Memory Wars: World War Ii At 75 And Beyond
The National WWII Museum’s Memory Wars: World War II at 75 and Beyond virtual conference has been rescheduled! The all-virtual conference will now take place on March 2426, 2022. A first-of-its-kind international conference to discuss the shifting landscapes of popular memories of this world-altering conflict, Memory Wars will explore World War IIs place in public memory through a global prism, examining how museums, filmmakers, media, memorials, and historians help shape memories of the conflict.
Free Virtual Registration Now OpenTo share this important program with the widest possible audience, the Museum will livestream all Memory Wars sessions at no cost to participants. Register below to receive free access to the virtual program on March 2426, 2022.
Where To Begin Your Visit
Begin your visit in the main Louisiana Memorial Pavillion, where you can purchase and/or pick up your tickets. Board the Union Pacific Foundation Train Station.
Here, you’ll watch a brief video introduction to the museum, which also gives you a brief introduction to the state of the world before the war began.
You’ll also be able to register for the interactive Dog Tag Experience. This is a unique experience that allows you to use your dog tag throughout the museum to collect artifacts. You can also follow a specific man or woman’s journey throughout the war. After you go home, you can follow up with your dog tag experience online.
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion: Train Car
Next up, obtain your dog tag from one of the kiosks. Then take a ride on the Train Car to register your Dog Tag and select your story and World War II service member to follow. There are machines at each pavilion where you can swipe your Dog Tag and see what part your soldier played in this part of the war efforts. You can also collect artifacts on the card and then register it online so they will be accessible to you online to read more about after you return home.
Next up, head across the street. Make sure to check out the German Bomb Shelters, a piece of the World Trade Center and hundreds of bricks inscribed for men and women that served our country during this time.
Recommended Reading: Us Army Airborne And Special Operations Museum
Where To Park For The National World War Ii Museum
No history buff’s visit to New Orleans would be complete without a trip to the National World War II Museum. Whether you’re a returning visitor or a first-timer, figuring out where to park can be a hassle. At Premium Parking, we don’t want the struggle to find a parking space to get in the way of your WWII Museum experience. We make it easy for you to find a spot ahead of time, so you don’t have to drive in circles looking for parking.
Types of Parking Lots
We have several outdoor lots near the National World War II Museum, from smaller lots with plentiful space for single-family vehicles to larger lots with extra space for RVs and vans. Our outdoor parking options give guests freedom from height restrictions. Several of these nearby lots offer in-and-out privileges, overnight parking options, and handicap-accessible parking.
How to Pay for Parking
Find Nearby Parking
If you’re planning a trip to the National WWII Museum, let Premium Parking help make finding parking quick, convenient, and easy. Our app and website keep regularly updated information on parking lot traffic and availability, so you know what to expect. Check out our parking lots close to the museum now.
The National Wwii Museum
| .org |
The National WWII Museum, formerly known as The NationalD-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.
Don’t Miss: Union Pacific Museum Gift Shop
Public Transportation To The National Wwii Museum In New Orleans
Wondering how to get to The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, United States? Moovit helps you find the best way to get to The National WWII Museum with step-by-step directions from the nearest public transit station.
Moovit provides free maps and live directions to help you navigate through your city. View schedules, routes, timetables, and find out how long does it take to get to The National WWII Museum in real time.
Looking for the nearest stop or station to The National WWII Museum? Check out this list of stops closest to your destination: Magazine + St Joseph St Charles + Lee Circle Baronne + Howard.
You can get to The National WWII Museum by Bus or Streetcar. These are the lines and routes that have stops nearby -Bus: 10, 106, 11, 15, 91Streetcar: 12
Want to see if theres another route that gets you there at an earlier time? Moovit helps you find alternative routes or times. Get directions from and directions to The National WWII Museum easily from the Moovit App or Website.
We make riding to The National WWII Museum easy, which is why over 930 million users, including users in New Orleans, trust Moovit as the best app for public transit. You dont need to download an individual bus app or train app, Moovit is your all-in-one transit app that helps you find the best bus time or train time available.
For information on prices of Bus and Streetcar, costs and ride fares to The National WWII Museum, please check the Moovit app.
Us Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Exhibit
The World War II years were a time when the freedom of the world hung in the balance. Americans answered the call to protect that freedom with 16 million men and women serving in uniform and an untold number of citizens of all ages doing their part on the Home Front. It is their contributions that are honored in the US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center. This pavilion is full of restored vehicles and aircraft from World War II.
