National Museum of the Pacific War
National Museum of the Pacific War
National Museum of the Pacific War
5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Open Wednesday - Monday. Formerly the Nimitz Museum, the complex is now the only museum in the Continental United States centered on World War II's Pacific campaign. Since 1968, the Museum has expanded to occupy a six-acre campus and gained a reputation as one of the premier military museums in the nation. Over the years the Museum was upgraded and enlarged, and the campus grew to accommodate the Memorial Courtyard, the Plaza of Presidents, and the Japanese Garden of Peace. We opened the expanded George H. W. Bush Gallery in 2009. The Gallery's state-of-the-art 33,000 square foot exhibition features 40 media installations, approximately 900 artifacts in 97 climate-controlled cases, 15 macro-artifacts, and hundreds of photographs. Two blocks east of the main campus is the Pacific Combat Zone. Recently reopened after an $8 million renovation. The PCZ is also home to our popular WWII Pacific Combat Program that takes place on set weekends throughout the year.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
3,837 reviews
Excellent
3,349
Very good
418
Average
58
Poor
6
Terrible
6
Hopman_333
Eagle, WI219 contributions
Apr 2022
Amazing ! Purchased tickets online that morning, nice welcome greeting when we were told it would be close to 2 hours to explore the museum.
It was the fastest 2 1/2 hours I've experienced in a long time. Very captivating, interesting, insightful and in stages emotional.
If you have any interest and curious of this history you will walk out knowing more then when you entered.
Kudos to those that put the effort, time and research into this historic musuem to honor those that served
It was the fastest 2 1/2 hours I've experienced in a long time. Very captivating, interesting, insightful and in stages emotional.
If you have any interest and curious of this history you will walk out knowing more then when you entered.
Kudos to those that put the effort, time and research into this historic musuem to honor those that served
Written May 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Yenter T
San Antonio, TX22 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
No discount for Deaf admission. On the ticket admission person was awkward to communicate with Deaf tourists. (They need take the training how to communicate with Deaf tourists). It takes about 3 hours to tour the museum (multi-sites place). All movies and clip shows do show closed captioned mostly! Unfortunately, one live show (submarine), no interpreter provided. Recommend: Any person who is very crazy about the war history, it’s worth visiting there! Parking is difficult because they do not have the parking space. But you can park cross the street to the Tourism Center for free.
(Photo) the place where the man talks about the submarine.
(Photo) the place where the man talks about the submarine.
Written April 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Woodruffja
27 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
If I had but a single word to describe the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas it would have to be “stunning.” I was impressed by the extent of its collection, as well as with the care taken to curate its artifacts and present them in a way that would appeal equally to visitors looking for an understanding of grand strategy and those wanting to encounter stories of individual sacrifice and triumph.
I was especially pleased that the curators chose to “show” the story of World War II in the Asia/Pacific Theater and let visitors come to their own conclusions of various moral debates, rather than opting to “tell” visitors what their conclusions ought to be. The exhibits do not gloss over the horrors of armed conflict but they provide ample reasons why the Allied participation in the 20th Century’s titanic conflagration was justified.
A suggested itinerary for visitors able to devote only two hours is readily available at the reception desk. Visitors interested in more depth can spend the better part of a full day. Both sorts of visitors can leave the museum well satisfied with the experience as both my wife and I did.
Timed reservations are suggested. Abundant on street parking is available.
I was especially pleased that the curators chose to “show” the story of World War II in the Asia/Pacific Theater and let visitors come to their own conclusions of various moral debates, rather than opting to “tell” visitors what their conclusions ought to be. The exhibits do not gloss over the horrors of armed conflict but they provide ample reasons why the Allied participation in the 20th Century’s titanic conflagration was justified.
A suggested itinerary for visitors able to devote only two hours is readily available at the reception desk. Visitors interested in more depth can spend the better part of a full day. Both sorts of visitors can leave the museum well satisfied with the experience as both my wife and I did.
Timed reservations are suggested. Abundant on street parking is available.
Written October 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Curtis S
Kingsport, TN2,608 contributions
Feb 2022
How this museum ended up here is a mystery to me. Fredericksburg is an interesting little town, with shopping and food, so convincing the wife to go shouldn’t be too tough (although your credit card might suffer later). A unique layout has a bunch of intersecting curved exhibits. The narrative starts well before World War Two and maybe too encyclopedic for some. Wander through the exhibits, which include a B-24, (illustrating Doolittle’s raid), and other planes. There’s a bit more words than pictures and that might be difficult for some, but it is a good museum. Recommended
Written March 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
dlwinger
Fernandina Beach, FL3,649 contributions
Apr 2022
Most Excellent WWII Pacific Theater museum. Our south Texas road trip included a stop in Fredericksburg and a planned visit to the museum. The depth of detail going back to the clashes between China and Japan quickly gives you the feeling that this is going to be a well designed and comprehensive visit. I have been to the WWII Museum in New Orleans (before the Pacific Theater exhibits were completed) and this is so more detailed. We spent over 2 hours going through the main museum and another hour in the Gallery and PT/Airplane buildings. Extremely well done.
Written April 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
NemoTraveler
Aarhus, Denmark535 contributions
May 2022
The National Museum of the Pacific War is located downtown Fredericksburg. The Commander in Chief of the Pacific, Fleet admiral Nimitz, was a Fredericksburg native, which is the reason why the Museum is located in the Hill Country.
