Free Museums in Coronado Cays

"The USS Midway aircraft carrier, which served from 1945-1992, offers a fascinating glimpse into life aboard a giant ship. Self-guided audio tours are included with admission and are narrated by former Midway sailors. Docents, some of whom served on the ship while it was active, are on board every day to answer questions and can occasionally be persuaded to relate a funny or interesting story or two."

"The USS Midway Museum, located on the Embarcadero’s Navy Pier, offers visitors a chance to explore, from stem to stern, one of the longest-serving aircraft carriers in the U.S."

"Art lovers looking for a dose of culture should head to the San Diego Museum of Art. Its distinctive facade is a copy of the 17th-century University of Salamanca, in the so-called plateresque style, with finely-chiseled terra-cotta work. Busts of Spanish painters adorn the entrance, and their artworks are among the many eclectic exhibits displayed here."

"Your first stop for an afternoon of museum-hopping is to peruse the minor masterpieces at the San Diego Museum of Art. Study humankind at the San Diego Museum of Man, marvel at aeronautic engineering in the San Diego Air and Space Museum, then catch your breath in the Botanical Building."

"Italian Renaissance, Dutch, Spanish and baroque pieces are exhibited, as well as contemporary paintings and sculptures. Works by Monet, Toulouse-Lautrec, Renoir, Pisarro, van Gogh and Dufy are rotated in display on the ground floor. Shop, sculpture garden and cafe with outdoor seating."

"Not huge but one of the most interactive places for younger generation, the New Children’s Museum is worth a visit if you are in San Diego with kids and family. The museum was originally built in 1983. After that, it had time and again got renovated with the mission of restoring and vitalizing creativity, imagination, and critical thinking through contemporary Art in kids and older generation."

"This interactive children’s museum offers interactive art meant for kids. Installations are designed by artists, so tykes can learn principles of movement and physics while simultaneously being exposed to art and working out the ants in their pants. Exhibits change every 18 months or so, so there's always something new."

"The NCM blends contemporary art with unstructured play to create an environment that appeals to children as well as adults. The 50,000-square…"

"Another Balboa park museum, the Museum of Photographic Arts, is a world-class site with an extensive collection of films, photographs, and videos. The museum was opened in 1983 and is one of the three museums which are specifically dedicated to the collection and preservation of photography in the United States. It is home to spacious galleries and state-of-the-art 228 seat theatre exhibiting work from some of the world-renowned photographers and cinematographers, including work by Yosuke Yamahata, the entire Nagasaki Journey: The Photographs of Yosuke Yamahata and an extensive collection from filmmaker Lou Stoumen’s estate."

"See the world through the lens of a trained eye at the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA), home to over 9,000 images from the 19th century to today. The MOPA is dedicated to collecting, conserving, and exhibiting the entire spectrum of the photographic medium. The museum’s diverse exhibits explore cultural, historical, and social issues through photography."

"Founded in 1973, it was the first museum to build a planetarium and IMAX dome on site, offering its guests a wide range of entertainment options even as it educated them on scientific subjects. Other museums quickly went “hey, that’s a good idea” and copied the design, and now, you can’t throw a rock without hitting a museum dome. The good news is that the Fleet Science Center is still just as fun as it was in the ’70s."

"The Fleet Science Center is an interactive museum that highlights how we are connected through science. All ages tend to love the over 100 interactive exhibits that simplify and allow you to test various theories you may have learned at school. Kids under the age of 5 spend quite a bit of time in Kid City."

"The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is home to five galleries with interactive exhibits. The motion simulator ride is a favorite as is About Face, in which you capture your image on freeze-frame video. The museum also includes a planetarium and dome IMAX theater."

"The Chinese Historical Museum displays Chinese-American art, culture and history. Housed in a restored mission-style building, exhibits include miniature models, historic photographs and rare artifacts related to the heritage of San Diego’s Chinese community. *Small donation requested."

