Portsmouth, New Hampshire: USS Albacore, Submarine in a Ditch
RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report
Albacore Park
- Address:
- 600 Market St., Portsmouth, NH
- Directions:
- I-95 exit 7. Turn east onto Market St. Drive a half-mile to the traffic light, then turn right onto Albacore Park Rd (If you drive under a highway bridge you've gone too far). Keep to the right on Albacore Park Rd into the park. Don't keep to the left or you'll end up on US Hwy 1.
- Hours:
- May-Dec. daily 9:30-5 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 603-436-3680
- RA Rates:
- Major Fun
Results 1 to 3 of 3...
A super-secret experimental submarine, docked in a trench to protect it from Portsmouth's tidal flows (supposedly). Take the self-guided tour, peek through the periscope, bump your head.
Roadsideamerica.com Report... [05/30/2010]Visitor Tips and News About USS Albacore, Submarine in a Ditch
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Had a great self guided tour. No crowds. No rush.
[Xander B. Higgins, 02/27/2020]
This is a Cold War experimental sub built in 1952 and dragged out of the water in 1984, placed on way too small concrete blocks in a ditch, and turned into a museum. I never heard of the Albacore (lived in NH for 7 years and grew up in New England) until I noticed the sign on Rt. 95. Best of all, you get to go on by yourself and play with stuff. Great for kids! Got to look through periscope; sit in pilots' chairs and play with controls; sit in radar and sonar man stations; etc. The sub was the first to have the cylindrical design that all subs now have.
There was information about guided tours, but we never saw anyone other than the guy behind the ticket counter/gift shop (one small display case, mostly Navy patches). Apparently the only people who know about this place are foreign engineering students, who you'll have to fight to get your turn in the pilot's chairs.
There is also a monument to sub disasters, such as the USS Thresher, on the grounds.
[Bob, 07/04/2004]Nearby Offbeat Places
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Feb. 2020: Photo added.