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What to do and see in Louisiana, United States: The Best Military Museums
Louisiana tourism is centered on New Orleans and the North Shore region in the southeastern corner of the state near the Florida border. West of New Orleans is the Great River Road, with the I-10 running to the Mississippi River port capital city of Baton Rogue. West of New Orleans along the Gulf of Mexico, the I-10 cuts through Lafayette and Lake Charles on its way past Abbeville to Texas. Central Louisiana is Lake Country, and home to cities like Alexandria and Natchitoches. In northern Louisiana, the I-20 runs west from Monroe to Bossier City, Shreveport, and East Texas. Unless Louisiana is very familiar and frequent territory, New Orleans will be the top choice for a Louisiana vacation. Though Mardi Gras, music, and the winning ways of the New Orleans Saints football team get the spotlight, there is much more to explore in New Orleans. Within New Orleans choose among Bourbon Street, Royal Street, the Upper and Lower French Quarters, the Warehouse and Central Business District, the Garden District and Uptown, and Mid-City. With street car lines linking the French Quarter to the Garden District, Convention Center, and everywhere else, it is easy for the whole family to get around. If long walks are your exercise, explore the scenic city on foot. An easy two-hour drive from New Orleans brings you to Baton Rogue, Natchitoches and Lake Country. Explore old Beauregard Town in downtown Baton Rogue, the historic homes of the Baton Rogue Garden District, and tour one or several working plantations. Walk the 33-block Historic Landmark District and tour the historic homes and churches of Natchitoches. Relive Spanish Empire history in Louisiana at Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site. Heading west from New Orleans is Cajun Country and Lafayette with its mix of French, French Canadian (Acadian), Spanish, and Caribbean cultures. Besides Cajun and Creole cookery, explore the Civil War heritage at the Lafayette Museum. Stop by Abbeville to view the courthouse designed by Hayes Town, St. Mary Magdalen Church, and have a seafood meal. With 75 annual festivals Lake Charles is Louisiana's Festival City, and home to the Creole Nature Trail Scenic Byway. Shreveport and Bossier City in northwest Louisiana are casino and entertainment centers. Shreveport is renowned for hosting the Louisiana State Fair in the fall. Plus floral centers, art galleries, and museums. Monroe in the northeast also has notable gardens.
Restaurants in Louisiana
1. The National WWII Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 29,577 reviews
The National WWII Museum is the top-rated tourist destination in New Orleans and #2 in the U.S., and an unforgettable way to experience World War II—from industrial efforts on the home front to the combat experience of the American servicemember abroad. Offering a compelling blend of sweeping narrative and poignant personal detail, the Museum features immersive exhibits, multimedia experiences, and an expansive collection of artifacts and first-person oral histories to take visitors inside the story of the war: why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today. Beyond the galleries, the Museum offers unique access to experiential history, including an opportunity to tour and ride on an authentically restored PT-boat, tours behind the scenes to handle artifacts alongside Museum curators, and an impressive collection of restored and working macro-artifacts to discover. Open early through 1/2/18, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Reviewed By J7140OOpauln - Sacramento, United States
The New Orleans National World War 2 Museum brings so much history to life and tells the stories so well that the time flies past. The museum tells the bigger picture of the war and also shows the personal side and the tragic costs of this war, The museum is several very large building with exhibits such as the Road to Berlin and the Road to Tokyo as well as a large exhibit of D-Day. The exhibits are all very well done and the staff is helpful and knowledgable. Please allow at least a full day to see this museum, you will not regret the time spent at this treasure. The optional movie, Beyond All Boundaries is also very well done and worth the time to see. Very highly recommended.
2. Jackson Barracks Military Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
The Jackson Barracks Museum tells the story of the Louisiana Militia and National Guard from colonial settlement in the early 18th century to current deployments across the globe. Organized by time period and major conflict you will find replica colonial soldiers uniforms and weapons, a British cannon used at the Battle of New Orleans and a 27-star national flag carried through the 1848 Mexican war. The Civil War exhibits display uniforms, equipment and artillery pieces as well as a rare, late-war letter penned by General Robert E. Lee. The deck gun of the USS New Orleans anchors our Spanish American war exhibit and a 1917 Cadillac staff car and rare Renault Tank are features of the World War I period displays. Our World War II area contains an early war Stuart Light Tank, a Norden Bombsight and actual walls from a WWII building surrounding by barrack’s furnishings and soldier’s personal items. To experience the life of a Louisiana Air Guard pilot you can sit in the cockpit of an F-4 Jet and view the armament it carried. Our latest exhibits feature The LA Guard’s service during Desert Storm in 1990-91, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Don’t forget to visit our outdoor exhibits of planes, artillery and tanks as well! For those interested in researching Louisiana military history please call for an appointment to work with our archive and library collection or start by reviewing the Collections page on our website.
Reviewed By wendybU6653LI - Chicago, United States
Friendly, free. Well restored military machines outside. An abundance. A lot of history, both worldly and local. Would highly recommend to fans of Military history. Between the Lower Ninth Ward and Arabi areas, so stick to the main roads. Highly recommend donations. Everything has been rebuilt and restored post Katrina - these folks worked hard to rebuild and deserve respect and regard for preserving history.
