To help plan your experience, follow my expert tips on visiting the USS Midway Museum in San Diego.
Serving as the hub of United States Naval operations, San Diego has earned the nickname Navy Town USA. Throughout the area, you can see ships, naval bases and other command operations in full force. No attraction lets you get up close to the action the way the USS Midway Museum does, though. This historic naval aircraft carrier museum has a 4-acre flight deck, over 60 exhibits, 27 restored aircraft, optional flight simulators, videos, climb-aboard aircraft, outdoor café and gift shop.
Visiting the USS Midway Museum: Know Before You Go
Hours of Operation
The USS Midway Museum is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. Last admission occurs at 4:00 pm. Since crowds can be an issue on this historic vessel, it's in your best interest to arrive as early as possible.
Parking
The museum offers 300 parking spaces on Navy Pier for cars only. The cost is $5.00 for one hour or $10.00 for up to 12 hours. The limit amount of parking is another reason to arrive early! If the parking lot is full upon arrival, simply use any of the metered lots nearby.
Touring the Museum
On average, guests explore the USS Midway Museum for three hours. During this time, visitors are invited to take advantage of the free audio tour, docent-led tours, and expert demonstrations. To avoid the crowds, do the docent-led tours first.
What to Wear
Since you'll be walking quite a bit and navigating steep stairs, dressing comfortably is highly recommended. Ladies, do not wear skirts! All guests should wear comfortable walking shoes.
Visit the USS Midway Museum in San Diego
Ready to tour this museum for yourself? Purchase discount USS Midway Museum tickets in advance to save $4 per ticket. Admission includes self-guided audio tour.