101st Airborne Museum — Attraction in Bastogne

This is an absolute gem of a museum! To start with, the building was in use by the 101st during WW2 and it still looks very authentic. The tourist flyer you can find about this place is much less fancy and much smaller than that of other major museum sites, but don't let that small cheap flyer fool you. What you can see in this museum is quite surprising, atleast it was to me.

One thing that really sticks out for example are the human displays. Nearly all museums use some form of fashion store puppet, or at best a heavily modified version of it with actual face details. But here, they have use Madame Tussauds fullsize type wax-models!! The replica's of the actual people are so well done and they have tried to replicate several authentic scene's from photo's by using these models.

The second amazing thing is the bomb-shelter simulator. It is really well done, with crystal clear sounds, but very loud indeed! I have to be honest and say that it is quite an unpleasant and therefor authentic experience. I would recommend it, but if it was a movie, I would give it an over-16years old-label. And not for people that get scared easily.

Another thing that is very nice, is the hologram type display of an artillery crew in action and received comms over the radio, which puts you right in the scene as if you were there.

Last but not least, the entire museum breathes this nice authentic atmosphere, unlike most of the bigger...

Went through the museum on the 19th of November during our night stay in Bastogne, worth every penny they charged (cheap tickets, €10 each if I remember rightly). Staff were immediately friendly and helpful, me and my friend explored both floors and the basement including the in-house Battle of the Bulge bombing simulator. Between the immaculate dioramas of incredibly realistic scenes of the battle and the magnificent array of historical artefacts on display, each room on each floor painted such a vivid picture of history.

Included in the bomb simulation is a narration from a veteran of the 101st Airborne Vincent Speranza, who's war loot and leftover equipment & correspondence we had seen in several displays throught the two upper floors. Mr. Speranza recently passed in August of this year, and hearing his harrowing account of his experience coupled with the simulation was incredibly grounding. May God rest his soul, and the souls of every other victim of the Battle of the Bulge.

Amazing experience and a must see for anybody...

I really liked this place. It was packed with relics, militaria, and felt like you were taking a peek back in time. The quality of the displays was top notch, it is filled with original pieces, lots of descriptions on the displays and pictures so you know what you're looking at.

Something I'd recommend for the staff is to put up better signage. When people who are interested in WWII think "Bastogne" they think 101st often. I only stumbled across the museum by accident because of the sign at the exit to the "other" Bastogne museum. I spent 14€ to get into the "other" one but felt like the 9€ to get into the 101st was a much better deal and a FAR BETTER museum.

I really enjoyed all the original items and variety of displays. Better advertising would...