USS Midway Museum Entry Ticket San Diego

4.9 (4,243 reviews) from travellers who booked this experience

Popular choice Certified by Haqqi Tours

DurationSelf-guided visit at your own pace
Open onDaily, 10:00 - 17:00
Meeting pointUSS Midway Museum at Navy Pier on the San Diego waterfront. Transport is not included.

USS Midway Museum Entry Ticket San Diego

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Overview

This is an entry ticket to the USS Midway Museum, the aircraft carrier permanently moored on the San Diego waterfront. You visit at your own pace with an audio guide, walk the flight deck and its restored aircraft, go below deck, and watch the 3D holographic Battle of Midway show. Entry skips the ticket-booth queue, so you spend your time on board rather than in line. It suits families, history fans, aviation lovers and anyone spending a day on the Embarcadero.

Highlights

Walk the flight deck of a real aircraft carrier with restored jets and helicopters
Audio guide in six languages, so every visitor follows the story in their own words
Go below deck: hangar, galley, engine spaces, sick bay and crew quarters
3D holographic Battle of Midway theater included in the default option
Skip-the-ticket-queue entry at Navy Pier on the Embarcadero
Climb aboard selected aircraft and step into the cockpit area
Easy to combine with Seaport Village, the Maritime Museum and the harbor cruise

Full Description

The USS Midway Museum on Navy Pier

The USS Midway was commissioned in 1945, just after the end of the Second World War, and stayed in service for nearly half a century, which made her the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the twentieth century. She was retired in 1992 and opened as a museum on Navy Pier in 2004. Today she is one of the most visited attractions in the city, and a USS Midway Museum ticket is the simplest way to see a warship of this size from the inside.

The ship sits right on the Embarcadero, a short walk from Seaport Village and the Maritime Museum, so it is easy to reach on foot, by trolley or by rideshare. Many visitors ask whether the USS Midway is worth visiting: if you enjoy history, engineering or simply big machines, plan a full morning or afternoon.

The flight deck and the aircraft

The flight deck is the highlight of any USS Midway Museum tour. Dozens of restored aircraft stand along the deck, from Cold War fighters to helicopters, and several can be entered so you can look at the cockpit and controls up close. Volunteer guides, many of them former naval personnel, are stationed around the deck to answer questions.

Come with a hat and sunscreen, because the deck is open to the sun and wind, and the view across San Diego Bay towards Coronado is excellent from up here. Allow at least an hour on deck if you like photography or want to read the aircraft signs at leisure.

Below deck: bridge, hangar and crew spaces

The audio guide leads you through the island and bridge, the hangar deck, the galley, the sick bay, the brig and the tight bunk rooms where thousands of sailors lived and worked. It gives a very clear picture of daily life on a floating city, and the route is well marked so you can choose short or long paths.

The default option also includes the 3D holographic Battle of Midway theater, a short show about the naval battle that gave the ship her name. Some extra attractions on board, such as simulators, may be separate from the ticket, so check the museum signs on the day.

Planning your visit: hours, timing and getting there

Opening hours change by season, so check the day before, and note that the ticket is valid for 365 days, which means you can pick the day that suits your trip. The best time to visit the USS Midway is early morning or late afternoon, when the deck is cooler and the queues inside are shorter.

To get to the museum, head for Navy Pier at the foot of Broadway on the Embarcadero. The trolley, the walk from Little Italy or the Gaslamp Quarter, and the waterfront path all lead there. Pair the visit with a harbor cruise or a hop-on hop-off trolley ticket for a full day of San Diego sightseeing.

Itinerary

Arrive at Navy PierMeet at the museum entrance on the Embarcadero and go straight in with skip-the-ticket-queue entry.
Collect your audio guideChoose your language and start the guided route at your own speed.
Flight deckWalk among the restored aircraft, look into cockpits and enjoy views over the bay; allow about an hour.
Island and bridgeClimb to the navigation bridge and see where the ship was commanded.
Hangar deck and below deckVisit the hangar, galley, crew quarters and engine areas; allow one to two hours.
3D holographic theaterWatch the Battle of Midway show, a short presentation included in the default option.

What's included

Museum admission
Audio guide in English, Spanish, Chinese, French, German or Japanese
Skip-the-ticket-queue entry
Admission to the 3D holographic Battle of Midway theater
Access to the climb-aboard aircraft and the areas below deck

Not included

Transport to and from the museum
Food and drinks

Is this right for you?

Great for

History and culture lovers
Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.8/5 by past travellers

Not suitable for

Visitors who cannot manage steep ladders and narrow passages will not be able to reach every area below deck
Very young children in strollers, since some routes have steps and tight corners
Anyone looking for a guided group tour with a live guide; this is a self-guided visit with an audio guide

Meeting point

Meet at the USS Midway Museum entrance at Navy Pier on the San Diego waterfront. Show your voucher at the entrance and go in without joining the ticket queue. The default option lists a 10:00 to 17:00 window, but opening hours change by season, so check the date you choose. Hotel pickup is not included.

Important information

The ticket is valid for 365 days, so you can choose your visit date
Wear comfortable, flat, closed shoes; the ship has steep ladders and metal decks
Bring a hat, sunscreen and water; the flight deck is exposed to sun and wind
Backpacks and large bags may be limited; travel light
Audio guide languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, French, German and Japanese
Transport to and from the museum and food and drinks are not included
Some areas below deck are not step-free; ask staff which routes are accessible
Allow three to four hours for a comfortable visit

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.

How much does the USS Midway Museum ticket cost?

The price depends on the option and on the age of the visitor. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for adults and children for each option.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. This is an entry ticket, and transport to and from the museum is not included. The museum is on Navy Pier on the Embarcadero, easy to reach by trolley, taxi or on foot.

How long does a USS Midway Museum visit take?

Most visitors spend three to four hours. Allow less if you only want the flight deck, and more if you like reading every exhibit or watching the theater show.

Is the USS Midway suitable for children?

Yes, children usually enjoy the aircraft and the ship. Child prices apply to ages 4 to 12. Note that there are steep ladders and narrow corridors, so hold small children's hands.

What is included in the ticket?

The default option includes museum admission, an audio guide, skip-the-ticket-queue entry, the 3D holographic Battle of Midway theater, and access to the climb-aboard aircraft and below-deck areas.

Can I book for today or tomorrow?

Yes, subject to availability. The ticket is valid for 365 days, so you can also book ahead and choose your day later.

What should I wear and bring?

Comfortable shoes with a good grip, a hat, sunscreen and a light jacket for the wind on deck. Bring water, as food and drinks are not included.

Is the USS Midway worth visiting?

Yes, it is one of the best-known attractions in San Diego, mixing naval history, aircraft, and the chance to walk through a real carrier from the flight deck to the hangar.

How do I get to the USS Midway Museum?

The museum is at Navy Pier on the Embarcadero. You can walk from Seaport Village, take the trolley, or use a taxi or rideshare and ask for the USS Midway Museum.

Is there more than one option?

There is one booking option for this ticket, the museum entry with audio guide and 3D theater. Check the booking panel for the exact inclusions and the date you choose.