The Submarine Force Museum Reviews

A veteran of the US Navy that served on the nuclear submarine Benjamin Franklin, greeted us at The Submarine Force Museum and we participated in his first tour as a museum docent. He did a great job. We gained much insight and a real look at submarine duty during the Vietnam War era of the sixties. The museum is very well done, understandable, picture graphic, contains many movies of real war situations and can be made even more informative by easily scanning posted barcodes into your iPhone or Android. The apex and star attraction of the entire museum is the actual SSN 571 Nautilus, the USA's first nuclear sub. This 30 minute tour includes a headset to help you guide your way through the ladders, hatches and various compartments of the submarine. Very interesting and exciting and there is no admission cost for the entire museum.

GolfTango61

The former crew of the USS Will Rogers SSBN659 held our 50th anniversary reunion of the commissioning of our sub. We visited the museum and were received with gracious courtesy and professionalism. GREAT place to visit and pick up some wonderful memoirs.

Admission is free to this well though out little museum. The signage in the exhibits is extensive, so bring your reading glasses and be prepared to spend some time soaking in all the information provided. Outdoor exhibits include several submarines, missiles and related items, but the SSM 571 USS Nautilus moored in the river makes this tour fantastic. You can board the sub with headphones provided free and listen to commentary as you make your way through the ship. Am unforgettable experience.

If your in the area you should really check out this Museum. It's very nice and well laid out. You can't go wrong here.

I cannot properly express how much fun this museum is without first exclaiming "We went on a submarine!". My kids really enjoyed this museum, and I HIGHLY recommend going if you get a chance.

A few notes:

- The museum is closed on Tuesdays in the summer (Not sure about winter)
- The museum is free - but please leave a donation!
- The gift shop is reasonably priced and has lots of great memorabilia
- Talk to the staff. they are likely Navy personnel on shore duty!
- If you are lucky, you might see a sub go out from the New London naval yard just beside the Museum.
- there are picnic tables beside the parking lot, and vending machines

Visiting Mystic and New London, it was one of the stops on our itinerary. We got there, and were charmed by the exterior of the building, with tons of cool artifacts displayed, like submarine conning towers, missiles, torpedo doors, and a long, narrow Japanese submarine. Inside is a wonderful display explaining submarines, the history of the US Navy and their submarine warfare, plus a bunch of interactive displays the kids can go nuts on. Did you know that subs have gone to the North Pole?

The true highlight is the USS Nautilus. A self-guided audio tour lets you wind your way through the bowels of the very first nuclear submarine, explaining what life was like on board, and you can see just how small it was! It was eye-opening to know that men lived and worked in these tubes under the ocean, sometimes for weeks at a time. I am a smaller person, and I found it cramped!

This museum is run by the US Navy, and as such is staffed by the Navy. The young officer that was manning the audio device station at the entrance was on shore duty, and he was a delight to talk to, being very patient with our kids. The older, retired navyman at the front kiosk was also a treat, telling us stories, and delighting at the kids asking him about what he did in the Navy.

A hidden jewel, and a lot of fun. Go! You won't be disappointed.

The museum it self was small but very interesting. The highlight is touring the sub which was incredible and amazing the conditions they lived in. Will say that I am glad we took our backpacks and stroller back to the car because you have to go down incredibly steep stairs and thru the man hole hatches to get thru the sub. So if someone is handicap in any way I wouldn't recommend it.

As a Retired submariner with 29 years service I am very critical of anything that comes out about submarines. This place is run by submariner’s with an attention to detail and authenticity that takes every “bubblehead” back to the minute they stepped on board their first boat. The history and legacy that is captured within this museum is incredible, and to be able to go outside and step aboard the world’s first truly sustainable underwater vessel and see that warship in the state it existed when it was active is just amazing. You can see everything from the Turtle, that broke an English blockade in the Revolutionary War, to modern SEAL Delivery Vehicles employed on the state of the art submarines deploying today. This is a must-see stop for submariners, historians, and people who want an historical, vibrant and fun experience that takes a visitor into the depths.

The boys loved it! Cool self guided tour & free admission! I really have nothing else to say but there's a 100 character minimum.

Nice little museum. Free parking and free admission. Submarine you can take an audio tour of. Very interesting information.

I learned a great deal about the wars and the history of the submarine. The museum itself has a lot of reading, so kids might not fully appreciate. Walking through the Nautilus was fabulous! Surely my only chance to experience the interior of a submarine. We had kids behind us and they loved seeing the ship. A bonus was that a submarine was coming into the Naval base with an escort!!! Great 2 hours!

