War & Memorial Museums: The 15 to Book Ahead

1.9/11 Memorial Museum Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6,376 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $36Our pick

Use a timed mobile ticket to enter the 9/11 Memorial Museum beneath the memorial pools. Explore artifacts, first-person accounts, multimedia displays, and memorial exhibits at your own pace. Plan at least two hours, and expect a serious, emotional visit rather than a quick sightseeing stop.

“This was an unforgettable experience in many ways. The view from the boat was extraordinary and kept everyone out of the winter cold. We saw many iconic buildings and the December tour was given by Santa Claus, nice touch! The tour added to everyone's experience. Additionally, I got the upgraded package, and it included a beautiful souvenir book with pictures to guide and memorialize the trip. I had access to a less crowded seating area with the best view, and a private deck at the front of the boat. It was freezing cold and windy, so that was the best way to get incredible pictures but not be waiting in…”

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2.Caen: Guided D-Day Sites Tour & Caen Memorial Museum Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 498 reviews · 5 hours · from $176

Spend time at the Mémorial de Caen, then join a guide such as Mario, Oliver, or Anna for a five-hour minivan tour of Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach, and the American Cemetery. Groups hold no more than seven people, with English and French tours available.

“We had a brilliant time. It rained non-stop during the tour, but that did not dampen the spirits of our expert guide, Mario. He taught us such a lot about the history of the D-Day landings, and of the human experience of those who lived it. Thanks also to our fabulous driver, Léonie.”

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3.National Holocaust Museum Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 413 reviews · 7 days · from $24

Spend time at Amsterdam’s National Holocaust Museum, housed in the former Hervormde Kweekschool, then visit Hollandsche Schouwburg. Expect personal stories, artifacts, audio material, interactive holograms, and a sober account of Dutch Jewish life before, during, and after the Holocaust.

“Really well set out. With excellent explanations. Sensitively handled.”

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4.Auckland War Memorial Museum Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 293 reviews · 1 day · from $16

Spend a full day at Auckland Museum, Tamaki Paenga Hira, exploring Māori and Pacific treasures, Polynesian voyaging, natural history, Auckland communities, and military exhibits. General admission includes the museum only. Optional rooftop, gallery, and Māori cultural experiences cost extra.

“Enjoyable. I would have liked more available information on the pacific voyages to New Zealand and things like star charts etc to help better understand”

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5.Caen: Memorial Museum Entry Ticket & Optional Audio App

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 272 reviews · 1 day · from $24

Spend a full day at Caen Memorial Museum, tracing the road from World War I to the Berlin Wall. See D-Day films, battle objects, Holocaust displays, and three memorial gardens. Add the multilingual audio app when booking your ticket if you want help finding your way through the exhibits.

“An amazing and well thought out museum. so much to see, well laid out and informative. We spent nearly 4 hours wandering around and so didn't see everything. Would highly recommend... excellent value for money!”

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6.Ottawa: Canadian War Museum Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 232 reviews · 1 day · from $18

Spend a full day exploring the Canadian War Museum at 1 Vimy Place in Ottawa. Follow Canada’s military story through permanent galleries, vehicles, artillery, art, personal accounts, and special exhibitions. Go at your own pace, use the multilingual guide, and allow at least two hours, or much longer if you read closely.

“It was well worth the money and very interesting and well displayed.”

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7.Danish War Museum Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 106 reviews · 1 day · from $20

Use a one-day ticket to explore Copenhagen’s Danish War Museum inside Christian IV’s 1604 Arsenal. See armor, weapons, a bone ship, Civil War uniform, Afghan military vehicles, and a new exhibition on drones. Hammocks with Danish sea stories add a welcome break.

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8.Hiroshima; Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Castle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · 3 hours · from $67Top rated

Spend three hours with a local guide exploring Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Museum, Peace Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, hypocenter, and castle. Guides such as Maria, Ihsan, Leo, Mehak, and Bilal explain the bombing, daily life, recovery, samurai culture, and the meaning behind the memorials.

