10 Tips For Visiting The National World War 2 Museum

If you are visiting New Orleans, make time to visit the National World War 2 Museum! This museum is phenomenal! That’s not just my opinion. It’s been ranked as one of the best museums in the country! The exhibits are easy to understand and I learned so much more than I ever did in high school.

The museum takes you through the time leading up to the war, through the war and the aftermath of the war. They retell history through personal stories, thousands of historical artifacts and amazing visuals.

Visiting The National World War 2 Museum:

The museum is open daily except Mardi Gras Tuesday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. It’s located at 945 Magazine Street in New Orleans.

10 Tips for Visiting The National World War 2 Museum:

1. Order Your Tickets Online

Make sure to purchase your timed tickets online. They have 15 minute windows throughout the day. I recommend coming early, because you can stay as long as you want.

2. Allow A Minimum of 3 Hours to Visit The World War 2 Museum

This museum is HUGE! It encompasses 6 buildings, multiple floors, thousands of things to look at, listen to or read. 3 hours is a good time frame for most. If you are really into history or WW2, I suggest a whole day.

3. Dog Tag Experience

In the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, begin your journey at the L.W. “Pete” Kent Train Car Experience. Before boarding, you will grab a dog tag (card). Board the train and watch the introductory video to the museum. You will activate your dog tag when it tells you too. It will assign you a service man or woman entering the war. You can use your dog tag through out the museum at special stations to follow their journey during the war.

I was lucky and got Ira Hayes. He has an incredible story!

4. Wear Comfortable Shoes

Again the museum is huge and there will be a ton of walking and standing.

5. D Day Invasion of Normandy Exhibit

This exhibit is very eye opening. It shows you how they planned and executed this invasion. Most importantly, how there was no plan B. Everything relied on this working.

There are multiple audio and visual clips worth listening to and watching.

6. Watch Beyond All Boundaries

Highly recommend watching Beyond All Boundaries! It’s a 4D movie that fully immerses you in the war. It starts off in one part of the theater to watch an intro and then you move on to an I-Max type theater. Did I mention that Tom Hanks does an amazing job narrating this movie?

It’s shown in the Solomon Victory Theater every hour. There is an additional cost, however the special effects are totally worth it! Be ready to feel the tanks and explosions over Germany! There are flashes of light and loud noises, in case that would effect anyone in your party.

7. Visit the Campaigns of Courage Pavilion

I’m incredibly bummed that I missed this during my visit. We were running out of time and I thought it was something different than what it is. Needless to say, go see it!

The pavilion houses two exhibits: The Road To Berlin and The Road To Tokyo. They both immerse you in the landscape of desert and jungles like you are right there.

8. Visit the US Freedom Pavilion

The US Freedom Pavilion: Boeing Center houses iconic bombers, planes and other aircraft. There are three different levels where you can gaze at these aircraft.

Check out the interactive USS Tang Submarine Experience! It uses sound and motion to stimulate what it feels like on a submarine.

9. Bring a Jacket

Highly recommend bringing a jacket or sweatshirt. The building has a great air conditioner and some parts are colder than others.

10. Check out the Restaurant and Gift Shop at the World War 2 Museum

This museum can take a good portion of the day, so take a break and eat at The American Sector Restaurant & Bar. The gift shop sells drinks too if you’re not looking for food. Speaking of the gift shop, they have some great souvenirs! I’m a sucker for gift shops 🙂

Overall I highly recommend taking at least a half day to see the National World War 2 Museum. There’s so much to see and learn about the war.

For more adventures in New Orleans, check out this post.

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