USS Midway Museum
The Basics
Exhibits in the USS Midway Museum include the engine room, the ship’s brig, machine shops, and the crew’s sleeping quarters, as well as the bridge, admiral’s war room, and control tower. The ship’s flight deck is also home to multiple aircraft, including an F-14 Tomcat, F-4 Phantom jet fighter, and an A-7 Corsair.
Admission to the museum includes a self-guided audio tour through the multiple interactive exhibits, narrated by Midway sailors. Guided tours of downtown San Diego frequently include the USS Midway Museum as a stop, along with other area highlights such as Sea World, La Jolla, Balboa Park, or a San Diego Bay cruise.
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Things to Know Before You Go
The USS Midway Museum offers kid-friendly attractions such as flight simulators, the Ejection Seat Theater, and music videos.
Wear proper footwear, as a tour of the ship’s interior includes many stairs and narrow passageways.
Skip-the-line tours are recommended on weekends and during busy holiday times.
Several elevators and wheelchair access routes have been added to make the ship about 60 percent accessible.
Children ages 5 years old and younger, active duty military (including reservists, law enforcement, and firefighters) receive free admission.
How to Get There
The USS Midway Museum is located at Navy Pier in downtown San Diego, on Harbor Drive. The Santa Fe Train Depot and MTS trolley station are each a 5-minute walk away. Limited paid parking is available in the Port of San Diego lot, and there is metered parking on neighboring streets.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
Allow at least 90 minutes for a visit here. The USS Midway Museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm, with last admission at 4pm. It is closed on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day and busiest on the weekends and holidays.
Special Events and Festivals at the USS Midway Museum
The USS Midway Museum holds several festivals throughout the year to honor America’s servicemen and woman, and to celebrate the country’s military history. The Fourth of July Festival enables you to watch the San Diego Bay’s fireworks display from the flight deck, and there is a family Veteran’s Day celebration held every year.
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- Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House
- San Diego Convention Center
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