Which Gdansk Museum

You might like to peruse Cameron Hewitt's perspective, as a travel writer, on the WWII Museum:
https://blog.ricksteves.com/cameron/2018/11/poland-world-war-ii-museum

They are both extensive and provide a lot of information on their subjects. If you don’t have a strong interest in WW2, I’d lean to the Solidarity Museum because it’s something you won’t get anywhere else. Because it was less known to me, a little reading ahead of time helped. I’m sure I still missed things but if I went back to Gdansk- which I would love to do- I’d go back to the solidarity museum.

Both are worth seeing, and well done. If I had to choose one due to limited time, it would be WWII. At Solidarity, part of the experience is the context - you are aware that you're at [or at least near] the site from which the demise of the Soviet Union started - it's similar to being at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Some of the exhibits are compelling, but they also get way down into the political weeds of the movement at times, which I felt were overdone. But it's a magnificent building and it adds to one's appreciation for the spirit of the Polish people.

One Solidarity site that can be visited rather quickly is St. Bridget's church, which contains the amazing Amber Altar - a much better choice than the amber museum.

I agree with KC. WWII is everywhere. Solidarity is only in Gdansk. I was lucky to visit with a Polish friend, who was moved to tears by it, as I was experiencing it with her.

Both are excellent however my preference is the WWII museum.

I went to Solidarity centre. I’m of the age which means I vividly remember parts of the story from news bulletins. The whole thing was fascinating and gave me much more context, plus it’s a lovely building. We spent two hours touring the exhibition.

We planned to see WW2 museum but were pretty tired. We got as far as getting to the building and having a very good lunch in the restaurant, then looking at the gift shop - and then decided to come back to Gdansk one day!

For me, the Solidarity centre was the main purpose of the visit.

I'm all-in on 20th-century history museums, so I can tell you approximately how long it takes to read all the English-language signage, watch the subtitled videos, etc. -- 8 hours at the Solidarity Museum and 20 hours at the WWII Museum. Obviously, it's a rare visitor who spends that much time in those museums, but my point is that if you have half a day, that will give you a considerably better look at the Solidarity Museum than at the WWII Museum.

I agree with KC that the Soldarity Museum is more distinctive.

It depends...I am a writer specializing in WWII in Poland and have visited MANY museums, skansen, concentration camps, etc. I think the WWII museum in Gdansk is the best I have ever seen, and that includes other countries. I know quite a bit about the Solidarity movement, so that was of secondary interest.

If you are going to Krakow, you will likely go to Schindler's museum and Auschwitz. Consider visiting the Museum of the Polish Home Army. Such an insight!

It depends...I am a writer specializing in WWII in Poland and have visited MANY museums, skansen, concentration camps, etc. I think the WWII museum in Gdansk is the best I have ever seen, and that includes other countries. I know quite a bit about the Solidarity movement, so that was of secondary interest.

BTW- I can't say I agree with Cameron's take on the WWII museum. I have deceased relatives who lived through WWII and fought as partisans for the Home Army. Germany has been attempting to rewrite history and assign blame to Poland for the start of WWII, and Cameron seems to be showing his politics more than a deep understanding of what happened in Poland. I do agree with his assessment of POLIN, the museum of the history of the Polish Jews. It is stunning and provides a pretty clear understanding of what it meant to be a Jew in Poland over the past 1,000 years. Remember that Poland was a relative sanctuary for the majority of European Jews for many decades because of the laws and privileges given by the kings.

If you are going to Krakow, you will likely go to Schindler's museum and Auschwitz. Consider visiting the Museum of the Polish Home Army. Such an insight!

Online tickets for both Auschwitz (especially) and the Schindler factory sell out in advance. Don't expect to be able to buy them after arriving in Krakow.