National Museum of the Pacific War
No visit to Fredericksburg would be complete without a stop at the National Museum of the Pacific War.
Dedicated to all those who served in the Pacific War, the museum has expanded and gone under expansive renovation over the last 10 years to make it the world's premier museum about World War II's Pacific Theater. In 2020, it was recognized as the fifth-best history museum in the United States by USA Today readers.
Helpful Tips:
- Museum open Wednesday through Monday, but grounds open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Reservations recommended. To make a reservation, click here.
- Limited walk-up tickets available. Masks are recommended inside the museum and are available upon request.
- Admission: $20 adults; $15 seniors 65+; $12 military w/ID; $10 kids 10-17, students w/ID $10; 9 and under free.
- The museum hosts webinars on a variety of topics throughout the year. To learn more about these online opportunities, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Chester Nimitz?
While Fredericksburg may seem like an unlikely location for a museum about a war that took place thousands of miles away, the National Museum of the Pacific War is in Fredericksburg because of Chester W. Nimitz. Nimitz, who was born in Fredericksburg in 1885, served as the Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces, Pacific Ocean Area during World War II and rose to the rank of Fleet Admiral.
Trace the story of Nimitz’s life in the Admiral Nimitz Gallery.
When is the National Museum of the Pacific War open?
The National Museum of the Pacific War is open Wednesday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the last ticket sold at 3:30 p.m. each day. However, the museum outdoor grounds are open daily.
Can you buy tickets online for the National Museum of the Pacific War?
Visitors are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets online. Ticket cost to the National Museum of the Pacific War is $24 adults; $16 seniors; $14 military w/ID; $10 kids 6+/students w/ID, while children 5 and under are free.
Is there a Nimitz Museum gift shop?
The National Museum of the Pacific War has three gift shops, including the George H. W. Bush Gallery Museum Store and the National Museum of the Pacific War Command Post as well as a full online store.
Which exhibits are featured at the National Museum of the Pacific War?
The full National Museum of the Pacific War campus is a six-acre complex, including the George H.W. Bush Gallery, the Admiral Nimitz Gallery, the Plaza of the Presidents, the Japanese Garden of Peace, the Memorial Courtyard and the Pacific Combat Zone. Within the Bush Gallery, there are exhibits on Pearl Harbor, The Doolittle Raid, and the Atomic Bomb.
View a map of the National Museum of the Pacific War campus.
What is the Pacific Combat Zone at the National Museum of the Pacific War?
The National Museum of the Pacific War’s Pacific Combat Zone features the Carrier Aviation Exhibit and the PT Boat Exhibit, a scale map of the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, the William P. Clements, Jr. Amphitheater, and the Living History Battlefield where demonstrations and reenactments take place throughout the year.
How long does it take to tour the National Museum of the Pacific War?
A typical visit to the National Museum of the Pacific War can take anywhere from 2-6 hours, but the average visit is 3 hours.
Resources to Plan a Future Visit
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