Waterfront Summer Shuttle $3
The Port of San Diego is pleased to kick off another season of its Waterfront Summer Shuttle, which provides low-cost transportation along the San Diego Bay waterfront with a $3 daily rate. Now in its eighth season, the Waterfront Summer Shuttle will run from Friday, May 24, 2019 through Monday, Sept. 2, 2019. Click for more info.
Listen To What It Was Like To Live Aboard A Floating City At Sea
Choose from two engaging audio experiences for the entire family to enjoy! Midways award-winning Audio Tour & Family Audio Tour bring the ships history to life.
Our Family Audio Tour is perfect for our Little Skippers! Families can follow Airman Sam Rodriguez as he leads youngsters on an eye-opening and entertaining audio tour to more than 30 locations throughout the aircraft carrier.
Our Audio Tour is great to listen to Midway pilots describe their incredible experiences flying more than 20 different aircraft from the flight deck off of this floating airport. Learn what it was like to drop anchor, sleep in an enlisted sailors bunk or fly a WWII aircraft. From the Sick Bay, Galley, Laundry and Engine room hear Midway sailors describe their daily shipboard life in their own words!
Turn your speakers up and click on the numbered sound bites to begin your tour of the USS Midway! Tours are available in 6 languages, simply click on the flag to access your desired language.
Veterans Column: Midway Museum In San Diego A Floating Ship Museum With A Storied History
USS Midway Museum, berthed in San Diego Bay, is an aircraft carrier museum. Midway was named for the Battle of Midway June 1942 of World War II that turned the tide of war between the United States and the Empire of Japan.
I prepared this Midway column as a volunteer on behalf of Gold Coast Veterans Foundation, although my effort was facilitated with great interest and substantial help by my brother, retired Navy Capt. Dennis W. Irelan, whose career spanned 29 years in the U.S. Navy.
Denny was deployed as a Navy pilot on board Midway from 1981 to 1984, during which he logged 360 catapult launches or takeoffs and return carrier-arrested landings. He presently volunteers to share information with visitors as a docent aboard Midway.
Commissioned in September 1945, just days after WWII, Midway was the largest ship in the world for 10 years. She served the U.S. Navy in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea until its transfer to the Pacific Ocean in the early 1950s.
For local stories that matter, subscribe today. Fourth of July sale: $1 for 6 months.
In 1973, after duty during the Vietnam War, she was assigned a new homeport at Yokosuka, Japan, to become the forward deployed naval force aircraft carrier for the United States.
More: Veterans column: Health benefits granted by priority here’s what you need to know
More: Military brings cultures together like no other organization
For information about Midway Museum, visit www.midway.org.
You May Like: Lone Star Flight Museum Houston
Explore The Uss Midway Museum From Home
Enjoy a unique and exclusive virtual opportunity to explore Americas favorite aircraft carrier museums most popular spaces and exhibits. Listen to the award-winning audio tour, view a naval aircraft gallery and read amazing historical accounts of the USS Midway.
Scroll down to start your adventure !
Guide Tour Of Uss Midway Museum San Diego California United States
The USS Midway Museum is a historical naval aircraft carrier museum located in downtown San Diego, California at Navy Pier. The museum consists of the aircraft carrier Midway, which was Americas longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century. The interactive museum is an unforgettable adventure, visitors explore a floating city at sea, the amazing flight deck and its 29 restored aircraft, flight simulators, and are inspired in the Battle of Midway Theater.
USS Midway is an aircraft carrier, formerly of the United States Navy, the lead ship of her class. The USS Midway was the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the 20th century. Named after the climactic Battle of Midway of June 1942, Midway was built in only 17 months, but missed World War II by one week when commissioned on September 10, 1945.
Midway was the first in a three-ship class of its kind large carriers that featured an armored flight deck and a powerful air group of 120 planes. Midway was the largest ship in the world until 1955, as well as the first U.S. aircraft carrier too big to transit the Panama Canal. She operated for 47 years, during which time she saw action in the Vietnam War and served as the Persian Gulf flagship in 1991s Operation Desert Storm. Decommissioned in 1992, she is now a museum ship at the USS Midway Museum, in San Diego, California, and is the only remaining inactive U.S. aircraft carrier that is not an Essex-class aircraft carrier.
