The National WWII Museum, formerly known as The National D-Day Museum, is a military history museum located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S., on Andrew Higgins Drive between Camp Street and Magazine Street. The museum focuses on the contribution made by the United States to Allied victory in World War II. Founded in 2000, it was later designated by the U.S. Congress as America's official National WWII Museum in 2003. The museum is a Smithsonian Institution affiliated museum, as part of the Smithsonian Institution's outreach program. The mission statement of the museum emphasizes the American experience in World War II.
The museum opened as the D-Day Museum, on June 6, 2000, the 56th anniversary of D-Day, focusing on the amphibious invasion of Normandy. As the Higgins boats, vital to amphibious operations, were designed, built, and tested in New Orleans by Higgins Industries, the city was the natural home for such a project. Furthermore, New Orleans was the home of historian and author Stephen Ambrose, who spearheaded the effort to build the museum. Ambrose also wrote a book entitled D-Day in 1994, which describes the planning and execution of Operation Neptune, which was launched on June 6, 1944. The early emphasis of the museum on D-Day, the location of Higgins Industries, and Ambrose's connections to New Orleans were all factors in the museum being established in New Orleans.
Monday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Tuesday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Wednesday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Thursday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Friday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Saturday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Sunday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Colleen M Youngblood | Feb 8, 2018
My husband and I are huge WWII buffs. He prides himself in collecting weaponry from this era. The layout of the museum is awesome. Multiple buildings house specific era or events from the war. While still under construction, the accessibility is easy to maneuver and the layout of each display are so well done. The airplane exhibit is astounding and so well constructed. I has 4 levels, could have been 3 I was in awe, that allow you up close and personal from any angle or height. Please take the time to visit! Such an amazing day!
Nicholas Child | Feb 17, 2018
A great museum. A place a highly recommend to visit if you are in New Orleans. This museum covered so many details of WWII that are generally not adequately covered when the war is taught or discussed. Great exhibits and a ton to see and learn. Will probably be most enjoyed by older kids and adults given the amount of reading and exhibits to look through. Again definitely a place to visit if you are in the area
Brass Tacks | Feb 18, 2018
Such a beautiful museum. You will have an emotional experience here. The design of the space and the interactive elements are top-notch. I only had a couple hours to squeeze in, but I want to go back because I could spend 10 hours in there looking at all the relics and reading everything and watching the short films. I highly recommend this to anyone living in or visiting NOLA.
Mike B | Feb 1, 2018
This is an awesome museum. The exhibits are visually engaging and occasionally interactive. The dog tag check-in booths make it fun for both kids and adults, and the depth of history gives a great experience for all. I found some of the videos and oral accounts to be a bit graphic (well, it is a war account) so be aware if you do bring young children. There's a lot of great stuff in here, including some accounts specific to New Orleans. It'd be hard to catch everything in one go, so if you only have the chance of visiting once be sure to leave plenty of time for your visit.
Pete Austin | Feb 26, 2018
What an incredible place! It is enormous, spanning multiple buildings. They have many many multimedia presentations, some you just stand and watch, some you can interact with. You'll need to make certain that you plan lots of time. It can take 4 hours to go to the whole place. Everyone was wonderfully friendly, and I suspect that most were volunteers.
Sandra S | Mar 22, 2018
CAUTION - Parents, the movie "Beyond All Boundaries" should have an age restriction. We have a 10 and 12 year old and thought they were to young for what they saw. Age 13 or 14 minimum would be appropriate. There was a heavy focus on death. We left with a clear understanding, and appreciation, of the price paid for the freedom that we enjoy everyday. Great movie and very well made, just not for kids. The museum itself was exceptional. We met a couple of volunteer veterans that were there interacting and interesting to talk with. I loved the many short films throughout. We spent 6 hours there and really needed another hour, at least. We saw the above noted movie and ate lunch, so we ended up having to skip areas and hurry through others to get a glimpse of all the buildings before the museum closed. Definitely would have liked to see more. Highly recommend.