3. Chennault Aviation and Military Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 137 reviews
Located in one of the last standing buildings from the World War II Selman Field Army Air Corps Navigation School, the Chennault Aviation & Military Museum highlights northeast Louisiana's impact on aviation and military history. Admission is always free. Exhibits feature weaponry, uniforms, photographs, documents and other artifacts. A growing collection of military aircraft is located outside. All branches of the U.S. military are featured, from World War I through the present day, and there are also exhibits on Selman Field (which trained over 15,000 navigators) and Delta Airlines (which was born in Monroe from a regional crop dusting service). An extensive exhibit is dedicated to the life and times of Gen. Claire L. Chennault (a northeast Louisiana native) and his Flying Tigers fighter group.
Reviewed By A6943GEmariar
Housed in one of the last remaining school buildings that comprised the largest navigation school in the United States during World War II, the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum is definitely a must see. More than 11,000 artifacts are on display, with many personal stories from local veterans. The museum docents are extremely personable and knowledgeable as they relate the story of General Chennault, the Selman Navigational School, and the birthplace of one of the largest airline companies, Delta Airlines. The Chennault Aviation and Military Museum is truly a fascinating place to visit. And admission is free, too!
4. Regional Military Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 81 reviews
Our museum is dedicated to the brave men and women throughout our country’s history who have defended our great nation, at home and abroad. The goal of the Regional Military Museum is to commemorate their sacrifices made in behalf of all Americans – past, present, and future. Please visit our website to learn more or stop in for a visit.
Reviewed By V8826FJTraveler - Culver, United States
We really enjoyed our visit to this regional museum. Our guide, Ben, was turning 13 the week we were there and his knowledge and enthusiasm were fantastic. Please don’t skip this site. You’ll be glad you visited this museum.
5. USS Kidd
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 631 reviews
The USS KIDD Veterans Museum is a nonprofit organization, highlighting the role that Louisiana and its citizens have played in U.S. military history. The shoreside museum offers a permanent collection of Louisiana veterans’ artifacts, traveling exhibits, visiting ships, and event space with views of the Mississippi River. For nearly 40 years, the Museum and the USS KIDD, a National Historic Landmark and the Museum’s largest artifact, have served as a reminder to the people of Louisiana of the service and sacrifices of our state’s veterans. Both are visited by thousands of people from around the world each year.
Reviewed By Jellybeandean - Tucson, United States
Wonder what service in WWII was like, come aboard. Tight quarters and a tight fast ship in the war. Get in gun position and let your mind wander.
6. Memorial Hall Confederate Civil War Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 562 reviews
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Next to the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia, the Confederate Memorial Hall in New Orleans is the finest museum of its kind. Located at 939 Camp Street, it houses the second largest collection of Confederate Civil War items in the world, behind the museum in Richmond. It contains over 5,000 historical artifacts, including several rare items. It holds the personal effects and uniforms of Confederate generals Braxton Bragg and P.G.T. Beauregard as well as over 140 regimental and other Confederate flags. Confederate president Jefferson Davis' wife Varina donated several of her late husband's belongings to the museum, including items of clothing, his Bible and saddle, plus a crown of thorns from Pope Pius IX. On May 29, 1893, the exhumed body of Jefferson Davis was mourned by over 60,000 people as it lay in state in the hall, before being moved to his final resting place in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond. The museum was established in 1891 by New Orleans philanthropist Frank Howard to house the historical collections of the Louisiana Historical Association. However, the museum quickly accumulated a vast collection of Civil War items, mostly in the form of personal donations from Confederate veterans. It was built in the Romanesque Revival style and resembles a church. But it was designed to follow the style of the Howard Library designed by H.H. Richardson. Louisiana's oldest museum, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
7. Barksdale Global Power Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 179 reviews
Military museum features authentic uniforms, battle exhibits and aircraft dating back to World War I.
Reviewed By TheGatesClan - Rancho Santa Margarita, United States
You rarely see bombers at air museums so this area of Barksdale AFB, with a nice collection of bombers, made for a great visit. From B-17 through B-52s including my favorite, the F-111. Now the WARNING. As others have mentioned, entry onto the base was problematic. But not just for foreigners. Followed the directions on the website and attempted many calls to the museum with no answer. It was only through the help of an amazing person in Security (not related to the museum process) that we were able to enter to see the impressive aircraft up close and the museum. I completely understand the need for security as I’m in the aviation industry, but there should be better communication and support for the entry permits. All I can suggest is email and call as much as it takes to confirm approval before arriving. And if you have trouble like we did, don’t take it out on the guards. They have a job to do to maintain security for the base’s safety and should be applauded for there service. I read some terrible reviews where it seemed people became verbally aggressive with the guards. Don’t be “that guy”. I would just hope they improve their approval communication if this museum remains.
8. Forts Randolph and Buhlow
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 24 reviews
9. Fort Polk Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By srferguson1983 - Shiloh, United States
In looking for things to do around Ft. Polk my husband found this gem. It is very small but efficient. It told the story of Ft. Polk well. There are tanks outside and good information inside.
10. Los Adaes State Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 7 reviews
Presidio Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Los Adaes, the symbol of New Spain in Louisiana, was once the capital of Texas and the scene of a unique cooperation among the French, the Spanish and the indigenous Native Americans. An area rich in archaeological finds, it thrives today as one of Louisiana's most intriguing National Historic Landmarks. The site is operated with a collaborative agreement between Cane River National Heritage Area, Louisiana State Parks, and Friends of Los Adaes Foundation.
