San Diego: USS Midway Museum Entry Ticket

This entry ticket gets you into the USS Midway Museum in San Diego. Spend your visit exploring the museum and its sights at your own pace.

Overview

This ticket gets you straight past the ticket booth and onto the USS Midway, the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the American fleet, moored at Navy Pier in downtown San Diego. Once aboard, the visit is entirely self-guided. An audio guide in 6 languages walks you through dozens of highlighted areas across the ship, and you set your own pace through roughly 60 exhibits, from the engine room and crew sleeping quarters to the pilots' ready rooms and a naval intelligence exhibit.

There are 25 restored aircraft on board, spanning the Second World War era through Operation Desert Storm, plus climb-aboard aircraft and cockpits among the activities. Admission also covers the 3D Holographic Battle of Midway Theater, short films, music videos, and 3 types of flight simulators. Docents are posted around the ship and happy to answer questions or share stories, and reviewers repeatedly praised the veterans they met on board.

Most guests spend 3 to 4 hours aboard, and several reviewers said they stayed even longer than planned because there is so much to see. The museum suits anyone with an interest in naval or aviation history, families with children, and visitors who prefer exploring at their own speed rather than following a fixed tour group.

What's Included

Included

Audio guide
Skip-the-ticket-line entry
All activities included in description
Admission to 3D Holographic Battle of Midway Theater
Access to the climbaboard aircraft and below decks

Not Included

Transfers

Itinerary

Arrive at Navy PierMake your own way to the USS Midway Museum at 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego. Transfers are not included.
Skip the ticket boothHead straight to the main entrance with your prebooked ticket. You can arrive any time during opening hours, though last admission is at 4:00 PM.
Board the carrierPick up your audio guide and begin the self-guided route across the ship's decks and below-deck areas.
Explore the exhibitsVisit the 60 exhibits, including the engine room, crew sleeping quarters, pilots' ready rooms, and the naval intelligence exhibit.
See the aircraftView the 25 restored aircraft and the climb-aboard aircraft and cockpits.
Theater and simulatorsCatch the 3D Holographic Battle of Midway Theater, short films, and the 3 flight simulator types, all included with entry.
Stay as long as you likeMost guests spend 3 to 4 hours aboard, and the museum closes at 5:00 PM.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most from a visit that most guests find bigger than expected.

Allow plenty of time. The listing says most guests spend 3 to 4 hours aboard, and several reviewers said they stayed longer than planned or still skipped things. One suggested a full day to do the ship justice.
Wear comfortable shoes. The visit involves moving between many levels of the ship, as one reviewer put it. Sensible footwear makes the below-deck sections easier.
Talk to the docents. Reviewers repeatedly praised the knowledgeable volunteers and veterans on board, with one saying they made the visit even more special. They are stationed around the carrier and eager to share anecdotes and answer questions.
Use the audio guide. The included audio guide comes in 6 languages and covers the dozens of highlighted areas. Travellers say it adds useful context to the exhibits, so pick it up on the way in.
Good for families. The museum lists family-oriented activities throughout, including climb-aboard aircraft, cockpits, films, and simulators. Children 5 and under enter free, and in October 2 children aged 6 to 12 get in free with each adult ticket.
Getting there. The museum sits at Navy Pier, 910 N Harbor Dr, in downtown San Diego. Transfers are not included, so plan your own arrival for opening at 10:00 AM.

Common issues. The main complaint is simply time: several travellers underestimated how long the visit takes and wished they had allowed more, and one review noted that a proper visit could fill a full day. Some feedback also mentioned that clearer guidance on time needed and schedules for special areas would help. Last admission is at 4:00 PM, so late arrivals will be cut short, and the museum closes entirely on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Transfers are not included.

Common Questions

What does the ticket include?

Entry to the USS Midway Museum with skip-the-ticket-line access, an audio guide in 6 languages, admission to the 3D Holographic Battle of Midway Theater, and access to all the activities described, including the flight simulators, short films, and climb-aboard aircraft. Transfers are not included.

Is there a pickup or meeting point?

There is no pickup. You make your own way to the USS Midway Museum at 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, at Navy Pier in downtown San Diego. With the prebooked ticket you skip the ticket booth and go straight to the main entrance.

What are the opening hours and last admission?

You can arrive any time during opening hours, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Last admission is at 4:00 PM daily. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Is it suitable for kids?

Yes. The museum lists family-oriented activities throughout the ship, including 3 types of flight simulators, short films, music videos, and climb-aboard aircraft and cockpits. Children 5 and under enter free, and in October 2 children aged 6 to 12 receive free admission with each adult ticket, issued at the ticket booth when you show your adult ticket.

How long should I plan for the visit?

The listing says most guests spend 3 to 4 hours aboard, and several reviewers said they stayed longer than expected because there is so much to see. One traveller who spent 4 hours reported still skipping through a lot.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Active-duty military personnel, including reservists, get complimentary daytime admission with valid ID, as do children 5 and under.