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Skip the ticket line and board the Midway with a self-guided audio tour to explore the historic aircraft and learn about its prolific military operations.
Skip the ticket line and board the Midway with a self-guided audio tour to explore the historic aircraft and learn about its prolific military operations.
Inclusions
Great exhibits and a terrific combination of self guided and guided tours. The volunteers are amazing and their knowledge about the ship and the planes is either well studied or based on real life service. Highly recommended!
The whole time was great. And I found my new favorite chair.
It was great, I felt like i was in the middle last century
It is a great place, all the volunteers are so nice ! You get a very clear idea of what it is to be living in an aircraft carrier, big sacrifice from all the sailors !!!
My husband And I enjoyed exploring the Midway. We love history and were fascinated by the ship and all the aircraft onboard. The docents were so informative. We enjoyed our experience very much and look forward to visiting again.
Pretty cool experience being in that ship and seeing all those planes and the interior of the ship was amazing, and the teaching by the experienced pilots and captains was incredible good Thanks.
The shop is amazing. The audio tour is so informative and interesting. The docents in the yellow caps were very knowledgeable. Most of them actually served on the ship. Get there quick before they retire!!
Having the prepaid tickets was better than having to queue. The ship displays are very well done & amazing to see how they lived & worked. The various audio/visual displays were very informative. We were fortunate to witness some retirement ceremonies as well.
The entire expeerience was top notch.
Great to see this historic ship on Memorial Day weekend. Lots of Midway veterans present giving the tours.
I like the way everything was set, with the retired navy people, and experienced the ship from the inside
5% off
Visit 2 top attractions with flexible tickets, exploring wildlife and naval history at your pace!
Visit 2 top attractions with flexible tickets, exploring wildlife and naval history at your pace!
Inclusions
San Diego Zoo
USS Midway Museum
San Diego Zoo
USS Midway Museum
Great exhibits and a terrific combination of self guided and guided tours. The volunteers are amazing and their knowledge about the ship and the planes is either well studied or based on real life service. Highly recommended!
We were visiting relatives in Carlsbad from Chicago. Our one bucket list item was the San Diego Zoo to see the pandas. 🐼 We did get a glimpse of the male panda munching on bamboo. As it turned out, the Galapagos tortoises were our favorites! The turtle whisperer told us all about the tortoises and even put them into trances!🤩🐢 The volunteers stationed around the zoo were what really made the visit complete. They were so helpful with how to approach our visit as well as information about the animals. We only had the one day to visit and we were able to see just about every exhibit. It was a wonderful day!
Had a wonderful day with my brother and sister. The exhibits are world class, the environment clean and docents at each exhibit were very informative. They are definitely a huge asset to one's zoo experience. Thank you for all your efforts to save threatened and endangered species.
Sensory bag was useful, for someone with neurological difficulties and found i very helpful when I found it overwhelming in both crowded and noisy situations. I found the inteactive map very useful and excellent tool which made the whole experience very personable
It was a awesome day!!! My grand kids love all the animals.
The whole time was great. And I found my new favorite chair.
We were able to enjoy this experience at the San Diego Zoo with the children's Titi Amanda.
We loved the elephants, the free bus tour and Skyway tour and no parking fee. We were there from opening till closing.
Good signage and friendly staff!
All the animals were awake and happy
We had a wonderful day at the zoo. We were impressed with the space, well maintained grounds and the beauty of animals. Overall it was a fun filled day.
The weather was cool which for the zoo is perfect because the animals are out and a lot of them were more active. The pandas were one of the highlights eating and walking around. The jaguar was up, and one of the polar bears went for a swim. Even some of the koalas were eating instead of sleeping. The food was very good too.
Pretty cool experience being in that ship and seeing all those planes and the interior of the ship was amazing, and the teaching by the experienced pilots and captains was incredible good Thanks.
There was so much to see and we got an aerial view from the skyfari, an up close view on all the walking paths, and a great tour on the bus.
Awesome time. The animals are well taken care of and active. It was big, spacious and comfortable. My 6 yr old loved all the monkeys and reptiles
Having the prepaid tickets was better than having to queue. The ship displays are very well done & amazing to see how they lived & worked. The various audio/visual displays were very informative. We were fortunate to witness some retirement ceremonies as well.
