The USS Midway Museum is a naval history museum located at 910 North Harbor Drive on Navy Pier in downtown San Diego, California, aboard the decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Midway. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking options, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
To skip the explanation and just book tickets, head this way.
Last updated: February 2026. Ticket prices have increased substantially since 2024. Many guides still list adult admission at $26; the current door price is $41 for adults and $31 for youth, with online prices $2 lower per ticket. If you are using an older guide, these figures will be out of date.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 910 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101 |
| Opening hours | Daily, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (last admission 4:00 PM) |
| Closed | Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day |
| Ticket price (online) | Adult (13+) $39 · Youth (4–12) $29 · Veterans $26 |
| Ticket price (at door) | Adult (13+) $41 · Youth (4–12) $31 · Veterans $26 |
| Free admission | Children aged 3 and under · Active-duty military · Reservists (all with valid ID, at ticket booth only) |
| Nearest public transport | Santa Fe Train Depot and American Plaza Trolley Station – 5-minute walk |
| Parking | Navy Pier paid lot (adjacent) – $10–$20 |
| Typical visit duration | 3–4 hours |
USS Midway Museum opening hours
The museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with last admission at 4:00 PM. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Hours may vary on other public holidays; check the official website before your visit to confirm.
Opening hours were checked on the official website and last updated in February 2026.
USS Midway Museum ticket prices
Online tickets cost $39 for adults (aged 13 and over), $29 for youth (aged 4–12), and $26 for veterans with proof of service. Purchasing at the door costs $41 (adult) and $31 (youth). Children aged three and under enter free. Active-duty military personnel and reservists with a valid ID also receive free admission, but this must be redeemed at the ticket booth on the day and is not available online.
Buying tickets online in advance saves $2 per person and is recommended to avoid queuing at the booth. Online tickets also include discounts on nearby Embarcadero activities, including harbour tours and the San Diego Maritime Museum.
Ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in February 2026.
How to get to the USS Midway Museum
The museum is located on Navy Pier along San Diego’s Embarcadero waterfront in downtown San Diego. The Santa Fe Train Depot and American Plaza Trolley Station (served by MTS trolley lines) are approximately a five-minute walk east of the museum entrance. Both the Coaster commuter rail and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner services stop at Santa Fe Depot. Within downtown San Diego, the San Diego Circuit (formerly known as FRED) operates free electric car rides and provides access to the museum from the broader downtown area.
Parking at the USS Midway Museum
A paid parking lot on Navy Pier is located directly adjacent to the museum entrance, managed by Ace Parking on behalf of the Port of San Diego. This lot is for passenger vehicles only; RVs are not permitted. Rates are generally $10–$20, rising during special events and in the peak summer season (April to September). The lot has approximately 300 spaces and can fill by mid-morning at weekends and during school holidays; early arrival is advised.
Metered street parking is also available along Harbor Drive, with a maximum stay of two to three hours. For longer visits, the Navy Pier lot is the more practical option. Underground public parking is available at the IQHQ RaDD complex directly across the street, open daily from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
How long to spend at the USS Midway Museum
Most visitors spend between three and four hours at the museum. Visitors who explore all decks, complete the full audio tour, and spend time with the aircraft displays may find four to five hours more appropriate. Allow additional time if you plan to take a docent-led tour or join a flight simulator session, which are bookable on the day.
Accessibility at the USS Midway Museum
The museum has lifts (elevators) providing access to the different exhibit levels. Approximately 60 per cent of exhibits are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs are available to hire on a first-come, first-served basis at no extra charge. An American Sign Language (ASL) tour and a written audio tour script are available for visitors with hearing disabilities. Accessibility video tours are available for the flight deck, hangar deck, and second deck. Service animals are permitted throughout the museum. Front-row disabled parking spaces are available in the Navy Pier lot on a first-come, first-served basis.
Inside the USS Midway Museum: what to see
The flight deck is the largest and most visited area of the ship. It features more than 30 restored aircraft, including the F/A-18 Hornet, F-14 Tomcat, F-4 Phantom, A-4 Skyhawk, and several World War II-era aircraft including the SBD Dauntless dive bomber. Visitors can climb into the cockpits of select aircraft.
The hangar deck houses additional aircraft displays, interactive exhibits, flight simulators, and the museum’s café and gift shop. Three types of flight simulator are available for an additional fee, bookable on the day.
