This half-day morning tour of the World War II Museum comes with a private guide to help you discover the museum’s highlights, along with an exclusive opportunity to go behind the scenes to see historic artefacts not currently on display. With pre-opening access your guide will lead you through the museum, explaining the pivotal moments leading to the war. You will hear moving personal stories, learn of the sacrifices made and the strategies employed to lead the Allies to victory. Impressive interactive displays transport you from the sands of North Africa to the skies of Europe, the beaches of Normandy, ruins of the Third Reich and across Pacific Islands to the decisive atomic endgame.

Following the opportunity to revisit the exhibits of personal interest, you will join a curator for a behind the scenes presentation of several artefacts not currently on display. You’ll learn about the story and preservation of each item and more about the museum’s process of creating engaging displays and exhibits. The tour includes a visit to the John E Kushner Restoration Pavilion, currently closed to the public, to view some of the larger artefacts and learn of the museum’s mission to educate future generations about the values and lessons of the Second World War.

After a tasty lunch at The American Sector (pay direct), you will head to the Solomon Victory Theatre to watch a 4D retelling of the war narrated by Tom Hanks, Beyond All Boundaries. This remarkable film includes archive footage from the battlefields and incorporates motion and lighting to create a memorable and immersive experience.