The museum and library are right by the base, and because my husband is retired military, we drove through the base first. Not that much to see, but when we got to the museum, it was a different story. The USS Nautilus is the first nuclear submarine in the world. We took a 30 minute self-guided audio tour of the submarine after we toured the museum. There was so much interesting information there, but the submarine was the big draw. Nice gift shop as well.

It's a interesting museum to visit lots of things to see about how the subs looks inside how they lived. Even life size replicas of torpedoes. There are working periscopes that you can look through and see all around the harbor but the best part is that you can actually get inside a real sub that is parked in the harbor and take a tour in. And the museum is free and they have veterans and active navy sailors working there

I brought my boyfriend here on a surprise visit. We came to Mystic for entirely different reasons and told him that I had a surprise. He had no idea until we pulled up into the gate and saw signs for the museum. I knew that he loves everything historical and knew this would be a cool place to sight-see. The museum is very impressive right from the moment you pull into the parking lot. This museum is entirely free entry and free to explore. Came here on a Saturday morning and it was fairly empty. Lots of displays on the outside of the museum. Upon walking into the museum, there are lots of interactive parts, a concierge man who is there to answer questions and guide you, and many rooms to explore and plaques/artifacts to read and look upon. This museum has clearly been put together impressively and is a great test to the Submarine and government history. Of course, there is the Nautilus itself sitting in the Thames river which is the jewel to this museum. Be sure to go explore as you enter the entrance, you are handed talking microphones that ping in certain sections of the Nautilus as you are taken through the submarine. It's a short tour, completed in about 30 minutes. Lots of steps, small confined spaces, port doors to squeeze through. Recommended for able-bodied folks. Worth a visit, and the store was pretty cool to purchase some tokens of your trip. Only downfall about the store is not much Nautilus-themed merchandise, more commonplace nautical themed items for sale, which don't commemorate the Nautilus and the submarine history.

excellent museum and a great opportunity to take your family on a real submarine since this is a rare treat for most citizens. There are many interesting and interactive displays to show and demonstrate life aboard a submarine and different types of designs of US submarines and what the differences are between them. The self guided tour of the Nautilus are not to be missed and will really show off the tight and cramp spaces that the crew lived in for months on end. Great museum for the whole family, spent a few hours to see it all, do not forgot to see the diameter circles at the entrance of the museum to get a real appreciation for different diameters of US submarines.

I I would highly recommend going here! Submarine is awesome! It gave you a great perspective on what life was like on a submarine. Plus it’s free!

First visited sixteen years ago I and my wife visited and enjoyed the museum. Present day, and with family in tow visited again and still the museum amazes with its content and offerings. Kids enjoyed being wannabe sub drivers, the periscopes were great fun for minors to cries of "There's our car in the car park", and with Nautilus moored outside along with the bigger exhibits, the museum has something for everybody. Highlight of the day, getting a set of dolphins for my daughter from the well stocked and relevant on site shop.

The museum itself is cool, but the real highlight is the submarine. The tour of the submarine is self guided but they provide an audio devise that automatically triggers when you enter a new room. It gives a unique perspective about the sub and life on it. The museum and tour are free.

dive right into this place its a dream come true, everything you always wanted to see and know about the underwater world of subs

Great educational trip, view a submarine. They offer a movie which was informative and many varied exhibits. The highlight is walking into a real submarine and listening to information. Great for all ages, some agility is necessary to walk down steep steps and climb thru doorways.

We stopped by the museum after seeing signs for it in the highway. The facility was very clean, it was very interesting, and it was free. Our favorite part was being able to go into the USS Nautilus and doing the self guided tour.

Such a fascinating museum full of history and submarine information. It's a relatively small museum inside, but there's just so much packed in from a periscope room to full-sized torpedoes, with short movies describing bit of history. Everything is clean, accessible and well-presented, inside and out. There are outdoor exhibits in front and yes, an actual submarine that one can visit in the river, next to the military base. The information greeter was very helpful and friendly. Parking is free, as is admission to the museum and all of its displays (our tax dollars at work). There's just too much to see and read about for one visit, so I find it easier to focus on a chunk of information each time I go.

Great museum located near the home of the submarine force. Plus you get to tour the NAUTILUS, what's not to like!

Amazing museum we have been several times. Worth a two hour stay. Lots of information and memorabilia. Love crawling through the Nautilus. Fun gift shop. Great to go with out of town visitors too.

I went with a group of history buffs and we thoroughly enjoyed learning about the history of the submarine. There are excellent models and displays and videos. The Nautilus is the centerpiece of the museum and is definitely worth walking through and listening to the self-guided tour. The docents are also quite knowledgeable. Amazingly, the museum is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. The gift shop is worth a visit. Pick up a copy of Blind Man's Bluff. It's a great read.

