window and be able to see the missile from above and get a better idea how deep the silo is.

Tickets: Some folks just walked in and got tickets, but after the 26 people limit was reached, you'll have an hour wait for the next group. Recommend buying on line before hand if you know the times you'll be able to attend.

Kids: Accessible for kids, (and there were a lot in our group) but doubt that those under 7 would get much from the experience. May be disturbing for some kids when they realize that these were really 'end of humanity' weapons.

Stairs: 55 normal stairs. Only issue would be for those with mobility issues. No elevator is available.

PROS: I can't remember the tour guide (originally from outside Philly PA) but he was excellent. He made the tour enjoyable for everyone and was full of details which brought to life what it must have been like for the Airmen who manned the silos at the height of the cold war.

CONS: Not really a 'con', but the tour felt a bit short. It's understandable, given there's only so much you can do in a single silo but because of that, would recommend the Titan Missile Museum be a side trip rather than the focus of a visit to the Tucson area.

So if you're still reading this, hope you enjoy the tour. Sobering to think that Tucson had one big target on it once...