From an informative video that describes the Hoover Dam’s contributions to the developing West to the Observation Level offering spectacular views of the dam and surrounding area, the Hoover Dam Visitors Center is your gateway to understanding the vital role the Hoover Dam has played in the development of the West and the significance of the construction effort behind the engineering marvel.
The Theatre Level
Upon arriving at the Hoover Dam Visitors Center, delight in photos and maps of the Hoover Dam. A 10-minute video that explores the Hoover Dam’s impact on the West and the tremendous feat of engineering that created the dam provides the perfect introduction for an afternoon in the Visitor Center.
Exhibit Level
Take the elevator to the second floor of the Hoover Dam Visitors Center to the Exhibit Gallery, home to audio, visual and interactive displays. See just how large-scale a project the Hoover Dam was as you view a full-scale model of the huge buckets used to convey concrete during the dam’s construction. Walk through a model of a hydroelectric turbine generator. Discover the Colorado River’s watershed and the distribution of the water and power on a three-dimensional map of the Colorado River Basin. Test your skills at managing power generation and conserving energy. Learn about the federal agency that stands behind the dam, the Bureau of Reclamation.
Observation Deck Level
Once you’ve explored the unique audio, visual and interactive displays make your way to the Observation Level, accessible by the stairs or elevator adjacent to the entrance of the Exhibit Gallery. The top-floor Observation Level boasts open and enclosed viewing areas of Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam and the Colorado River. Inside you will come across a sculpture that demonstrates some of the ways in which the Hoover Dam benefits the Colorado River Basin states. Step onto the outside deck to enjoy the scenic surroundings as you listen to an audio presentation that gives facts about the Hoover Dam and its surroundings.
The Hoover Dam Bypass Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Bridge
At 1,900 feet long, views of the Western Hemisphere’s longest single-span concrete arch bridge will captivate you. Opened in 2010, the Hoover Dam Bypass Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Bridge provides a crossing of the Colorado River for travelers along U.S. Route 93. Since opening, it has significantly reduced traffic congestion and shortened the route for commercial shippers along the trade corridor who were previously banned from travelling across the Hoover Dam for security purposes, leaving them no choice but to take a 75-mile detour.
Shopping in the Gift Shop
Find the perfect keepsake to remember your visit to the Hoover Dam, or something special for a loved one. A large selection of Hoover Dam gifts and keepsakes are available for purchase in the Gift Shop.
- Snacks and drinks are available from the Hoover Dam Visitor Center concession service, located at the base of the Parking Garage.
- The Hoover Dam Visitor Center is ADA compliant. Wheelchairs are available to rent from the Parking Garage at the cost of $5.00.
- Don’t forget your camera; from engineering marvels like the Hoover Dam and the Bypass Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Bridge to the picturesque nature that surrounds them, there will be photo opportunities you do not want to miss during your Hoover Dam trip.