USS Midway Museum

The USS Midway Museum is San Diego's most-visited museum and one of the finest family attractions in the city. Permanently moored at the downtown Embarcadero, the Midway is a decommissioned aircraft carrier that served as the flagship of the U. S.

Navy from its commissioning in 1945 through the Gulf War in 1991. Walking its decks gives families a tangible connection to American military history that no screen-based experience can replicate.

The flight deck is the natural starting point and the most visually impressive section. Over 30 restored aircraft are displayed across the 4-acre deck, ranging from World War II-era propeller planes to Cold War jets to Vietnam-era helicopters. Many aircraft have their cockpits open, and kids can climb in, grab the control stick, and imagine themselves as fighter pilots.

The views of San Diego Bay, the Coronado Bridge, and the downtown skyline from the flight deck are spectacular.

Below decks is where the museum transitions from impressive to immersive. Self-guided tour routes lead through the ship's interior spaces: the Combat Information Center (the nerve center during operations), pilot ready rooms where aviators were briefed before missions, the engine room with its massive turbines, the galley that fed 4,500 sailors daily, the brig, the sick bay, and the cramped sleeping quarters where enlisted men slept in stacked bunks inches apart. For kids, walking through these tight corridors and steep ladderways (stairs in Navy terminology) is an adventure in itself.

The audio tour, included with admission, is one of the best in any museum. There is a dedicated kids' audio track with age-appropriate narration that uses sound effects and storytelling to keep young listeners engaged. At each station, the audio describes what happened in that space and what life was like for the sailors who worked there.

This transforms the visit from 'looking at old stuff' into genuine time travel for imaginative kids.

The volunteer docents are the museum's secret weapon. Many are military veterans — some actually served on aircraft carriers — and they are stationed throughout the ship to answer questions and share stories. These conversations are often the most memorable part of the visit. Encourage your kids to ask questions — the docents love engaging with young visitors.

Flight simulators (extra charge, about $8-10 per person) provide a fun if brief experience of aerial combat and carrier landings. They are popular with tweens and teens but not essential — the free exhibits provide more than enough entertainment.

A practical note on strollers: the Midway is not stroller-friendly below decks. Steep ladderways, narrow hatches, and tight corridors make strollers impossible in the interior sections. The flight deck is stroller-accessible.

If visiting with a toddler, consider a baby carrier instead. The museum is best enjoyed by kids ages 6 and up who can navigate the stairs independently and engage with the historical content.