"Coronado’s rich and complex history is a fascinating subject even for those that don’t consider themselves history buffs. The Historic Walking Tour sponsored by the Coronado Historical Association is a great change of pace and something your whole family will enjoy. Stroll through historic Coronado while a knowledgeable guide spills all the details behind the architecture and adventure that makes Coronado so unique."

"Take a trip out to Coronado Island right off the coast of San Diego and learn about the fascinating and rich history of this unique resort town and active Navy Base. You'll get to explore lots of topics, including art, architecture, history, preservation, and more Getting in: Coronado Museum of History & Art tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card All-Inclusive Pass."

"Coronado Historical Society, an easy walk from Hotel del Coronado, connects people with the city’s interesting past through museum exhibits, historic photos, and walking tours. The latter I also recommend as one of the things to do in Coronado for tourists. (Location: Coronado)"

"The Wells Fargo Museum, located inside the Colorado House, features one of the company’s original 1867 Concord stagecoaches. The recreated and historically-furnished former hotel also houses actual historic telegraph machines and a variety of other memorabilia related to the banking and transportation company. Photo Courtesy of Historic Old Town Community Foundation"

"If you’re a San Diego local, you know there’s an abundance of delicious Mexican and Asian cuisine to experience. However, there are some eateries in San Diego that combine both cultural cuisines and offer a unique (but also familiar) Mexican-Asian fusion dish!. The Tabe BBQ Fusion truck takes elements from both popular Mexican and Korean dishes to create an amazing and tasteful meal."

"345 Sixth Avenue, East Village, San Diego, California, 92101Plan A Special Night Here$$$ | Greek Fusion. Open until the wee hours, Meze happily provides amazing Greek flavors to some classic breakfast and brunch plates. Brunch is served Saturday & Sunday until 2 PM."

"Located near Seaport Village, Eddie V’s offers an array of fresh seafood made from the freshest ingredients prepared with you in mind. Featuring hand-crafted cocktails poured with precision and an extensive wine menu. Open for dinnerDress code: Smart CasualPhone: +1 619-615-0281"

"High-walled, sapphire-blue velvet booths, at tables 112 or 122, form a protective cocoon for you and your sweetie, while smooth-as-silk live jazz from the lounge drowns out the rest of the world. The Headquarters, 789 W. Harbor Drive, downtown San Diego."

"If you’re looking for a full-on, fine dining experience with elegant ambiance and sublime seafood, Eddie V’s is at your service."

"I got the half pitaya and acai, and the acai dominated the pitaya so I was not really able to try ..."

"Nekter Juice Bar is a chain juice bar with a spot near La Jolla Cove as well as a few locations throughout San Diego. Here you’ll find healthy snacks, cold-pressed juices, delicious smoothies and an extensive menu of açaí bowls. They have nut-based milk that makes their smoothies and bowls creamy while adding nutritional value."

"Moonshine Flats is a ton of country fun in the Gaslamp Quarter. It's one of two places in San Diego to dance to country. The 10,000 square-foot venue features multiple levels, dozens of interactive elements, five bars throughout, including the longest bar on the west coast spanning 80 feet, San Diego's largest dance floor, two raised platforms for dance exhibitionists, a 6' x 6' raised "dance pod" and a moveable DJ booth, a large stage that hosts house bands in front of a floor-to-ceiling LED screen."

"The 10,000 square-foot venue offers multiple levels, dozens of interactive things, five bars, including the longest bar on the west coast extending up to 80 feet, San Diego’s largest dance floor, two raised platforms for dance exhibitionists, a large stage that hosts house bands in front of a floor-to-ceiling LED screen. You can drink from old school barber “shot” chairs or play pool and arcade games like Buck Hunter and a Boxing. You’ll love it, even if country music isn’t your style."

"Parakeet Cafe is a healthy outpost in Coronado, CA serving up a menu of handcrafted coffee drinks and meals made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. A beverage menu of juices, beer and wine complements the Parakeey's Mexico-inspired dishes like breakfast toast, soup, salad, toast, burritos, burgers, and sandwiches. Dogs are welcome to join you at an outdoor table on the patio while you enjoy your meal."