Why You Should Spend A Day At The Uss Midway Museum This Summer
If youre looking for an inexpensive yet educational commemorative experience to add to your summer vacation bucket list, then youll definitely want to plan a trip to the USS Midway Museum. San Diego, California, is the location of this unforgettable adventure.
Since the start of World War II, aircraft carriers have become the backbone of the U.S. Navy. Today, there are around two dozen carriers still afloat, with some still in active service and others mothballed. Five of these carriers have been transformed into aircraft museums.
Today, we are going to look at one of these museums the USS Midway Museum. Well give you an overview of the USS Midways history and tell you everything that you should know before you decide to step foot on the carrier this summer.
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*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
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.
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What Are The Closest Stations To Uss Midway Museum
The closest stations to Uss Midway Museum are:
Uss Midway Museum Information
Top 5 Things to Know About USS Midway Museum
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Uss Midway Museum Entrance Ticket San Diego Overview
Activity Location: 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
Activity Timing: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Activity Days: Monday – Sunday
About the USS Midway Museum in San Diego:
Spend a day exploring the longest-aircraft carrier of the 20th century which is located at the Navy Pier in downtown San Diego, California. The aircraft is now converted into a historical naval aircraft carrier museum and offers an in-depth view of 60 exhibits with a self-guided audio narrator.
About the activity:
- Arrive at the location and get ready for this amazing self-guided USS Midway Museum tour in San Diego.
- This naval aircraft carrier which is now structured as a museum holds great importance in the most unfortunate time of World War II.
- While exploring, you will be able to listen to the informative narration which will explain to you the history of the carrier and the United States as well.
- Explore 60 different segments in the USS Midway museum which include a gallery, engine room, post office, officers’ quarter, and many more.
- Do not miss the climb-aboard cockpits for aircraft, short video, and flight simulators at USS Midway Museum.
How to reach?
- Take the route via USS Midway Museum from the city center, it will take you approximately 4 minutes to reach the location.
- Take the bus from the city center at Broadway and alight at the USS Midway Museum, a 2-minute walk will take you to the location.
Uss Midway Museum Entrance Ticket San Diego Highlights
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Visit the famous historical naval aircraft carrier museum that once participated as the aircraft carrier in World War II
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Listen to the former sailer audio narration while exploring and know more about this unique aircraft carrier museum
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Explore the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century located in downtown San Diego
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Learn informative facts about the 200000 sailors that used to serve the aircraft carrier
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Witness the aircraft carrier engine rooms, jail, and restrooms along with 60 exhibits at the museum
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Best Tips For Your Visit
- Go in the off-season, during the week, early in the morning to avoid the crowds
- When you get on the ship, they will steer you towards the right. We recommend turning left and heading straight to the Ships Island/Bridge. Take the guided Bridge Tour as early as possible. On busy days, last admittance might be as early as 3:30 PM.
- Talk to the volunteers. Many of them are veterans and they have incredible stories to share about their time in service. This was by far my favorite about this museum. It was fascinating to hear their personal stories and anecdotes about life as a sailor.
Uss Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum In San Diego
Recently Amie and I spent the weekend in San Diego and tried to do a lot of the attractions that we had never done before. From visiting Cabrillo National Monument, to hiking Cowles Mountain, to seeing the statues of the greatest generation in the port of San Diego. The last attraction that we had on the list, however, was to visit the USS Midway at the Broadway Pier in Downtown San Diego. I had members of my family serve in the military, one even in the Navy, so being able to tour this ship was a great experience and one I would suggest to anyone.
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Spend A Day At The Uss Midway Museum
Be sure to stop by the next time you are in San Diego. USS Midway Museum is an unforgettable experience that youll forever treasure. Dont forget to commemorate your trip with a souvenir photo and a trinket from the gift shop.
At the conclusion of your visit, be sure to check out the USS Midway Museum website to learn more about special events, guest speakers, and ceremonies that are hosted on the carrier throughout the year.