Robert Warren | Mar 19, 2018
This museum is amazing, there are so many parts to explore and they did a fantastic job of creating specific sections for each theater of the war and really went into detail to explain what and where everything took place. They give you a fun and entertaining walk through experience with each place you visit and really draw you into the events. Very entertaining and educational. I saw several people who were there that actually served in the war and it was humbling to see their expressions and emotions while watching videos. They also have a 4D theater that's pretty awesome and helps make you feel like you are there. We also ate lunch their at one of their restaurants and the food was delicious. I'll definitely be going back because even after 4 hours of being there we didn't see everything there was to see. It's a must visit if you are in New Orleans.
Dragon Destroyer | Mar 29, 2018
The museum was well designed and had a large amount of content. The bathrooms and show were all clean and well put together. Although if you want to go to the Boeing building you will need to leave and go all the way around crossing a main street twice. The museum is also scattered so it's not hard to get lost although there is always a nice worker right around the corner to direct you into the right direction. Overall, I would say that this museum is a must see for any WW2 fanatic as it not only contains artifacts but sets up the economic and political situation of the times.
Michael Nall | Mar 20, 2018
This is absolutely one of the best museums I've ever been to! The World War II museum is a must-see if you're in New Orleans. Plan on it taking most of the day if you want to see everything. There's a cafeteria with some food if you need to take a break halfway through. I recommend adding on the movie tickets also. It was definitely worth it. Make sure you leave time for all the airplanes in the Boeing hangar! You won't be disappointed!
Stephen Koranda | Mar 23, 2018
One of the best museums period. If you have any interest in World War II, GO! The opening exhibit provides the history of Germany and Japan's actions leading to the U.S.' engagement in the war. The Campaigns of Courage exhibits provide key battles leading to the U.S. victories. The dioramas are impeccable! You really feel like you are in the Pacific or snowy Europe. We only had little time so we only watched the key videos and got the entire history. That still took us 5.5 hours (with a quick break for lunch.) Plan on an entire day (or two) to get through the entire museum and watch the films.
Hope R. | May 17, 2018
I am a history buff (and major with my concentration on WWII) and have nothing but praise for this museum! It was on my bucket list, and I still can't check it off because 2 days was just not enough time for me to walk through all the buildings. There are currently 5, most with 2 stories, and they're building another one. Everything is beautifully constructed and respectful of those lives lost, those who served, and considerate of those who might not be able to tolerate certain areas (signs before loud exhibits for those who may wish to avoid the noise). I am so grateful the stories and the times are well-preserved and I will make the 8 hour trip to come here again one day.
Edward Parks | May 8, 2018
Pretty overpriced for what you get. Almost $30 a ticket just for the walk through. You have to pay extra to watch the 2 films they have. There were some things to view on exhibit, but there was mostly paragraphs of writing everywhere. I don't mind reading, but when I paid almost $60 to just walk around I expect a bit more presentation and effort. The museum was not laid out coherently. You kind of had to search for the next area in a few rooms. This place seems new so hopefully they will learn and change, but many exhibits had missing spaces where the artifacts were removed by the curator. There was supposed to be a nostalgic ice cream shop somewhere, but after following the signs and ending up at the bar we gave up. It was not worth the price. If they dropped admission to $15 I think they would do more business.
Doug Haggerty | Apr 19, 2018
Unbelievably fantastic museum! Very well curated, organized, and impactful. I spent over 5 hours there and probably could have spent another 5 there. So much to see and do while you are there. The Tang submarine experience was very cool and well worth the extra $6. I would love to come back!
Sandra S | May 23, 2018
CAUTION - Parents, the movie "Beyond All Boundaries" should have an age restriction. We have a 10 and 12 year old and thought they were to young for what they saw. Age 14 minimum would be appropriate. There was a heavy focus on death. We left with a clear understanding, and appreciation, of the price paid for the freedom that we enjoy everyday. Great movie and very well made, just not for kids. The museum itself was exceptional. We met a couple of volunteer veterans that were there interacting and interesting to talk with. I loved the many short films throughout. We spent 6 hours there and really needed another hour, at least. We saw the above noted movie and ate lunch, so we ended up having to skip areas and hurry through others to get a glimpse of all the buildings before the museum closed. Definitely would have liked to see more. Highly recommend.
