Visit the National World War II Museum in New Orleans
The National World War II Museum, located in New Orleans in the Central Business District, provides visitors with an education on military history during the second world war. Once known as the National D-Day Museum, it is located on Andrew Higgins Drive and features a variety of exhibits and experiences for first-time tourists and regular visitors alike.
Beginnings of the Museum
The museum is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution and was founded in 2000 on the 56thanniversary of D-Day. New Orleans was a likely site for such a museum because the well-known historian Stephen Ambrose came from the city. He led the efforts to develop a place that honored America’s contributions to the war. New Orleans was also the city where the Higgins boats were built and tested before being sent out and used in World War II.
The original building for the National WWII Museum was the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion. It houses galleries focused on the invasion of Normandy and the Pacific War. Since then, other buildings have been built and opened to the public. Other plans are in place to expand in the future.
TripAdvisor has awarded the National WWII Museum as the #2 ranked museum in the US and in the world. Several aircraft are on display in the Pavilion’s atrium. The Douglas C-47 Skytrain is one that is suspended from the ceiling to create an impressive first impression. Along with these permanent exhibits, visitors can see several rotating exhibits and immersive train cars.
What to Expect
You can travel up to the third floor where you will get a closer look at the suspended aircraft. While visiting the museum, make sure to spend some time in the US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center, which is the largest building in the group. There is an extensive collection of aircraft in this building, including several bombers, a submarine and a Mustang.
Expect to spend two to three hours at the museum. You’ll want to make time for an educational and interesting 4D film called Beyond All Boundaries, which tells even more about the war. Veterans of WWII provide oral histories on videos amid the exhibits. You can make it an even longer affair by visiting one of the two on-site restaurants, the American Sector Restaurant & Bar and the Soda Shop.
History enthusiasts can get involved in other ways, such as with the World War II-themed quiz bowl tournament. It’s even televised on local television. A wargaming club hosts a convention every year at the museum.
The museum goes beyond just citing events and facts from the war. It aims to teach today’s people through a historical approach that will continue to influence future generations. The museum hosts webinars and other public events on a wide range of topics related to the war. Visitors will learn about the people who were part of the war and how everyone’s life was affected during this period. The National World War II Museum is a wonderful place to visit to find out how the past continues to impact the present and the future.
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