 | |
 Midway moored at its permanent resting place at Navy Pier to this day inSan Diego where it became the largest museum devoted to carriers and naval aviation. (2007) | |
  Location within San Diego Show map of San Diego USS Midway Museum (California) Show map of California USS Midway Museum (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Established | 7 June 2004 (2004-06-07) |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 32°42′52″N117°10′23″W / 32.71445°N 117.17315°W /32.71445; -117.17315 |
| Type | maritime museum |
| Website | www |
TheUSSMidway Museum is a historical navalaircraft carrier museum inSan Diego, California, United States, located at Navy Pier. The museum consists of the aircraft carrierMidway. The ship houses an extensive collection of aircraft, many of which were built inSouthern California.[1][2]
The USSMidway was the United States' longest-servingaircraft carrier of the 20th century, from 1945 to 1992. Approximately 200,000 sailors served aboard the carrier, known for several naval aviation breakthroughs as well as several humanitarian missions. It was the only carrier to serve the entire length of theCold War and beyond. It is currently a museum ship inSan Diego, California.[3]
Midway opened as a museum on 7 June 2004. By 2012 annual visitation exceeded 1 million visitors. As of 2015Midway is the most popular naval warship museum in the United States.[4] The museum has over 13,000 members, and hosts more than 700 events a year, including more than 400 active-duty Navy retirements, re-enlistments, and changes of command. The museum also hosts approximately 50,000 students on field trips and 5,000 children in its overnight program annually.[5]
Admission includes a self-guided audio tour, narrated by formerMidway Sailors to more than 60 locations, including sleeping quarters, engine room,galley,bridge, brig, post office,fo'c'sle, pilots' ready rooms, officers quarters, primary flight control, Carrier Intelligence Center (CVIC), and "officers country". Other features include climb-aboard aircraft and cockpits, videos, flight simulators, and a narrated audio tour for youngsters.[5]
Membership has grown to more than 25,000. A high definition, holographic movie theater, "The Battle of Midway Theater", was added in 2017, and in 2019 the museum added a virtual reality flight simulator ride in addition to its existing four flight simulators. TheGI Film Festival and theSan Diego International Film Festival have scheduled screenings at the museum.[6][7][8]
AGrumman C-2 Greyhound was craned aboard the carrier in June 2023.[9]
On 18 July 2025, a private 60 feet (18 m)sportfishing boat collided with Midway at slow speed. There were no injuries, or significant damage, and the captain of the vessel was later arrested on suspicion ofboating while under the influence.[10]
In addition to private events, the museum has hosted several events, including a nationally broadcastNCAA basketball game betweenSan Diego State University andSyracuse University in 2012.American Idol has filmed an episode onMidway, as have theTravel Channel,Discovery Channel,FOX News,The Bachelor,Extreme Makeover,History Channel, andMilitary Channel. The nationally televised annual "Battle on the Midway" collegiate wrestling showcase has been staged each November on the flight deck of the museum since 2017.
The USS Midway Museum has had the opportunity to host various high-profile events and productions throughout its lifetime. In 2018 and 2019, scenes from the critically acclaimed filmTop Gun: Maverick were filmed on the museum premises. Additionally, planes featured in the movie, such as theF/A-18 Hornet Jet, are displayed at the museum now that filming has concluded. Moreover, the USS Midway Museum hosted the global premiere of the film on 4 May 2022.[11]
On every anniversary of theSeptember 11 attacks, the USSMidway Museum hosts a memorial service to remember the lives lost during the incident. This is in conjunction with the FDNY retirees of San Diego, San Diego Fire & Rescue Department, National City FD, SDFF Emerald Society and the Wounded Warrior Project.[12] During the ceremony, the names of all the first responders that have died during 9/11 are read out loud.[13] The service takes place on the flight deck, where hundreds of people gather each year.[14]
Voices of Midway is a 2015short film directed by Scott Levitta and written byRichard Christian Matheson. The film is based on true events at theBattle of Midway on 4 June 1942[15] and plays continuously at the Battle of Midway Theater.[16][17]
Media related toUSSMidway Museum at Wikimedia Commons