1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Museum
1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Museum
4.3
9:00 AM - 3:45 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 3:45 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 3:45 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 3:45 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 3:45 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 3:45 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.3
184 reviews
Excellent
91
Very good
68
Average
23
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Jennifer W
Bradenton, FL12 contributions
Jun 2020 • Family
The base is closed to all non military personnel ( other than family and retired or VA) I could not get in with my parents who are retired military without a pass to go to their awesome PX here. I could have waited at the visitor center in a line 59 deep to get a pass but it's around 100 degrees outside. They are on a special lockdown code right now with all this chaos going on. So keep that in mind if you are interested in going to the base.
Written June 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K A
Midlothian, VA159 contributions
May 2018
So first of all if you’re not particularly interested in armored combat vehicles, this museum is not for you. If on the other hand you want to see the influence and history of the United States Army’s 1st Armored Division starting from World War II, Cuba, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the tremendous firepower brought to bear via the continuous development of armored combat vehicles and tactics through 1st AD’s history, then this is the place for you.
Arriving at the museum’s parking lot the first thing you will see are several armored vehicles on display with historical plates providing a brief history of the vehicle. Above the museum’s entrance in bold letters you’ll see ‘FORT BLISS AND OLD IRONSIDES MUSEUMS’ and to the right you will see the famous 1st AD patch (the tri-colors, with blue for infantry, red for artillery, and yellow for cavalry – which represent the three basic components of the mechanized Armor force and first authorized in 1940).
Once inside there are models of various armored and artillery pieces that provide perspective of the history of not only 1st AD but also of Fort Bliss. 1st AD was the first armored division of the U.S. Army to see battle in World War II and examples of the type of equipment worn by soldiers, living conditions and captured enemy vehicles (Nazi German Halftrack SD.KFZ.251, 10.5cn le-FH 18/40 Howitzer, etc.) are on display.
Audio visual accounts of several campaigns can be viewed upon entering a 1940s replica Movie Theater as well as a replica living room of the period with wartime rationing examples such as a war ration book, a canning application, etc., with explanations of how life went on in the US and how rationing supported the war effort.
It’s well worth a visit and also provides perspective when driving on Fort Bliss of the history and continued mission of the 1st AD.
Arriving at the museum’s parking lot the first thing you will see are several armored vehicles on display with historical plates providing a brief history of the vehicle. Above the museum’s entrance in bold letters you’ll see ‘FORT BLISS AND OLD IRONSIDES MUSEUMS’ and to the right you will see the famous 1st AD patch (the tri-colors, with blue for infantry, red for artillery, and yellow for cavalry – which represent the three basic components of the mechanized Armor force and first authorized in 1940).
Once inside there are models of various armored and artillery pieces that provide perspective of the history of not only 1st AD but also of Fort Bliss. 1st AD was the first armored division of the U.S. Army to see battle in World War II and examples of the type of equipment worn by soldiers, living conditions and captured enemy vehicles (Nazi German Halftrack SD.KFZ.251, 10.5cn le-FH 18/40 Howitzer, etc.) are on display.
Audio visual accounts of several campaigns can be viewed upon entering a 1940s replica Movie Theater as well as a replica living room of the period with wartime rationing examples such as a war ration book, a canning application, etc., with explanations of how life went on in the US and how rationing supported the war effort.
It’s well worth a visit and also provides perspective when driving on Fort Bliss of the history and continued mission of the 1st AD.
Written June 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KENNITHA
Houston54 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
boy thing have change from the last time i was here in 1969 lot of thing to see, and do worth going way out west to see
Written March 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve M
Killeen, TX223 contributions
Feb 2022 • Solo
The place is *CLOSED* due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
FB hours, telephone line, official .mil website ALL say it’s open. Even though none of the hours match (including the signs on the front of the building!).
There was close to zero effort to inform the public that it’s closed, the exception being a single Facebook post three months ago and a few 8.5”x11” pieces of paper taped to the front window.
Glad I drove 9 hours for it. Absurd.
FB hours, telephone line, official .mil website ALL say it’s open. Even though none of the hours match (including the signs on the front of the building!).
There was close to zero effort to inform the public that it’s closed, the exception being a single Facebook post three months ago and a few 8.5”x11” pieces of paper taped to the front window.
Glad I drove 9 hours for it. Absurd.
Written February 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wOrldTrav39
Irvine71 contributions
Sep 2019
It was very difficult to access the correct gate and then to access the base. It is unfortunate that this Museum is on the base due to the necessary security process to get through the gate if you are not military. You cannot enter the main gate but you have to find the Chaffee Gate which my GPS did not send me to. Once there you have to go through the cumbersome but necessary process to get a pass. On my visit the MP was helpful but the civilian not helpful or friendly even though we were clearly a family who needed some guidance.. Everyone in the group must go into the office to show ID and get a pass. You have to show your ID again at the gate even after you have the pass. Unfortunately there are no signs on the base to direct you to the Museum but GPS works if you have reception. The Museum itself was great and the personnel there were friendly and helpful. We recommend a visit but be prepared to get through the lengthy process to access it..
