The World War II museum has always been a big draw for New Orleans.

But plans for a $300 million expansion including a hotel and conference center are expected to provide an even bigger boost to the city.

Mary Dooley said he visits the museum and enjoy the exhibits.

"I'm just fascinated by World War II, all the histories, I've never been to New Orleans, so I thought I'd come and see," said Dooley.

She's from Los Angeles, one of the most museum-dense cities in the country, but like many of the visitors at the museum Sunday.

A World War II conference brought her to town.

"I'm very impressed with all the planning and all the exhibits and just the people," said Dooley.

The expansion plans aim to increase the popularity of the museum and increase tourism to New Orleans.

The expansion plans could include a hotel and conference center along Magazine Street, sources say.

"Our board of directors, which is a national board, re-committed to the expansion very early. They said we will be a part of New Orleans' Renaissance," said Clem Goldberger, the WWII Museum Marketing Director.

The first phase includes demolition of a warehouse across the street from the museum to clear the site for a theater scheduled for completion in 2008.

"Not 3D, but 4D. It's a totally sensory immersion experience. The film is being developed now. Tom Hanks is the executive producer," said Goldberger.

The museum now owns the property from Magazine Street to the Mississippi River Bridge. And with an expansion that large, the museum will definitely be an anchor for the museum district.

"Right now, it has kind of an industrial feel because that's what it has always been. What we need to do is make it a lot more pedestrian friendly and attractive to visitors to make it an easy walk from the French Quarter to the museum district," said Kurt Weigle of Downtown Development Dist.

Plans include better lighting, brick sidewalks and according to the Downtown Development District, the Regional Planning Commission and the state will soon start major improvements along Camp Street.

"New Orleans feels different from the rest of America. And what we're trying to do with the enhancements to the improved streetscape here, enhanced sidewalks, more street trees is make this part of New Orleans feel like the rest of New Orleans," said Weigle.

It's all part of a greater effort to help museums that will in turn help push recovery in the greater New Orleans area.

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