Activities
Don’t Miss: Free Museum Collection Management Software
Operation Desert Storm And The 1990s
MidwayRangerTheodore RooseveltAmerica
On 2 August 1990, Iraq invaded neighboring Kuwait, and U.S. forces moved into Saudi Arabia as part of Operation Desert Shield to protect that country against invasion by Iraq. On 1 November 1990, Midway was again on station in the North Arabian Sea being the carrier of Battle Force Zulu , relieving Independence. On 15 November, the aircraft carrier participated in Operation Imminent Thunder, an eight-day combined amphibious landing exercise in northeastern Saudi Arabia which involved about 1,000 U.S. Marines, 16 warships, and more than 1,100 aircraft. Meanwhile, the United Nations set an ultimatum deadline of 15 January 1991 for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait.
Operation Desert Storm began the next day, and the Navy launched 228 sorties from Midway and Ranger in the Persian Gulf, from Theodore Roosevelt en route to the Gulf, and from John F. Kennedy, Saratoga, and America in the Red Sea. In addition, the Navy launched more than 100 Tomahawk missiles from nine ships in the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, and the Persian Gulf. Desert Storm officially ended 27 February, and Midway departed the Persian Gulf on 11 March 1991 and returned to Yokosuka.
Midway
A Maritime Museum In A World War Ii Aircraft Carrier
- Enter a unique museum that was once an aircraft carrier of the United States Navy in World War II!
- Explore this floating city at sea and understand how the US navy lives with over 60 exhibits in different areas
- Learn about the history of the longest-serving navy craft carrier of the 20th century
- Self-guided audio narration is available in the museum, narrated by actual former sailors of the Midway
- This is an attraction to enjoy with your whole family and great for kids of all ages
Also Check: Western Spirit Scottsdale’s Museum Of The West
A Blueprint For Efficiency
One of the most underrated events in American history is the assembly of the Gulf War Coalition during Operation Desert Storm in the Gulf War of 1991. This masterstroke by then President George H.W. Bush involved bringing together 34 nations, including nine Middle Eastern countries, in a concerted effort to push Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait. And it worked.
The operation was orchestrated from the War Room of the USS Midway in the very place I was now standing. Here, pinned to the walls, are the very same Persian Gulf battle maps that guided coalition forces in the assault.
Locked in the brig aboard the USS Midway. A tour of the ship reveals five levels of this City at Sea including the jail.
Saddam didnt know what hit him. The war which had taken five months of careful planning and preparation was over in six weeks. The brevity and effectiveness of the operation saved tens of thousands of lives and billions of dollars. It was a model of efficiency, a blueprint for how future wars could be fought.
Sadly, however, its lessons were lost on Bushs son, George W. Bush, whose own Middle East exploits were hasty, poorly planned and wasteful, costing lives and treasure over the course of many years.
Theres more than one way to economize.
Downtown San Diego seen from the gangway of the USS Midway.
Uss Midway & The Waterfront
Most kids love boats, so you can imagine how excited they get about a really, really big boat. Downtown San Diegoâs USS Midway Museum is just that: a retired aircraft carrier that is now permanently docked and open to visitors along the cityâs Embarcadero. The deck of the enormous ship is covered with naval aircraft from World War II through Operation Desert Stormânot just for looking at but for climbing inside and exploring, too. Other interactive exhibits include you-are-there-style recordings of real conversations between military pilots and a chance to ride in a flight simulator.
Also on the downtown waterfront, the is fittingly housed within one of the finest collections of historic ships in the world, including the awe-inspiring sailing ships Star of India, HMS Surprise , and the Californian, a replica of a Gold Rush-era revenue cutter and the Official Tall Ship of the State of California. Coolest of all, some of the ships go sailing and whale watching, with you aboard including a 75-minute tour of San Diego Bay aboard an aptly named, Vietnam War-era Swift Boat.
