Arco (Idaho)
Understand
See
Experimental Breeder Reactor ITake a self-guided tour through the first nuclear reactor to produce electrical power, first breeder reactor, and first reactor to use plutonium as fuel.
Number HillThe mountain towers above the city and the cliffs are covered with numbers. Since 1920 the graduates of the local high school paint the year on them. The locals try to fool the visitors by telling them the numbers correspond to high water marks of the Big Lost River.
USS Hawkbill (SSN-666)USS Hawkbill with the "devil" hull number 666 was a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine. After the decomissioning in 2001, her sail was preserved and donated to Arco, the place where development of nuclear submarine propulsion began in nearby laboratories. It is on display in a little park along the main street.
Do
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phone: +1 208 526-0050It is possible to arrange guided tours in advance.
Eat
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Lost River Drive In
phone: +1 208-527-3158address: 520 W Grand AveA friendly diner with great food, especially the onion rings, among other "famous" sides. It also has great, amicable employees. -
phone: +1 208-527-9944address: 440 S Front St.Home of the Atomic Burger (not glowing, actually, served with onions, mushrooms and fried potatoes).
Go next
- Craters of the Moon, spectacular lava fields, the youngest of which were spilled mere 2000 years ago - 18 miles SW along US-20.