The National WWII Museum fills a seven-acre campus in New Orleans’ Warehouse District. Congress designated it America’s official WWII museum, and it tells the story of the war through personal accounts, artifacts and full-scale aircraft. It opened in 2000 as the National D-Day Museum, founded by historian Stephen Ambrose, and it draws visitors who want the war explained through the people who fought and endured it (source: [The National WWII Museum](https://www.nationalww2museum.org/visit/museum-campus-guide)).
Visitors receive a dog tag that links them to a real service member’s story. Inside the US Freedom Pavilion, warbirds such as a B-17 Flying Fortress hang above the floor. The Final Mission exhibit recreates the last patrol of the submarine USS Tang in an intense, interactive experience. At the Solomon Victory Theater, Beyond All Boundaries uses 4-D effects, including shaking seats and falling snow, with narration by Tom Hanks. The Campaigns of Courage galleries trace the Road to Berlin and the Road to Tokyo. In the Louisiana Pavilion, a replica Higgins boat honors the landing craft built in New Orleans.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
The museum is generally open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but check the official site for current hours before you go (source: [Plan Your Visit](https://www.nationalww2museum.org/visit/plan-your-visit)). Plan on at least four hours, and buy timed tickets for the film and Final Mission online in advance. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter, while spring often brings school groups. The St. Charles streetcar stops nearby at Harmony Circle, and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art is a short walk away.
