The National WWII Museum

The National WWII Museum in New Orleans is consistently rated among the top museums in the world and the #1 tourist attraction in New Orleans. Spanning 6 acres across multiple buildings, it tells the story of the American experience in World War II through immersive exhibits, personal stories, and an extraordinary collection of artifacts.

The Beyond All Boundaries 4D experience (narrated by Tom Hanks, $7 extra) uses theatrical effects -- wind, snow, vibrating seats, and massive projection -- to place visitors inside the war's key moments. It's a 30-minute experience that sets the emotional and historical context for everything else.

The permanent exhibits are organized chronologically and geographically. The Road to Berlin traces the European theater from the rise of Nazism through D-Day and the liberation of concentration camps. The Road to Tokyo follows the Pacific war from Pearl Harbor through island-hopping campaigns to Hiroshima. Both use recreated environments that make the history tactile and immediate.

The artifact collection includes real aircraft (B-17, P-51 Mustang, Spitfire, Japanese Zero), tanks, Higgins boats, and thousands of personal items. The Higgins boat exhibit explains why the museum is in New Orleans -- Andrew Higgins, a New Orleans boat builder, designed the landing craft that made D-Day possible.

For families, the museum works best with children ages 9 and older. The content includes the reality of war and may disturb younger viewers. Plan 3-5 hours for essential exhibits.