Plan Your Visit

TO THE #1 ATTRACTION IN NEW ORLEANS

Named by Tripadvisor as the #1 Attraction in New Orleans, The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations can understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn.

National Geographic | 2024 Best in the World separator Tripadvisor | 2024 Best of the Best
Hours & Information

Museum Exhibits and Museum Store
Open daily, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed Mardi Gras Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

Beyond All Boundaries
Daily showings, 48-minute experience, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Shows start at the top of the hour.

The Priddy Family Freedom Theater
Daily showings, 30-minute experience, 9:50 a.m. – 4:20 p.m.
Shows run twice an hour.

Final Mission: USS Tang Submarine Experience
Daily showings, 15-minute experience, 11:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Included in General Admission.

Expressions of America
Available on select nights, 60-minute experience, outdoor sound and light show.
 

Pricing

 

Adult$35
Senior (65+)$32
Student (With ID)$25
Child (K-12th)$25
Military (With ID)$25
Accessibility$25*
WWII VeteransFREE
MembersFREE
Beyond All Boundaries$11
Freedom Theater$11
Final MissionFREE
Second-Day Pass$11
Expressions of America$11–$79

 

Click here for more Information about Museum access for visitors with accessibility needs.

Directions

 

The Museum is located in New Orleans’s Historic Warehouse District on Andrew Higgins Drive between Magazine and Camp Streets.

Parking

 

The Museum's parking garage is located at 1024 Magazine Street. This portion of Magazine Street is a one-way, and the garage is located on the left side.

 

Parking Rates

0–1 Hours

$8

1–3 Hours

$15

3–7 Hours

$20

7–12 Hours

$25

12–24 Hours

$50

 

The parking garage cannot accommodate motorcycles or any vehicle over 6'8" tall. There are several paid surface lots in the neighborhood, some not owned by the Museum, which can accommodate oversized vehicles and motorcycles:

  • Premium Parking Lot
    -Located on the corner of Camp and Andrew Higgins Street
  • Premium Parking Lot
    -Located on the corner of St. Joseph and Magazine Street
  • SP + Parking Lot
    -Located on the corner of St. Joseph and Magazine Street

RV Parking Accommodations
At this time we do not offer on-campus parking for RV’s, motor homes, or vehicles pulling trailers. Please see below for information regarding off-campus RV parking options.

Basin St. Station  
French Quarter RV Resort  

For questions or further information, contact us at parking@nationalww2museum.org.

Bicycle Racks

Below are the locations of bicycle racks located on or next to The National WWII Museum Campus. Their locations are viewable on the map, identifiable by the Orange Bicycle icons. If further bicycle parking spaces are needed, please contact us for our overflow bicycle parking options. 

  1. Southeast corner of Magazine Street and Andrew Higgins Drive. (2 Bicycle Parking Spaces)
  2. 1037 Magazine Street. (8 Bicycle Parking Spaces)
  3. Corner of Magazine Street and Calliope Street. (6 Bicycle Parking Spaces)
  4. Corner of Andrew Higgins Drive and Constance Street. (12 Bicycle Parking Spaces)

 

Explore The Museum

Add On Experiences

Enhance your visit to The National WWII Museum with one of our state-of-the-art multimedia experiences. 

 

Dining

Explore dining options across our campus.

Learn More

Museum Tours

Expand your visit to The National WWII Museum on an exclusive guided tour! Each tour takes you on a different adventure where a curator will display and explain WWII artifacts not currently on view in the Museum.

Learn More

 

Admission

What is the price of general admission and what is included?

General admission prices range from $25.00 - $35.00 and include access to all exhibit buildings including any current special exhibits and the USS Tang Submarine Experience. It does not include access to Beyond All Boundaries, Freedom Theater, or Expressions of America. These experiences can be added on at point of sale for an additional cost.

Can I leave the Museum and return during the same day?

Yes. If you checked-in at Ticketing and received your Admission Pass, you are free to leave the Museum and return on the same day until 5pm.

Do I need to purchase tickets in advance?

We recommend that you purchase your tickets in advance to receive faster service, but you are welcome to purchase tickets onsite as well.

What are the prices of the add-ons?

Our main add-on experiences- Beyond All Boundaries and Freedom Theater are $11.00.

Do you have a 2-day ticket or a 3-day pass?

Yes. You can purchase a Second Day Pass within 7 days of your first purchase for $11.00. Our Best Value Package includes a Second Day Pass as well as our add-on experiences Beyond All Boundaries and Freedom Theater and will save you $8.00!

If you are considering touring the Museum for 3 or more days, you may want to purchase a Membership.

If I purchased tickets online, can I change the date of my visit?

We can usually accommodate requests for changes that are made in advance. Please call (504) 528-1944 x 0 or email info@nationalww2museum.org.

Do I need to print out my tickets?

