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Welcome to the National WWII Museum
Located in the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana, the National WWII Museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in the war. It is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and was designated the nation’s official WWII museum by the U.S. Congress in 2003.
The museum explores every part of the United States’ involvement in the war. It covers the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor to V-J Day and everything in between. Its world-class permanent and special exhibits (described below) help explain the war and its impact on the United States and the world. In addition to traditional museum exhibits, the campus also features themed dining and lodging as well as period entertainment and symposiums.
Visit the official museum website for more information and to purchase tickets.
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New Orleans and The Higgins Boat
Long before the outbreak of the war, New Orleans served as a vital port city for the United States. This role expanded following the attack on Pearl Harbor and the country’s entry into the war. While the city as a whole undoubtedly contributed to the nation’s increased need for manufacturing and shipping, one man in particular helped shape the future of New Orleans and lead to its designation as a WWII Heritage City.
"Andrew Higgins is the man who won the war for us."
Andrew Higgins was the owner of Higgins Industries. Located in New Orleans, the company produced everything from lifeboats to aircraft. However, it was one craft in particular that cemented Andrew Higgins as one of the most important men of the war. The Landing Craft Personnel (LCP) was a flat-bottomed, plywood-constructed craft designed to carry men across shallow water. These “Higgins Boats” were designed for amphibious operations where men came ashore directly onto enemy-held land.
The design of the LCP was expanded and adjusted in order to carry men and equipment ashore. These include the landing craft, vehicle, personnel (LCVP) and the landing craft tank (LCT). These craft were used in operations across the Pacific Theater as well as in the D-Day landings on Normandy. Andrew Higgins, through his design and manufacturing of these specialized craft, ensured the success of these vital amphibious operations, and therefore, the success of the United States in the war.
Looking for more WWII Sites in the U.S.? Check out my Ultimate Guide.
From the National D-Day Museum to the National WWII Museum
New Orleans became the home of the National WWII Museum due to Andrew Higgins and his contribution to the war effort. However, the founders of the museum first set their sites on telling a smaller story. The museum opened as the National D-Day Museum in 2000. Due to the Higgins boats’ vital role in the invasion of Normandy, the museum originally only focused on the events surrounding June 6, 1944 (the original D-Day exhibit is still a part of the museum).
Following the site’s designation as the National WWII Museum by congress in 2003, the campus expanded to include new galleries devoted to every U.S. theater of war. Further additions over the years cover everything from the Holocaust to the home front. What started as the desire to tell the story of one man and one day has blossomed into a top-of-the-line museum and a can’t miss stop in New Orleans.
Traveling around New Orleans? Consider booking a tour.
Things to See
The National WWII Museum is a sprawling complex with much more to offer than a standard collection of exhibits. Below I have outlined a handful of the museum’s offerings including permanent and special exhibits as well as shows and special events. Depending on the events on offer as well as your personal interest in the topic, a visit to the museum can last anywhere from one to several days. The museum offers multi-day tickets as well as combo offers which include the shows and special events.
Permanent and Temporary Exhibits
Currently, the National WWII Museum campus contains six primary exhibit buildings. Be sure to grab a campus map upon arrival as the layout can be a bit confusing.
Building 1: The Louisiana Memorial Pavilion
This building contains the main entrance as well as the largest number of separate exhibits. The large entry hall contains a Higgins Boat as well as a handful of WWII aircraft on display. Upon on entering the museum and purchasing tickets, visitors are given a dog tag and led to a train car. Once aboard, you will scan your dog tag and receive the biography of a real American who served in the war. Throughout the museum you can find updates on your service member to discover how they served and what happened to them during the war.
Other exhibits in the pavilion include:
The Arsenal of Democracy – This exhibit tells the story of the American home front both leading up to and during the war.
Malcolm S. Forbes Rare and Iconic Artifacts Gallery – This area focuses on the most unique artifacts in the museum’s collection. It also offers visitors the chance to “talk” to veteran’s through an interactive experience.
The Joe W. and Dorothy D. Brown Foundation Special Exhibit Gallery – Here you can find rotating exhibits which tell the story of everything from animals in war to the role of African Americans.
The D-Day Invasion of Normandy – The museum’s original gallery, this space focuses on the story of D-Day as well as the contribution of the Higgins Boat to the war effort.
Building 2: Solomon Victory Theater
The second building on the National WWII Museum’s campus is home to two can’t miss exhibits.
Beyond All Boundaries – While it does require a separate ticket from your museum entrance, this 4D experience is well worth the cost. Tom Hanks produced and narrated the show, and it provides a moving overview of the war. If you are going to add one show to your visit, make it this one.
Ralph E. Crump, LTJG, USNR, US Merchant Marine Gallery – This exhibit tells the often unknown story of the U.S. Merchant Marines. These men were responsible for the transportation of men, equipment and materials across the dangerous seas of both the Atlantic and Pacific.
Building 3: Campaigns of Courage
The Campaigns of Courage building houses the most iconic exhibits found in the National WWII Museum.
The Duchossois Family Road to Berlin: European Theater Galleries – This section traces the war in Europe from North Africa and the Mediterranean to mainland Europe. It features authentic weapons, large set-pieces and detailed stories of all of the major battles and campaigns of this theater of war.
The Richard C. Adkerson & Freeport-McMoRan Foundation Road to Tokyo: Pacific Theater Galleries – As was the case with the European gallery, this exhibit provides a detailed look into each of the major battles of the Pacific Theater. It is equally well-displayed and informative.