Also Check: 9 11 Tribute Museum Price
Uss Midway Admission Tickets
The USS Midway was the Navys longest serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century and the largest ship in the world for a decade. Now visitors can view over 60 exhibits and 25 restored historic aircraft from the engine room to the bridge. Admission includes self-guided audio tour narrated by former Midway sailors and officers . The Midway includes interactive exhibits, climb-aboard aircraft, flight simulators, a gift shop and a café. Located in downtown San Diegos Embarcadero district, alongside Navy Pier . Open daily, 10-5 except Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. Admission gate closes at 4pm.
*** Please note this ticket is for Adult admission. Senior and Youth tickets are priced separately.
Good To Know About This Package:
- Your package is based upon 2 adults. However, each product may classify different adults and children by different ages.
- This package is subject to availability of tickets and rooms for selected travel dates.
- Pricing is subject to amount of people chosen in the package, dates, show times, ticket selections, hotel and room selections, plus applicable taxes.
- Your package is based upon } } and } }. However, each product may classify different adults and children by different ages.
- This package is subject to availability of tickets and rooms for selected travel dates.
- Pricing is subject to amount of people chosen in the package, dates, show times, ticket selections, hotel and room selections, plus applicable taxes.
Recommended Reading: Van Gogh In Philadelphia Museum Of Art
What To Expect At Uss Midway Museum San Diego
See the longest serving aircraft carrier in American history with this ticket to the USS Midway Museum in the downtown San Diego area. The ship itself is the museum, and houses an extensive aircraft collection. More than a million visitors walk through this aircraft carrier to learn about its history as well as the history of the United States Navy. Now a school for top gun fighters, there’s also the opportunity for visitors to see what it takes to become a fighter pilot for the US military. Former Midway sailors will be narrating the audio tour, and they’ll take you through over 60 locations within the museum, from the engine room and galley to the post office, officers quarters and more. The museum also holds climb-aboard cockpits for aircraft and flight simulators. Don’t miss out on a day of excitement and discovery aboard the USS Midway.
Uss Midway Discount Tickets
Discount tickets for the historic naval aircraft USS Midway Museum are sometimes available online for a better price than at the door.
Buying your tickets online also lets you skip the ticket line, so you can usually board right away. Note: I try to keep these offers updated, but the host of each deal may change them without notice.
How to Get In Free
Active Duty with ID get in free . Children 5 years old and younger always get in free.
Best deal for Weekends
Any Day/Weekend 30% Off Valid Any Day and you dont need to pick your date when you order. No fees. Print-and-go tickets.
Best deal for Weekdays
Any Weekday 20% Off Museum Admission Print at Home Tickets Available.
Best deal for Reserved Days
Reserved Date 25% Off No fees, but with this ticket source youll need to pick your visit date when you order.
Go San Diego Pass
Heres where to get the best price on the Go San Diego discount pass, which includes free admission to USS Midway Museum as one of the activities. This combo pass, also has an option to include up to 46 other San Diego activities and attractions.
Plus theyre running a sale right now. Their new Build Your Own San Diego Pass is customizable, so you can choose any two or more activities and save on just the ones you want.
Recommended Reading: Virtual Art Museum Tours Online
Important Information About The Uss Midway And Maritime Museum San Diego
Please take your coupon to the USS Midway and Maritime Museum San Diego in order to purchase tickets and receive the discount. The discounted combo ticket is not available for purchase at USS Midway.
Admission to flight simulators at USS Midway and water adventures at the Maritime Museum are not included in the combo ticket and are a separate cost.
What Is There To Do
Prepare yourself for a lifetime memory aboard the USS Midway Museum! You’ll explore a floating city at sea and relive nearly 50 years of world history aboard the longest-serving Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century.
Admission includes a self-guided audio tour to 60 exhibits throughout the historic aircraft carrier and 25 restored aircraft. Now THAT is pretty cool!
