This was my second time here, while in town for a wedding. I had been here before with a friend who had served on the Midway right after she was built ( sadly, he is now deceased), which had made him tear up with both happy and sad memories, but I could not get to everything in the three hours I had energy for. I still have not seen everything after another three hours, and need to come back! The flight deck has an extensive collection of planes and helos throughout the Midway's history. You can climb on and into some. The self-guided tour takes you past the cramped sailors' and officers' quarters, the galley, the hospital, the engine room, the bridge, and more. There is a 15-minute movie about the battle of Midway ( for which the carrier was named) , and multiple stations have audio enhancements of the written exhibit descriptions. There are flight simulators.. There were volunteer docent former pilots who provided interesting reports of the complexity and coordination involved in launching and landing on a carrier, and personal stories. The takeaway is there is more grit than glamour, and that serving here required a special dedication, technical expertise, and patriotism so few of us have, but for which I, as offspring of refugees from tyrannical regimes, am grateful.
The admission fee and fee for nearby parking is reasonable, and I think of any excess as a donation to a worthy cause. The first floor has clean rest rooms and a basic cafe with sandwiches and burgers, but you can also bring your own food and non-alcoholic drink to enjoy inside or outside. Backpacks are allowed but they will look inside when you enter so don't bring inappropriate things. To see everything, you need to be able to be fit enough go on a moderate slow walk for 1-2 miles total, and climb a few stairs, as not every area is accessible. There are many places to sit down and rest in between exhibits. Covid measures are excellent ( sanitizer is everywhere you might touch a railing, and social distancing is encouraged). Fans blow in many locations. You do not have to wear a mask. Visitors are generally polite and appreciative. I will be back.