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. Visitors can also see the bridge, the admiral’s war room, pilots’ ready rooms, and the control tower. The ship’s flight deck is home to multiple aircraft, including an F-14 Tomcat, an F-4 Phantom jet fighter, and an A-7 Corsair—you can even climb aboard aircraft and cockpits.

USS Midway Museum tickets include a self-guided audio tour through the multiple interactive exhibits, narrated by Midway sailors. You can also watch a short film in its Battle of Midway Theater. Guided tours of downtown San Diego frequently visit the USS Midway Museum, along with other area highlights such as La Jolla, Balboa Park, or a San Diego Bay cruise.

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 USS Midway Museum tour 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 and younger, and 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 the San Diego Embarcadero, 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.

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 is 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 women, 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.

Ways to explore

You can explore the USS Midway Museum independently with a general admission ticket, which includes access to all exhibits, restored aircraft, and flight simulators, as well as a self-guided audio tour narrated by former sailors. Tickets are available online and should be booked in advance, especially during weekends and school holidays.

Some tours include skip-the-line entry and may combine the museum with other San Diego waterfront attractions, such as harbor cruises and Seaport Village. Hop-on hop-off trolley tours and city sightseeing passes also frequently include a stop at the Midway, making it easy to bundle with other highlights.

Accessibility

The museum is wheelchair accessible, with elevators connecting the Navy Pier, Hangar Deck, and Flight Deck. Complimentary wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. ASL and audio descriptive tours are available for visitors who are deaf or visually impaired. Service animals are permitted throughout the museum.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Sunscreen, water bottle (clear plastic only), camera, credit card (the museum is cashless)

What to wear

Closed-toed shoes, layered clothing (temperatures vary throughout the ship)

Not allowed

Outside food or beverages, glass containers, pets (except service animals), bicycles, skateboards, scooters, smoking

Amenities

Restrooms, wheelchair-accessible facilities, gift shop, café, audio tours, elevators

Address

The USS Midway Museum is located along San Diego’s downtown waterfront at Navy Pier, adjacent to the Embarcadero and within walking distance of many downtown hotels and attractions. Visitors can reach the museum via various transportation options, including guided tours that often stop at the Midway.

Driving

From downtown San Diego, head west on Broadway until it ends at North Harbor Drive. Parking is available on Navy Pier, adjacent to the museum. Spaces fill up quickly; additional metered parking is available along Harbor Drive and nearby streets.

Public transportation

The Santa Fe Depot (served by Amtrak and the Coaster commuter train) and America Plaza station (served by the San Diego Trolley’s Blue and Green lines) are a short walk from the museum. Additionally, the free Circuit shuttle operates downtown.

Best times to visit

Arrive right when the museum opens in mid-morning to avoid crowds and the afternoon sun, especially during warmer months. Early visits also offer better photo opportunities on the flight deck.

Best days to visit

Weekdays—particularly Monday through Wednesday—tend to be less crowded than weekends. The museum is open daily but closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.​

Best months to visit

Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) offer pleasant weather and fewer tourists. Summer months, especially July and August, are peak tourist season and can be quite crowded.

Special events

Visit during Legacy Week (around Memorial Day) for events such as the Top Gun Maverick Party & Movie Night. On July 4, watch the city’s fireworks display aboard the ship.