The National WWII Museum is a history museum in the Historic Warehouse District of New Orleans, Louisiana. It’s dedicated to the American experience in the Second World War. This 2026 travel guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, transport, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
To skip the information and just buy your tickets, head this way.
Last updated: February 2026. Ticket prices have increased significantly in recent years. Many guides and aggregator sites still show adult admission at $28 or $30; the current price is $36 for adults. If you are using an older guide, these figures will be out of date.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 (entrance on Andrew Higgins Drive) |
| Opening hours | Daily, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM |
| Closed | Mardi Gras Day · Thanksgiving Day · Christmas Eve · Christmas Day |
| General admission – adult | $36 |
| General admission – senior (65+) | $33 |
| General admission – student (K–12 and college) | $26 |
| General admission – military (with ID) | $26 |
| General admission – child (under 5) | Free |
| General admission – WWII veterans | Free |
| Add-on experiences | Beyond All Boundaries $9 · Freedom Theater $9 · Combo $12 |
| Parking | Museum garage at 1024 Magazine Street – $8–$50 (see rates below) |
| Nearest public transport | St Charles Streetcar and RTA bus routes – approx. 5-minute walk |
| Typical visit duration | 2 hours to a full day |
National WWII Museum opening hours
The museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is closed on Mardi Gras Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. The Beyond All Boundaries 4D experience runs from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM; the Priddy Family Freedom Theater runs from 9:50 AM to 4:20 PM; and the Final Mission: USS Tang Submarine Experience runs from 11:15 AM to 4:15 PM. Visitors should factor these cut-off times into their planning if they wish to see the add-on experiences.
Opening hours were checked on the official website and last updated in February 2026.
National WWII Museum ticket prices
General admission costs $36 for adults, $33 for seniors aged 65 and over, $26 for students (K–12 and college), and $26 for military personnel with ID. Children under five enter free. WWII veterans and one companion are admitted free. Admission includes access to all exhibit buildings, all current special exhibitions, and the Final Mission: USS Tang Submarine Experience.
Two add-on multimedia experiences are available for an additional charge: Beyond All Boundaries (a 48-minute 4D film) and the Priddy Family Freedom Theater (a 30-minute multimedia experience) each cost $9 individually, or $12 for a combo ticket covering both. A second-day pass can be purchased within seven days of your first visit for $15. Tickets are non-refundable once purchased. Advance online purchase is recommended for faster entry, though walk-in tickets are also available at the box office.
Additional discounts: AAA cardholders receive $2 off general admission. AAM members and employees of other museums receive $5 off with valid credentials. National Park passes are not valid at this museum, which is a private non-profit institution.
Ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in February 2026.
How to get to the National WWII Museum
The museum is located in the Historic Warehouse District of New Orleans, on Andrew Higgins Drive between Magazine Street and Camp Street. It is reachable by car, streetcar, bus, taxi, rideshare, or bicycle. The St Charles Streetcar (Line 12) stops on St Charles Avenue, approximately a five-minute walk from the museum entrance. Multiple RTA bus routes serve the Warehouse District; the museum’s directions page at nationalww2museum.org lists current route numbers. Rideshare and taxi drop-off is available directly in front of the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion at 525 Andrew Higgins Boulevard. Bicycle racks with capacity for up to 28 cycles are located at four points around the campus perimeter.
Parking at the National WWII Museum
The museum’s official parking garage is at 1024 Magazine Street, on the left side of a one-way section of the road. The garage cannot accommodate motorcycles or vehicles over 6 feet 8 inches tall. Parking rates are as follows:
| Duration | Rate |
|---|---|
| 0–1 hour | $8 |
| 1–3 hours | $15 |
| 3–7 hours | $20 |
| 7–12 hours | $25 |
| 12–24 hours | $50 |
Oversized vehicles, motorcycles, RVs, and vehicles towing trailers cannot use the museum garage. Paid surface lots that can accommodate these vehicles are located on the corner of Camp Street and Andrew Higgins Drive, on the corner of St Joseph Street and Magazine Street, and on the corner of St Joseph Street and Camp Street.
How long to spend at the National WWII Museum
The museum offers official itineraries for two-hour, half-day, full-day, and two-day visits. A two-hour visit covers the main exhibit highlights. A full day allows for most permanent galleries plus both add-on experiences. Visitors with a strong interest in the subject commonly find a full day insufficient; a two-day visit is recommended for thorough coverage of all pavilions. The second-day pass ($15) can be purchased within seven days of the original visit date.
Accessibility at the National WWII Museum
Manual wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge. Motorised scooters are not available to hire but personal motorised scooters may be brought onto campus. A private nursing and quiet room is available in the Kushner Restoration Pavilion. The museum’s exhibits are kept cool for conservation purposes; many visitors find a light sweater or jacket necessary while touring the galleries. Service animals as defined by the ADA are permitted throughout the campus.
Inside the National WWII Museum: what to see
The museum occupies several connected pavilions spread across a large campus. The Louisiana Memorial Pavilion is the main entrance building and houses the Arsenal of Democracy exhibit, covering the American home front, industrial production, and the Higgins boat — the landing craft built in New Orleans that played a central role in Allied amphibious operations. A replica LCVP (Higgins boat) is on display here.
