USS Midway Museum: The Ultimate 2026 Guide to Tickets, Tours & Insider Tips

The USS Midway served for 47 years, making it the longest-serving American aircraft carrier of the 20th century. Once a floating city at sea with over 225,000 crew members, it’s now the most visited naval warship museum in the world — permanently docked on San Diego’s Embarcadero.

You can walk the massive flight deck, explore narrow passageways below deck, and hear real stories from veterans who served aboard. It’s one of San Diego’s top attractions, and we recommend it to nearly every family or traveler we book a hotel in San Diego for.

This guide covers everything you need to know, including how to get tickets, what to see on each deck, how to save on admission, and tips to make the most of your visit.

See also: Best Things to Do in Downtown San Diego

USS Midway Museum Tickets: Prices, Discounts & How to Choose the Best Option

Planning a visit to one of San Diego’s most iconic attractions? This section covers everything you need to know about buying USS Midway Museum tickets, including current prices, where to buy them, how to skip the line, and how to save using trusted discount programs.

Standard Admission Prices (2025)

• Adult (ages 13+): $39
• Youth (ages 4-12): $26
• Veteran (with ID): $26
• Active Duty Military/Reservists (with ID): Free
• Children (3 and under): Free

You can purchase tickets at the gate, but I strongly recommend purchasing them in advance to skip the entry line. It also opens up options for deeper discounts, depending on your itinerary.

Best Ways to Buy USS Midway Tickets (with Discounts)

Additional Ticket Programs & Special Offers

Museums for All
Present a valid EBT card at the ticket booth to receive $5 admission for up to four people. This offer must be redeemed in person and is not available online.

Free Admission for Active Duty
Active-duty military personnel and reservists with valid ID receive free admission at the gate.

Local Event Promotions
Occasional in-person discounts are offered during special events like Comic-Con (e.g., badge-holder pricing). These are walk-up only and usually not advertised online.

How to Choose the Best Ticket Option

If you’re only visiting the Midway
Use the link to our ticket page powered by authorized seller aRes Travel to purchase a discounted, gate-ready ticket and skip the line.

If you’re planning to visit multiple San Diego attractions
Choose San Diego CityPASS for major theme parks, or Go City San Diego Pass for a wider variety of tours, museums, and waterfront experiences.

Getting There: Parking & Transit Tips for Visiting the USS Midway

The USS Midway Museum is located on San Diego’s popular downtown waterfront, where parking fills quickly—especially on weekends and during the summer. Here’s how to plan your arrival.

On-Site Parking (Most Convenient)

• Navy Pier Lot: Located directly in front of the museum entrance.
• Rates: $15–$25 depending on season and duration.
• Managed by: Ace Parking
• Tip: The 300-space lot often fills by mid-morning during peak periods.

Freedom Park is under construction on Navy Pier, but it will not impact access to the museum or this parking lot.

Nearby Paid Lots (Cheaper, Short Walk)

I’m a big fan of the SpotHero app for reserving paid lots around town in advance. Others use BestParking. Rates change, so double-check before you go.

Park & Ride (Best Value)

• Old Town Transit Center: Free parking all day
• Take the Trolley: Green or Blue Line to Santa Fe Depot, then walk 5–10 minutes
• Why it works: Avoids downtown traffic and expensive lot fees

Street Parking (Not Recommended for Long Visits)

• Metered spots near Harbor Drive have strict 2-hour limits.
• Sundays and holidays are free, but time limits may still be enforced.

What to Expect on Board: A Self-Guided Journey Through History

Your USS Midway ticket includes access to multiple levels of the ship, more than 30 aircraft, and a free high-quality self-guided audio tour narrated by former crew members. You’ll walk through hangars, quarters, decks, and control centers—some tight, some open-air, and all full of real-world stories.

It’s an audio device called a Podcatcher. You don’t need headphones to listen to it. But for clearer sound, some people bring wired headphones with a 3.5mm jack.

Flight Deck: Aircraft, Docents & Panoramic Views

The flight deck is the top of the ship and the highlight of many visits. This is where fighter jets once launched into combat and where you’ll now find over 30 restored aircraft.

Notable Aircraft on Display

• F-14 Tomcat: The jet made famous by Top Gun
• F/A-18 Hornet: Still in use by the U.S. Navy today
• SBD Dauntless Dive Bomber: A key player in WWII battles
• CH-46 Sea Knight & SH-60 Seahawk: Workhorse helicopters

You can often climb into the cockpits of select aircraft. Docents stationed nearby provide insight and stories, including short talks about how planes launched and landed on such a short runway.

Tip: When you arrive, check the schedule for a Catapult & Trap talk, a neat discussion on how the Navy launches and lands on an aircraft carrier. They’re included with admission and last about 15 minutes.

Hangar Deck: Exhibits, Simulators & Family Favorites

Just below the Flight Deck, the Hangar Deck served as the ship’s aircraft garage and maintenance hub. Today, it’s home to some of the Midway’s most popular exhibits and experiences:

• Battle of Midway Theater: A 15-minute holographic documentary called Voices of Midway covering firsthand accounts of the 1942 WWII Battle of Midway.
• Junior Pilot Program: Kids complete tasks to earn wings via a special audio tour
• Flight Simulators (additional fee, typically $8-10 per ride, riders must be 42″ tall):
  • Air Combat 360: Two-person capsule that rolls and loops
  • Screaming Eagles: Virtual F/A-18 mission from launch to landing
• Crew Living Quarters: See where sailors slept, ate, and relaxed between operations (kids love this)

This deck is the most accessible and a good starting point for families or those with limited mobility.