Below-deck areas open to visitors include crew sleeping quarters (berthing), the ship’s galley (canteen), the wardroom, sick bay, dental bay, chapel, anchor chain room, and the Command Information Centre. These sections provide an impression of daily life aboard the carrier.
A self-guided audio tour (included with admission) is available in multiple languages and covers more than 60 highlighted points around the ship, with narration by former crew members. Docents — volunteers who served on the Midway or in the US Navy — are stationed throughout and available to answer questions.
Middie’s Fleet is a newer interactive area designed for younger children, featuring hands-on activities. In 2026, the museum is also running a year-long programme of events marking the 80th anniversary of the USS Midway’s commissioning; check midway.org for the current schedule.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Buy tickets online | Online tickets cost $2 less per person than door prices and include Embarcadero discount vouchers. Entry is by dated ticket; slots are available throughout the day. |
| Arrive early | The Navy Pier car park fills by mid-morning at weekends. Aircraft cockpit climb-on opportunities are on a first-come, first-served basis. |
| Wear comfortable footwear | Visitors walk on metal deck surfaces and navigate steep ladders (stairs) between some areas of the ship. Flat, closed-toe shoes are recommended. |
| Low headroom areas | Several below-deck passageways have low ceilings. Visitors over 6 feet tall should take particular care in these areas. |
| Bag check on entry | All visitors are subject to a bag check before boarding. Outside food and beverages, glass containers, bicycles, skateboards, and weapons are prohibited. |
| Photography | Photography is permitted throughout the museum. |
| On-site food | A café is located on the hangar deck. Visitors cannot bring outside food or drinks aboard. |
| Busiest periods | Weekends, US public holidays, and the summer season (June–August) are the busiest times. Midweek visits and arriving at opening time are advisable. |
Frequently asked questions about the USS Midway Museum
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the USS Midway Museum? | Advance online booking is recommended. It saves $2 per ticket and avoids queuing at the booth. The museum does not use timed entry slots in the same way as some attractions; tickets are dated (by day) rather than by time. |
| Is the USS Midway Museum open on Sundays? | Yes. The museum is open daily, including Sundays, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. |
| Is the USS Midway Museum suitable for children? | Yes. The museum is family-friendly and includes interactive exhibits, aircraft to explore, flight simulators, and the Middie’s Fleet activity area for younger children. Children aged three and under enter free. |
| Are bags allowed at the USS Midway Museum? | Yes, but all bags are subject to a security check on entry. Outside food, beverages, and glass containers are not permitted aboard. |
| Is parking free at the USS Midway Museum? | No. The adjacent Navy Pier lot charges $10–$20. Some street parking is available nearby, with meters free on Sundays (though time limits remain in force). |
| Is active-duty military admission really free? | Yes, for active-duty military and reservists with a valid ID. This must be redeemed at the ticket booth on the day and cannot be purchased online. |
| How much time do you need at the USS Midway Museum? | Plan for three to four hours for a full visit. Visitors doing only the flight deck and audio tour highlights may manage in two hours. |
| Is the USS Midway Museum wheelchair accessible? | Partially. Lifts provide access to multiple levels and approximately 60 per cent of exhibits are accessible. Wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge. |
Things to do near the USS Midway Museum
The following attractions are within walking distance of the museum along the Embarcadero or accessible by a short journey from Navy Pier.
San Diego Maritime Museum – Located approximately 0.4 miles north along Harbor Drive. The collection includes historic vessels including the Star of India (1863), the world’s oldest active sailing ship. Holders of an online USS Midway ticket receive $5 off adult admission.
Seaport Village – A waterfront shopping and dining district approximately 0.3 miles south of the museum, with harbour-front restaurants and retail shops.
Gaslamp Quarter – San Diego’s historic entertainment district, approximately 0.5 miles east of the museum. A wide range of restaurants, bars, and shops are located here.
Balboa Park – A large urban cultural park approximately two miles north-east of Navy Pier, containing more than 17 museums including the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Museum of Art, and the Natural History Museum. Accessible via MTS trolley.
New Children’s Museum – Located approximately 0.7 miles east of the museum in downtown San Diego, with interactive art-based exhibits for children.
San Diego Harbor tours – Multiple harbour cruise operators depart from the Embarcadero near the museum. Holders of an online USS Midway ticket receive a discount on City Cruises and Flagship Cruises sailings.
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- Complete guide to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda.
- How to visit the USS Battleship Iowa at the Port of Los Angeles.
- A practical guide to visiting the Petersen Automative Museum in Los Angeles.
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