No. You can show the QR code on your mobile device to receive entry.

Do you offer gift certificates?

Yes. Gift certificates for general admission are available here.

Do you offer refunds?

Daytime admission tickets to The National WWII Museum are non-refundable once purchased.

 

Preparing for Your Visit

What are your hours and when are you closed?

We are open 9am – 5pm, Monday – Sunday. We are only closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Mardi Gras Day.

How much time should I spend at the Museum?

Whether you have two hours or two-days the exhibits at The National WWII Museum have been designed to create an engaging experience for both the casual museum goer and the avid history buff. We recommend using our itineraries for help with pacing your visit.

What are your busiest times of year?

We experience high visitation during the Fall and Spring months. We are also very busy the week between Christmas and New Years Day.

How do I get to the Museum?

The Museum can be reached by car, bus or streetcar, taxi, rideshare, or bike. Please see our Directions section above for more details.

Where should I park?

The official parking garage for the Museum and The Higgins Hotel is located at 1024 Magazine Street. Please see our parking section above for more details.

Where can I stay near the Museum?

We recommend staying at our on-campus hotel: The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center.

Should I bring a sweater?

The exhibits are kept cool for the safety of our artifacts and technical equipment. Many visitors do need a sweater while touring.

Do you have motorized scooters?

We only provide manual wheelchairs on a first-come, first-served basis. Motorized scooter rentals are not available, but they are allowed on campus. Visit our accessibility page to learn more.

Can I bring my pet?

Only service animals defined by the ADA are allowed on the Museum’s campus.

Are strollers allowed?

Yes. Compact strollers are allowed in the galleries.

 

During Your Visit

Are there places to eat at the Museum?

Yes. In the Museum enjoy breakfast, lunch, and snacks at the Jeri Nims Soda Shop, or enjoy lunch at The American Sector Restaurant & Bar. We also have several dining options at The Higgins Hotel for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or late-night drinks. More details available here.

Are food or drink allowed in the galleries?

Only bottled water with a secure lid is allowed in the galleries. Food is only allowed in the restaurants or ground level lobbies.

Can you store my luggage or backpack?

All persons and bags must first pass through a security checkpoint before entering the Museum. Rolling luggage can be stored at the Guest Services Desk based on available space, which is limited. Lockers are available for storing backpacks and other small items, but capacity is limited. You are allowed to tour the exhibits with small backpacks and purses.

Can I take pictures?

Photography without flash is allowed in the galleries. Recording is not allowed in the galleries or movies.

Are there benches throughout the galleries?

Limited bench seating is available throughout the galleries, but our campus is very large. Visitors who require frequent sitting may need one of our complimentary wheelchairs, or they may need to bring their own portable stool.

Is there a private space to breastfeed or pump on campus?

Mothers can breastfeed anywhere on campus, but a private Nursing Room & Quiet Space is available in the Kushner Restoration Pavilion.

How do I contact you if I lost something at the Museum?

Email info@nationalww2museum.org with a detailed description of the lost item which will be sent to the Security Department.

 

Tours

Do you have an audio tour?

No. The Museum does not have an audio guided tour.

Do you have docent tours?

Yes. We have several docent tours, which happen daily, and special behind-the-scenes experiences for an additional fee. Please see our Museum Tours page for more information.

Where do I meet for my docent tour?

After checking in at Ticketing, you can meet your tour guide at the “Customize Your Museum Experience” kiosk in the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion.

Do you provide accommodations for visitors who are blind/low vision or deaf/hard of hearing?
Do you offer tours in other languages?

We do not currently provide tours in other languages, but you can email accessibility@nationalww2museum.org to see if an accommodation can be made.

Do you offer special pricing for tour groups or school groups?

 

Discounts

I have a National Park Pass. Is the National WWII Museum included?

No. The National WWII Museum is not part of the National Park System and park passes are not valid for admission. The Museum is a private non-profit institution.

Do you offer an AAM (American Alliance of Museums) discount or discounted admission for employees of other museums?

Members of AAM and/or employees of other museums receive $5 off General Admission with valid credentials. The Museum is not affiliated with ICOM (International Council of Museums.)

Do you offer AAA or AARP discounts?

We do offer $2 off General Admission for AAA card holders. We do not have AARP discounts, but we do offer a Senior discount for those 65 years and older.

Do you offer military discounts?

Yes. Active or former military and their spouse receive $10 off general admission with proof of service. WWII veterans and one companion receive free admission.

Do you offer discounts for federal government employees, law enforcement, or first responders?

No, but we do offer discounts to active and former military.

Do you offer teacher discounts?

Discounts for educators are available when visiting as part of a school group.

Do you have reciprocity with other museums?

Reciprocal membership is available with the Pritzker Military Museum & Library in Chicago.

 

Museum History and Outreach Information

What does the "D" in D-Day mean?