Tickets are USD 20 with reductions for seniors etc. Special two-day passes are available at USD 30. The museum is very large and gives an excellent impression of the Pacific War. As you may also want to visit the surrounding Plaza of Presidents and the Memorial Courtyard, it is possible to spend several hours here. Also, it is possible to visit the Admiral Nimitz Gallery on Main Street.
Very friendly staff and volunteers throughout the entire facility. Highly recommended.
Tickets are USD 20 with reductions for seniors etc. Special two-day passes are available at USD 30. The museum is very large and gives an excellent impression of the Pacific War. As you may also want to visit the surrounding Plaza of Presidents and the Memorial Courtyard, it is possible to spend several hours here. Also, it is possible to visit the Admiral Nimitz Gallery on Main Street.
Very friendly staff and volunteers throughout the entire facility. Highly recommended.
Written June 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jpamr5
Richmond, TX937 contributions
Dec 2020 • Couples
We made reservations to visit on Sunday, November 29, 2020, at 9AM. Displays with artifacts are easy to read and are divided into several areas by events of the war.
Touring the museum is self-guided and at your own pace. We spent a little over 2 hours walking through the displays. By the end we were on information overload.
The admission fee also includes entrance to the Nitmiz Museum around the corner. We took a coffee break before heading to the Nitmiz Museum. Between the two museums are a memorial plaza and a Peace Garden which are well worth a walk through and those do not require an admission fee.
Well worth the time spent because we learned information about the war we were not aware of.
Touring the museum is self-guided and at your own pace. We spent a little over 2 hours walking through the displays. By the end we were on information overload.
The admission fee also includes entrance to the Nitmiz Museum around the corner. We took a coffee break before heading to the Nitmiz Museum. Between the two museums are a memorial plaza and a Peace Garden which are well worth a walk through and those do not require an admission fee.
Well worth the time spent because we learned information about the war we were not aware of.
Written November 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
John M
10 contributions
Jun 2022
My Dad enlisted at the age og 17 and my grandmother signed him as age 18. He fought for Freedom and gave all. He was awarded the Silver, Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He gave all in Belgium figthing tjhe NAZIZ. The Musem will take you to what our men gave and suffered with Love in their hearts
Written January 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jeff K
Pittsburgh, PA1,635 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
My wife and I spent about an hour here and learned a great deal about Admiral Nimitz. Hard-core WWII visitors will likely spend 2 hours or longer. The information was well-presented and provided a great overview of Nimitz and his role in World War II. I was very impressed and glad that I was able to visit. It also serves as a nice break from the wine tastings and shopping.
Written May 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SAMUEL T
Lafayette, LA7 contributions
Sep 2022
As a longtime historian and teacher of 33 years, I pride myself in my knowledge of WWII. But, on Friday September 30, I very gratefully became the student. I have been to the Smithsonian museums and the National World War II museums several times. This Pacific War Museum was every bit as overwhelming and knowledgeable as any I have been privileged to view. Don’t miss it.
Written October 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MONICA F
1 contribution
What’s the best time to visit Fredericksburg
And when are the re-enactments this year 2021?
bethbob666
Santa Fe, TX44 contributions
Late Spring and early summer
Daniel-s-Daddy
Houston, TX167 contributions
Does the museum offer discounted admissions for AAA member?
Steven T
Granbury, TX94 contributions
I don't believe they do. I know they offer senior discounts though.
Have experienced your beautiful museum in May 2019. In your gift shop , do you perhaps sell the new quarters which portray the Pacific theater on the reverse? Would love to get them from you all, as my purchases when we were there have been excellent.
suepark268
Houston, TX157 contributions
I am sorry but I do not remember seeing them. Contacting the gist shop will be the best.
Patti R
Houston, TX2 contributions
Are there any exhibits About The Thousand Mile War? Any exhibits about the liberation of the Philippines? The Battle of Manila?
Edward W
Enterprise, AL2 contributions
Patti, if I remember correctly, the pacific theater is covered in its entirety. Down to the smallest atolls.
extra11578
Daytona Beach, FL1 contribution
What about parking?
ChristmasStore
Fredericksburg, Texas13 contributions
Parking is easy in Fredericksburg. Street parking galore.
LadyVal13
Texas12 contributions
What dates in September and October 2018 will the re-enactment take place. Do I need to purchase tickets in advance?
NMPW
Fredericksburg, TX4 contributions
Our dates for the shows are September 1,2 and October 13, 14.
It is not necessary to buy in advance but we do tend to sell out.
A_Davis14
Fort Worth, TX123 contributions
Will you be open on Memorial Day? If so, what are your operating hours?
SneakinDeacon
Christiansburg, VA1,427 contributions
Their Website shows open every day from 9 am to 5 pm, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas. Enjoy your visit it is a wonderful museum.
DallasPaza
Dallas110 contributions
What are the hours this coming Saturday and Sunday
wb5ldn
54 contributions
Sorry I missed your question.
National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg
Frequently Asked Questions about National Museum of the Pacific War
- National Museum of the Pacific War is open:
- Wed - Mon 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- We recommend booking National Museum of the Pacific War tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 National Museum of the Pacific War tours on Tripadvisor
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