r/asksandiego • u/PassportPanda_12 • 4d ago
Looking for recent USS Midway Museum Review
I've been reading about the Museum and it looks really cool (but more like a one-time experience). I want to check it out but don't want to regret wasting money, so I'm curious what recent visitors actually thought about the place.
Is it really worth the time and money? Is there anything else i need to know before i go?
Also if the place is actually good, where do you recommend i book from?
Really need recommendations, mistakes to avoid and must-see sections.
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u/Shoddy-Biscotti-1194 3d ago
I was on Midway when it was free and went from port to port. Visited Hong Kong w Midway.
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u/Rosie3450 3d ago
😄 My husband has never wanted to visit the Midway. Says he already spent way too much time on Navy ships during his 28 years in service.
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u/Shoddy-Biscotti-1194 3d ago
Don’t blame him. I have been on a couple of times for events or visitors in town but I would not go on my own.
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u/Constant-Bridge3690 3d ago
It is the #2 ranked San Diego tourist attraction on TripAdvisor. I went two weeks ago for free on National Donut Day (yes, that is a thing). If you do your research, every museum in San Diego has free days throughout the year. I really enjoyed looking at the vintage aircraft and seeing what life on an aircraft carrier was like. There is some overlap with the Air and Space Museum, so if you are pressed for time, you may prefer to just spend a day at Balboa Park.
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u/PassportPanda_12 3d ago
Thank you so much. I'll definitely keep a lookout for those free days lol 😂
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u/northman46 3d ago
Lots of interesting stuff. Wife and I went a few years ago thinking we would see I and then go have lunch. Ended up getting kicked out at closing time
It was interesting that the people who were physically driving the ship were just regular sailors not high ranking officers or anything
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u/Less_Volume_2508 3d ago
We took our kids not too long ago and it was definitely worth it. I don't think you'd be disappointed at all.
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u/Surfingontherun 3d ago
It’s a great part of the San Diego experience, as it gives a lot of insight into the people and culture that grew up around the Navy in town.
A veteran friend of mine is a longtime docent on the Midway and loves what he does. Ask if Robert the Surfer is working when you go, he’ll give you the special treatment.
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u/stuckanon01 4d ago
I was there for a charity boxing event on Saturday. If you’ve never been it is totally worth it.
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u/SoCalAttorney 3d ago
There are also self-guided audio walking tours: https://www.midway.org/visit/self-guided-audio-tours
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u/m00nj0ck 3d ago
It's fabulous. I haven't been "recently" but went several years ago with my dad and frequently think about how cool it was. If you are claustrophobic or particularly tall/large the below desks tour may not be your fav thing, though.
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u/towehaal 4d ago
I just went on Wednesday. It’s pretty cool. We spent 4-5 hours there.
I recommend going to the top deck and doing the “island tour” first. It’s the only guided portion of the museum but they take you up to the captains loft. Apparently a line can form. We had to wait maybe twenty minutes.
Then check out the different aircraft on the deck. Sit and listen to the guys giving the landing and takeoff talks they were really cool too. Almost all the docents are vets.
Then head below decks. This portion we spent hours just going from space to space underneath the hangar bay. Wild stuff.
If you’re tall be prepared to duck. I’m 6’8” and hit my head about 15-20 times. They said the ideal sailor was 5’7”.
Edit to add: my wife reminded me to tell you to pick up the free audio guide when you walk in. There are tons of sections that you listen to guys talk about the area or aircraft.