My wife, Karen, and I visited the USS Midway Museum during our Pacific Coastal cruise in San Diego. I had previously explored battleships like the USS Iowa in Los Angeles, but this was my first time on an actual aircraft carrier. Wow!
In this post, discover its must-see attractions. When we visited the museum, we heard fascinating stories about Midway’s history and incredible technology.
This impressive aircraft carrier, now an interactive museum, showcases America’s maritime history and the brave people who served on board.
Wander the massive flight deck with over 30 restored aircraft and explore intriguing below-deck exhibits. Engaging interactive experiences, such as flight simulators and virtual reality tours, cater to all ages.
One tip is to give yourself at least a few hours. Karen and I had only 90 minutes at the end of our port day and felt rushed to see all the exhibits.
Military History Of The USS Midway
The USS Midway (CV-41) served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1992 and was named after the Battle of Midway, a key World War II turning point.
The Midway cost USD 85.6 million in 1943, equivalent to USD 1.4 billion today. Construction began on October 27, 1943, at Newport News Shipbuilding, Virginia, and was launched 17 months later. Though it saw no combat, the ship was a training vessel and flagship for naval operations in the post-war era.
After its September 10, 1945 commission, the Midway served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, supporting air strikes, reconnaissance, and rescue missions.
In 1991, it played a key role in Operation Desert Storm, aiding Kuwait’s liberation. Decommissioned in 1992, the ship became a museum in 2003, located in San Diego. It opened as the USS Midway Museum on June 7, 2004.
Getting To The USS Midway Museum
The USS Midway Museum is at 910 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA. We arrived at San Diego as one of the port spots on our Pacific Coastal cruise. It takes a 10-minute walk from the cruise port to reach the museum.
If you are cruising from Los Angeles and stopping in San Diego, the USS Midway Museum is a MUST-SEE and easy to spot as you sail into the harbor.
Midway Parking
The USS Midway does not have its own parking facility. However, you can find a parking area on Navy Pier, next to the USS Midway Museum.
This parking lot managed and owned by the Port of San Diego, accommodates passenger vehicles exclusively, with no provision for RVs. It is important to note that you may find limited parking availability during the summer months.
Alternatively, you can find metered parking on the city streets surrounding the USS Midway Museum. Typically, parking fees range from USD 10 to USD 20 but are subject to change. Alternatively, consider public transportation or ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft.
Museum Tickets And Hours
The USS Midway is open daily from 10 am – 5 pm. The last admission is at 4 pm. It is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
You can purchase USS Midway tickets in advance online, or you can buy them onsite at the ticket booth when you arrive. Ticket prices, at the time of this writing, are as follows:
| Type of ticket | Cost |
|---|---|
| Adult (13+) | USD 32 |
| Youth (6-12) | USD 22 |
| Veteran (with ID of service proof) | USD 22 |
| Annual Freedom Pass (for 2) | USD 90 |
| Annual Freedom Pass (for 4) | USD 150 |
Children (5 and under), active-duty military, museum members, sworn law enforcement, and firefighters are complimentary.
Midway Areas And Actitivies
We explored exhibits and experiences that brought the aircraft’s daily events to life.
1. Flight Deck: The flight deck features over 30 restored aircraft, including jets, helicopters, and reconnaissance planes, along with the arresting gear and catapult system. We spent a lot of time exploring all the different aircraft.
2. Self-Guided Audio Tour: The museum provides a self-guided audio tour in multiple languages. The recording shares stories from the crew members who served on the Midway.
3. Island Tour: The island, or superstructure of the ship, contains the navigation bridge, primary flight control tower, and captain’s quarters. On the guided island tour, you can learn more about how the ship was controlled and navigated.
4. Below-Deck Exhibits: Discover the living and working conditions of the crew by exploring various areas of the ship, such as the sleeping quarters, engine room, and mess halls. You can also visit the ship’s jail, known as “the brig.” The below-deck area is vast, so expect to spend lots of time exploring the rabbit tunnel of hallways.
