When I travel for business, I am always on the lookout for fun adventures or new things to explore. While visiting San Diego, I came across the USS Midway aircraft carrier and museum and loved exploring the military history around the ship.

Here’s what you can expect during your visit to the USS Midway.

About the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier

The USS Midway served from 1945 until 1992, making it the longest-serving American aircraft carrier of the 20th century. Although the USS Midway missed participating in WWII by only one week, it participated in other conflicts and wars: The Cold War, the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm.

The ship was named after the Battle of Midway on the Pacific front of World War II. It was built in 17 months and commissioned on September 10, 1945.

Although the ship was decommissioned in 1992, it remained in storage until 2003 when it was donated to the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum organization. The museum opened in 2004.

If you like ships, you can also check out the Maritime Museum of San Diego, which is just up the road from the USS Midway.

Starting Your Tour

Buying your tickets online will save you $2 per ticket. You can also skip the line to buy tickets onsite, allowing you to start your tour sooner. Ticket prices range from $8 to $23, depending on age. Children under 5 are free, along with active duty military and reservists, law enforcement and firefighter (must show valid ID). If you’re planning to visit other popular San Diego attractions, check out the GoCard San Diego.

Be sure to pick up the hand-held device for your self-guided audio tour. The museum recommends allowing 2-4 hours for the complete tour. The self-guided audio tour is available in English, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, German and French.

Similar to a Junior Ranger Program at the national parks, the USS Midway Museum has the Junior Pilot Program. Pick up the worksheet at the onboard information booth and have your youngster complete the form. When finished, bring it back to the information booth and they’ll be presented with their Junior Pilot Wings.

The museum is divided into three sections – Flight Deck, Hangar Deck and Below Deck. You can explore each of the areas at your own pace.

The Hangar Deck

The exhibits on the hangar deck include vintage aircraft, and numerous interactive displays and artifacts. Visitors can view a short 15-minute film, Voices of Midway, in the Battle of Midway Theater.

The hangar deck also has exhibits about the ship, including the anchor chain room where you can learn to tie knots important to life at sea.

Lie down in the sailor’s bunks to see how tight space was on the ship or explore a ready room. Learn how information was collected and shared in the Command Information Center (CIC) and what life was like for the pilots and support staff living just below the flight deck.

Below Deck

Life at sea requires a self-sustaining community. Similar to life on land, people needed a place to eat, worship, socialize and get medical attention. Below deck is where you’ll find the chow hall, chapel, wardroom, and sick bay.

It’s also where you’ll find engineering. You can touch and interact with much of the equipment on display. It’s interesting to see life in the steam engine room that powered the aircraft carrier. When visiting the engine room, it’s cool to think that you’ve descended below the water line. But if you’re claustrophobic, maybe it’s best to not think about that.

Throughout the tour, you’ll find numerous volunteers or docents willing to explain various parts of the ship. They’re typically wearing a yellow hat and are very recognizable as a volunteer. Don’t hesitate to ask them any questions you may have about life aboard an aircraft carrier.

Flight Deck

The pièce de résistance is the flight deck of the USS Midway. Explore 26 restored aircraft, including jets and helicopters. Be sure to pose next to the mannequin giving the signal for the pilot and catapult to launch.

Some of the planes are open, with stairs to help you sit in the cockpit of the plane. Learn about the systems in place on the flight deck to help planes land and launch on the platform.

After exploring the deck itself, join in on the tour up to the bridge overlooking the flight deck. It’s from this tower the captain steers the ship and oversees all flight operations below. Don’t miss the opportunity to see where the captain and admiral orchestrated Operation Desert Storm. But keep in mind, this guided tour takes about 20 minutes.

Finishing Up the Tour in San Diego

Before leaving the ship, be sure to grab your souvenirs or grab a bite to eat in the cafe. They have a few open-air dining tables at the rear of the ship.

Once off the ship, check out some of the other sites nearby, including the Unconditional Surrender statue, the National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military, the USS San Diego Memorial and more. San Diego is full of fun sites to see.

Looking for other travel tips and ideas?

The Details

Address: 910 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, California, 92101, alongside Navy Pier

Parking: There is a parking lot on Navy Pier, next to the museum. It’s reserved for passenger vehicles, so no RVs are allowed. Prices range from $10-$20. There is also on-street parking or other nearby parking lots within walking distance. Learn about other parking options.

Cost: Save $1 when you buy your tickets online, which also includes the “Embarcadero Adventure Offers” which features discounts to other venues. Prices range from $8 to $23.

Hours: Monday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last admission at 4 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving day and Christmas day (Dec 25).

Website: https://www.midway.org/

Phone: (619) 544-9600

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