The jewel of the exhibit is a Boeing B-17 Bomber My Gal Sal and the size is breath-taking. The ramps and elevators allow you to view the plane from several levels. Check out the short 5 minute movie about the recovery and restoration which plays on one of the two large screens in the main hall
You May Like: How Much Is Getty Museum Tickets
National World War Ii Museum
The museum opened as the National D-Day Museum on the 56th Anniversary of the D-Day landings, June 6, 2000. The museum was spearheaded by author and historian Steven Ambrose, who you might know from books such as D-Day and Band of Brothers among others.
New Orleans was the home to Ambrose and the Higgins Industries, making it a great place for such a museum. For those that dont know, Higgins Industries built the landing craft, also known as the Higgins boats, for D-Day and other battles. In addition to the famous Higgins boats, the company also produced the famous PT boats used in World War II. One of which became famous, PT-109, due to it being commanded by Lieutenant, junior grade, John F. Kennedy.
A few years after its dedication, Congress designated it the National World War II Museum. That took place in 2003 and since then there has been great growth in not only the museum, but its attendance as well.
Weather Forecast For National World War Ii Museum New Orleans Louisiana
If you planning to travel to National World War II Museum, New Orleans, Louisiana, here is your 6-day travel weather forecast to make sure you have all the essentials needed during your stay.Start your day when the sunrises at 12:56 PM.The temperature feels like 58.95 with a humidity level of 87 so dress accordingly.Cloud coverage is 63 percent with visibility at 10 percent.Todays UV index is 0, dont forget the sunscreen if you need it!Todays winds are traveling east-southeast at a speed of 9 MPH. At the end of the day dont miss the sunset at 11:17 PM.
Recommended Reading: Map Of Smithsonian Museums In Washington Dc
Tourist Attraction Discount Passes
If youre planning to visit a lot of different attractions in the Big Easy, its worth noting that the National WW2 Museum is included with both the New Orleans Pass and the New Orleans Sightseeing Pass.
Each of these services allows you to pay one flat price for a variety of different activities in the city.
In addition to covering admission price for the National WW2 Museum, these passes also include the following activities and attractions at no extra cost:
- Audubon Zoo
- And more!
Depending on how many locations you visit, a tourist pass could save you 50% or more on general admission prices.
These tourist passes also allow you to skip the line at several popular attractions throughout New Orleans , saving you time and making it easier to get inside.
For more details on these services, read our post covering New Orleans tourist passes.
The History Of The Museum
The National WWII Museum started as the vision of Stephen E. Ambrose who wrote many acclaimed World War II novels including Band of Brothers, D-Day, and Citizen Soldiers. He dreamt of a museum that reflected his deep regard for our nations citizen soldiers, the workers on the Home Front and the sacrifices and hardships they endured to achieve victory. The National D-Day Museum opened on June 6, 2000 as the first stage of the truly comprehensive institution he envisioned. On September 25, 2003, the United States Congress awarded the Museum the designation of Americas National World War II Museum.
The museum is situated in downtown New Orleans on a huge six-acre campus. New Orleans was selected as the site of the museum as this is where Ambrose worked and also because Andrew Higgins designed, built and tested the landing craft, the Higgins Boat used in many D-Day invasions.
Recommended Reading: Museums In New Haven Ct
Ww2 Museum New Orleans
Travelers of all ages will marvel at the thoughtful exhibitions at the National World War 2 Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana.
If you are planning to travel to New Orleans, Louisiana, there is one place that I suggest you put on your travel itinerary as a priority, Must Visit place. While you’re sure to indulge in the delicious beignets at Cafe du Monde and stroll through the French Quarter, you MUST also set aside a full morning or afternoon at the National World War 2 Museum.
Solomon Victory Theater: Beyond All Boundaries Movie
I scheduled my viewing of Beyond All Boundaries at the beginning of my visit. This 45 minute film, produced by Tom Hanks, provides an overview of World War II to get you up to speed for the exhibits. The film was developed after 6,000 hours of research of archival and stills to interweave 517 film clips of archival footage, 305 archival photos, and words & stories of actual WWII participants. The state of the art theater has lots of special effects to help you understand the events.
Tickets: WW II Museum Tickets Currently it is $5 extra for this movie and worth it!
Helpful Tip: Your show time is scheduled. Dont waste your time getting in line for the Beyond All Boundaries show more than 10 minutes early! There will be a big line, but everyone is escorted into a waiting area for a 7 minute pre-show, so the line order gets completely mixed up anyway. The auditorium is new and state of the art, so try to get near the center, but there is really no bad seats.
Also Check: Miami Beach Museums In Miami
Beyond All Boundaries & Final Mission
Visitors will often begin their visit to the museum by watching this 45-minute movie experience, narrated by Tom Hanks and replete with the sort immersion the museum prides itself on: falling snow, seats that shudder under explosions, etc. In the same interactive vein is Final Mission. This exhibit recreates the final mission of the USS Tang, a submarine that was sunk by one of its own torpedoes following attacks on Japanese shipping lanes. Final Mission takes place in the US Freedom Pavilion, which is itself filled with resorted aircraft, tanks, and uniforms from the war.
