The San Diego Veterans Museum — Attraction in San Diego

A hidden gem full of hidden gems. The Veteran's Museum is one of San Diego's best-kept secrets.

The museum itself is housed in a former Navy chapel. The stunning stained glass windows still remain and each one has a story to tell. Although the Navy paid for the building, it wouldn't pay for artwork. The money for each window was raised by groups of small donors from across the country. See if you can guess who sponsored each window (and check you answers on the bronze plaque beside the entrance).

Inside, you'll find exhibits on the military and Balboa Park, women in the U.S. military, Americans in the Vietnam War, the military service of U.S. presidents, U.S. POWs in WWII, and various relics from San Diegans who served in wars from WWII to Iraq.

The museum's exhibits are clearly a labor of love. The displays can be dense and a bit cluttered in places, but there are some real gems if you know what to look for. Take the time to look through each case and you'll be rewarded for your curiosity.

Check out the MARS radio in the Vietnam exhibit and listen to recordings of troops in Vietnam talking to their loved ones back home over the radio (Track #4 is a bit of a tear-jerker, be warned). There's a book of artwork and poetry made by a downed flier in a German POW camp. There's a Flying Tigers "blood chit" and a bullet-scarred helicopter's pilot from Vietnam.

Many thanks to Jack Harkins, the Museum's president, for showing us around! We got a great rundown the the museum's building and its...

Being a veteran brings joy and honor to have served the country that I love, and to see men and women who have fought for the United States of America and to see the history of how we have come so far. Thee strength of men and women coming together regardless of who we are and working as a team side-by-side, brings joy like no other, that I only wish it would stay with me 24 hours a day. Our country, the United States of America, needs strong courageous people to come forward and truly fight for our country. The Veterans Museum brings every piece of military branch to the view of those who have no idea about what the military has done is doing and how far we have come. It is a great place full of wonderful history of strength, courage, sadness, depression, and wonderful people that have made life changing experiences happen during military service time. Wartime is not easy, and the Veterans Museum is a way to show how courageous people have been serving in thee United States of America. The Veterans Museum should be recognized more for What it is to truly stand up and want to protect your country. I love the place. Once a month, I'm there! Hope to meet you. Don't be shy about speaking, That's how...

Quick facts: Size: Small Price: $5 (Adults) Est. Time in Museum: 30 - 45 minutes Recommended for: History Buffs, Adults

Exhibits focus primarily on individual stories of veterans by showcasing stories and artifacts of their time in service rather than an overall history lesson of certain wars or battles. When I went in October 2018 they had a special Korean War exhibit recreating a typical foxhole and some actual war artifacts from the Chinese army. There was a section dedicated to women in the military in the back and a section discussing the military history of balboa park during World War 1. Although exhibits do change throughout the year.The rest of the museum focuses on stories of individual veterans of wars from World War 1 to the present. There are some unique and unusual artifacts that even those interested in military history have probably never seen or heard of before. Only recommended for those with a strong interest in military history otherwise the casual museum patron might not find it particularly interesting. But since the entrance fee is only $5, I would still recommend...