Quick outline:
- Why I looked for a coupon
- The three discounts that worked for me
- What the day felt like on the ship
- Pros, cons, and tiny gotchas
- Simple tips that saved me time and cash
- Final call
Why I even needed a coupon
I’m Kayla, and I love museum ships. I also love saving a few bucks. For fellow ship buffs, I found a trove of San Diego naval history on the USS San Diego site, which made our whole trip feel richer before we even stepped aboard.
One pre-trip read that hooked me was this evocative piece on the USS San Diego wreck and its quiet stories—it’s a mood-setter before you even smell the salt air.
The USS Midway in San Diego is worth the hype, but tickets add up fast. We’re a family of four, and small wins matter. So I tried a few real deals on different visits. Some were great. Some were meh. Here’s the honest stuff I wish I knew first. As backup, I later assembled every tip and receipt into a longer, step-by-step coupon playbook for anyone who wants the blow-by-blow.
The deals I used that actually worked
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Go City San Diego pass
- I used the all-inclusive pass on a long weekend. The Midway was included, which felt like finding a twenty in an old coat. I showed the pass on my phone at the entrance. They scanned it, handed me the audio guide, and boom—we were in. No extra fee at the gate.
- Heads-up: the pass clock starts the first day you use it. So plan your big-ticket stops together.
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Kids Free October
- We went one October and brought two kids (ages 8 and 10). With one paid adult ticket, both kids got in free. No hoops. It was clear on the sign when we walked up. That visit saved us a chunk—enough for lunch and a cherry ice pop on the pier. Parents can also snag the official downloadable Kids Free coupon right here before they go.
- Tip: weekdays felt calmer. Saturdays got buzzy. The flight deck can feel packed by noon.
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AAA discount at the window
- On a different trip, I showed my AAA card at the ticket booth and got a small discount. Not huge, but it paid for coffee. They didn’t accept it on a third-party voucher—only when I bought right there. Worth asking, because some staff don’t pitch it unless you ask.
Bonus small saver: buying tickets on the museum’s site was a tiny bit cheaper than walk-up for us one time and helped us skip a line. Not a “wow,” but I’ll take it.
What didn’t pan out for me:
- Random “coupon code” blogs
- I tried three codes I found online. All duds. One looked shady. I closed the tab and washed my hands, ha.
- Groupon-style deals
- I checked a few times over the year. I never found a live Midway coupon there. Your luck might differ, but I wouldn’t count on it.
What the day felt like on the ship
I’m big on the vibes, not just the price. The Midway felt alive. The volunteers—many are Navy vets—tell stories that stick. One man pointed out where pilots would land, and I swear I held my breath picturing the hook catching the cable. The audio tour is simple to use. I liked how the numbers pop up around the ship. The kids climbed into an old cockpit and pretended to “call the ball.” Big grin moment.
The island tour (up in the bridge) had a short wait but was worth it. You can see the bay like a postcard. San Diego breeze, gulls swooping, that salty-air snap. On the flight deck, bring a cap and sunscreen. It gets bright. Also, comfy shoes. You’ll climb, duck, and wander, and then do it again because you missed one hallway.
Simulators cost extra. We did one. Fun, quick, and a little wild. If motion rides bug you, maybe watch first.
Parking note: we used the lot right by the ship and paid at the kiosk. Early morning felt cheaper and easier. By midday, open spots got scarce.
Pros, cons, and tiny gotchas
Pros:
- Go City saved real money when we paired Midway with the Zoo and a second museum.
- Kids Free October was the biggest single-day win for families.
- AAA was simple and right at the window.
Cons:
- Passes can have blackout notes or need you to start your usage days together.
- Third-party tickets don’t always stack with AAA.
- Midday lines grow fast—both at security and up in the island.
Tiny gotchas:
- Keep your barcode handy. One time my phone screen dimmed and the scanner fussed.
- Simulators aren’t included. Budget a little extra if you want those.
Tips that helped me save and stay sane
- Go early. We parked easier, heard more from docents, and got clean photos on deck.
- Bring water. The ship gets warm below deck.
- Ask at the booth about AAA or military discounts. Don’t be shy.
- If you’re coming in October with kids, check if the Kids Free deal is live before you go.
- Pair the Midway with another big attraction on the same Go City pass day.
What I’d do next time
If it’s October, I’d do Kids Free again without thinking twice. For a busy long weekend with a lot of sights, I’d grab a Go City pass and run the Midway early on day one. If it’s a simple single stop with just adults, I’d check the museum’s site for a small online price break and still ask at the window about AAA. You never know.
You know what? The ship sticks with you. The stories, the steel, the bay breeze—plus the smug little joy of saving on tickets. I’ll call that a win.
Side note just for the grown-ups: after a long day wrangling kids on the flight deck, you might want some totally kid-free wind-down time once everyone else is asleep. If that sounds familiar, you could explore JerkMate —the live-cam platform matches you with performers in seconds, lets you set filters for exactly what you’re into, and runs right in your browser, making it a discreet and hassle-free way to relax back at the hotel.
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