If you want to get more involved, the Midway also offers ongoing individual/group volunteer opportunities. Check out the official USS Midway Museum website to learn more about how to apply.
Uss Midway Museum The Carriers History
The USS Midway was the 20th centurys longest-serving aircraft carrier. The ship was built in 17 months and was commissioned after World War II on September 10, 1945 . The Midway marked the beginning of a class of three carriers that had an armored flight deck and a group of 120 planes.
The aircraft carrier had a revolutionary hull design that provided enhanced protection unmatched by previous carriers. The Midway played a substantial role in the Cold War, as it was the first American carrier that could operate in the midwinter sub-Arctics and was the only ship that captured a German V-2 rocket.
The Midway was in service with the Atlantic Fleet for 10 years and made seven deployments to Europe. The carriers first combat deployment was in 1965 during the Vietnam War, where the aircraft shot down three MiGs. In 1975, it was a base for Air Force helicopters during Operation Frequent Wind.
Threats to Arabian oil supplies made the Midway the first American carrier to be homeported abroad in Yokosuka, Japan, and in 1990, it was deployed to the Persian Gulf during the seizure of Kuwait. During its time in commission, the Midway launched over 3,000 combat missions and sustained no losses.
On April 11, 1992, the USS Midway was decommissioned in San Diego and was put into storage in Bremerton, Washington. In 2003, the carrier was donated to the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum organization, and the USS Midway Museum was opened in 2004.
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Uss Midway San Diego Tickets
I highly recommend getting tickets online before, so you can skip the line. Especially in the summer time and on the weekends, this can save you a LOT of time. When it is busy, the wait time can be easily over 1 hour.
Tickets include a free self-guided audio tour that will tell you interesting stories, fun facts and fascinating details about the exhibits you are seeing.
Skip The Line: Uss Midway Museum Admission Ticket In San Diego
- Learn more
- Instant confirmation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- Skip the line with a pre-booked ticket
- Take in an important piece of San Diegos military history
- See the longest-serving U.S. aircraft carrier of the 20th century
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- Skip the line with a pre-booked ticket
- Take in an important piece of San Diegos military history
- See the longest-serving U.S. aircraft carrier of the 20th century
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Embarcadero Adventure Offers including discounts for other nearby attractions
- World famous Midway volunteers will bring the flight deck alive
- Ability to skip the ticketing line – does not apply to lines within the attraction.
- Entry/Admission – USS Midway Museum
- Guaranteed to skip the lines
- Hotel pickup and drop off
- Parking: please note that during the summer, parking is limited and early arrival is encouraged.
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Embarcadero Adventure Offers including discounts for other nearby attractions
- World famous Midway volunteers will bring the flight deck alive
- Ability to skip the ticketing line – does not apply to lines within the attraction.
- Entry/Admission – USS Midway Museum
- Guaranteed to skip the lines
- Hotel pickup and drop off
- Parking: please note that during the summer, parking is limited and early arrival is encouraged.
- Returns to original departure point
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How To Use
What is the cancellation policy?
Non-refundable reservations cannot be cancelled or modified once submitted.
What if you miss the appointed time or departure date?
Once the booking is confirmed, an absence or failure to show up on the scheduled date or time is a no-show. No refunds or reschedules will be issued for no-shows and late arrivals
Other important information
- Cancellations are not possible for this ticket
- Passengers are not present or didn’t use the product on that very day will be automatically considered as giving up the product and refund is not allowed.
- Wheelchairs are available on-site on a first-come, first-served basis. Elevator access from the pier onto the ship and between decks. The majority of the museum’s exhibits are wheelchair accessible
- Narrated video tour of all museum exhibits is shown continuously in the hangar deck
- OUR RESPONSE TO COVID-19: The safety of our guests, staff, and volunteers continues to be our top priority aboard the USS Midway Museum. Our sanitation measures have remained high and we encourage guests to plan their visit when they are healthy and well.
- FREE – Children 5 years old and younger, Active Duty Military , Active Sworn Law Enforcement , Active Sworn Fire Fighter and including Reservist.
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