Museums

USS Midway Museum Skip-the-Line Tickets

Name: USS Midway Museum Skip-the-Line Tickets
Start: 2026-03-11T10:00:00
End: 2026-03-11T17:00:00
Location: USS Midway Museum

USS Midway aircraft carrier deck with historic fighter jets in San Diego.

Interior of a vintage aircraft at the USS Midway Museum, San Diego CityPASS®.

Radar console display at USS Midway Museum, San Diego CityPASS® attraction.

USS Midway Museum exterior with American flags and naval decorations.

Open today

10:00am - 5:00pm

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

Step aboard the iconic USS Midway, a retired aircraft carrier turned museum, and explore over 60 exhibits showcasing its rich naval history and aviation legacy.

4.6/5

(2,056)

Jolene

Jan 2026

Verified booking

We were visiting from Ohio and toured the ship with our neices and nephew in grades K, 3, & 6 who live in Carlsbad. It was wonderful to see them engaging in the exhibits and being excited about the scavenger hunt activity provided. Thay especially loved climbing inside some of the planes and flipping switches in the control rooms. Our group of seven utilized the audio headsets to varying degrees, which was an ideal way to receive as much history and information as each participant wanted. We loved that it was self-paced and that there were an abundance of opportunities to talk with actual retired servicemen who were knowledgeable about the ship. Great opportunity to learn about military history in an impactful way!

Piana

Jan 2026

Verified booking

We visited the aircraft carrier with two children aged 3 and 7 in about 6 hours. Everything is well organized, the volunteers are friendly, and the route is well marked. You can see and imagine the life of the soldiers on board at every moment of their day and their duties. The children were most captivated by the planes on the launch deck, where you can climb on them, among other things. For Top Gun fans, don't miss the customary photo on the plane flown by Maverick and Goose. The parking lot next to the entrance is very convenient.

Veronica

Feb 2026

Verified booking

If you ever get to San Diego, touring the USS Midway is a must do on your list of things to see. The history behind this ship is important to learn. The docents in various places have so much to tell you about the ship and their experiences on it. There is lots to entertain the young ones as well. It does take hours to see most or all of it if you have the time and patience, but so worth it. Taking the "island tour" I think that's what it was called, to the bridge is a must do.

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.

Ever wondered what life was like for sailors on board? Explore restored rooms and crew quarters, and discover the Midway’s role during the Gulf War.

Take in the panoramic views of San Diego Bay and get up close to over 30 restored aircraft and helicopters from the top deck.

Immerse yourself in interactive exhibits and explore the aircraft carrier's fascinating history and aviation legacy.

Skip-the-line entry to USS Midway Museum

Audio guide in English, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, German, and French

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

2,056 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from Mexico, Canada, Brazil and over 19 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Graham
Mar 2026
Verified booking
My family and I were impressed with the care that the volunteers and paid staff provided for our overall experience at the USS Midway. Our questions were answered and everyone was friendly and helpful. Access was easy as we walked from our transit station to the USS Midway. My son was in a cast at the time, and the staff were very helpful in providing assistance for him as needed. Over all an incredible experience and I would visit again and definitely recommend others for the opportunity.
Desley
Mar 2026
Verified booking
As an Australia Veteran I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the ship. It was so well set up and gives people an understanding of ship life and the dangers these sailors encountered. I believe this museum is actually better than the titanic museum in Belfast, would highly recommend people to visit,
Robert
Mar 2026
Verified booking
Easy purchase process and electronic tickets. Straight to the the head of the line at security and onto the ship. Very easy.
Connie
Feb 2026
Verified booking
Upon arrival on the ship, the volunteer staff were very pleasant and helpful. Since there are several decks on this ship, we were curious how to make our experience proceed smoothly. The volunteers showed us a strategy, allowing us to enjoy the full experience, without being overwhelmed. From the living quarters to the mess hall to the flight deck, this museum did not disappoint. The knowledge of the volunteers truly made this a memorable experience.
Veronica
Feb 2026
Verified booking
If you ever get to San Diego, touring the USS Midway is a must do on your list of things to see. The history behind this ship is important to learn. The docents in various places have so much to tell you about the ship and their experiences on it. There is lots to entertain the young ones as well. It does take hours to see most or all of it if you have the time and patience, but so worth it. Taking the "island tour" I think that's what it was called, to the bridge is a must do.

Take a step back in time and experience life aboard the USS Midway, one of the longest-serving U.S. aircraft carriers. The USS Midway Museum offers a unique opportunity to explore a piece of naval history through restored aircraft, hands-on exhibits, and real stories from those who served on the ship. With a self-guided audio tour, interesting talks, and plenty of interactive experiences, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Explore the ship and its history

Start your adventure with a self-guided audio tour that will lead you through over 60 locations across the USS Midway. Narrated by former sailors and aviators, the tour shares what it was like to live and work on the ship. From the flight deck, where you’ll find more than 30 restored aircraft, to the hangar deck with its exhibits on naval aviation, there’s plenty to see. Along the way, you’ll get a sense of what daily life was like for the thousands of sailors who served aboard this ship and the critical missions it supported.

Hands-on activities and stories from veterans

Beyond the audio tour, the USS Midway Museum offers hands-on exhibits that let you get up close to the action. Try sitting in the cockpit of a fighter jet or challenge yourself with a flight simulator that lets you experience what it’s like to land on an aircraft carrier. Throughout the ship, Midway Volunteers—many of whom served on the carrier—are available to share their experiences and give you deeper insight into the ship’s operations. Their stories help you connect with the history and understand what it took to serve on the USS Midway during its active years.

USS Midway Museum

Monday	10:00am - 5:00pm	last entry 4:00pm
Tuesday	10:00am - 5:00pm	last entry 4:00pm
Wednesday	10:00am - 5:00pm	last entry 4:00pm
Thursday	10:00am - 5:00pm	last entry 4:00pm
Friday	10:00am - 5:00pm	last entry 4:00pm
Saturday	10:00am - 5:00pm	last entry 4:00pm
Sunday	10:00am - 5:00pm	last entry 4:00pm

What to bring

It is recommended to wear closed-toed shoes and layered clothing as temperatures vary around the ship.

For the audio-guided tour, it is recommended to carry along your own headphones.

Accessibility

This experience is wheelchair accessible.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the redemption point.

Ticket redemption point

Please check your final voucher for the meeting point details and specific instructions.