The zoo was setup so easily for you to be able to walk to so many attractions. The skyfari was a fun way to get to either end of the zoo. There are a lot of exhibits and stuff to see. Was a wonderful experience
The tour bus at the zoo was great! We did have a short wait online to get in the bus but the sites were awesome. We sat on top and had a bird's eye view of several different animals. After the bus we had a good idea of what direction to head in order to see as many animals as possible.
We ordered our tickets on line. We took our kids as children to the zoo. This time we took our sons family, including our granddaughters. It was great to spend the day seeing them enjoy all of the enclosures. Of course the panda bears were a favorite as well as the Outback area. It was a great day with beautiful weather and we all got our steps in for sure.
The tour guide was awesome and the general zoo environment was amazing
Great to see this historic ship on Memorial Day weekend. Lots of Midway veterans present giving the tours.
I like the way everything was set, with the retired navy people, and experienced the ship from the inside
We had a great experience seeing the panda....even if we experienced our first earthquake!
It was a wonderful spring day. We did not have to wait in line for anything.
Pandas and koalas. And the infrastructure of the zoo , as well as the friendliness of the staff.
View original review in Spanish
5% off
A seamless blend of wildlife exploration and military history ensures a day of fun and learning.
A seamless blend of wildlife exploration and military history ensures a day of fun and learning.
Inclusions
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
USS Midway Museum
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
USS Midway Museum
Great exhibits and a terrific combination of self guided and guided tours. The volunteers are amazing and their knowledge about the ship and the planes is either well studied or based on real life service. Highly recommended!
The whole time was great. And I found my new favorite chair.
Pretty cool experience being in that ship and seeing all those planes and the interior of the ship was amazing, and the teaching by the experienced pilots and captains was incredible good Thanks.
Rain Forest bird exhibit was amazing. Gorgeous birds! Baby giraffes, rhinos and tigers, it was interesting hearing about the conservation efforts being put forth to save these animals.
Such a great experience! Once in the park we did the excursion on the truck. It was awesome! We got up close to the animals! Loved it. Cannot wait to visit again ;)
Having the prepaid tickets was better than having to queue. The ship displays are very well done & amazing to see how they lived & worked. The various audio/visual displays were very informative. We were fortunate to witness some retirement ceremonies as well.
Great to see this historic ship on Memorial Day weekend. Lots of Midway veterans present giving the tours.
I like the way everything was set, with the retired navy people, and experienced the ship from the inside
Very interesting. My grandkids (14 yrs ) really enjoyed it. Did the balloon & tram.
I upgraded my ticket but I wish I hadn't because it really wasn't worth it I mean it was nice but not for that price..
The museum itself is housed on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier from the 20th century known as USS Midway. The aircraft carrier was commissioned in 1945 and served until 1992, participating in notable conflicts such as the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm.
See 29 meticulously restored aircraft, including iconic models like the F/A-18 Hornet and WWII SDB Dauntless at this expansive space that shows you about their roles in various military operations throughout history.
Midway’s 90-seat theater presents "Voices of the Midway," a 15-minute multimedia film that recounts the Battle of Midway through the eyes and voices of those who experienced it.
Climb into aircraft cockpits, for a hands-on experience of what it was like to pilot these machines. This interactive feature is particularly popular among children and aviation enthusiasts alike.
The museum offers thrilling flight simulators where visitors can "fly" an F-18 or experience air combat missions. These simulators are an exhilarating experience that mimic the sensation of real military aviation maneuvers.
Take a peek at what daily life looked like for Navy sailors below the deck aboard the aircraft carrier. Explore the cramped sleeping quarters, bustling galley where over 13,000 meals were prepared daily, and the engine room.
Experience a day in the life of Midway's engineers through interactive displays and sensory exhibits. Take part in a dramatic shipboard fire simulation that highlights the challenges and heroism of the crew who kept the vessel running smoothly.
Imagine a sleepover but inside an aircraft carrier? On the "Overnight Adventure" experience, you get to spend a night aboard the USS Midway, sleeping in authentic Navy bunks and experiencing life as a sailor.
This exhibit features a full-sized replica of the Douglas TBD Devastator, the U.S. Navy's first all-metal monoplane carrier aircraft, which played a significant role in early World War II operations.