Courtney Tait | Jun 1, 2018
Everyone with any interest in WWII should make this a top priority when visiting New Orleans. They museum is absolutely massive. We definitely didn’t spend enough time there. We wish we had gotten there when it opened around 9 and spent the entire day there (it closes at 5). A lot of time and attention to detail clearly went into this museum. They have a lot of permanent exhibits and some very cool temp ones as well. We absolutely recommend seeing the “Beyond All Boundaries” film narrated by Tom Hanks. It’s really well done and sets up the museum wonderfully. We will definitely be back when we return to New Orleans.
The Hannas: Unfiltered | May 28, 2018
This was by far one of the best museums we have ever been to. The displays were beautiful and interactive. The historical artifacts and videos were mesmerizing. Every room and exhibit was designed with detail and precision. It was an amazing tribute to the war and its veterans. You need 2 days to fully soak in everything the museum has to offer but one day will get you through the majority of it. We will definitely be back.
Bryan McCormick | Jun 21, 2018
Our third visit in the last 8 years. The museum continues to evolve and is absolutely one of the most effective venues for historical reference. The museum is wonderfully designed, the walk through the various points in history are well researched and provide just the amount of detail to understand the different battles that were going on all around the world. Don’t miss the 4D film Beyond All Boundaries. It is an awesome experience. The day we were there 2 WWII veterans were also there, a pleasure to applaud them for their service.
Fuuma Kotarou | Jun 21, 2018
The place is HUGE, and as a major WWII fan, this was just AWESOME. There’s so much to see, and although the ticket prices are a bit high up, it was mainly worth it. They gave you Dog Tag cards to use and track your progress in the museum and “build your own story”. You can access your story on a website as well, and the Soda Shop nearby ( literally right next to it ) served delicious food. The staff were nice and one even joked about riding the fake train, and there was just so much to see. Really cool place, highly recommended. The shows and programs shown there are a bit graphic, and not recommended for anyone under thirteen. They involve a lot of death. Overall, I loved it, and I bought a little aviator string doll from the Museum Shop as well.
Jarred Ellis | Jul 17, 2018
This is one of the best museums I have ever visited!! It is so well designed and has multiple ways for visitors to digest all of the information. Walking through this place really gives you an intimate portrait of what life was like in the USA while at war, what our military went through in Europe and in the Pacific. It is a little confusing on where to begin and where to go next. Once you figure it out, it is pretty simple. I love American history and was completely enthralled by the amount of displays, the attention to detail, and the variety in the displays. I also loved how they included what it was like for families with loved ones in the war and the sense of pride everyone had about the USA. They also didn't shy away from the bad of the war. There was an area that talked about and displayed the Japanese internment camps, they had uniforms and weapons from Germany and Japan, and they had artifacts that survived the Atom bomb blast in Japan. My wife does not like things having to do with history, especially war. Yet, she enjoyed her visit. She liked the short films, the recorded audio stations, and the way each display was arranged. Going here is a must when in New Orleans!
Brad Simon | Jun 25, 2018
Wow!! Very well done. Can't do it all in one day. A few gotchas are the museums parking deck which is on one side of the museum is less expensive than the public parking. The family pass is only good until December, not a full year. However if you buy it in or after July it will be good for that year and the entire next year. Watching the movie with Tom Hanks was worth the extra 6 bucks or so
Jeannie Prillaman | Jul 13, 2018
Shared in this with my 20 year old son. The movie is definitely worth taking in and paying extra for, As well as the sub mission. Did not realize how large this museum was. Wear good walking shoes. Exhibits are split between multiple buildings. I love how it showed the War from all different sides. We spent the entire day here, but could have stayed longer. The movies with the different exhibits are really good. Want to go again.
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