The answer, like many answers in the field of history, is not so simple. Disagreements between military historians and etymologists about the meaning of D-Day abound. Here are just two explanations:

In Stephen Ambrose's D-Day, June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II, he writes, "Time magazine reported on June 12 [1944] that "as far as the U.S. Army can determine, the first use of D for Day, H for Hour was in Field Order No. 8, of the First Army, A.E.F., issued on Sept. 20, 1918, which read, 'The First Army will attack at H-Hour on D-Day with the object of forcing the evacuation of the St. Mihiel salient.'" (p. 491)

In other words, the D in D-Day merely stands for Day. This coded designation was used for the day of any important invasion or military operation. For military planners (and later historians), the days before and after a D-Day were indicated using plus and minus signs: D-4 meant four days before a D-Day, while D+7 meant seven days after a D-Day.

Learn more about D-Day here.

Why is the Museum located in New Orleans?

New Orleans is home to the LCVP, or Higgins boat, the landing craft that brought US soldiers to shore in every major amphibious assault of World War II. Andrew Jackson Higgins and the 30,000 Louisiana workers of Higgins Industries designed, built and tested 20,000 Higgins boats in southeastern Louisiana during the war. Dwight Eisenhower once claimed that Higgins was "the man who won the war for us."

Learn more about Higgins Industries and Andrew Jackson Higgins here.

How is Dr. Stephen Ambrose connected to the Museum?

The late Dr. Stephen Ambrose was the founder of The National WWII Museum. He spent decades researching and writing about the war, Eisenhower, and D-Day. As he collected more than 2,000 oral histories from D-Day veterans, he realized that the United States had no museum to honor these men and women and the people on the Home Front who made our victory in World War II possible. Ambrose was also the founder of the Eisenhower Center for American Studies at The University of New Orleans.

Find out more about Stephen Ambrose and Nick Mueller, the founders of The National WWII Museum, here.

Do you have a database listing all D-Day Veterans?

No, but we do have some helpful tips on finding information about veterans.

How many World War II veterans are alive today?

Every day, memories of World War II—its sights and sounds, its terrors and triumphs—disappear. Yielding to the inalterable process of aging, the men and women who fought and won the great conflict are now in their late 80s and 90s. They are dying quickly—according to US Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, we are losing 348 veterans per day and only 496,777 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II were alive in 2018.

This urgency guides the Museum in everything we do. Collecting the oral history of a veteran, donating an artifact, or contributing to the Museum are only a few of the ways you can help us to preserve the legacy of the Greatest Generation.

View more statistics and download full report.

I have something from the war in my attic. Do you want it for the Museum?
Are the "Higgins Boats" in the Museum from World War II?

Less than 10 original LCVPs or “Higgins Boats” are known to exist today. The Museum’s LCVP was built by volunteers, many of whom were Higgins employees, from the original plans and contains some original parts like the ramp and the engine.

Our LCP(L) is an original Higgins built craft. It was restored to original condition by our volunteers, many of whom also helped build the LCVP.

PT-305 is also an original Higgins built PT boat. It is the world's only fully restored, operational, combat veteran PT boat.

Is the Museum part of the federal government?

No, The National WWII Museum is a private non-profit institution. We have received federal, state, and private funds for initial construction and the ongoing Road to Victory Expansion.

I want to tour Normandy. What should I go see?

Please look into our D-Day Tours or find out more about other World War II travel packages.

With three hundred seventy-five miles of beaches, cliffs, farming villages and ports, Normandy is a contrasting landscape of ancient fortresses and castles, ruined monasteries, and rolling farmland replete with memories of World War II and scarred with evidence of the Allied D-Day invasion of June 6, 1944. While there are many faces of Normandy, here are some basic suggestions for those travelers wishing to visit D-Day-related sites

Top Sites (from east to west):

Pegasus Bridge. Located on the Caen Canal, this key bridge was captured by British airborne troops in the early morning hours of D-Day, helping to secure the eastern flank of the invasion. Although the original bridge was taken down in 1994, a museum marks the site of this crucial coup de main operation.

“The Memorial and Museum of Peace.” Caen’s Battle of Normandy Museum offers guided tours of the landing beaches (British and American) along with a pass to the memorial. Caen is the site of the British breakout through German lines.

WWII Museum at Bayeux. While this town’s chief attraction is its 11th century tapestry honoring William the Conqueror’s victory at Hastings in 1066, the Musée Mémorial de la Bataille de Normandie 1944 paints a vivid picture of the Allied invasion and campaign in Normandy.

Arromanches. See the remnants of Mulberry B, one of two huge artificial harbors the Allies towed to Normandy from England. The Museum here has a great model, showing how the structure worked.

