USS Midway Museum Admission: Valid Any Date
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
San Diego, USA
- 2 to 5 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
·
Overview
Take a trip through American naval history when you go for a self-led tour of the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, with the benefit of prebooked admission tickets. This enormous ship, the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, now offers a range of interactive exhibits, an audio tour, and numerous restored aircraft across its 4 acres (1.6 hectares). It’s an essential piece of the country's military history.
- Skip the line: Proceed directly to the front gate for admission
- Check off one of San Diego's top tourist attractions at the USS Midway
- Arrive whenever suits you best, and explore at your own pace
- Learn more from the audio tour, included in the admission price
What's Included
- Audio Tour
- 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.
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop off
- Parking: please note that during the summer, parking is limited and early arrival is encouraged.
Meeting and Pickup
Operating hours
- 01/03/2023 - 07/07/2027
Monday - Sunday : 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Departure Point
- USS Midway Museum, 910 N Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101-5811
What To Expect
Begin your USS Midway visit on downtown San Diego’s Embarcadero, boarding the ship any time during its regular hours of operation. This marvel of engineering once housed more than 4,500 crew members across its various decks, and served in the US Navy between 1945 and 1992, making it the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century. Over the years more than 225,000 sailors have walked its sturdy decks.
Once on board the ship, you have a range of options to explore. For more than a decade this famous carrier was the largest ship in the world (too large to fit through the Panama Canal, in fact), so there’s no shortage of things to do. Continue on a self-guided audio tour, told through the stories of the ship’s former officers and sailors.
Or, visit some of the 65 highlighted locations throughout the vessel, covering its bridge to its engine room. There are also 25 restored aircraft lining its deck, and a range of interactive exhibits to suit visitors of all ages. You can also get a better sense for life at sea as you explore the ship’s restored living quarters, including the galleys, sleeping quarters and officer’s country.
Before you go, don’t forget to check out the flight simulator, and make sure to stop by the gift shop and café to cap off your visit.
Once on board the ship, you have a range of options to explore. For more than a decade this famous carrier was the largest ship in the world (too large to fit through the Panama Canal, in fact), so there’s no shortage of things to do. Continue on a self-guided audio tour, told through the stories of the ship’s former officers and sailors.
Or, visit some of the 65 highlighted locations throughout the vessel, covering its bridge to its engine room. There are also 25 restored aircraft lining its deck, and a range of interactive exhibits to suit visitors of all ages. You can also get a better sense for life at sea as you explore the ship’s restored living quarters, including the galleys, sleeping quarters and officer’s country.
Before you go, don’t forget to check out the flight simulator, and make sure to stop by the gift shop and café to cap off your visit.
1
USS Midway Museum
Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Complimentary, loaner wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator access from Navy Pier onto the ship, from the hangar deck down to the second deck and up to the flight deck
- Approximately 60 percent of the museum’s exhibits are wheelchair accessible.
- Stroller accessible
- Narrated video tour of all museum exhibits is shown continuously in the hangar deck
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Parking is available adjacent to Midway for an additional fee through Ace parking.
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- HOURS ARE 10AM TO 5PM HOWEVER LAST ADMISSION IS 4PM.
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 2,280 reviews
Jeanette_E, Jun 2026
It was a very good experience. You had a lot of fun so much information. The audio tour was perfect.
Rosalinda_O, Jun 2026
An awesome place to go with the family. It took us about 4 hours to tour the whole ship. So interesting, and very informative. Would definitely recommend!
Brent_W, Jun 2026
Great experience and seeing Naval history firsthand.
Friendly staff and great interactive experience.
Sue_W, Jun 2026
It’s a great experience. I love all the veterans there telling their stories and explaining things. We parked at Seaport Cillage and made a day of the Midway - the shops and the restaurants. All beautiful. On the Midway be sure to do the island tour. That was our favorite part. And the movie - do the movie! It’s only 15 minutes.
Jamie_G, Jun 2026
I only had 2 hours to check out the ship. That was not near enough time to see it all. 4-5 hours would be much better. It’s definitely worth the money.
Anonymous, Jun 2026
Great learning experience! The docents were very knowable, friendly and helpful! I enjoyed being able to enter airplanes from World War Two !
Sylvia_S, Jun 2026
My grandson (10 years old) absolutely loved this. This tour was his idea🙂 We spent 2.5 hours as he looked at everything and tried several hands on displays
Twila_L, Jun 2026
I am an aviation /military fan. This museum is phenomenal. A lot of interactive activities which gives a good overview of the history of the Midway. The film at the entrance is a must see. There is a small, well-stocked book store in a corner right after the movie. Books are cheaper there than the souvenir store. The POW exhibit is sobering.
The self guided tour is packed with information.
The flight deck display of planes is comprehensive.