My son recently graduated from the US Navy submarine school. I thought I knew about submarines. Nope. This place is amazing! Must see!!!

We are interested in all things nautical and as we were in the area decided to visit this attraction.

There is so much to see here, you could easily spend half a day digesting all of the exhibits and watching the films. The Nautilus itself is very interesting, you are guided by an audio tour which gives a great insight into life onboard.

This museum is well worth a visit, particularly as it is free!

My first time here was for a chiefs pinning ceremony. This museum is awesome and it really captures the history and future of the submarine force!

This place has many visual displays of sub interiors as well as tons of info on the submarines! Well worth a visit!

It was really interesting to tour an actual submarine. Much smaller than you see in TV movies. You get an audio device to guide you through the sub. Inside the museum there is a lot of interesting things to see and read about. Helpful staff.

if your in the area you must stop by. lots of history and information. being able to go into the sub is pretty cool too.

Wonderful museum Paying tribute to the US Navy submarine force. Visit and tour of the USS Nautilis, see the development of US submarines from the very first Turtle to the most recent nuclear boats. Free admission free parking, small gift shop. Stop and read the tributes to submariner‘s who have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

It has been over 10 years since I have been stationed on a sub. It was neat to see the history of the sub force. And to see how many other countries have a sub force was really eye-opening. Lots of interactive things for small kids to get there hands on. Great job! Love that there Sub Vets that volunteer at the museum.

Way better than expected. Tour a nuclear sub with self paced hand held speaker narration. History of submarines, development of weapon systems, and incidents/accidents. You will leave with a new appreciation for submariners and the importance of submarines in modern tactical warfare.
Better than many other "museums" that have high entrance fees.

While at this museum, you will learn a lot about nuclear submarines. You can also go inside a submarine, and take an audio tour. This is all for free. While we were there, they made an announcement that a submarine was leaving port. We all walked outside and watched as the sub sailed out of sight with members of the Navy standing on top. it was an awesome thing to see. There are lots of exhibits, and some short movies to watch. All in all, an excellent place to visit.

Great location to learn about the worlds greatest sea power. It was awesome FREE museum that my family 3 adults & 3 teenagers really enjoyed. If your in the area...stop for an hours or longer. Self paced depending on how much you want to read.

Great museum. Definitely worth the trip and very well put together. They don’t charge but there is a donation place that I recommend contributing too.

Fascinating museum with an incredible array of submarine hardware on display. Including the first nuclear sub, the Nautilus.

We had allot of fun so much to learn about our submarines and what they could and how they work under water.

This museum is awesome. It covers the history of the US Navy submarine forces and highlights the bravery of so many sailors who have blazed the trails of our sub forces. God bless the men who have dedicated their lives to the US Navy's Silent Service!

Museum is great with donation if you would like. History of submarines from beginning of man attempting to go under the sea, first military subs to modern day. You can also tour the Nautilus Submarine. Best if you are small and agile.

Had always wanted to stop and never found the time. It was interesting to see how they lived on a submarine. If you are in the area, this is a must. It only takes about an hour or so and it is free.

The museum is filled with wonderful historical facts and great exhibits. It is a self-guided tour but there are experienced service personnel available to answer questions and share their experiences. It is unbelievable that there is no charge to visit the museum or the submarine. It will take about an hour or so to tour everything. It is well worth the visit.

We made a quick stop at the Submarine Force Museum en route to Mystic. We were easily able to tour the museum and the Nautilus in about 50 minutes. Some interesting exhibits on the history of submarine warfare from 1776 through present day. Some of the exhibits were under repair, and I believe more could be done to introduce technology into the museum itself to better represent the story of these brave men, yet I found the visit educational and particularly enjoyed the tour of the sub, which included free audio headsets.

Small museum, but very informative and very, well done. Employees and volunteers are very friendly and helpful. The self tour of the actual submarine is very interesting and gives you a very true vision of what our sailors went and go through to serve our country!
The gift shop in the museum has lots of great stuff!
Other then purchasing something in the gift shop, everything is free, including parking and that doesn't happen often . Lol.

Well worth the visit!

I hadn't been to the Submarine Force Museum in over 20 years and was extremely happy to see the expansion and improvements that have occurred since my last visit. They've got information on everything from our first sub "The Turtle" to current subs being built just down the river at Electric Boat. Watch the movie, look through a periscope, visit the gift shop and walk around a cut-away view of a submarine. There's so much information here and it's free. They'll happily accept donations.

Especially enjoyed the chance to go on board the sub. Great museum and cute gift shop. Recommend for all ages.

This was another amazing part of the submarine complex. If visiting the sub, you will most likely visit here. Highly recommend. Between the sun and the museum we spent about 2 hours.

