World War 2 Museum in New Orleans

A visit to the World War II Museum is an activity not to be missed if you are in New Orleans; it is a direct access to all the experiences the draftees went through during their service in the war. It also shows the origin, progress and end of what has been one of the most important war conflicts in the history of the world. Make this one of the essential things to do in New Orleans.

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New Orleans The National WWII Museum

Buy your ticket to discover the experiences of World War II on your own.

Take a journey into the past and learn about the true price of freedom.

From ₹3,131 at Hellotickets

With general admission to the World War II Museum you can start your tour and visit each of the pavilions at your own pace. It is up to you to decide how much time you want to spend exploring the scenes of war inside the museum.

Don't worry about not having a guide. Here you have all the information you need about the activities and experiences offered by the museum, so you can make sure you don't miss out on any of them.

Recommended if... you want to make the most of the experience and see everything the WWII Museum has to show you, without rushing or rushing.

On the website of Hellotickets you can book online tickets to the National Museum of World War II with an approximate price of 28 euros although it may vary depending on age and some other conditions that allow you to opt for special rates:

• Seniors over 65 years old: tickets from 25 €.
• Students with university ID: tickets from 18 €.
• Military (veterans, retired or active): tickets from €18
• Veterans of the Second World War: completely free tickets

Tickets to the National WWII Museum are included in the New Orleans Sightseeing Pass. There are two New Orleans Sightseeing Pass options, Day Pass and Flex Pass; both options include admission to the museum. Which option you choose depends on the number of activities you want to do in the city.

The main advantage of these sightseeing passes is that they allow access to a greater number of sights and recreational activities in New Orleans. It is also a more economical option. But if your interest is specifically this visit to the museum, Hellotickets will always be your best ally.

If you are travelling to New Orleans with children, don't think that visiting a museum is exclusively for adults. Even one that tells the story of what happened throughout history can be of interest to children, as long as it is adapted to the language of the kids and makes them learn while having fun. That's why the National World War II Museum in New Orleans offers two special admission options for children:

• Grades K-12: special tickets starting at €18.
• Under 5 years old: special tickets are completely free.

On the other hand, what better plan for the whole family if you 're travelling to New Orleans during the cold winter?

The museum is located in an easily accessible area of New Orleans. You can get there either by bus or tram. Please note that the tram, although a more convenient option, will take you further away from the museum than the bus. The closest bus stop to the museum is only two blocks away, while the distance from the tram station to the museum is almost five blocks.

Its location is very close to Harmony Circle, one of the most popular historical and tourist attractions in New Orleans. It is also surrounded by three other museums that will serve to further collect moments of cultural and artistic enrichment. Just a mile from the famous French Quarter, an iconic part of the city that you can't miss.

The time you may need to take a look at the National WWII Museum is approximately 2 hours. That would be the regular time for a visit that does not include the 4D film shown in Solomon's Victory Theatre in the itinerary. However, if you want to enjoy the kind of attractions that the museum has to offer, it is likely that your visit could take up to 4 hours. But don't worry, I assure you that every minute you spend discovering the scenes of war will be worth it.

In any case, whether you have three days to explore New Orleans or four days in the city, this museum is a must-see.

The National World War II Museum opens its doors to the public from 9:00 a. m. and remains open throughout the day. Closing time is 5:00 p.m., offering visitors 8 hours of entertainment and historical enrichment each day.

The Louisiana Memorial Pavilion offers visitors a recreation of a 1940s-inspired train station in honour of Leroy Wayne "Pete" Kent. There is no better way to begin your journey on this World War II adventure.

This introduction is most appropriate for visitors as they begin their experience at the Museum as new recruits on their way to World War II. The more you can relate to the experiences of the soldiers in the army, the more you will understand what it really means to be free today, and what the world paid to be free.

The permanent display at the Arsenal of Democracy is designed to tell visitors how the effort and unity of the American people were the building blocks for victory on the Home Front. This exhibit will bring you closer to the patriotic sentiment that emerged during the war. The desire to participate increased among the population, to such an extent that there were huge queues for enlistment. If you don't want to miss a single detail, you can buy a guided tour of the Arsenal of Democracy.

A multimedia projection tells the story of the commitment shown by the Brown brothers during the war. The engineers who, through their company, accepted the challenge of massively building part of the war arsenal, consisting of patrol boats and destroyer escorts. They had never built a ship before the conflict, but that was no obstacle to them. In their efforts to contribute, they went on to build more than 300 warships.

The third floor of the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion contains a display of the weapons and uniforms of the German equipment faced by the crews and soldiers who took part in the invasion of Normandy. The start of Operation Overlord, also known as Operation Neptune, marked the beginning of the liberation of Europe from Nazi occupation.

