64,000 Tons of Naval History
The USS Midway is truly a sight to behold: Once the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, this 1,001 feet-long colossus has since been turned into a floating naval museum just minutes away from San Diego’s bustling downtown.
The first plans to build the Midway were made in 1945, just eight days after the end of World War II. From then on, the flagship of its class experienced numerous deployments in trouble spots around the world in the years leading up to its decommissioning in 1992. From the Vietnam War to Operation Desert Storm, she has provided a home on the high seas for over 200,000 Navy soldiers in her 47 years of service.
Fortunately, the steel colossus was not scrapped at the end of its service life, like many of its relatives, but rather converted into a museum. The floating naval museum has been on the San Diego Embarcadero since 2004 and attracts over one million visitors every year.
The full portion of military history awaits you inside and outside on 10 acres. The museum has 30 different fully restored airplanes and helicopters. In addition, the rooms inside the ship’s hull offer an impressive insight into the life and work of the approximately 4,100 crew members on board. Not only the living quarters of the stationed soldiers can be visited, but also the kitchen, infirmary, as well as the Midway’s own chapel.
