What was the best part of visiting New Orleans? I have gotten some variation of this question from at least 5 people today. As a man of the people I will give the people what they want. Without question, visiting the National WWII museum was the highlight of my trip. This answer has drawn quite a few blank stares, so I’ll pause to allow the flurry of Google searches. What you probably just uncovered, is that the National WWII Museum is the number one ranked attraction in New Orleans on Trip Advisor. A ranking well deserved in my opinion.
Why is it in New Orleans? This has been a common follow-up question from friends, and it’s valid. If I were to ask you to name some of the most important manufacturing cities during WWII, the list would probably look something like this: Detroit, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago. All good choices, as each one was instrumental to the war effort. But if I were to pose this question to President Eisenhower, he would surely have New Orleans at or near the top of the list. Why? New Orleans was the home of Higgins Industries, manufacturer of the eponymous Higgins Boat. Speaking to author Stephen Ambrose in 1964, President Eisenhower said, “Andrew Higgins is the man who won the war for us”. A strong endorsement from the President and former Supreme Allied Commander. For anyone unfamiliar, the Higgins Boat was an amphibious landing craft, most famously used in the Normandy beach landings on D-Day. Andrew Jackson Higgins, the firm’s founder, used his experience designing shallow-water boats for use in Louisiana’s bayous, to develop the now famous landing craft bearing his name.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/invention-won-world-war-ii-180972327/
The museum initially opened in 2000 as the National D-Day Museum, but an act of Congress formally designated it the National WWII Museum in 2003. Now covering nearly every aspect of the war, the museum provides a truly comprehensive learning experience for anyone interested in WWII. One of the first things you notice about the museum is it’s size, covering over 6 acres and an entire city block. I allotted 4 hours for the visit and honestly could have used another hour or two.
Unlike some other museums, the National WWII is more oriented towards informational displays rather than artifacts. As you walk through the exhibits, there are a plethora of displays utilizing pictures, maps, timelines, and biographies that really deliver detailed information, with artifacts being a secondary focus. The exhibits also have historical footage playing, explaining topics ranging from submarine warfare to Allied bombing strategy. All of the footage I watched was incredibly interesting and worth stopping for. The multimedia displays probably account for the biggest difference in pacing between museum visitors. To stop and watch all of them you probably need to allocate 5+ hours for your visit. The museum is so comprehensive that it offers something for everyone. From history buffs to those just being introduced to WWII, anyone can enjoy a visit to the National WWII Museum.
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/
WWII small arms display, showcasing weapons from both the Axis and Allies.
Both your grandfathers, having served during this war, would have loved the opportunity to visit this museum. Thrilled you got to visit for them.