On the third Thursday of every month, the museum offers free admission to all visitors. No reservations are required for Third Thursday admission.

On Thursday, February 20, 2025, US Navy veterans and long-time Midway docents, Brian Butler, MA, and Steve Walker, Top Gun graduate, will present a dynamic visual journey of how the longest-serving aircraft carrier became the most visited ship museum in the world. Learn more about the Midway’s history, transition to museu,m and how today, a visit to Midway not only lets guests enjoy more than 80 years of naval aviation history but provides a first-hand experience to discover what it’s like to be a naval aviator.

Hear about the legacy of this amazing aircraft carrier museum, the extensive collection of restored military aircraft, and how the museum’s flight simulators and virtual reality experience put visitors in the pilot seat. 

These popular 90-minute performances are staged aboard the Maritime Museum of San Diego’s 16th-century Spanish galleon San Salvador. Guests will be fully engaged in pirate theatrics at the dock and underway on San Diego Bay. This hilarious interactive show puts visitors right in the middle of the pirate action. Participants will be sworn in as part of the ship crew, trained how to navigate, sword fight, bail water from a sinking ship, escape from the King’s Jail, swab the deck and other pirate skills. Choose from two 90-minute performances at 10:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Tickets include general admission! So arrive early and check - in 15 to 30 minutes before your show. Then after you return to the Museum docks, continue the fun as your explore the rest of the Maritime Museum fleet and all of the fascinating below decks exhibits!

Guided Docent Led Tours at the Maritime Museum of San Diego is your opportunity to learn of the ships in-depth stories from our trained knowledgeable historians, and enjoy the waterfront sights of San Diego Bay while meeting other people with like interests in maritime heritage and history. The docent and volunteer community share a wealth of knowledge, and a passion and pride with visitors for these extra special tours. Guided Docent-led Tour tickets include General Admission. So, after your tour you are welcome to explore more of the fleet and exhibits if you have time. Once at the museum, you can add-on a 45 min Historic Bay Cruise for only $10.00 more. Check with the Ticket Booth staff on availability. Leaving the museum for lunch, and returning is allowed, with lot’s of lunch and nibble options in close walking distance.