The Campaigns of Courage Pavilion contains two major permanent galleries: Road to Berlin, covering the European and North African theatres, and Road to Tokyo, covering the Pacific theatre. Both galleries use large-scale artefacts, first-person oral histories, period film footage, and interactive displays to follow the war’s progression from 1939 to 1945.
The Liberation Pavilion, which opened fully in 2023, covers the final stages of the war in Europe and the Pacific, including the liberation of concentration camps and the atomic bombings. It also addresses the post-war world and the legacies of the conflict. This is the most recently completed major pavilion on campus.
The Beyond All Boundaries 4D cinema experience (add-on, $9) is a 48-minute film narrated by Tom Hanks, shown in a purpose-built theatre. Shows run on the hour from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Priddy Family Freedom Theater (add-on, $9) is a 30-minute multimedia experience exploring the legacies of WWII, with shows running twice an hour from 9:50 AM. Both experiences are bookable as a combo for $12.
The Final Mission: USS Tang Submarine Experience (included with admission) is a 15-minute immersive experience inside a recreated submarine control room. Sessions run from 11:15 AM to 4:15 PM. Docent-led tours of the galleries take place daily and are included with admission; visitors can meet their guide at the “Customize Your Museum Experience” kiosk in the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion after checking in.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book add-on experiences in advance | Beyond All Boundaries and the Freedom Theater have set showtimes. If you plan to see both, factor their schedules into your visit before arriving. The combo ticket saves $6 versus buying separately. |
| Arrive with a sweater | The galleries are kept cool for the preservation of artefacts and equipment. A light layer is advisable regardless of the outdoor temperature. |
| Luggage and bag storage | All visitors and bags pass through a security checkpoint on entry. Rolling luggage can be stored at the Guest Services Desk subject to available space, which is limited. Lockers are available for small items. |
| Food and drink in galleries | Only sealed water bottles are allowed in the galleries. All other food and drink must be consumed in the restaurants or ground-level lobbies. |
| Photography | Photography without flash is permitted in the galleries. Video recording in the galleries and in the cinema experiences is not permitted. Tripods are not allowed on campus. |
| Busiest periods | The museum experiences high footfall in autumn (September–November) and spring (March–May), and during the week between Christmas and New Year. Midweek visits are generally quieter than weekends. |
| Re-entry on the same day | Visitors who have checked in and received an admission pass may leave the campus and return on the same day until 5:00 PM. |
| No audio tour | The museum does not offer an audio-guided tour. Docent tours are the primary guided option. |
Frequently asked questions about the National WWII Museum
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the National WWII Museum? | Advance booking is recommended for faster entry but is not required. Walk-in tickets are available at the box office on the day. Tickets are non-refundable once purchased. |
| Is the National WWII Museum open on Sundays? | Yes. The museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, including Sundays, except on the four stated closure days. |
| Is the National WWII Museum suitable for children? | Yes, though much of the content covers combat, casualties, and the Holocaust, and may be distressing for younger children. Children under five enter free. |
| Is a National Park Pass valid at the National WWII Museum? | No. The museum is a private non-profit institution and is not part of the National Park System. |
| Are bags allowed at the National WWII Museum? | Yes, but all visitors and bags must pass through a security checkpoint on entry. Small bags and backpacks may be carried into the galleries. Rolling luggage and large bags can be stored at Guest Services, subject to availability. |
| How much does parking cost at the National WWII Museum? | The museum’s garage at 1024 Magazine Street charges $8 for up to one hour, $15 for 1–3 hours, $20 for 3–7 hours, and $25 for 7–12 hours. The garage cannot accommodate motorcycles, RVs, or vehicles over 6’8″ tall. |
| Is the National WWII Museum wheelchair accessible? | Manual wheelchairs are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Motorised scooters may not be hired on-site but personal scooters are permitted. |
| Does the military discount apply to veterans as well as active-duty personnel? | Yes. Active and former military and their spouse each receive $10 off general admission with proof of service. WWII veterans and one companion are admitted free of charge. |
Things to do near the National WWII Museum
The following attractions are in the Warehouse District, Central Business District, or French Quarter, and can be combined with a museum visit in the same trip.
Ogden Museum of Southern Art (paid) – Located on Camp Street, approximately 0.2 miles from the museum entrance. The largest collection of Southern art in the United States, with works spanning the 18th century to the present day.
Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans – A multi-disciplinary arts venue on Camp Street, approximately 0.3 miles from the museum, with rotating visual art exhibitions and performance events.
Audubon Aquarium – Located on the Mississippi riverfront in the French Quarter, approximately 1.2 miles from the museum. Features Gulf of Mexico, Amazon, and penguin exhibits.
The National Museum of Natural History at Tulane – Tulane University’s natural history collections are accessible for research and scheduled visits; check ahead for current public opening arrangements.
French Quarter – New Orleans’s most visited historic district, approximately 1.2 miles from the museum. Jackson Square, St Louis Cathedral, and the French Market are the primary landmarks. A wide range of restaurants, jazz venues, and galleries are in the surrounding streets.
Garden District – A residential historic district approximately 1.5 miles from the museum along the St Charles Streetcar route, known for its 19th-century mansion architecture and tree-lined streets. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, a public above-ground cemetery, is located within the district.
