The USS Midway Museum is a historic naval aircraft carrier-turned-museum located in San Diego, California. It is one of the most popular maritime museums in the United States, offering a unique, immersive experience that brings naval aviation and life at sea to life. The museum is situated at Navy Pier along San Diego’s scenic waterfront.
USS Midway Museum
Daily 10:00 – 17:00
Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
Admission fee
Gift shop
The USS Midway Museum is located alongside Navy Pier in downtown San Diego on the Embarcadero
Aircraft collection
USS Midway (CV-41)
60-03614/319
150954/VR-46 51-1498/FDD 96885/WI-16 127922/NE-577 154977/NM-301 142251/NF-612 151782/NF-511/NL-512 146036/700 160701/511 161227/602 162935/AJ-612/NF-605 158978/NH-205 512/24 141136/D-106 141702/PP-87 150157/TF-31 159766/NJ-741 154370/NK-507 153030/NE-101/NF-102 153880/NK-201 162901/01 156641/NG-612 44-81385/BA-186 130059/UP-18 156697/A-974 54654/S-9 122515/UR-51 149711/NT-68 143939/NV-52 164079/RA-13 85957/SK-415 147030/NE-461 | Bell UH-1B Iroquois
Boeing Vertol HH-46D Sea Knight Cessna O-1A Bird Dog Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair Douglas AEW.1 Skyraider Douglas A-4F Skyhawk Douglas EKA-3B Skywarrior Grumman A-6E Intruder Grumman C-1A Trader Grumman E-2C Hawkeye (cockpit) Grumman E-2C Hawkeye Grumman EA-6B Prowler Grumman F-14A Tomcat Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat Grumman F9J Cougar Grumman RF9J Cougar Kaman SH-2F Seasprite Lockheed S-3B Viking LTV A-7B Corsair McDonnell QF-4N Phantom II McDonnell F-4S Phantom II MCD Douglas F/A-18A Hornet North American RA-5C Vigilante North American SNJ-5 Trainer Piasecki UH-25B Retriever Rockwell T-2C Buckeye SBD A-24B Dauntless Sikorsky HO3S-1 Sikorsky UH-3H Sea King Sikorsky UH-34J Sea Horse Sikorsky SH-60F Sea Hawk TBM-3E Avenger Vought F-8K Crusader |
The USS Midway Museum provides a dynamic and enriching experience “from boiler to bridge.” A visit to the USS Midway Museum instills a greater appreciation for courage, freedom, and service to country. The USS Midway Museum features a self-guided audio tour (available in English, Spanish and Japanese) of more than 30 exhibits and 21 restored aircraft,
Highlights of the USS Midway Museum:
- Aircraft Carrier History:
- The USS Midway (CV-41) was commissioned in 1945 and served for 47 years, including action in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm.
- It was the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century.
- Aircraft Collection:
- The museum features over 30 restored aircraft, including:
- F/A-18 Hornet
- F-4 Phantom II
- SBD Dauntless Dive Bomber
- A-7 Corsair II
- E-2 Hawkeye
- Aircraft are displayed on the flight deck and hangar deck, giving visitors a close-up look at naval aviation.
- The museum features over 30 restored aircraft, including:
- Interactive Exhibits:
- Flight Simulators: Experience the thrill of piloting a fighter jet or landing on an aircraft carrier.
- Bridge and Flight Deck Tours: Explore the captain’s bridge, control tower, and flight deck operations.
- Below Decks: See crew living quarters, the engine room, and other spaces where sailors lived and worked.
- Battle of Midway Theater:
- Watch a multimedia presentation about the pivotal Battle of Midway during World War II, which significantly influenced the course of the war in the Pacific.
- Docent-Led Tours and Veterans’ Stories:
- Many of the docents are retired Navy personnel who served on the Midway or similar vessels, providing firsthand accounts and unique insights.
- Family-Friendly Activities:
- Scavenger hunts and kid-friendly exhibits ensure an engaging visit for younger visitors.
Events and Programs:
- Overnight Adventures: Families and youth groups can sleep aboard the ship and experience life as sailors.
- Veterans’ Celebrations: Special events honor those who served.
- Special Exhibits and Ceremonies: Frequently changing exhibits and community events.
Bell UH-1B Iroquois 60-03614/319 US Navy
Boeing Vertol HH-46D Sea Knight 150954/VR-46 HC-11 US Navy
Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair 96885/WI-16 US Navy
Douglas A-4F Skyhawk 154977/NM-301 VA-23 US Navy
Douglas AEW.1 Skyraider 127922/NE-577 US Navy
Douglas EKA-3B Skywarrior 142251/NF-612 VAQ-130 US Navy
Grumman A-6E Intruder 151782/NF-511 VA-115 US Navy
Grumman A-6E Intruder 151782/NL-512 US Marines
Grumman C-1A Trader 146036/700 US Navy
Grumman E-2C Hawkeye 161227/602 VAW-115 US Navy
Grumman EA-6B Prowler 162935/NF-605 VAQ-136 US Navy
Grumman F9J Cougar 141136/D-106 VF-781 US Navy
Grumman F-14A Tomcat 158978/NH-205 VF-114 US Navy
Grumman RF9J Cougar 141702/PP-87 VFP-61 US Navy
Kaman SH-2F Seasprite 150157/TF-31 HSL-33 US Navy
Lockheed S-3B Viking 159766/NJ-741 US Navy
LTV A-7B Corsair 154370/NK-507 US Navy
MCD Douglas F/A-18A Hornet 162901/01 VFC-13 US Navy
McDonnell F-4S Phantom II 153880/NK-201 US Navy
North American RA-5C Vigilante 156641/NG-612 RVAH-12 US Navy
North American SNJ-5 Trainer 44-81385/BA-186 US Navy
SBD A-24B Dauntless 54654/S-9 US Navy
Sikorsky HOS3S 5154 US Navy
Sikorsky SH-60F Sea Hawk 164079/RA-13 US Navy
Sikorsky UH-3H Sea King 149711/NT-68 HS-4 US Navy
Sikorsky UH-34J Sea Horse 143939/NV-52 HS-8 US Navy
TBM-3E Avenger 85957/SK-415 US Navy
Vought F-8K Crusader 147030/NE-461 VF-111 US Navy
USS Midway Museum San Diego, California | Johan van der Hoek