Louisiana Resident Discount Month
If you live in Louisiana and youre planning to visit the National WW2 Museum, consider making your trip during their LA Resident Discount Month.
Every September, the WW2 Museum offers its Museum Campus Pass for 50% off regular prices.
All you have to do is provide a state-issued photo ID!
NATIONAL WW2 MUSEUM EXHIBITS
This section will go into detail about all of the most interesting exhibits you can see at the museum.
We will also provide information about add-on experiences that you can enjoy for a small additional fee.
This 32,512 square-foot pavilion covers how the Allies were able to defeat two formidable enemies on two sides of the world simultaneously.
There are two exhibits Road to Berlin: European Theater Galleries and Road to Tokyo: Pacific Theater Galleries.
These exhibitions are immersive and dynamic with dramatic displays, oral histories, digital artifacts, and newsreels.
Through recreated battle sites, beaches, jungles, and bunkers, visitors learn about the challenges that confronted the Allies in their effort to win the war.
This center relays the story of a country as it mobilized for war and the men and women who did their part on the home front by producing airplanes, submarines, and military machinery.
You will see vintage aircraft, tanks, and personnel carriers.
This is also where you will find the Final Mission: The USS Tang Submarine Experience.
Don’t Miss: Bible Museum In Washington Dc Tickets
Experiencing The National Wwii Museum
Perhaps it was your father, uncle, grandfather or another relative who lined up outside a local military recruitment office to enlist after the day of infamy when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Maybe your mother or grandmother rolled up her sleeves and went to work with legions of Rosie the Riveters. Whatever your personal connection is to the greatest generation, the reason to learn about this time is to keep your familys place in history. My grandfather served in World War II, so the experience is personal for me. He was on the USS Catoctin which served in the Pacific Theater later in the war. The USS Catoctin was also positioned off the Normandy coastline along with 6,000 ships during the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944 to taking the first footsteps to reclaim freedom in Europe.
This is a huge museum, so here is my suggested itinerary. I spent the entire day and easily could have spent another day here.
National Ww2 Museum Tickets
This Museum is a venue in which visitors can experience virtually the challenges faced by the nations who fought in World War II.
Immersive and interactive exhibits recreate the world of those who lived through WWII, whether they fought overseas or remained on the Home Front.
If you are buying either a New Orleans Sightseeing Pass or a New Orleans Power Pass, be aware that general admission to the museum is included at no extra charge.
We will cover these and other opportunities to save money in our discounts section.
Also Check: Hotels Near Norman Rockwell Museum Stockbridge Ma
A Pivotal Local Connection
The Higgins boat in the atrium gives a clue to the museum’s origin and location. During World War II, the Navy needed a shallow-draft landing vessel to bring soldiers ashore for combat. New Orleans-based Andrew Higgins had been building similar boats to navigate Louisiana’s shallow bayous, and modified his design for battle. By war’s end, Higgins local factories produced more than 20,000 of the essential landing craft, inspiring Dwight Eisenhower to declare him, the man who won World War II for us. The museum’s Bayou to Battlefield exhibit details Higgins important contribution to the war effort.
University of New Orleans professor and author Stephen Ambrose’s 1995 book on D-Day inspired him to found the National D-Day Museum, which opened in New Orleans in 2000 with a single building. Since then, the museum’s mission has expanded to encompass all of the war, with Congress officially designating it as the National WWII Museum in 2004. The campus continues to expand as well, with a sixth building, the Liberation Pavilion , currently under construction.
John E Kushner Restoration Pavilion
Look through the pavilions glass to witness the restoration of WWII artifacts in progress.
Currently under restoration is a Higgins Industries PT boat, PT-305 that was built in New Orleans and saw service in the Mediterranean theater.
When restoration is complete the patrol torpedo boat PT-305 will be launched into her home waters of Lake Pontchartrain.
Following two to three months of testing, PT 305 will be moved to a custom-built boathouse and opened to the public.
ADD-ON EXPERIENCES
This section will cover each of the additional experiences available at the National WW2 Museum.
We will provide details about the hours, ticket prices, and what you can expect from each activity.
This complex is where you can view Beyond All Boundaries narrated by Tom Hanks.
Daily showtimes start at 10:00 am and run hourly until 4:00 pm. On Friday and Saturday, the last showing time is 5:00 pm.
Advance tickets are highly recommended and the price can be added on to your General Admission ticket purchase.
On the second floor, you will find the Merchant Marine Gallery, a 940-square-foot gallery honoring civilian merchant mariners.
You May Like: The Children’s Museum Miami