I am old enough to remember the Nautilus and its trip to the North Pole. For some reason, although I've been to Groton several times, I never realized the Nautilus was there.

It's a self-guided tour of the Nautilus, which is a lot smaller inside than any sub you've seen in the movies. Getting through the tiny doors was pretty difficult, but I managed (barely).

The rest of the museum is devoted (surprise!) to submarines, and to WW II and the Cold War. There were a large number (maybe 50% of the visitors?) of Japanese there, which surprised me. The guard said that tours run from NY City. But why they would want to see a museum that celebrated their defeat remains a mystery.

And of course the museum is free! (Unless you count your tax dollars.)

An easy and inviting place to spend an hour or two. Museum is well taken care of and interesting. Touring the Nautilus was the highlight.

A must stop if you are in Groton. We enjoyed an hour of wandering through the history of submarines. You can even tour a submarine

We really enjoyed seeing all things Submarine. We loved the displays and all the information we learned. The history and stories behind it. You can actually tour the Nautilus. I always like to visit the gift shop and pick up a few souvenirs and post cards. Highly recommend!

The museum, parking, and tour of the sub are all free. Obviously, the submarine is not equipped to handle strollers or wheelchairs but the museum can. The sub is a walk thru only, no touching so you can not sit at the officer's table, or try the shower or bunk out for size to see what an actual tight fit it is. You can see all this but only thru glass. A self guided audio tour and signage takes you thru the sub. The museum offers a history of sub development. Hands on control board and periscope for kids (and adults). Film is shown and a small gift shop is attached. If you've never been on a submarine this would be a good introduction.

This was my first visit to the area, so visiting this museum did not disappoint as it provided me with an extensive history lesson on submarines as well as a self guided audio tour of a real submarine.

Enjoyed touring the submarines and reading the history of their use and development. It was fun spotting our car in the parking lot from their periscope.

What an impressive museum! It's not in a major tourist area, but certainly worth heading out to visit. The submarine itself is a major highlight, but not for the claustrophobic.

Definitely recommended for a visit!

Admittance was free. So much to learn about submarines and their past history... along with future plans. There is a gift shop, also. You can even look through real periscopes and watch videos on some of the subjects. Great for the family.

This is a very nice family attraction. I will take about 4 hours to see it all and is worth ever minute. You will get to see artifacts from all our sub from the very begining to present day. There are activities for all ages. For me it was a reminder of the history that has occured in my life time. To go aboard the sub that first went under the North Pole was the high light.

Excellent Museum. I love to visit all kinds of warfare museums, so this was on my list for my road trip. Luckily, I had checked their website before I started my trip to find that they would be closed for Fall cleaning starting Columbus Day, the day I was planning to visit. Luckily, I made it down from Hartford the day before to visit.
You basically come on the Naval Base and go straight to the museum rather than go thru the gate for the base. They have a bunch of exhibits on the history of the submarine, which is pretty much WWI to the present. They did have a replica of The Turtle which was used during the Revolutionary War to attempt an attack on a British Warship in NY Harbor.
The USS Nautilus is here, and you can walk thru the sub and see what life was like on a nuclear submarine. I also really enjoyed the Medal of Honor exhibit on the submariners who have won the award.
Out on front of the museum they have some larger exhibits like a Japanese mini sub, the sail from the USS Washington and some missiles.

you can go through at your own pace. Lots of history. You can walk down into the Nautilus. Sailors or old submariners would love it..

I am a retired Submarine Chief Petty Officer and this US Navy run a museum and visiting ship Nautilus is a one of a kind visit. Do enjoy the most complete Submarine Museum in the world. Lots of hands on for the children.

Family decided to check this out becasue it was free and it is one of best free attractions I have ever been to. Really well set up and run. Going into the actual submarine was fascinating. The self-guided tour was easy, informative and relatively quick. We came away very impressed (from the 12 year old, teenages and parents - not easy to do). HIGHLY recommend this as a destination and especially if in the area. All the people there were friendly and helpful. Prideful, respectful and impressive mood and experience. There is a place for donations - please use it:)

My husband and I stopped at the museum on our way to Maine. What a very interesting and informative place! It is free and filled with historical information on development of America’s submarine history. Touring the sub was quite the eye opener! If you find yourself in this are I highly recommend visiting.

Here's a place to visit if you like science and history. Very interesting. The museum and grounds are well laid out, clean and well organized.