Open hours: Monday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm
Closed: Thanksgiving (November 28) and Christmas Day (December 25)
Last admission: 4pm
Best time to visit: The ideal time to visit the USS Midway Museum is in the winter months, from December to February. During this season, crowds are generally smaller, and the cooler temperatures (ranging between 10°C and 18°C) make for a comfortable experience. On the other hand, peak season runs from June to August, when visitor numbers increase, leading to longer wait times and busier exhibits. If you’re planning a summer visit, consider going on a weekday to avoid the largest crowds and make the most of your time exploring the museum’s many attractions.
Address: 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 | Find on Maps
Nearby landmark: Broadway Pier (0.2 mile)
Wheelchair accessible: While the museum is not completely accessible for wheelchair users, you will find that about 60% of the exhibits are. For areas that are not easily accessible, video kiosks offer brief overviews to ensure you don't miss out on the experience.
Complimentary wheelchairs: The museum offers complimentary wheelchairs on a first-come, first-served basis.
Accessible restrooms: You can find wheelchair-accessible restrooms on the Hangar and Flight Decks.
Elevator access: Elevators are available for transportation between various decks of the ship.
Strollers allowed: Infants and small children can ride in a stroller or pram while visiting.
Service animals allowed: The museum welcomes trained service animals that assist guests with disabilities.
Mobility vehicles: The museum accommodates mobility vehicles, ensuring accessibility for all visitors.
Audio guides: You can get audio guides at the museum for a self-guided tour in English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, French, and German.
Toilets: Restrooms are located throughout the museum.
Paid parking: Parking is available at the Navy Pier parking lot and prices start at $15.
First aid: First aid services are available on-site for any medical emergencies.
Souvenir shop: The museum’s gift shop is centrally located on the Hangar Deck.
Dining outlets: Café 41 is a grab-n-go stop that is great for a quick bite mid-visit.
Information desk: An information desk is located at the entrance to assist you with inquiries.
Café 41
Café 41 at the USS Midway Museum offers a variety of fresh and delicious food options, including salads, sandwiches, and grilled classics. Must-try items on the menu include the Midway Burger, featuring a juicy beef patty, and the Mac and Cheese, which is a favorite among visitors.
Location: Off the Hangar Deck
Open hours: 11am to 3pm
Jet Shop
The Jet Shop at the USS Midway Museum offers a variety of unique Midway-themed souvenirs such as USS Midway apparel, historic naval books, and fun San Diego-themed souvenirs. Take home a piece of your naval escapade from this souvenir store to remember your visit by.
Location: On the Hangar Deck
Open hours: 10am to 5pm
Home to over 12,000 animals from more than 680 species, the San Diego Zoo is a must-visit attraction for animal lovers. As one of the most visited zoos in the world, you'll get to see animals like pandas, gorillas, and polar bears in environments similar to their native ones.
The Balboa Theatre is a historic venue in downtown San Diego, originally built in 1924 as a movie and vaudeville theater. It now hosts a variety of performances, including concerts and theater shows.
This vast wildlife park in California, spans 1,800 acres and offers unique safari adventures, like the Africa Tram, where you are taken through expansive habitats in which animals roam freely. They even have a Balloon Safari to give you an aerial adventure while you’re there!
Your USS Midway Museum ticket grants access to explore the historic aircraft carrier, including interactive exhibits like the Hangar Deck with 29 restored aircraft, the Battle of Midway Theater, cockpit simulations, and the below-deck areas.
Yes, the Guide Island Tour is included in your ticket. The tour is popular but has limited capacity due to the tight quarters in these sections. To avoid missing out, consider starting your visit with this tour. These tours may even close as early as 3:30pm on busy days.
Discounted tickets are available for children between the ages of 4 and 12 as well as US Military Veterans carrying a valid id. Children 3 years old and younger, Active Duty Military, and Reservists can enter for free.
Yes, you can re-enter the USS Midway Museum on the same day with your admission ticket. To do so, simply stop by the Visitors Information Center at the ship’s exit before leaving.
About 60% of the USS Midway Museum is accessible to wheelchair users, with elevator access between decks. Complimentary wheelchairs are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Set aside at least 3 to 4 hours for your visit to USS Midway Museum. This will give you enough time to explore the exhibits and engage with the various interactive experiences on board.