Submarine Force Museum and USS Nautilus

The Official Museum Of The United States Submarine Force, Operated By The US Navy; Berthed Alongside Is USS Nautilus, The First Nuclear Powered Submarine In The World And A National Historic Landmark, Which Visitors Walk Through Free Of Charge · Groton, Connecticut

USS Nautilus was launched in 1954 and was the first vessel of any kind to run on nuclear power, which changed submarines from boats that could briefly submerge into boats that had no particular reason to surface. She sailed under the North Pole in 1958, was retired in 1980, and is now berthed at Groton as a National Historic Landmark with her torpedo room, crew berthing, wardroom and attack centre open to walk through on a self-guided audio tour. Alongside her the Submarine Force Museum is the official museum of the service, run by the Navy, with working periscopes, control room mock-ups, the midget submarines of several navies and a collection covering the whole history of underwater warfare from Bushnell's Turtle onward. Both are free, which for a National Historic Landmark of this significance is remarkable. The one thing to confirm before driving out is whether Nautilus herself is open: she has closed for extended maintenance more than once while the museum stayed open, and that is a much lesser visit.

1 Crystal Lake Road, Groton, Groton, Connecticut, 06340, United States

Open most days through the middle of the day and afternoon, with at least one weekday closure in most seasons and a reduced winter schedule, and closed on several federal holidays and for a maintenance period each year. USS Nautilus has her own availability and has been closed for extended repair while the museum remained open. Admission is free and no ticket is required, but photo identification may be asked for at the gate.

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