The fact that this is free is amazing. Have visited WW 2 vintage subs in a couple places and some of the surface ship museums. This visit stood right with the best. The Nautilus is an amazing and historic vessel. It's accomplishments are tremendous. The sub tour gives a brief, claustrophobic, look at life under the sea. I tip my hat to those who did and do this, wow.
The museum is small but packed with good stuff. Bridge samples are a huge hits with the kids. There are a variety of weapons and explanations of different systems on subs of all eras.
A great visit can be had in 2 to 3 hours. There are stamps which can be put into National Park Passport books, but this is NOT a unit of the NPS, for clarity.

Excellent museum and well worth the visit. A nuclear sub actually set sail while I was there which added to the experience

This was a great museum. There was quite a few interactive areas where is always fun, alot of visual exhibits and the self guided tour on the submarine. Super suprised it was free! This is a total gem to visit!

Our grandson is a submariner stationed in Groton, so this museum gave us some insight on what life is like when he's underway. It also provides a lot of history on submarines.

I love military stuff, so when I saw this museum was so well rated, I immediately went there.

Does NOT disappoint! Fantastic trip. Full of information n submarines and US naval submarine history. Has models and actual armaments and torpedos.

The best part is the USS Nautilus. Wonderful audio tour and a chance to see an actual submarine from inside. It was a great experience and it was wonderful to see and experience what the men and women in uniform go through. Very nice and polite USN seaman at the entry to the submarine. I had a wonderful conversation as well.

The only let down is the gift shop. There is some stuff you can buy, but this needs to be improved and made a lot better, with more memorabilia and better organization. Throw out the silly and out of place Kitsch items and make it about the US Navy and Submarines

What a great place to visit and learn about Naval history. If you bring your smartphone you can listen to the different stories (in lieu of reading). It was also fun to walk through the sub but be mindful that if you get claustrophobic the quarters are pretty tight and the stairs are really narrow and steep.
There's a lot of great information there and the people are super-friendly and helpful. Great way to spend a couple of hours. Oh, and it's free! Perfect :)

We are a family of tween and teens who visited the museum during our trip to Mystic. The museum has some interesting displays, but the highlight of course is the Nautalis. The self-guided audio tour was informative and it was great to be able to walk through so much of the submarine. We had hoped to participate in a program in the theater as well, but the equipment was malfunctioning the day we were there. Without that, 60-90 minutes is plenty to see everything else.

This amazing attraction is absolutely free of charge. It is hard to believe because you actually get to go onboard the submarine. The building you walk through to get to the boat is chalked full of displays of missiles, Medal of Honor heroes, pictures of decommissioned subs and people christening them, control panels off of old subs, recruiting posters, and war memorabilia.

My favorite part was the tour of the boat. It is fantastic to see how people lived and operated on a submarine. The displays onboard are so educational. You really get a feel for how things work on the boat. The tour is self guided.

I cannot stress how awesome this attraction is. It is appropriate for all ages. There are some stairs involved on the boat part. It is not handicap friendly. If someone has a hard time with stairs they might want to sit out the boat, but I would assess the situation first. My aunt has a hard time with stairs and she came onboard. It is worth having a look because you don’t want to miss out.

This museum is a fascinating look at the life of the submarine. There are many displays to look at and read. There is some submarine equipment that you can touch. There are three periscopes that you can look thru. I believe they have one short movie.

I would not recommend this for young kids. I don't think it would keep their interest. If you do take young kids, be prepared to breeze thru the museum without doing all the reading.

Just a wonderful place. Please spend considerable time in the museum. It's fascinating! The submarine tour was not very long but very interesting. It was fun to see 2 of us trying to get through the hatches. We all had lots of enjoyment.

Being surrounded by the agents of mass destruction is more than a bit unsettling, but if you view the visit as a history lesson it's possible to appreciate what has been brought together here.

The Museum is fairly extensive and offers a few "hands-on" exhibits as well as a video. The video is lengthy -- 50 minutes -- but interesting and contains some archival footage.

The highlight of the visit, of course, is the tour of the Nautilus. It's really quite extraordinary the way the sub has been made accessible and transformed into an effective teaching tool.

We appreciated the fact that there was a decent picnic area on the grounds; the grounds themselves are well maintained and the location directly on the banks of the Thames River is delightful. We found the atmosphere somewhat marred, however, but the proliferation of fast food trucks and other carnival-like vendors (cotton candy, etc.). This certainly distracts from the solemnity of the subject matter and is at odds with the overall feeling elsewhere carefully established.

Nonetheless, this is a worthwhile and historically important installation.

We toured the USS Nautilus and explored the museum. The museum was very educational and informative. The museum is a self-guided tour and took us about 1 1/2 hours as we did read a lot of the info on the numerous exhibits. If you have any interest as to the history of our submarine fleet, it's definitely worth a visit. No admission fee but donations are appreciated.

