National Museum of the Pacific War
Fredericksburg, TX
Located in Fredericksburg, the National Museum of the Pacific War is the only museum in the US dedicated to the history of World War II in the Pacific. Spanning 6 acres (2.4 hectares), the complex is across various buildings and sites and features galleries, state-of-the-art exhibits and memorabilia, plus hosts events and living history reenactments.
The basics
The National Museum of the Pacific War campus includes the George H.W. Bush Gallery, the Admiral Nimitz Gallery, the Plaza of Presidents, the Memorial Courtyard, the Japanese Garden of Peace, and the Pacific Combat Zone. Admission tickets grant access to all parts of the campus, but note that different areas operate their own opening hours. The main museum space is the George H.W. Bush Gallery, which explores the impact of WWII through an array of exhibits and artifacts, while the Admiral Nimitz Gallery focuses on the celebrated naval career of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, who was a Fredericksburg native.
Things to know before you go
- There’s an entrance fee, but the Memorial Courtyard and Japanese Garden of Peace offer free access.
- Advance tickets are strongly recommended, as walk-in tickets are only available if capacity limits have not been reached.
- The museum’s galleries are wheelchair-accessible, and wheelchairs are available for loan at the George H.W. Bush Gallery and the Admiral Nimitz Gallery.
- You are not permitted to bring food and drink into the museum galleries.
How to get there
The museum’s buildings and attractions are located across various locations in Fredericksburg: the George H.W. Bush Gallery is at 311 E. Austin Street, the Plaza of Presidents and the Japanese Garden of Peace is outside the east entrance of the Bush Gallery, the Admiral Nimitz Gallery is at 340 E. Main Street, and the Pacific Combat Zone is located at 508 E. Austin Street. If driving, take the US-290 from Austin or the I-10 from San Antonio. The museum is also a stop on the Fredericksburg city trolley.
When to get there
The George H.W. Bush Gallery and the Admiral Nimitz Gallery are typically open from 9am to 5pm, and the Pacific Combat Zone is open from 9am to 4.30pm—all three sites are open daily, except for Tuesdays and major public holidays. Special exhibits and events are held occasionally, including lectures, film screenings, and living history reenactments at the Pacific Combat Zone.
Museum collection highlights
The National Museum of the Pacific War has an extensive collection of artifacts and memorabilia, with highlights including a Japanese mini-submarine, which was salvaged from Pearl Harbor; a restored PT boat, the last existing one to have seen combat; and numerous US and Japanese aircraft, including a B-25 and a Grumman TBF Avenger. There’s also a damaged Australian Stuart tank and a hatch from the USS Arizona.
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