All passes
Must-sees
Family-friendly
Indoors

Up to 3 hours

USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum

161 reviews

Up to 3 hours

Climb aboard the USS Midway Museum and explore this long-serving US aircraft carrier.

All passes
Must-sees
Family-friendly
Indoors

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What visitors are saying

4.9

161 reviews

great piece of history and all staff we are happy and friendly

Mar 30, 2026

The carrier is massive, so plan a few hours and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Jun 2, 2026

The island tour was a must and is included in the price (no additional fees).

Jan 4, 2026

Everything is so well thought out and set up.

Dec 25, 2025

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Overview

Take a self-guided tour around 60 exhibits including the sleeping quarters, engine room, galley, and ship jail.

Learn all about the ship’s decades of service and the 225,000 sailors that served on board the craft. Explore the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum’s exhibits, multimedia displays, interactive experiences, and more. The audio tour is narrated by Midway sailors who bring the Midway’s history to life with stories of their first-hand experiences living on the ship while at sea for months at a time.

Take a step back in time and be amazed at the sheer size and beauty of the scale of the ship. With passes from Go City, you can enjoy this museum + many other local San Diego attractions for one low cost!

Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum highlights

The Hangar Deck

This is the first area of the ship you’ll encounter. It serves as the ship’s hangar deck with a collection of 29 meticulously-restored aircraft, including an F/A-18 Hornet, a WWII SDB Dauntless dive bomber, an F9F-P Cougar from the Korean War, and more. Starting in January 2020 a reproduced Devastator airplane used in the filming of the movie Midway will be on display. This original prop is the only Devastator in existence. You’ll see machines that were integral forces during times of combat, such as World War II and Desert Storm, as well as being used for important humanitarian missions.

The Flight Deck

This open-air level hosts additional aircraft. Explore the flight deck and the impressively small runway that planes would take off from while at sea. Docents stationed on the deck offer educational lectures about takeoff and landing methods, and this is where you can get some of the best views of San Diego.

Captain’s Bridge and Flight Control Center

Only about 1,600 people per day are allowed to tour the ship’s main control center called the Captain’s Bridge. It's on a first-come, first-served basis, so head straight there if you want to tour this area.

Battle of the Midway Theater

This 90-seat theater aboard the Midway features an inspirational 15-minute multimedia movie, Voices of the Midway. It details the Battle of Midway and features former members of the military who survived the battle. The movie is narrated by a hologram figure of a young sailor telling the story of his experience.

Climb-in aircraft

Hop on board several aircraft carriers and check out the cockpits and controls. You'll get a feel for what it would have been like to fly in the pilot’s seat.

The Lower Decks

Get a glimpse into daily life on the USS Midway for the 5,000 sailors on board. Here, you’ll get to see the kitchen, laundry rooms, engine rooms, enlisted bunks, officer quarters, the anchor room, a movie theater, and more.

Museum docents

One of the USS Midway Museum’s key features is the museum docents you’ll meet throughout the ship, each eager to share their own personal experience with the USS Midway or a fun anecdote.

Fantail Café

Grab a bite to eat from this maritime-themed cafe which features meals made from the ship’s original 1945 menu.

Facts

The USS Midway is classified as a CV-41 aircraft carrier.
The ship is 972 feet in length and weighs 74,000 tons – so large it earned its title as a “city at sea” and “floating city”. from the sailors that served aboard from 1945 to 1992.
It’s the 20th Century’s longest-serving aircraft carrier.

What's included

Admission to USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum with skip-the-ticket-line entry
Access 60+ exhibits including the sleeping quarters, engine room, galley and ship jail
Explore at your own pace with a self-guided audio tour narrated by real Midway sailors – available in English, Chinese, French, German, Japanese and Spanish
Take in stunning views of San Diego bay and get up close to over 30 restored planes and helicopters on the top deck
Live talks and presentations from museum volunteers about life and operations onboard
Access the 3D Holographic Battle of Midway Theater experience
Family-oriented activities throughout including flight simulators, short films and climb-aboard aircraft
All taxes and fees included
Flight Simulators and Screaming Eagles VR Experience are available for an extra cost

Getting in

For entrance into the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, simply proceed to the entrance with your pass.

Reservations are not required with Go City.
You can skip the general ticket line.

Visitor tips

For your safety, we recommend comfortable, closed-toed shoes and suggest layered clothing as temperatures vary around the ship.

What types of aircraft can I see at the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum?

The museum showcases a diverse collection of over 30 restored aircraft, including jets, helicopters, and propeller-driven planes from different eras.

Are guided tours available at the USS Midway Museum?

Yes, the museum offers both docent-led and self-guided audio tours to provide an immersive experience for visitors.

Is the USS Midway Museum accessible for visitors with disabilities?

Absolutely, the museum is committed to accessibility, offering elevator access, wheelchair rentals, and modified exhibits for those with disabilities.

Can I host a private event at the USS Midway Museum?

Yes, the museum offers unique event spaces for corporate gatherings, military reunions, and private parties, providing a memorable backdrop for any occasion.

Are there any educational programs available at the USS Midway Museum?

The museum offers a variety of educational programs, including field trips, scout programs, and overnight adventures to engage learners of all ages.

How long should I plan to spend at the USS Midway Museum?

Most visitors spend approximately 3-4 hours exploring the exhibits, aircraft, and interactive experiences at the museum.

What languages are your self-guided audio tours and museum maps available in?

Both the self-guided audio tour options and museum map are available in English, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, German, and French.

Is parking available?

Parking is located on Navy Pier adjacent to the USS Midway Museum. Please check their website for futher details.

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Where you'll be

910 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, US

Standard opening hours

Monday10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Last entry time04:00 PM

Tuesday10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Last entry time04:00 PM

Wednesday10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Last entry time04:00 PM

Thursday10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Last entry time04:00 PM

Friday10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Last entry time04:00 PM

Saturday10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Last entry time04:00 PM

Sunday10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Last entry time04:00 PM

Upcoming schedule changes

26 NovClosed

25 DecClosed

Find out more

For more information, visit the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum website.

Showing 1-6 out of 161 results

Awesome

Chrissy

my husband loves history and airplanes. This is well done with the audio tour. Hard for my husband who is 6ft 6in and my son who is 6ft tall. The inside of the boat is not tall. Their backs were hurting afterwards.

Yes, I recommend this attraction

Fun and Informative

S. Price

Such a neat opportunity to see and learn about US Naval history.

Yes, I recommend this attraction

USS Midway

Thumbs up all the way. Take the Island Tour! Worth the climbing of the stairs even for a big guy!

Yes, I recommend this attraction

Launch!

Claire

Worth one whole day visit! The flight deck and basement is am azing. Midway theater is emo tional too.

Yes, I recommend this attraction

impresionante

Lina

es un barco gigante! nos tardamos 4 horas y ni siquiera alcanzamos a recorrerlo completo por el cansancio. tiene muchas salas, se bajan como 3 ó 4 pisos hasta llegar a los motores, recorres muchas cosas y todo esta decorado con maniquíes y artículos de época. los aviones son enormes y te puedes subir en varios de ellos.

Yes, I recommend this attraction