National WWII Museum
945 Magazine Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
Near Warehouse District - not far from CBD and French Quarter
504-528-1944
www.nationalww2museum.org
Admission: $8-$16 with children under five free
By Jane Feehan
If you’re interested in World War II, this museum is worth a trip to New Orleans. It’s designated by Congress as the country’s official WWII museum.
Leading off with a prelude to war in the main gallery entrance, it’s organized by the American campaigns in Asia and Europe. With lots of photos, artifacts, military equipment and uniforms, and recorded personal accounts of survivors soldiers, both military and civilian, the museum will take about three hours to walk through. I was impressed with animated and voice over diagrams of D-Day invasions in the Pacific and at Normandy. There are plenty of narrated short films (six to 30 minutes) that run throughout the day.
An hourly 4-D film, Beyond All Boundaries, is shown in the Solomon Victory Theater across the street from the museum. It’s narrated by Tom Hanks and comes with special effects snow, sound and seats with full range oscillation.
Check their website for times and reservations. Parking is available in several pre-pay lots for $5 and $6 dollars. Save the receipt from museum-designated parking lots if you decide to eat at John Besh’s American Sector restaurant in the Solomon Theater building. That amount will be deducted from the bill. Present BEFORE the bill comes to the table.
Weekends tend to be busy with lines for Beyond All Boundaries. Reservations suggested for special exhibits and the film. Be sure to stop at the American Sector Restaurant. See post.©2010 Jane Feehan All rights reserved.