If you visit only one museum on submarines, this is it. The worlds fist nuclear submarine is open for free tours. In addition, there are non-rushed guided tours; you are given an audio device (free to borrow) that plays at each station in the submarine. You can stop and stare at all the buttons and dials as long as you wish, and slowly take in the history of this submarine. In addition, there are docents that occasionally come through the sub telling stories of their submarine life.
The museum next to the sub is a comprehensive history of submarines. I spent three hours at the museum & the Nautilus, but I am a submarine history enthusiast. Easily plan to spend 90 minutes. No restaurant on site, but bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the scenic view of the sub in the river.
Prepare your visit by watching movies or documentaries on submarines, such as the Discovery Channel.

The Submarine Force Museum was a great experience. It showcased the history of US submarine service from the early 1900s through the present day. The highlight is a tour of the USS Nautilus. We spent a couple of hours at the museum, but easily could have spent a half to full day just to take in all of the information.

My husband has dragged me along to tour aircraft carriers and subs on many trips. Not really my cup of tea, but he enjoys it. This was a good tour, not too long, and some interesting information.

Fabulous place to visit and learn something new. Plus no admission here which is quite a surprise. Definitely worth a visit.

This free museum is highly recommended. Good history of submarines with a focus on US subs, it's an excellent introduction to submarines. In the home of the US submarine service, it's an appropriate place for this museum. The emphasis is on the US military, but there are nods to other sub operating nations and some civilian efforts. There are quite a few artifacts and some interactive displays. Children will like to use the working periscopes. The tour is self-guided and there is a small gift shop adjacent.

Excellent information and well organized. We learned a lot about the Submarine Force. My husband served in the Army, so it was interesting to read what was going on in the seas while they were in the desert.

We visited with my granddaughter. There were interactive exhibits for everyone. There was a real submarine to walk through. It was a good visit fpr all.

My young elementary age boys aren't into military, submarines, boats, or even anything nautical at all, but they loved this museum! Small, but very well staffed, clean, updated and informative. Going on the Nautilus was very cool. Worth the drive for sure. Don't miss the outdoor exhibits.

It was amazing to,see the submarine my husband served on when he was in the navy. It was really cool to be able to go aboard and see where he even slept.

Free military museum about Submarines. Shows history of submarine development and warfare as far back as Jules Verne's conception in 1870. Has interactive periscope and control room features for hands-on operation. Has the actual USS Nautilus you can go into - but was unavailable when we were there due to its renovation. Many actual torpedos and a Polaris nuclear missile (decommissioned of course). Did I mention it was free?

Very thorough. Run by volunteers and current submariners on shore duty. Outstanding tour of Nautilus.

We visited the Submarine Force Museum in Groton, Connecticut on Sunday, November 12th. This museum offers a very comprehensive view of the Submarine Force.

Our audio tour aboard the USS Nautilus provided a great view of the layout, technology, equipment, furnishings and life aboard the Nautilus, the first nuclear submarine. The Nautilus is well preserved and maintained. The audio portion of the tour was quite informative. Our tour aboard the Nautilus took between 20 – 25 minutes and it was definitely worth our time.

The movie in the theater in the museum, “A Century of Silent Service – Part 1” provided a great history of the submarine and an overview of the evolution of the submarine, including the technology, design and the role of the submarine throughout the years, starting from 1900. The movie took about 45 minutes. This movie starts every hour on the hour.

The remaining parts of the museum, which are on two floors, included many informative exhibits, which took about an hour or so to see. We were not able to see all of it due to lack of time, but we still had an excellent visit. What we were not able to see included the 20 minute movie playing in the mini-theater on “41 for Freedom: a Fleet is Built”. I write about what we saw on the first and second floors below.

The first floor exhibits included the “Great War: through the Periscope”. This exhibit had a film, artifacts and displays related to World War I submarines and information on the impact of U-Boats on World War I. This exhibit was nicely done. The exhibit on Bushnell’s Turtle, the first military submarine, was quite informative. The Submarine Model Wall featuring models of the submarines from the Submarine Force over the years was also interesting as well as the World War II Submarine Attack Center, having three operational periscopes on display, in addition to the Medal of Honor Gallery. Next to the theater on the first floor were multiple interesting exhibits addressing the evolution of the various submarine technologies along with their associated timelines. This included Sonar Sensor, Combat System, Communications and Surveillance, Weapon System and Strategic Deterrence technologies.

The second floor included an exhibit on a “Gato” Class Submarine model, which showed the layout and equipment in each room within the submarine. Detailed descriptions explaining the purpose of each room and its equipment, including how it was used, were also on display. There were also exhibits on the early submarine pioneers as well as various submarine artifacts. In addition, there was a room called the Nautilus Museum that showed the triumphs, records, milestones, challenges and events associated with the Nautilus submarine. This included the important accomplishment of being the first submarine to cross the North Pole during its “Operation Sunshine” mission.

