National World War II Museum

The National World War II Museum is one of the finest history museums in the United States and an essential stop in New Orleans even for visitors who don't think of themselves as military history enthusiasts. It covers the war comprehensively — the European and Pacific theatres, the home front, the industrial effort, the human cost — with immersive exhibitions, first-person oral histories, and a remarkable collection of original equipment and documents.

The museum's scale is impressive: it has expanded massively since opening in 2000 and now fills several large pavilions. The "Road to Berlin" and "Road to Tokyo" galleries use film, photographs, and artefacts to recreate the experience of soldiers in both theatres. The "Final Mission" 4D cinema is spectacular and surprisingly moving. Allow at least half a day; serious visitors spend a full day. Located in the Warehouse District, the museum is a ten-minute walk from the French Quarter.

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A story
New Orleans was chosen as the site for the museum because Higgins Industries, based in the city, built the LCVP landing craft — the Higgins boat — that delivered Allied troops onto the beaches of Normandy and the Pacific islands. General Eisenhower called Andrew Higgins "the man who won the war," crediting the landing craft as the decisive logistical advantage of the Allied campaign.