Below Deck: Life Aboard the Floating City

Going below deck brings the USS Midway’s scale and complexity into focus. This was a self-contained world, complete with everything from a brig to a hospital.

Highlights Below Deck

• Galley & Chow Line: Prepared 14,000 meals daily (I have the chocolate chip cookie recipe)
• Wardroom & Officers’ Quarters: A look at how senior officers lived and worked at sea
• Sick Bay & Dental Clinic: A floating hospital with surgery and dental stations
• Engine Room: The beating heart of the ship, deep below the waterline
• Laundry, Post Office & Brig: Everyday operations and discipline in action
• CIC (Combat Information Center): Filled with radar scopes and glowing status boards

Each space includes quotes, sound effects, and original equipment. The audio tour adds personal stories and context, making the experience both emotional and educational.

The Island Tour: Inside the Nerve Center

The Island—the towering command structure on the Flight Deck—is accessible only via a docent-led tour. It’s included with admission, but space is limited, and lines often close by 3:30 p.m. It’s a first-come, first-served walk-up basis only.

What You’ll See

• Captain’s Bridge: Where the ship was commanded
• Pri-Fly (Primary Flight Control): Oversees all aircraft movement
• Navigation Room: Maps, logs, and instruments used to chart global courses
• Captain’s Cabin: The at-sea residence of the commanding officer

This experience offers some of the most personal storytelling on board and is often a visitor favorite.

Customizing Your Visit: Tips for Different Types of Travelers

For Families with Kids

The Midway is very family-friendly, especially for elementary-aged children. My daughter’s school took multiple field trips here.

• Start with the Junior Pilot Program. The wings kids earn are a near souvenir.
• Climb-in aircraft cockpits on the Flight and Hangar Decks.
• Try the flight simulators for older kids.
• Stick to the Hangar and Flight Decks if attention spans are short.
• Pick up the family audio tour to better explain the ship’s features to kids.

For History Enthusiasts

• Plan 4–5 hours to take your time.
• Watch the Battle of Midway film and explore the CIC and Engine Room.
• Join the Island Tour early.
• Chat with docents about their service years and experiences.

For Photographers

• Capture aircraft with skyline and bay backdrops from the Flight Deck.
• The best light is late afternoon into sunset.
• Below deck, look for contrast and mood in tight, utilitarian spaces.

Short on Time?

• Prioritize the Flight Deck and Hangar Deck.
• Choose one Below Deck section: Galley or Engine Room recommended.
• Skip the Island Tour unless you arrive early.

The Docent & Audio Experience: What Brings the Ship to Life

The Midway is full of artifacts and restored spaces—but it’s the voices that bring them to life.

Self-Guided Audio Tour

Included with your ticket, the tour covers 60+ points of interest across all decks.

• Narrated by former Midway crew members
• Available in multiple languages
• Bring wired headphones for best compatibility

Volunteer Docents

Look for yellow hats and shirts. Many are Navy veterans, and some served on the Midway.

• Ask questions—they’re eager to share
• Some lead daily “Catapult & Trap” talks or Island Tours
• Stories often include firsthand experiences from the Cold War, Vietnam, or Desert Storm

Visitors often say these conversations are the most memorable part of their visit.

Amenities & Dining Onboard

While you’re welcome to bring bottled water, no outside food is permitted onboard. However, the Cafe 41 on the Hangar Deck offers a selection of snacks, sandwiches, salads, and beverages for purchase. It’s a convenient place to refuel before heading to the Below Deck areas or while waiting for an Island Tour. (Tip: The ’41 Burger is the flagship item.) Its Jet Express market offers a grab-and-go.

For a fuller meal, many guests choose to dine at nearby waterfront restaurants, such as The Fish Market or Carnitas’ Snack Shack, after their visit.

Portside Pier, located just next to the USS Midway Museum, offers several waterfront restaurants, including Brigantine Seafood & Oyster Bar, Miguel’s Cocina, and Ketch Grill & Taps.

Accessibility on Board

The USS Midway Museum has made significant efforts to improve accessibility on this historic vessel. Here’s what to expect:

• Approximately 60% of the ship is wheelchair accessible, including the Hangar Deck and many areas of the Flight Deck.
• Elevators provide access between the main decks, though some stairways and tight quarters remain inaccessible.
• The museum offers free loaner wheelchairs on a first-come, first-served basis.
• The audio tour is available in multiple languages and American Sign Language (ASL).
• Service animals are permitted.
• Accessible restrooms are available onboard.

If someone in your group has limited mobility, the Flight and Hangar Decks offer a rich experience without the need to navigate ladders or confined spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The USS Midway Museum isn’t just an aircraft carrier—it’s a living tribute to the sailors who served. Whether you come for the jets, the views, or the storytelling, you’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for military life and American naval history.