5. Interactive Exhibits: The museum features several interactive displays, including flight simulators, an ejection seat experience, and a ship virtual tour.
6. Theater: Watch short films about the USS Midway’s history, its missions, and the sailors who served onboard.
7. Docents: Knowledgeable docents, many of whom are veterans, are stationed throughout the museum to provide insights and answer questions.
8. Museum Store: The onsite store offers a variety of souvenirs, books, clothing, and memorabilia related to the USS Midway and naval aviation.
The Flight Deck
The USS Midway’s flight deck is a vast, flat surface crucial for the ship’s operations during active duty. Spanning over 1,001 feet long, this 4-acre flight deck supports aircraft takeoffs and landings.
As part of the museum, the flight deck displays over 30 restored aircraft, including jet fighters, helicopters, and reconnaissance planes. Throughout the year, the flight and hangar decks also host special events.
The flight deck features the catapult system and arresting gear, essential for launching and recovering aircraft. The catapult system accelerated the aircraft to takeoff speed while the arresting gear facilitated quick stops.
We got close to these historic aircraft and even explored their interiors. We were surprised that some had bare bones interiors, especially the helicopters.
You can enjoy breathtaking San Diego Bay and downtown views on the flight deck. The island tour, accessible from here, explores the ship’s superstructure, navigation bridge, and primary flight control tower.
The Hangar Deck
The hangar deck is a multi-purpose space that houses various exhibits, displays, and experiences for visitors to explore. Some key features and attractions include aircraft exhibits, restored aircraft, Battle of Midway Theater, flight simulators, and a store and cafe.
This hangar deck is like a small city with several aircraft, including fighter jets, helicopters, and transport planes, showcasing the diverse range of aircraft used throughout the ship’s history.
Some of the aircraft on the hangar deck have been carefully restored. They are open for visitors to climb inside and get a feel for the pilot’s experience. It was a chance to pretend I was a “top gun.”
The theater presents a short film about the Battle of Midway, a pivotal naval battle during World War II that the USS Midway is named after.
Some numerous interactive exhibits and displays provide information about the ship’s history, naval aviation, and the daily lives of the Midway sailors. The ejection seat exhibit teaches about ejection seats and their importance in protecting pilots during emergencies.
The flight simulators on this deck attract thrill-seekers who want to experience taking off, flying, and landing a jet on an aircraft carrier.
These simulators provide a taste of what it’s like to be a pilot, with the thrill of flying a high-performance aircraft. Not surprisingly, this area was busy with a long wait to try a simulator.
F/A-18 Flight Simulator lets you fly a F/A-18 Hornet in air-to-air and air-to-ground combat with a 360-degree view and precise controls for an exciting, educational experience.
Mach Combat is a high-def air combat simulator where you engage in dogfights, evade missiles, and experience thrilling aerial battles.
Virtual Reality Experiences immerse you in naval aviation, allowing you to pilot aircraft or participate in rescue missions.
Below Deck Exhibits
We found the exhibits below deck as fascinating as the flight and hangar decks. Plan on spending 1-2 hours absorbing all these areas of the ship. The looping tour includes the chow line, laundry, sick bay, mess deck, and engineering.
The officers’ quarters, also known as “staterooms” or “berthing areas,” were the living spaces designated for the ship’s officers. These quarters were located on the O-2 and O-3 levels of the ship. They were generally more spacious and comfortable than the enlisted personnel’s living areas.
The officers’ wardroom was the designated dining and social area for officers. They could gather for meals, meetings, and relaxation during their off-duty hours. The wardroom provided a more formal dining experience than the enlisted mess decks.
I was impressed to see how the U.S. Navy communicated back at the end of World War II. This authentic naval museum lets the public see all the technology needed to communicate in 1945.
