USS Nautilus & Submarine Force Museum

Groton calls itself the submarine capital of the world, and the USS Nautilus is the proof. Launched in 1954, the Nautilus was the first nuclear-powered submarine, and in 1958 she became the first vessel to cross the North Pole under the ice. Today she is a National Historic Landmark berthed beside the Submarine Force Museum on the Thames River, and visitors can walk through her torpedo room, crew mess, control room and passageways on a self-guided tour. The museum around her tells the story of American submarines from the Revolutionary War's Turtle to the modern fleet, with models, periscopes, artifacts and hands-on displays. Admission is free, funded in part by supporters of the museum, which makes the visit a standout value.

The Nautilus tour is compact and vivid. Passing through tight hatches and narrow corridors, you get a sense of how roughly a hundred people lived and worked in a vessel under the sea, with bunks stacked in small spaces and equipment packed into every available inch. The audio guide adds detail and personal stories from crew members, and the control room, with its dials and wheels, is the place most visitors linger. Visitors who find tight spaces difficult should consider the experience carefully, since the route involves steps and low overheads.

The site pairs naturally with other local stops. Fort Griswold and the Groton Monument are a short distance away, giving a pairing of Revolutionary War and Cold War stories, and Mystic Seaport and the aquarium are a short drive. Allow about two hours for a thorough visit, plus extra time at the museum store.

The riverfront setting is pleasant for a picnic when the weather is good, and children typically love the hands-on periscope and the climb into the sub. Note that the Nautilus is an active museum ship maintained as a historic vessel, so certain areas may be closed from time to time for maintenance.

The museum also holds some surprising artifacts from the earliest days of underwater warfare, including replicas of early submersibles and displays about the Revolutionary War's one-man Turtle, which attempted to attach an explosive to a British ship in New York harbor. Visitors who are fascinated by technology can compare these primitive craft with the sophisticated systems of modern submarines, represented through scale models and equipment.

Staff and volunteers, many of them veterans, are often on hand to answer questions and share stories, so take advantage of their experience. Photography is usually allowed in public areas, but follow signs and instructions from staff, particularly around the base.

Visitors who enjoy quirky details will appreciate the exhibits about daily life on board, from the menu to the music, and the explanation of how sailors navigated and communicated beneath the polar ice. School groups often visit in spring, so a weekday morning during the school year can be busy. Parking is available near the entrance, and the museum shop sells models, books and Navy souvenirs.