Written October 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arlen S
Phoenix, AZ41 contributions
Mar 2019
The museum had static displays outside with information placards for each display. Inside I was greeted warmly and given very clear instructions. There are tours but I was too late. It really didn't matter because aggravating the museum is easy and the displays are described along with the history. There was a nice video of a WW2 made documentary on Operation Torch that was fun to watch.
Written April 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelersFromGburg
95 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
Located on Ft Bliss, the museum does a decent job of giving you the history of El Paso and Ft Bliss and how they are so historically intertwined. Secondly it gives the vast history of the 1st Armored Division and it's roll in our nations history at war.
It's free, unless you want to make a donation. It has numerous dioramas and vehicle displays, as well as an interactive area for children.
If you're going on post to visit the museum, take a drive around. In the older section of the fort there are some beautiful old structures and homes with architecture you just don't see anymore, as well as current living accommodations (a lot of which isn't so nice), all sorts of current military vehicles you can see and nice food court/restaurants/shopping on post. It's a good opportunity to get a snippet of what living and daily life is like for our wonderful soldiers.
It's free, unless you want to make a donation. It has numerous dioramas and vehicle displays, as well as an interactive area for children.
If you're going on post to visit the museum, take a drive around. In the older section of the fort there are some beautiful old structures and homes with architecture you just don't see anymore, as well as current living accommodations (a lot of which isn't so nice), all sorts of current military vehicles you can see and nice food court/restaurants/shopping on post. It's a good opportunity to get a snippet of what living and daily life is like for our wonderful soldiers.
Written August 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cris S
Fremont, CA14 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
It took approximately 1/2-hour to get the required documentation to allow a civilian on base, but once at the museum, it was worth it. Lots of history, tanks, and weapons are presented for viewing. The lighting of the tanks is especially well done, resulting in professional-like photos. Since the museum visit is free, although I donated a $20 bill, the value is extraordinary. It will take 1.5 to 2 hours to view all the exhibits at a very leisurely pace. Ask questions of the staff/soldiers, they're very polite and respectful. Our tax dollars were put to good use at this museum!
Written July 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dieu N
San Diego, CA78 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
While stopping in El Paso, TX during our road trip to Carlsbad Caverns, I decided to squeeze in a visit of the Fort Bliss and Old Ironsides Museums to surprise my husband who was a formal military guy. We had a blast and he was so happy just like a young boy who was entering a big toy store.
Since this museum is located inside a US Marine base, we Googled to find the location of the “Chaffee Visitor Control Center” and stopped there to apply for a pass. Each adult needs to fill out a form with your Social Security and ID/Driver’s License number. After checking our security background, we each received a one-month pass. We asked for a map of the base and entered via the gate next to the Chaffee Visitor Control Center. Cassidy gate is mostly for peoples with a pass ready or construction workers and the lines are long. Don’t go to Cassidy gate. Young or old, I am sure you are going to like this museum. It’s free to enter this amazing museum!
Since this museum is located inside a US Marine base, we Googled to find the location of the “Chaffee Visitor Control Center” and stopped there to apply for a pass. Each adult needs to fill out a form with your Social Security and ID/Driver’s License number. After checking our security background, we each received a one-month pass. We asked for a map of the base and entered via the gate next to the Chaffee Visitor Control Center. Cassidy gate is mostly for peoples with a pass ready or construction workers and the lines are long. Don’t go to Cassidy gate. Young or old, I am sure you are going to like this museum. It’s free to enter this amazing museum!
Written January 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael W
Oceanside, CA48 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
Since the museum is on an active military base, you access the museum by obtaining a visitor pass at the pass building just before the gate (it is well marked). You'll need ID. The museum itself is well staffed and the displays are well laid out and well marked with pertinent information. I have visited many such museums and find this to be one of the best. It starts with Fort Bliss' development and takes you through the WWII on into current conflicts showing the motorized equipment used by the Army and its adversaries. Dont miss it.
Written October 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola me gustaría saber si puede ir un menor de edad sin sus padres?? O tiene que ir con sus padres??
Written July 17, 2019
I went to fort Bliss earlier on today to visit the museum, but could not get through the checkpoint. A permit of some sort was required. I did not quite understand where to get that permit! Does anyone know?
Written March 23, 2018
You have to check in at the visitor building which is located just before the entry gate. Be prepared to show government issued non expired identification. As for more information, call the welcome center located on Fort Bliss. It is listed in the telephone directory, and on Google. They will be able to tell you if other options are available and how to obtain.
Written March 23, 2018
Thanks for the head's up about the base pass. I too will be following in your steps and I'll have my Grandsons in tow so I don't want to waste time in a car trying to get red tape squared away, they will be biting at the bit to see tanks.
Is it possible for you to be a bit more specific? Like, what street did you come in on? The approximate location of the pass office on that street? Do I need to show proof of car insurance to drive on base? Was there adequate parking at the pass office? What is the name of the street that is the main gate?
Tanks
DAS
Written January 8, 2017
I recall that the visitors entrance I used was on Airport Road. It is the Buffalo Soldier Gate.
The pass office is at the gate.
They will ask for ID. Drivers License or passport.
Don't recall proof of insurance, but I always have mine anyway.
Plenty of parking.
Well signed, I drove the perimeter until I found it.
Only took about 15 minutes.
Have fun!!!
Written January 8, 2017
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