One of the most interesting ways of communication was the Pneumatic Message Tubes. With the use of compressed air, paper messages were encased in tubes and sent to other parts of the vessel through tubing.
Tours On The USS Midway
Many tour options help visitors learn about the ship and its history. Many of the tours are complimentary, but some are an additional cost.
Self-Guided Audio Tour: We enjoyed the self-guided tour, which allowed us to explore at our own pace. The tour covers over 60 locations on the ship, including the engine room, flight deck, and sleeping quarters. It features first-hand accounts from former Midway sailors.
Docent-Led Tours: The museum also offers docent-led tours, where knowledgeable volunteers guide visitors through the ship, sharing their insights and personal experiences.
These tours typically cover specific ship areas, such as the flight deck, hangar deck, or bridge, and provide a more in-depth and interactive experience.
Behind-the-Scenes Tours: The museum occasionally offers special behind-the-scenes tours for those looking for a more exclusive experience.
These tours grant access to areas of the ship that are usually closed to the public, such as the Combat Information Center or the Captain’s Quarters. Availability and pricing for these tours may vary.
Youth Programs and Field Trips: The USS Midway Museum also offers educational programs and guided tours for youth groups and school field trips.
These programs provide students with hands-on learning experiences and cover various topics, including science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), history, and social studies.
Guided Group Tours: For groups of 10 or more, the museum offers guided group tours, which can be tailored to suit the group’s specific interests. These tours must be reserved in advance and may be subject to additional fees.
VIP Tours: For an additional fee, visitors can book a VIP tour, which provides a more exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at areas of the ship not typically open to the public. Expert guides lead these tours and often require reservations in advance.
Other San Diego Attractions
It’s natural to reminisce on the movie “Top Gun” while visiting the USS Midway. However, the movie primarily used the USS Enterprise for filming.
Other filming locations around San Diego include Kansas City Barbecue, Charlie’s House, Liberty Station, and Point Loma Lighthouse.
The USS Midway Museum is a popular San Diego attraction. However, one of the best things about visiting San Diego is there are many other attractions. Here are some other attractions you can take in during your visit:
- San Diego Zoo.
- Balboa Park.
- SeaWorld San Diego.
- San Diego Harbor Cruises.
During our visit, we purchased tickets for Old Town Trolley Tours. This modest-priced bus service lets you ‘Hop-on, Hop-off’ at the most popular attractions in San Diego.
If you’re vacationing in San Diego and visiting multiple attractions, consider purchasing the San Diego City Pass. The pass includes admission to SeaWorld or LEGOLAND, plus three additional attractions such as the USS Midway, Hop-on Hop-off trolley, and San Diego Zoo.
USS Midway Fun Facts
The USS Midway, the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, is also the world’s most-visited floating naval ship museum. The museum hosts over a million visitors each year.
At 1001 feet (305 m) long and 258 feet (78 m) wide, the USS Midway was the largest ship in the world until 1955. While in operation, the warship supported 4,300 crew members and 200 aviators and could carry up to 80 planes.
As we were ending our quick tour of the Midway, I dropped by the Jet Shop (i.e., gift shop) to purchase a souvenir T-shirt. I love knowing about the engineering and technology that went into this floating fortress.
Here’s the back of my T-shirt, which I proudly wear, with some fun facts in case you’re interested. Remember, the USS Midway was commissioned in 1945.
Final Thoughts
The USS Midway is an incredible vessel, and considering it was built 75 years ago, it is a feat of engineering. This historic aircraft carrier is one of the best attractions in Southern California.
Its massive size as a floating city is impressive as you approach it and once you board.
Whenever we cruise, I love to tour the large ships throughout the U.S. In addition to the USS Midway, I have been fortunate to tour the USS Iowa in Los Angeles and the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor.
If you cruise and your itinerary includes San Diego, visit the USS Midway Museum because the cruise dock is just a 10-minute walk down the street. The museum is inexpensive, and provides fun and education for the entire family.
