The National WWII Museum (New Orleans)
The attraction gets top marks from TripAdvisor users, says Shelly Dupuy, the museum’s group sales manager. “The immersive interactive exhibits are great for groups of all ages, and our large campus offers plenty of room for groups to visit all year long.”
Just for groups
“The museum was designed to be self-guided, but we now offer group guided tours for 8–30 people. One tour is an exclusive two-hour experience that takes guests through our Road to Berlin and Road to Tokyo galleries with trained museum docents. BBs Stage Door Canteen is also a great experience for groups to get a taste of 1940s-style entertainment, with lunch, dinner and brunch show options.”
Standout experience
“Our PT-305 boat is an original World War II-era boat that was built here in New Orleans by Higgins Industry. After a 10-year restoration that took place here at the museum, PT-305 is now restored to her former glory. She is currently on Lake Pontchartrain, where guests are able to visit the boat for deck tours and boat rides.”
Coming up
“Our newest addition, which is set to be completed in November 2018, is the Bollinger Canopy of Peace. The canopy will be 150 feet tall, and it will unify the museum’s large campus.”
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum (Charleston, South Carolina)
The museum welcomes visitors to explore the USS Yorktown battleship with a variety of programs tailored to a group’s age and interests. “It appeals to all ages, and it gives everyone a hands-on glimpse of maritime and military life,” says Kayla Halchak, the attraction’s marketing manager.
Just for groups
“For youth groups, we offer a variety of interactive lessons in astronomy, aviation, history and marine science. We also offer a new ‘Shadows of the Ship’ tour especially for our youth, where we take a group to a restricted-access area—all the way at the bottom of the ship—with headlamps and hard hats.”
Standout experience
“The Vietnam Experience is a unique, three-acre permanent exhibit, and it is the only one of its kind in the country. Set in a Brown Water Navy support base and a U.S. Marine Corps artillery fire base during the Tet Offensive and Battle of Khe Sanh in 1968, the exhibit is brought to life through realistic holograms and sounds.
Coming up
“We have our renowned Fourth of July Fireworks Blast coming up, when you can celebrate Independence Day on the flight deck of the USS Yorktown, overlooking Charleston Harbor.”
USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park (Mobile, Alabama)
The park is home to the World War II-era USS Alabama battleship and USS Drum submarine, and both allow visitors to see the lives of sailors during the conflict. “We [also] have our Medal of Honor Aircraft Pavilion, which features an impressive collection of historical aircraft, military vehicles and wartime memorabilia,” says Rhonda Davis, director of sales and marketing for the attraction.
Just for groups
“We offer lunch aboard the USS Alabama in our Wardroom, the officers’ dining quarters, as part of our group tour packages. We recommend spending at least two and a half hours to tour the park, so adding a meal here takes pressure off of tour operators to find a place to dine while traveling.
Standout experience
“Each compartment will tell a story about the jobs performed and the men who performed them. I love our chapel best. It is a quiet and serene space where church services were conducted. It’s a surprise for many to find it aboard a ship.”
Coming up
“Something visitors are finding very exciting is our Living History Crew Drills. Historical re-enactors take over the USS Alabama and USS Drum on the weekends five times a year. The men have a ‘call to battle stations,’ and the ship is [mock] attacked by real vintage airplanes.”
Top photo: PT-305
Photo by CC Flickr/Tomás Del Coro: bit.ly/2rwTrZE