“Having a tour guide makes this important stop in Hiroshima much more worthwhile than trying on your own. Maria provided an informative insight to understanding this complicated time in history. She met our needs and knew her information”

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9.The War Museum, Jogyesa, and Tapgol Park Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 54 reviews · from $42

Spend an afternoon tracing Korea’s wartime, political, and Buddhist past. You’ll visit the War Memorial, National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, Jogyesa Temple, and Tapgol Park, where Squid Game filmed its bread-and-lottery scene. Guides such as Connie, Leo, Park, and Sam are known for clear explanations and helpful local tips.

“I really like the knowledge of my guide Mrs. Park. She was patient and very kind. 😊”

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10.City Tour By Motorbike w/ War Museum & Reunification Palace

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 47 reviews · 4 hours · from $28

Ride through Ho Chi Minh City with an English-speaking driver-guide such as Tris, Nhi, or Zayne. Visit the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, French colonial landmarks, a pagoda, and Ben Thanh Market in four hours, with entrance fees and kumquat juice included.

“We had an amazing tour with Richard and Katy. They guided us smoothly trough the incredible traffic of Ho Chi Minh City. My personal highlights: a dive into the authentic life and the houses of the local people in district 3, the Buddhism pagoda and of course the scooter ride through the traffic. Highly recommend!”

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11.Houston: Holocaust Museum Houston Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 33 reviews · 1 day · from $22

Visit Holocaust Museum Houston for a serious, self-guided look at Holocaust survivor stories, five permanent exhibits, rotating displays, and the Lester and Sue Smith Human Rights Gallery. Allow time for the history, security screening, and the museum’s focus on human rights.

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12.Holocaust Museum LA Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 30 reviews · from $15

Visit Holocaust Museum LA in Pan Pacific Park for a self-guided experience with English or Spanish audio, rare Holocaust-era artifacts, and a holographic conversation with a survivor. Admission is $15, and free docent-led tours run Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 PM.

“We came on a free Sunday so excellent value for money .I have been to Ann Frank's house and Auswich, and would say this gives a good overall insight into the Holocaust.”

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13.Amsterdam National Holocaust Museum and Memorial Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $24

Spend about 75 minutes at the National Holocaust Museum, then visit the Hollandsche Schouwburg memorial. Your timed mobile ticket includes both sites and an English audio guide, but no live guide, Jewish Museum entry, or Portuguese Synagogue access.

“This is one of the most emotional and informative holocaust museums I have ever been to. It has a Twin Towers feel to it in having real stories and if you get to the memorial it is very moving indeed. Tie this with a visit to Anne Frank and it’ll move you to pieces.”

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14.Narvik: Narvik War Museum

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 21 reviews · 1 day · from $15

Spend 1.5 to 2 hours at Narvik War Museum tracing the 1940 naval and mountain battles, Nazi occupation, and their meaning today. Exhibits use artifacts, models, photographs, text, and interactive screens. English information is available, with QR code translation for other languages.

“Museo molto interessante, dedicato ad uno dei capitoli meno noti ma non per questo meno importante della Seconda Guerra Mondiale. Suggerisco di dedicare alla visita un’ora e mezza circa.”

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15.Hiroshima: Tour of Atomic Bomb Dome & Peace Memorial Museum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 3 - 4 hours · from $105

Spend three to four hours with an English- or Japanese-speaking private guide at Hiroshima’s Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Museum. Guides such as Gordon, Emiko, and Rom have explained the events with care, and one guide has shared personal family history connected to the bombing.

“As we traveled from Osaka for the day Gordon met us at the Shinkansen station, he was an awesome guide and very knowledgable with the events that occurred with the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and general history in the area. We especially appreciated and enjoyed his time walking back with us to the train station after visit and local food tips along the way as an added bonus to the trip.”

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