Visit USS Midway Museum, San Diego, California

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The USS Midway Museum found in downtown San Diego, California, is located aboard the longest serving aircraft carrier in the US Navy. Compared to a floating city at sea, visitors can relive nearly 50 years of world history while aboard. Once the largest ship in the world, when she was commissioned in 1945, the USS Midway was retired in 1991. The USS Midway was named for one of World War II’s most decisive naval engagements. It served with distinction longer than any carrier in the 20th Century. During the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars she was home to approximately 225,000 sailors. Admission to the museum includes a self-guided audio tour of 60 exhibits throughout the historic aircraft carrier and 29 restored aircraft. On board the USS Midway, visitors will learn about life on a Navy ship and how aircraft land and take off from an aircraft carrier. Exhibits range from the crew's sleeping quarters to a massive galley, engine room, the ship's jail, officer's country, post office, machine shops, and pilots' ready rooms, as well as primary flight control and the bridge high in the island over the flight deck. Especially popular are the museum docents scattered throughout the ship. They are known to be eager to share a personal story, an anecdote, or some amazing statistics. Many of the docents either served on the USS Midway or are former Navy pilots. Shipboard activities are family-oriented and include two types of flight simulators, music videos, short films, climb-aboard aircraft and cockpits, interactive exhibits, an "Ejection Seat Theater”. Meticulously restored aircraft – from World War II to Operation Desert Storm – are on display, including: • World War II aircraft including the SBD Dauntless dive bomber and TBM Avenger • Korean War aircraft such as the F9F-8P Cougar and AD Skyraider • Vietnam War era aircraft including the F-4 Phantom and Huey gunship • Desert Storm aircraft such as the A-6 Intruder and F/A-18 Hornet Exhibits allow visitors to see what it was like to live the life of an aviator aboard the USS Midway with two available flight simulators providing an unforgettable experience. Participants learn just what it was like to launch off the flight deck, engage the enemy and then return safely. The USS Midway Museum features two types of optional flight simulators for participation by all ages. The USS Midway is docked on the San Diego waterfront alongside Navy Pier on the Embarcadero between the cruise ship terminal and Seaport Village.

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