There is a lot to see in this museum, much more that what I mention here. All the write-ups explaining the exhibits in this museum are very detailed and quite informative. We have visited this museum multiple times and have always enjoyed it. We find it to be very interesting, informative and educational. We recommend visiting this museum and we hope that you enjoy it as much as we did.

This captivating, hands-on museum isn't as well-advertised as some of the other activities in the area, but is absolutely worth a visit. There's a lot to see and learn here, and you get to board an accurate, life-sized submarine (the USS Nautilus*) to learn more about the living conditions of those running the submarines. There are small signs distributed throughout the submarine to explain the various functions, and the overall experience gave us much better insight into the lives of people living in the submarine (oftentimes for weeks or months on end). The rest of the museum was equally interesting, with plenty of exhibits on the US Navy in both peace and wartime. Entrance to the museum is free, and there's plenty of free parking.

*Please note that the USS Nautilus is not at all equipped for people with physical disabilities or other mobility impediments. There are a lot of steep stairs and tight spaces, and on occasion we needed to climb through smaller entry-holes. If you get claustrophobic in small spaces, then I would also recommend avoiding the sub.

Very interesting! Was not aware of the number of submarines nor the size differentials. Enjoyed video on making a submarine as well as the on board tour of the Nautilus.

This museum isn't huge but it is jam packed with all things tied to the submarine fleet. The information is easy to read and full of information about the items. The highlight is the ability to take a audio guided tour of the Nautilus (first nuclear sub) and see just how much the mariners sacrifice to keep us safe. Without these subs we'd all be speaking Russian now. Thank you!

Toured the museum which is free as well as the parking. Museum full of exhibits and history of submarines. Toured the USS Nautilus which gave a great insight to how it functions and living conditions of the men who served. Take the time to view the movie next to the gift shop.

This is a great museum to visit to learn a bit about out Navy's submarine history. Plus you can go into the first nuclear submarine that is now decommissioned. Plenty to see for all ages!

Always and exceptional visit! The staff are remarkable -- knowledgeable, friendly and professional. We've been here many times and will continue to visit regularly -- a wonderful place for the young and old!

We were in town for a Concert at the Casino and we were looking for something to do. We were driving on the highway and sign said largest Sub museum. We turned in. It doesnt look huge from the outside. But they hook you when you walk through the doors! The history in this museum was awesome. Learning about torpedoes and missiles were cool. You get to walk outside and on to the USS Nautilus. I never thought I would actually get to go on a sub and yet here we were. I dont get how the Navy can live in such close quarters. They even had an ice cream machine on board! Being able to walk onto the sub and on foot steps of our brave men and woman is a privilege, When we got on deck the officer said he could take a photo of us and we were talking about what a lovely visit we were having. He was so knowledgeable and friendly. A true asset to the museum. We went back in museum and were able to look through periscopes. There was a lot of history and we learned alot. It was a diamond in the rough and absolutely would recommend it and visit again.

Very well presented story of the history of submarines and of the development of the nuclear subs under the leadership of Hyman Rickover. Actions in WW I and II were laid out and particularly interesting to us was the activity so near the U. S. coast during WW I. The description of life in early subs convinced us that it took quite a lot of dedication to have served! The tour of the Nautilus capped off the whole experience. Well worth seeing!

Great FREE museum for detailing the history of the submarine. The museum includes the ability to climb abort the US Nautilus, the first nuclear submarine. They had exhibits on torpedoes, and lots of models of various subs. There is also a small gift shop to get some souvenirs.

Unfortunately for us we arrived late in the day and only had about half hour to visit. We didn’t get to get on the submarine but we have been on the subs in Charlestown S C. , and the USS Alabama. I’m a military history buff so this was a hit although I didn’t give it the time it deserved. You can’t complain about all this and it’s free, even the parking!

A superb look into the "Silent Service", its origins, its vital contributions during the Wars and the Cold War- and a chance to visit the world's first atomic sub, the fabled "Nautilus". A truly exceptional experience for all- and an eye-opener for anyone never having been aboard a sub. There are even captured German and Japanese mini-subs on display by the main building.

This is a special place for me, as a retired sub sailor I love this place. I rode the USS Nautilus (SSN 571) as a rider(not crew). The museum is a favorite place to visit when I have visitors from other countries. They always enjoy the visit. There is so much to see I always plan on at least a half a day as even at that time we never see it all. There is a self guided tour inside the boat( front half only as the reactor is off limits to everyone except staff, but even with that restriction the tour is great( they give you a talking stick that explains what you are seeing. I obviously don't listen, instead I allow my guests to listen and then they ask questions, The sailors stationed on her are active sub sailors and I have always admired their friendly attitude. They take great pride on their boat and it shows. Go and enjoy, You may never get to see a nuclear sub again, especially the FIRST ONE.

