Visit the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
How much do you know about the 37th president of the United States? Most people simply associate President Richard Nixon with the Watergate scandal and nothing more. During a recent family trip to Anaheim, we took a few hours to explore the Nixon Presidential Library to learn more about his life, presidency, accomplishments and even the story behind Watergate.
The exhibits were full of information, highlighting his efforts to bring the troops home from Vietnam, congratulating Neil Armstrong and managing the Cold War. We learned a lot during our visit and like many of the presidential libraries I’ve visited, I recommend checking this one out, too.
Directions and Tickets to the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
The Nixon Presidential Library is a short 20-minute drive from the Disneyland area – depending on California traffic, of course. The proximity of the museum makes it a great educational stop amidst the other venues of Anaheim, like Newport Beach, Knott’s Berry Farm and of course, Disneyland.
Tickets can be purchased online in advance of your visit. Simply visit their website and select the date and time you want to visit. If you need to adjust your arrival time (because I know sometimes plans can change), just call the Admissions Desk between 10am-5pm at 714-364-1150.
You aren’t required to purchase tickets in advance. If you want to purchase them at the door when you arrive, that’s okay.
Ticket prices range from $15 up to $25, depending on age, and any discounts like retired military, college student, senior, etc. Children under age 5 are free with a paying adult.
Tour the Grounds of the Library
The grounds around the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum are an important area to explore. In addition to a beautiful rose garden, there are several other elements you won’t want to miss.
When you first arrive, check the times the tours end for the day so you don’t risk missing it.
Start with touring Marine One. It’s at the furthest most part of the grounds. While your sizes are limited to 4-6 people, the tour itself is only 5-8 minutes. As you can see from the photo above, the helicopter isn’t very big. The guide will share a few stories with you about President Nixon’s travels in Marine One, so pay attention.
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The other guided tour offered on the grounds is of Richard Nixon’s boyhood home. Those tours take a little longer – mainly because a house from the early 1900s is still bigger than a helicopter. 😉 Wait by the front door for the next tour to start.
The Nixons (both Richard and his wife Pat) are buried on the grounds near the rose garden. Check out their headstone as you make your way toward and through the rose garden and back to the main building.
Or, find a spot to sit and just enjoy the peace and serenity found in the gardens.
Nixon’s Time as President of the United States
The Nixon Presidential Library and Museum has several exhibits highlighting key milestones in his presidency. The museum begins with a tour through some of the turmoil of the 1960s – racism, Vietnam, assassination of JFK and much more. But Nixon won the election of 1968 and took office in January 1969.
As you navigate through the museum, you can walk into and explore a replica of the Oval Office, setup exactly as Nixon had it during his tenure. You can sit at the desk and even make a phone call (though there was no dial tone). I loved the framed photo on the wall – Earthrise. It’s a shot of the earth from above the surface of the moon, captured during Apollo 8’s mission around the moon in December 1968.
Another important exhibit area highlights Nixon’s efforts with China. As you see in the photo above, you can grab a selfie with Richard and Pat Nixon at the Great Wall of China. Take the time to learn about why their visit was so instrumental for future relations with China. And don’t miss the display with ping pong/table tennis paddles encouraging peace.
The longest phone call ever made was from President Nixon in the White House to Neil Armstrong on the surface of the moon. You can listen to that phone call in its entirety, along with a few other recordings. There’s so much to learn about, including his re-election as president in the 1972 election – which he won by a landslide. He took 49 of the 50 states. But that election leads us to the final exhibit related to his presidency – the Watergate Scandal and his resignation as president.
Richard Nixon’s Early Years – From Boy to Elder Statesman
After learning about President Nixon’s time in the White House, the timeline jumps back to him as a boy. He was born in 1912 in Yorba Linda, California, then moved with his family to Whittier in 1922. His college education included Whittier College, where he graduated second in his class. He then continued his education at Duke Law School, graduating third in his class.
The exhibits in this area showcase those key milestones in his life, as well as his service in the Navy. He fought in the South Pacific During WWII before being elected to Congress at age 33. He continued his political career, serving in the U.S. Senate in 1950 and as Vice President to Dwight D. Eisenhower for two four-year terms. He then ran against a John F. Kennedy in the 1960 presidential election and lost.
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A couple years later, he lost the election to be Governor of California. But his political career wasn’t over. He ran and successfully won the seat of president in 1968. It was unusual for someone who had previously lost a presidential election to run again, but he had done just that.
The timeline here then skips to his time after serving as president and resigning in 1974. He was a statesman on international relations and American foreign policy. He also became a best-selling author, publishing 10 books. He then passed away in 1994 at the age of 81.
Special Exhibit – The Cold War
Like many museums, the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum have a dedicated special exhibits area. During our visit, we were able to learn about the Cold War. It’s kind of a humbling thing to learn about. One area shows just how powerful nuclear power can be. For example, it shows how powerful the atomic bombs were that were used in WWII, and compared that to the power of the nuclear bombs Russia had in its arsenal. It was scary to think that had one of those been launched at the United States – or anywhere – it would’ve meant wide-spread destruction.
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Have you ever wondered what the bomb shelters looked like from the Cold War Era? Well, you can step into one and check it out. They even have a Geiger Counter so you can test different items sitting on a table to see just how radioactive they are. I found one item that was clicking on the Geiger Counter a little too much for comfort. 😉
If you’re a fan of spy movies, you’ll want to spend a few moments checking out the Hollywood films around spies. You may recall shows like Get Smart (one of my favorites from my early days), James Bond, and several others.
Before heading home, stop into the gift shop to grab one of Nixon’s best-selling books, or another item to remember your visit. My youngest son wanted a pack of golf balls, while another wanted a shot glass. I settled on a couple of pins. I’m sure one of my colleagues from work would’ve loved the Christmas ornament of President Nixon standing with Elvis Presley. 😉
The Details
Address: 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda, California 92886
How long to spend: About 1-2 hours
Cost: $25 for adults (18+); $21 for seniors (62+); $19 for college and high school students, active and retired military and youth; $15 for children (ages 5-11); Children under 5 are free.
Hours: Open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Day.
Website: https://www.nixonfoundation.org/
Phone: (714) 993-5075
DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary admission tickets for my family to tour the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.
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