by admin | August 15th, 2010
The city of San Diego, California is known for four things: the sunny weather, the beautiful beaches, wildlife conservation and being the home of the United States Navy’s Pacific Fleet. The city possesses a great deal of ingenuity in making the most of its assets; often combining two or more of these aspects to promote itself as a major destination for tourists and the retirement community. The city is very conscious of its strengths, one of which is that it is a favourite retreat of sailors and their families and provides a variety of attractions catering to their tastes and lifestyles, one of which is the Aircraft Carrier Museum.
Explaining the form and appeal of this venue necessitates looking back to the early 20th century, when the US Navy first discovered the strategic value of San Diego and relocated the Navy Air Station on Coronado Island. This move would herald a symbiotic relationship between the Navy and the city’s economy. The Aircraft Carrier Museum in downtown San Diego is one the many of its kind which pays tribute to the sailors who was once instrumental to the city’s booming economy. It is also known as the USS Midway Museum as it houses the aircraft carrier Midway.
This great ship is resembles a small functional city in both girth and utility and boasts a proud service record of over 50 years. She was honorably decommissioned in 1992 in a ceremony whose keynote address was delivered by the then Secretary of Defense Richard Cheney, and later found a permanent retirement home in San Diego’s Navy Pier. Here she has remained since 2003, open to the public who wishes to draw out the hidden tales and admire the relics of her old life as a sea-base of brave servicemen.
Visitors are invited to see the flight deck, primary flight control, hangar deck, tactical command center and the quarters of captains, admirals and officers. Over 60 exhibits are housed here, as well as a 25 restored air crafts for the public’s viewing pleasure. While the planes are not cleared for take off, visitors can still get a taste of the thrill experienced by fighter pilots launching their vessels into the sky via the flight simulators. These tours are accompanied with a narration by the self-guiding audio tour issued at admission, recreating the routines of the sea-bound servicemen and women. Tourists are also allowed to clamber atop the ship’s bow to enjoy unparalleled views of the harbor and city skyline, even without paying admission.
If you’re enjoying a holiday in one of the San Diego hotels, this maritime museum is a must-not-miss adventure. When booking hotels San Diego, it is recommended that you use SanDiegoHotelseye.com. This is a travel portal that can get you great rates on hotel accommodation and ensure you won’t miss out on the best of San Diego attractions.
