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USS Midway Museum

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USS Midway Museum Review

After 47 years of worldwide service, the retired USS Midway began a new tour of duty on the south side of the Navy pier in 2004. Launched in 1945, the 1,001-foot-long ship was the largest in the world for the first 10 years of its existence. The most visible landmark on the north Embarcadero, it now serves as a floating interactive museum—an appropriate addition to the town that is home to one-third of the Pacific fleet and the birthplace of naval aviation. A free audio tour guides you through the massive ship while offering insight from former sailors. As you clamber through passageways and up and down ladder wells, you'll get a feel for how the Midway's 4,500 crew members lived and worked on this "city at sea."

Though the entire tour is impressive, you'll really be wowed when you step out onto the 4-acre flight deck—not only the best place to get an idea of the ship's scale, but also one of the most interesting vantage points for bay and city skyline views. An F-14 Tomcat jet fighter is just one of many vintage aircraft on display. Free guided tours of the bridge and primary flight control, known as "the Island," depart every 10 minutes from the flight deck. Many of the docents stationed throughout the ship served in the Navy, some even on the Midway, and they are eager to answer questions or share stories. The museum also offers multiple flight simulators for an additional fee, climb-aboard cockpits, and interactive exhibits focusing on naval aviation. There is a gift shop and a café with pleasant outdoor seating. This is a wildly popular stop, with most visits lasting several hours. Despite efforts to provide accessibility throughout the ship, some areas can only be reached via fairly steep steps; a video tour of these areas is available on the hangar deck.

    Contact Information

  • Address: 910 N. Harbor Dr., Embarcadero, San Diego, CA, 92101 | Map It
  • Phone: 619/544-9600
  • Cost: $18
  • Hours: Mid-Aug.--June, daily 10--5; July--mid-Aug., daily 9--5; last admission 4 pm
  • Website: www.midway.org
  • Location: Embarcadero
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    USS Midway Museum Review

    My husband & I were looking forward to checking out this site, however, due to parking unavailability, we could not go on the carrier. We did get some great pictures, but may have to try again the next time we are in town.

    by Deannahawk, 7/8/12
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    Worth the Visit!

    This was an incredible experience for my kids to see an aircraft carrier up close and learn a little more about American history. We started out going up to the flight deck and exploring the planes and enjoying the views of the city. There are several docents on hand to explain the various things that happen on the flight deck. We found the living areas very interesting...and cramped...but not as cramped as the ones in the Soviet sub featured at the Maritime Museum! After going up and down some steep ladderwells, I can see how some areas of the carrier may be a problem to visit for people who have knee/back issues. We had lunch at the Fantail Cafe on the carrier. The sandwiches were a good size and came with potato chips. The gift shop had a large selection of items beyond just hats, mugs and t-shirts. There were models, prints for framing, DVDs, cookbooks, history books, and other goodies. It is interesting to note that the carrier has an educational program where Boy Scouts and other groups can actually spend the night on board the carrier and learn more in-depth about the vessel. This is an excellent museum and well worth the visit.

    by Talmidah, 2/17/09

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