The National WWII Museum
8.0Friend Score / 10#5 of 10 Museums in New Orleans
Known forwwii museumworld war 2military historywarbirds
America's official WWII museum and the city's most polished attraction — a multi-building campus of immersive galleries, aircraft, and oral histories in the Warehouse District. Open daily 9am-5pm; adults $36, and honestly you need most of a day. Even people who 'don't do museums' come out moved. The price stings; the museum earns it.
Key facts
| Hours | Daily 09:00–17:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | St. Charles streetcar to Lee Circle area, or a 15-minute walk from Canal Street |
| Time needed | 4-6 hours; WWII buffs use the $15 second-day pass |
| Best time to go | Right at 9am opening — do the Road to Tokyo/Berlin galleries before tour groups arrive |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.0/10- Value8.5
- iconic8.5
- Freshness9.1
- Crowd level6.0
- Authenticity8.0
- Accessibility8.0
Frequently asked questions
- Why is the WWII Museum in New Orleans?
- The Higgins boats — the landing craft that made D-Day possible — were designed and built here, and historian Stephen Ambrose (a UNO professor) founded the museum. It grew from a D-Day museum into the country's official WWII museum.
- Where should I eat at or near the WWII Museum?
- The on-site American Sector restaurant and a soda-shop café cover lunch decently, and BB's Stage Door Canteen does era entertainment. The Warehouse District around it — Cochon, Pêche a few blocks off — is one of the city's best restaurant pockets for afterward.
- What are the WWII Museum's hours and closed days?
- Open 9am to 5pm daily year-round, closing only Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Mardi Gras Day. Buy timed tickets online to skip the ticket line.
- Can I combine the WWII Museum with the Ogden Museum?
- Easily — the Ogden Museum of Southern Art is directly across the street, and a heavy morning of war history followed by an hour of Southern art is a genuinely good pairing. Both are steps from the St. Charles streetcar.
- How long do you need at the WWII Museum?
- Four to six hours minimum — the Road to Berlin and Road to Tokyo galleries alone eat two hours. If you're a completist, buy the $15 second-day pass within a week of your visit rather than sprinting.
- Is the WWII Museum good for kids?
- Ages 10+ generally do great — it's immersive and story-driven rather than case-after-case. Younger kids fade fast given the length and heavy themes. The dog-tag interactive, where you follow one real person's war, keeps older kids locked in.
- Is Beyond All Boundaries worth the extra $9?
- It's a well-made, big-effects 4D overview narrated by Tom Hanks — great as an opener if you're new to the history, skippable if you'd rather spend that hour in the galleries. Kids and casual visitors tend to love it most.
- How much are National WWII Museum tickets?
- General admission is $36 for adults, $33 seniors, $26 for students and kids 5-12; under 5 and WWII veterans free, with military discounts. The Beyond All Boundaries 4D film is a $9 add-on ($12 combo with Freedom Theater).
Nearby in Ask New Orleans
- The National WWII MuseumAttraction0.02 km · 0 min walk
- CochonRestaurant0.03 km · 0 min walk
- Ogden Museum of Southern ArtMuseum0.07 km · 1 min walk
- Mr Wolf EspressoCafé0.09 km · 1 min walk
- Ogden Museum of Southern ArtAttraction0.12 km · 1 min walk
Where to stay near The National WWII Museum
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