Building 4: The Liberation Pavilion
This section of the National WWII Museum houses some of the most emotional exhibits, including displays related to the Holocaust. Because of this, if you are traveling with small children, this may be the building you choose to bypass. With that being said, everyone who can visit this pavilion should.
Finding Hope in a World Destroyed – This area covers the extraordinary cost of war. It features exhibits on the Holocaust, the Monuments Men and Women and Anne Frank.
Forces of Freedom at Home and Abroad (1945-Present) – The war’s impact on the world continues to be seen today, a theme which is explored throughout this set of exhibits. The area covers topics such as the Civil Rights movement and the emergence of the United States as a global superpower.
Priddy Family Foundation Freedom Theater – This theater is home to a show which explores the importance of the Allied victory in the war. It requires a separate ticket, and is, in my opinion, one of the few skippable parts of the museum.
Building 5: US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center
This large exhibit space is home to an impressive collection of WWII aircraft. Suspended from the ceiling, these planes can be viewed either from ground level or through a series of catwalks which allow you closer viewing opportunities. The space is also home to several vehicles, which can be found on ground level, as well as a Medal of Honor Exhibit. Due to its size and collection of authentic vehicles and aircraft, this is one of the most impressive sections of the National WWII Museum.
Building 6: The Hall of Democracy
The final building of the museum complex contains the Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy. In addition to providing visitors with exhibits and multimedia experiences, the museum is also dedicated to research and education. The main focus of this institute is to disseminate WWII information through digital learning resources.
Shows and Special Events
While a visitor could easily spend multiple days exploring every nook and cranny of the museum’s permanent and special exhibits, the complex also offers many additional add-ons. I have listed a few of the regularly scheduled options below, but be sure to check the museum’s website for additional offerings throughout the year.
BB’S Stage Door Canteen – This 1940s inspired theater offers separately ticketed shows and special events throughout the year. Some of the popular offerings include performances by the Victory Belles, a trio who perform period songs. The theater also hosts themed dinner and dance parties.
Museum Tours – Join a curator or museum volunteer for a deeper dive into the National WWII Museum. Tour options range from guided walkthroughs of the exhibits to behind-the-scenes access to collections in the vault.
Additional Events – The museum always has an upcoming event on their calendar. From family story times to multi-day conferences and symposiums, there are plenty of additional options for anyone hoping to learn more about the war or the museum itself. Many of these events are incredibly popular and can sell out in advance. Be sure to book early if you see something of interest to you.
Read next – WWII Heritage Cities: A Visitor’s Guide
Where to Stay
Traveling to the National WWII Museum? Learn more about the Higgins Hotel and Conference Center.
There is only one choice for where to stay when visiting the National WWII Museum, the Higgins Hotel & Conference Center. This beautifully themed hotel opened in 2019 and sits in the heart of the museum campus. It takes its name from Andrew Higgins, the man who inspired the National WWII Museum to be placed in New Orleans.
The Higgins Hotel offers over 200 1940s-inspired rooms and suites, including the Eisenhower, Roosevelt and Truman suite. There are period touches throughout the hotel and each floor features a small library complete with WWII books. Additionally, the hotel is home to several themed restaurants (described below).
If the National WWII Museum one of the main reasons for your trip to New Orleans, consider staying here. The Higgins Hotel is convenient to the museum. Its impeccable theming allows visitors to further immerse themselves in the era.
Places to Eat
In addition to a sprawling museum complex and stunning hotel, the National WWII Museum campus also offers plenty of places to grab a bite to eat. All of the restaurants listed below continue to carry out the feel of the museum through their WWII-era theming.
The American Sector Restaurant & Bar – Located inside of the National WWII Museum, this restaurant is open for lunch. It offers a classic American menu with a New Orleans twist. Menu items include burgers, po’boys and shrimp and grits. For dessert, try Bob Hope’s lemon meringue pie, made from a recipe found in a 1940s USO cookbook.
Jeri Nims Soda Shop – Step into a 1940s-era soda shop for breakfast, lunch or a sweet treat. Jeri Nims specializes in sandwiches and other quick bites as well as sundaes and floats.
Café Normandie (Higgins Hotel) – This elegant table-service restaurant is located in the lobby of the Higgins Hotel where it is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant offers a menu of French-influenced dishes. As this is the nicest dining location on property, reservations are recommended.
Kilroy’s Bar & Lounge (Higgins Hotel) – Named for the Kilroy cartoon doodled by American G.I.s during the war, this bar and lounge is located in the lobby of the Higgins Hotel. Its menu features light bites and great cocktails. The wartime theming throughout makes this a great stop at the end of the day.
Rosie’s on the Roof (Higgins Hotel) – For a panoramic view of the museum as well as New Orleans, be sure to visit this rooftop bar and restaurant. Located on the top floor of the Higgins Hotel, Rosie’s is another fabulously themed spot to hang out after a long day of site-seeing.
Who Should Visit the National WWII Museum
When considering who I would recommend should visit the National WWII Museum, my short answer is…everyone. Whether you are already an expert or just beginning to learn about the war, the museum has something to offer. Its exhibits are both immersive and informative. Its theming is second-to-none and its additional offerings such as theater shows and informative talks allow visitors to further expand their museum-going experience. For these reasons and many more, the National WWII Museum is the most visited site in all of New Orleans.
If you will be traveling to the area, consider a stop into the National WWII Museum. Its mission and educational outreach are critical in ensuring that the stories of the war are not forgotten. As the generation who lived through it are slowly lost to time, institutions such as this will soon be the main guardians of their legacy.
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