The ship was originally built to be too large to pass through the Panama Canal at the time of its commissioning.
During the Vietnam War, USS Midway pilots were the first to score air-to-air victories in the conflict.
The ship's flight deck is over 4 acres in total area.
It served as a platform for the first successful night landing of a jet aircraft on a carrier.
The vessel was nicknamed 'The Midway' after the pivotal World War II Battle of Midway.
During Operation Frequent Wind in 1975, the ship served as a landing platform for dozens of South Vietnamese helicopters during the fall of Saigon.
The ship required a crew of approximately 4,500 personnel when fully operational.
The interior contains a fully functioning Post Office that operated while the ship was at sea.
The USS Midway Museum is a decommissioned aircraft carrier permanently moored in San Diego Bay, serving as a maritime museum. It served as the longest-serving U.S. Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century, operating from 1945 to 1992. Visitors can explore over 60 exhibits, including restored aircraft displayed on the expansive flight deck. The self-guided audio tour, narrated by former crew members, covers the engine room, galley, and command center. The ship measures 1,001 feet in length and features a displacement of over 64,000 tons. It remains a floating landmark of Cold War-era naval engineering. Exhibits highlight historical deployments, including Operation Desert Storm and the Vietnam War. Visitors have access to the flight deck, bridge, and sleeping quarters. It is the most visited naval ship museum in the United States.
The flight deck, specifically near the edge of the bow with the San Diego skyline in the background.
Download the museum app to follow the audio tour on your own smartphone.
Visit the flight deck early to see the aircraft before the midday sun makes the metal surfaces hot.
Wear layers, as the interior of the ship can be significantly cooler than the outdoor deck.
Do not attempt to explore the ship in high heels or flip-flops; the steep vertical ladders are difficult to navigate.
Open daily, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Wear flat, closed-toe shoes to safely navigate steep, narrow ship ladders and metal decking.
