Chances are you have been to your fair share of museums, but one thing is for certain: You have never been to a museum quite like this one! The USS Midway Museum does an exceptional job of immersing you in its subject matter because the museum is housed in an actual aircraft carrier. It is the USS Midway to be exact, and it is the same ship that was made famous for its role in the Battle of Midway in the Pacific during World War II. Step inside and atop the USS Midway at the USS Midway Museum in San Diego and experience history as never before!
The Aircraft Carrier
This is one of the most significant, intact pieces of American history because it is the Navy’s longest serving vessel of the 20th century. By stepping aboard the USS Midway, you get to see an amazing place where over 225,000 American sailors have served this country. The ship was in service from 1945 to 1990. This long service record allows it to tell the stories of multiple generations and conflicts.
The Exhibits
There are over 60 exhibits at the San Diego USS Midway Museum, each offering a unique perspective of this country’s social and military history and what life was like aboard an aircraft carrier. Many of the exhibits revolve around the 29 restored aircraft spanning many eras of combat. You can find these massive planes on the flight deck and below-deck, where they are housed and brought for repairs. You can also explore the sailors’ living quarters, exhibits which are extremely effective in communicating the human component of war. Other exhibits include the incredible engine room, the ship’s jail, the control room and an extensive gallery outlining the ships history and the conflicts that it was a part of.
One of the greatest things about these exhibits is you can gain more insight into the story each of them has to tell through a self-guided audio tour. This allows you to experience this awe-inspiring museum at your own pace, while learning about life on an aircraft carrier.
Visiting the USS Midway Museum is a once in a lifetime experience that is sure to leave you with a perspective that has been slightly altered. After all, this is the goal of all museums, and this particular museum does an exceptional job of making it happen for thousands of visitors every year. Make sure you make a visit to the San Diego USS Midway Museum a part of your plans the next time you are enjoying San Diego.
Attractions in San Diego:
Maritime Museum of San Diego Seaport Village Old Town San Diego State Historical Park
