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Groton, Connecticut: Submarine Force Museum: USS Nautilus

RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report

Address:
1 Crystal Lake Rd, Groton, CT
Directions:
I-95 exit 86. Drive north on CT-12 for 1.5 miles. Turn left at the stoplight onto Crystal Lake Rd. Drive a half-mile. Continue straight through the last traffic light to the museum.
Phone:
860-694-3174
Admission:
Free
RA Rates:
Major Fun
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Submarine Force Museum.

Submarine Force Museum: USS Nautilus

Showroom dummies man battle stations on the world's first nuclear sub. Adjacent museum on land includes replica of the attack "Turtle" from 1776, sub weaponry, and peek-thru periscopes.

Roadsideamerica.com Report... [01/06/2019]

Visitor Tips and News About Submarine Force Museum: USS Nautilus

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Sub museum.

Submarine Capital of the World

Anyone who loves submarines as much as this girl does will absolutely love this place. If you are slightly interested in underwater craft you will probably like it too.

[AKR, 09/24/2013]
Submarine Capital of the World

When crossing the Thames River into Groton Connecticut on I-95, visitors are greeted by a submarine-shaped billboard claiming for Groton the title "Submarine Capital of the World." Indeed, Groton is home to a large submarine factory, as well as the U.S. Submarine Force Museum.

The museum features a number of historic submarines and submarine parts on display in the parking lot. They have hidden the missile on display behind a sub tower. Inside, there are more exhibits ranging from flags with kill-marks, to a submarine used in the Revolutionary War, to sub-launched nuclear weapons. There is also a gift shop selling all kinds of submarine-themed junk, especially bath toys. I bought a sub-shaped cookie cutter. The real attraction here is the U.S.S. Nautilus, the first nuclear submarine and the first submarine to reach the North Pole. Visitors can tour the Nautilus, receiving their audio-tour wands from an active duty Navy service member who I can only assume would be embarrassed to admit his rather unglamorous assignment to other soldiers. Inside, mannequins have been positioned performing various submarine tasks--loading the torpedoes, sleeping in their bunks, and eating (or preparing) fake food in the mess. For some reason, the museum has placed a working "bug juice" fountain behind the glass in the kitchen.

[Dominic Ryan, 07/19/2006]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Sparky the Firehouse Dog RockSparky the Firehouse Dog Rock, Montville, CT - 4 mi.
Tantaquidgeon MuseumTantaquidgeon Museum, Uncasville, CT - 6 mi.
Mohegan Sun Walk of FameMohegan Sun Walk of Fame, Uncasville, CT - 7 mi.
In the region:
Easter Island Tiki Photo-Op, Montauk, NY - 26 mi.

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