The only negative is some of the kiosks didn’t connect with the hearing device. Disappointing.
I spent 5 hrs touring the museum which is typical of me and museums. Don’t let that be a deterrent to your visit.
As a side note, if you visit NOLA you have to, have to go to the WWII museum. So well done.
Anne_H, Jun 2026
Excellent exhibit. Highly recommend the "Bridge Tour." They take you to the Captain's tower where he would oversee where the ship was going. The mess hall where they ate was also very interesting. The homage to the POW's was also impactful. There are volunteer Navy men and women throughout the tour who are very happy to answer questions and share their experiences. It was amazing to see how the Midway operated as a city floating in the ocean!
Rainey_A, Jun 2026
The volunteers were incredibly nice and informative. They gave our 4 year old a scavenger hunt and he got to earn a pin after.
Natalie_H, Jun 2026
We had a wonderful visit to the USS Midway Museum in San Diego! It was such an interesting and informative experience from start to finish. The movie at the beginning is an absolute must — it gives you a great understanding and appreciation before you explore the ship.
Make sure you give yourself plenty of time because there is so much to see. I would recommend at least 3–4 hours so you don’t feel rushed. Also, definitely grab the audio tour when you walk in! You may think you won’t need it, but trust me — you do. It adds so much history and detail that you would miss otherwise.
Overall, this was a wonderful experience and one I would absolutely do again. Highly recommend visiting if you are in San Diego!
Maria_M, Jun 2026
it was a great experience. i suggest that younger kiddos (10-12) use the narrated version. keeps them busy. we all had a great time. a lot of walking, wear comfortable shoes.
Amy_L, May 2026
This is an amazing ship. What an amazing experience to get to see what it is like to be on one of these ships protecting our country. Very awesome experience!
Michelle_M, May 2026
Well worth the cost of the ticket, yellow hat volunteers quite generous with their time and sharing information.
Steven_M, May 2026
Interesting to learn the history and have real vetrans to talk too. Worth a visit if in town. Size of the shop and planes makes you fee small for sure
Bill_B, May 2026
Informative, Awesome, living history. Docents are well versed, and entertaining. Good personal stories, to go with the bigger story, that is Midway.
M_R, May 2026
Narrow and steep staircases. Self guided. Fantastic exhibits and picture opportunities. Helpful staff and clean facility.
Mari_S, May 2026
Very interesting to see how those service men worked and lived in the big ship. It took us over 3 hours to go through the whole ship
Kristine_S, May 2026
Give yourself plenty of time to work your way through the entirety of the ship. The Docents are incredibly knowledgeable, and the new CVIC was simply amazing.
Richard_W, May 2026
It was great. Lots to see and also interactive displays. The docents were great too. We would do it again
Darren_T, May 2026
We absolutely loved this attraction, spent the whole day onboard and saw mostly everything we set out to see. The volunteers onboard are a wealth of information and so interesting to interact with. What’s particularly special about this museum attraction is that it’s hands on and they encourage to touch and try different things even sitting in the captains chair and plane cockpits. For us this was definitely an highlight of our visit to San Diego and highly recommend this attraction.
Emma_L, May 2026
Really good visit to this ship, it was done brilliantly and some lovely volunteers to tell you all about it. Well worthwhile and would thoroughly recommend, listen to the information at all the stops
Sandra_B, May 2026
Volunteers are so knowledgeable and wanting to share their experiences. Very educational and great experience for anyone.
Earl_P, May 2026
A great experience. Very interactive very informative. The volunteers were great. I would recommend this tour.
Jamie_L, May 2026
A really great piece of history to see up close and personal. After tour treat yourself to a good meal at one of many restaurants that are steps away. Some really nice shops to cruise through to work off that meal.
Rosanne_C, Apr 2026
Great experience! Ships are very interesting and I learned a lot. You can see as much or as little as you choose. It was very meaningful for me since my Dad was a sailor.
Tricia_D, Apr 2026
Everyone aboard the ship was friendly and very knowledgeable. Make sure you allow plenty of time to get through the exhibit, there’s a lot to see.
Delfin_A, Apr 2026
Love the city tours and it’s Perfectly done and my wife loves I will definitely comeback with friends and families . I would hi
Matt_P, Apr 2026
The USS Midway experience exceeded all expectations by offering a wealth of dynamic exhibits. We felt like we were actually “there”, transported to what life is truly like these brave heroes.
Timothy_V, Apr 2026
Excellent tour guides, especially for the command tower. Also, the “Yellow Hats” (veterans) were great to talk to, with many having served on the USS Midway. Excellent self guided tour as well, and I was amazed by the Battle of Midway. Lots of walking and stairs.
From $41.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
USS Midway Museum Admission: Valid Any Date
2,280
5 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$41.00
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in San Diego, USA