Omaha Beach. One of two beaches attacked by American forces on D-Day (the other is Utah Beach). Located near the town of St. Laurent, Omaha Beach was the bloodiest of the D-Day beaches. You can still see remnants of one of the Mulberries, or artificial harbors, the Allies built to support the invasion.

American Military Cemetery at St. Laurent. Stretching across the bluff overlooking Omaha Beach, the rows of white marble crosses and stars commemorate the men who died fighting for the Allied victory in Normandy. A must see.

Pointe-du-Hoc. The elite US Rangers scaled this 40-meter high cliff between Omaha and Utah beaches to neutralize a dangerous German gun battery. Check out the cliffs, the ruins of German bunkers, the bomb craters, and see if they were successful.

St.-Lô. In the town where the Americans finally broke through the German lines, the Holy Cross Church is home to a memorial to Maj. Thomas Howie, who had vowed to be the first American in St.-Lô. He was killed shortly before his troops took the city.

Utah Beach. The area around Utah Beach contains monuments, abandoned tanks, and pillboxes— reminders of D-Day. The Musée du Débarquement, near La Madeleine, is located in a German bunker, and offers striking accounts of the battle for Normandy.

Ste-Mère-Eglise. In this town taken by the US Airborne on D-Day, the Musée des Troupes Aéroportées includes photos, a glider, and parachutes commemorating the morning of June 6, 1944 when American paratroopers dropped over the town to secure the western flank of the invasion.

Recommended Travel Books: 
The Visitor's Guide to Normandy Landing Beaches by Holt, Tonie and Valmai
AAA Essential Normandy: All You Need to Know by Nia Williams
Insight Compact Guide: Normandy by Manfred Braunger 
A Traveler's Guide to D-Day and the Battle for Normandy by Carl Shilleto and Mike Tolhurst

 

Visitor Code of Conduct

 

To ensure a positive guest experience, we ask all guests to adhere to the following rules. Failure to comply may result in removal from Museum property, fines, or prosecution. 

  1. Use of rude, loud, abusive, or derogatory language or acts towards another guest or staff member is not permitted. Disorderly conduct of any kind including aggressive verbal or physical behavior can result in immediate removal from Museum property. 
  2. Attire must be appropriate- without profanity, nudity, or other offensive material. Shirts and shoes are required. 
  3. Illegal drugs, firearms without a permit, and deadly or dangerous weapons are not allowed on campus. 
  4. Damaging or removing Museum property or artifacts is not permitted. Guests cannot enter areas that are restricted to visitors. Stanchions or other barricades cannot be removed. 
  5. Loitering, sleeping, or participating in unwarranted assemblies is not permitted. Solicitation of any kind is prohibited on campus. 
  6. Personal photography without flash is allowed in the galleries. Recording is not allowed. Tripods or oversized equipment are not allowed on campus. Photography taken for advertisements or other commercial purposes is not allowed. 
  7. Food or drink are not allowed in the galleries or near the artifacts. Water bottles with a secure lid are allowed. Smoking and use of electronic cigarettes is prohibited in all buildings and within 10 feet of doorways throughout campus. 
  8. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the Col. Battle Barksdale Parade Grounds. 
  9. Service animals are welcome throughout the museum campus. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. Pets are not permitted. 
  10. Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (drones) is not permitted on Museum property without permission.

 

Prohibited Items Policy

 

The Museum’s policy is designed for the safety of all of our visitors, staff, and volunteers. The following items are prohibited on Museum property:

  • Firearms, except those authorized by the below exceptions
  • Tasers/stun guns
  • Explosives
  • Knives with a blade longer than 3.5 inches
  • Alcohol or illicit drugs
  • Suspicious items such as rolls of wire, large quantities of batteries, alarm clocks, disassembled weapons parts, or other items that could be used in making an improvised device

Exceptions:

  • Medical devices and prescribed drugs are permitted with proper documentation.
  • The following exceptions to the firearms policy apply:

    • Armed private security contracted by the Museum.
    • Law enforcement officers (federal, state, parish, and municipal) on official business. If applicable, uniforms must be worn. If the law enforcement officer is not on duty, or is in civilian attire, the weapon must remain concealed at all times. If observed, they will be asked to conceal the weapon.
    • Citizens in possession of a Concealed Carry Permit (CCP) recognized by the State of Louisiana (Museum security will check credentials). The following State permits are NOT recognized by Louisiana and therefore cannot bring their weapon on campus: California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Rhode Island. Museum policy does not allow military veterans to carry concealed weapons on campus without an authorized CCP. The weapon must remain concealed at all times.

    Please note that The National WWII Museum is a private entity that regulates the presence of firearms on its campus. Open carry is prohibited. As outlined above, the Museum only allows concealed carry for armed private security contracted by the Museum, law enforcement officials, and citizens with a concealed carry permit recognized by the State of Louisiana. All visitors are required to go through security screening upon entering the Museum.