Photo: Gabe Ruotolo
Photo: Jason Zheng
Photo: Monica Fawzy
USS Midway Museum
★4.8(52,006 reviews)$$Museum
🕑 3-4 hours (it's a massive ship with lots to explore)👶 School-age kids 7-14🧡 Saved by 50+ families
About
The USS Midway Museum lets kids explore a real aircraft carrier that served for 47 years, with 60+ exhibits and 29 restored aircraft to climb into and around. Children can experience what life was like for sailors at sea, sit in actual cockpits, and try flight simulators that put them in the pilot's seat.
Highlights
- ✓Sitting in the cockpit of a real fighter jet on the flight deck
- ✓The flight simulators where kids can pilot an aircraft (additional fee but worth it)
- ✓The galley and sleeping quarters showing how 4,500 sailors lived in tight spaces
Pro Tips
- 1.Download the museum app before you go - the audio tour narrated by Midway veterans is free and incredibly engaging for kids
- 2.Start on the flight deck, then work your way down through the ship rather than starting below deck - kids' energy is highest at the beginning
- 3.Visit on Veterans Day (November 11) when admission is free for everyone
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings right at opening (10 AM) are best; summer afternoons get hot on the flight deck, so bring sunscreen and hats
What to Know
Food: The Fantail Café on the flight deck serves burgers, hot dogs, and snacks with incredible bay views; Seaport Village is a 5-minute walk with more dining options · Parking: Use the Navy Pier parking lot directly across from the museum on Harbor Drive (paid parking, around $10-20 depending on length); arrive early as it fills up quickly · Bathrooms: Restrooms available on multiple levels; changing tables are limited, so plan accordingly · Strollers: NOT stroller-friendly - you'll navigate steep ship stairs called 'ladders' and narrow passageways; baby carriers are strongly recommended · Accessibility: About 60% of the ship is wheelchair accessible via elevators, though some areas require navigating stairs; call ahead for accessibility information
Seasonal Notes
Summer can be very hot on the exposed flight deck - bring water bottles and sun protection; the ship hosts special events like the Big Bay Boom viewing on July 4th
Real Experiences
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Nearby Eats
Seaport Village is right next door with The Headquarters at Seaport featuring multiple restaurants including Puesto (great tacos) and The Cheesecake Factory. The waterfront promenade has ice cream shops perfect for post-museum treats.
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