Exhibits range from the crew’s sleeping quarters to a massive galley, engine room, the ship’s jail, officer’s country, post office, machine shops, and pilots’ ready rooms, as well as primary flight control and the bridge high in the island over the flight deck.
Kids can really use those imaginations as they walk around the various galleries decks, imagining what life would have really been like on the USS Midway.
Especially popular are the museum docents you’ll meet throughout the ship. Each is eager to share a personal story, an anecdote, or amazing statistic, adding to your amazement throughout your adventure.
Family oriented activities for all ages are also at the USS Midway Museum, including the very cool flight simulators!
So why not step back in time through the pages of history for your next family day out in San Diego? The adventure awaits!
Read Also: Museum Hotel Kansas City Mo
Missions In The 1980s
Following a period in Yokosuka, Midway relieved Coral Sea 30 May 1980 on standby south of Jeju-Do Island in the Sea of Japan following the potential of civil unrest in the Republic of Korea.
While transiting the passage between Palawan Island of the Philippines and the coast of Northern Borneo on 29 July, the Panamanian merchant ship Cactus collided with Midway. Cactus was 450 nautical miles southwest of Subic Bay and heading to Singapore when she struck near the carrier’s liquid oxygen plant two sailors working in the plant were killed and three were injured. Midway sustained light damage and three F-4 Phantom aircraft parked on the flight deck also were damaged.
On 17 August, Midway relieved Constellation to begin another Indian Ocean deployment and to complement the Dwight D. Eisenhower task group still on contingency duty in the Arabian Sea. Midway spent a total of 118 consecutive days in the Indian Ocean during 1980.
On 16 March 1981, an A-6 Intruder from VA-115 aboard Midway sighted a downed civilian helicopter in the South China Sea. Midway immediately dispatched HC-1 Det 2 helicopters to the scene. All 17 people aboard the downed helicopter were rescued and brought aboard the carrier. The chartered civilian helicopter was also retrieved from the water and lifted to Midway‘s flight deck.
Midway
How To Tour The Uss Midway Museum
SharonPin496
A visit to San Diego, California is not complete without a tour of the USS Midway, a retired aircraft carrier now docked in the bay. With 10 acres of exhibits and displays, this City at Sea is open for you to explore and its massive. From the time you enter on the Hangar Deck, you can go up and down to levels from the top Island, where the captain steered the ship, down to where you are actually below the outside water line among a nest of water pipes that fed the boiler.
Also Check: Museum Of Noah’s Ark
Need A Little Extra Help
The Midway is a retired aircraft carrier commissioned in 1945. Since their start as a museum, they have made many modifications to improve accessibility for guests with mobility difficulties or other challenges. With the addition of several elevators and access routes, approximately 60 percent of the Museums exhibits are wheelchair accessible.
Click here for lots more great things to do near you in California
*san Diegos Most Popular Family Attraction
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore a historic aircraft carrier. Activities for all ages including self-guided audio tours, theater, flight simulators, climb-in aircraft, ejection seats and cockpits, guided tours of the bridge and more. Audio tours are available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese, French and German.
Spectacular flight deck views of the downtown skyline, San Diego Bay Bridge, and active U.S. Navy ships! Midway is an opportunity to experience the uniqueness of San Diego, original home of TOP GUN.
Conveniently located in downtown San Diego along the Embarcadero. Parking available alongside on Navy Pier. Closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
*Cited by TripAdvistor
USS Midway Museum – a real aircraft carrier…fun for the family, once in a lifetime memory for everyone! Create a once in a lifetime memory exploring the USS Midway, the longest-serving U.S. Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century! Imagine living aboard a floating city at sea with 4,500 shipmates, by exploring galleys, officer’s country, sleeping quarters and the 4 acre flight deck. Admission includes a self-guided audio tour to over 60 locations from the engine room to control tower, narrated by Midway sailors who lived or worked in each.
Parking
Read Also: Museum Starry Night Van Gogh