The D-Day exhibition displays the ships used in the amphibious assault that took place simultaneously on Hitler's Atlantic Wall; five key beaches for the reduction of Nazi control over Europe. A section of the museum not to be missed for anything.

One of the most acclaimed activities at the National WWII Museum is Beyond all Boundaries, the 4D projection narrated by Tom Hanks. The film unfolds as the special effects and moving chairs are activated; it creates such a real sense of the moment that you can feel like you are part of the war.

The screenings start at 10am and run until 4pm. To access it you will have to buy a ticket at the box office, this performance is not included in the general admission but will be worth a look. It is an experience that can be a bit loud due to the loud sound effects, so you should take precautions if you come with very young children.

The gallery honouring the work of the merchant marines uses audiovisual content to show museum visitors some images of the crew who risked their lives to confront the latent threat of the Japanese. Their contribution, working hand in hand with the warships, ensured the protection of cargo throughout the Pacific and Atlantic crossings, being a key part of the defence against the German attacks suffered as they approached the Gulf of Mexico.

You probably remember what happened with the Japanese and Pearl Harbor. Japan pretended to be in peace agreements with the United States while devising a surprise attack on the Pearl Harbor Naval Base. An action that aroused the fury of the American people and produced a desire for revenge that would go beyond any obstacle. The distance between the countries did not stop the counter-attack, which marked the turning point that turned the course of the war.

One of the events that took place during World War II and which generated great repercussions throughout its development. It triggered an imminent response from the United States, which was not only attacked by Japan, but Germany and Italy declared war as well. One cannot avoid mentioning this fact every time the war is mentioned. In this exhibition you will feel part of the pilots sent to avenge the Japanese betrayal.

The Campaigns of Courage building shows the grim reality of the sacrifice millions of American patriots had to make to fight against the enemy Axis powers. Audiovisual and interactive material recreates some of the drama and personal stories of American soldiers during the war.

Those who have seen this exhibition know the obstacles the soldiers faced and all they had to do to survive and win the war; frozen roads, bombs destroying roofs of houses, landscapes with audio that give a touch of realism to the projection.

The Hall of Democracy contains a special exhibit that showcases significant artifacts, videos and discoveries about World War II that are not available in any of the other buildings that make up the museum. It also explores in depth some of the aspects highlighted in other pavilions. It was created to encourage repeat visits by tourists. With intermittent demonstrations that increase curiosity and the desire to return to the museum.

Noeli's Traveller Tip

If you visit the National WWII Museum again within 7 days of your first visit, admission can cost as little as €7.

The George Bush Tribute Gallery is located in the Freedom Pavilion of the museum and has a huge number of warplanes on display. It is worth noting that Lieutenant Bush was the youngest pilot at the time, inspiring new generations with his achievements.

Stepping inside the submarine USS Tang will take you back to 1944, when her final wartime patrol took place. An experience on another level where you will be subjected to another amazing scenario that tested the courage and bravery of many sailors. Just imagining what it must have felt like to be there in the midst of such a huge military conflict makes you admire the daring of those who dared to be in those circumstances.

Being inside a submarine in the middle of war meant risking a lot, as in that scenario you were completely susceptible to enemy attack. The Marines had to refine their defence mechanisms and develop new submarine warfare techniques. The USS Wahoo was one of the submarines that pioneered maritime combat techniques, led by Officer Richard O'Kane. Later, these techniques were applied by the USS Tang.

During the war, several vehicles were used to transport soldiers from one battlefield to another; in the case of the wounded, the ambulance would take them from the conflict zone to the camps in an attempt to save their lives. Getting soldiers there in time was often the deciding factor in whether they lived or died from the battle. The vehicles on display at the National WWII Museum include:

• Dodge Ambulance
• Landing Vehicle
• Sherman Tank
• Stuardo Tank
• Half-track

The National World War II Museum puts its visitors to the test with an interactive activity called What would you do...? It is designed for a simultaneous participation of 36 people. It is a kind of quiz that exposes you to the decisions that a person in the midst of war might face. The dynamic is strategically created to ask ethical and moral questions that expose the decision-making capacity of those who participate. The best way to put yourself in the shoes of a war soldier.

Museums are not the only source of historical knowledge that New Orleans offers its visitors. There are also Plantation escapades and tours, which date back many years and offer a unique tour, filled with stories of families who worked for years on the Plantations as slaves. Make sure you go to at least one of the Plantations, you won't regret it.

You can also sign up for one of New Orleans' Best Swamp Tours where you'll get an inside look at the city's Creole roots. Undoubtedly one of the top 10 guided tours in the city.

But another New Orleans must-do is to get to know the gruesome stories hidden in the streets with the typical New Orleans ghost tours or the New Orleans Cemetery Tours.