Free museum & plenty of free parking just outside the Sub Base gate so very easy to visit. Not going on the base makes it easy. Take your time to see everything. They have some hands on things & a lot of history on the Sub Service. The tour of the Sub was eye opening to how they live in a small space. I was there for a retirement ceremony. But took the tour the day before so I had plenty of time to take it all in. Good for all the family

The United States Navy Submarine Museum is located on the Thames river and, is the only Submarine museum managed exclusively by the Naval History & Heritage Command division of the U.S. Navy, and includes the first Nuclear Powered submarine USS Nautilus (SSN-571) which you can go aboard.

There are no “see submarines by boat” tours on the Thames River = Like that existed before 9/11 (where you could view the lower sub base (where all the fast attack boats are docked now) but starting late this summer there is going to be a water taxi running between the dock where the Nautilus is tied up and the Coastguard Academy and one of the old forts on the Thames river as an enticement for tourism.

Right close to the entrance of the museum is the sail (what you see above the main deck of a submarine) of the USS George Washington SSBN 588. Tom was on the USS Patrick Henry SSBN 599), and he noted – “Wow I forgot how big the sail was”.

There are all sorts of historical small submarines (including the X-1 and NR-1) outside the museum entrance.

Walking the museum is a pure treat for any submarine / WWII / Modern Submariner / historian.

Going aboard the Nautilus is the prime treat, with its two deck (1X more then the older WWII boats like the Halfbeak), but no way as big as the Patrick Henry’s 3 decks or the increased size of today’s boats.
The museum has a vast number of artifacts that sheds interest to submariners and the general population.
All the while going through the Nautilus Tom tried to visualize our friend Eric's (served on the Nautilus) berthing space on this historical boat.
You are restricted to walking through the two decks forward of the reactor compartment, thus not able to view the Engineering spaces. Tom went to a navy prototype in Idaho back around early 1965, and when he graduated from A-1W (Enterprise engine room prototype) and did get a quick walk through the S-1W Prototype. FYI these prototypes were true 100% operational copies of the actual engine rooms and power source reactors located out in the desert of Idaho = to train future power plant operators (everything worked just like on the real ship).

only a short drive from Mystic this exceptional museum is located just outside of the actual submarine base.....as a Navy veteran I wanted very much to learn about the history of submarines and I was not disappointed....The museum is free but donations are gratefully accepted......I highly suggest a visit here if you are in the area...you can also visit the Nautilus here....Go Navy!

The displays are informative and entertaining. Actually walking through a real sub is very interesting. The museum is next to a sub base, if a sub is going out to sea from the base, they sound an alarm so you can go out and watch it go by. We got to see a Los Angles class sub go out. The museum is free.

Was there for Amateur Radio Museum Ships on the Air event. Toured the museum and was suitable impressed with the history and the exhibits.

This is a wonderful stop - especially for history minded families - even more so, families on a budget! Thanks to the US Navy for providing an amazingly detailed museum and opportunity to tour a fantastic historic submarine. The movie, museum and sub tour provide everyone with a greater appreciation of the hardships, mission and life of the submarine fleet.

Thanks to the staff for a wonderful visit. Not to be missed!

We enjoyed our visit here while on vacation. We planned the visit way ahead of time.
We were looking forward to touring the USS Nautilus submarine because my best friends Dad was on this sub.
It was not here when we visited. It had been taken to be cleaned & all from sitting in the water.
I didn't know this. I asked & found out it would be back in September of 2022 & remain for another 30 years.
But we still enjoyed the Museum.
I guess we'll just have to come back!

Good for kids of all ages
Some hands on. Real life type experience.
I understand helpful changes have been made since we visited.

I think it is a good museum, but perhaps wife and teenage daughter are not the ones one wants to visit with. Even with that set up, being so close to I 95, it is worth pulling off the freeway. Certainly cannot beat the price.

I am a 31 year veteran of the Submarine Force so I love this place. Also, IT IS FREE thanks to donations and the work of volunteers. Excellent exhibit. Tour self guided tour of the submarine is fantastic. Everything is there, just like it was when the boat was operating. Gives the person a good feeling for life on a submarine. Highly recommend anyone near this museum visit it. Everything is in perfect condition.

Very impressed!! Friendly staff, very well educated!!!! Fantastic tour for the whole family! Highly recommended!

I really should have reviewed this site a long time ago. I am a retired submarine sailor. This museum, which includes a chance to tour the USS Nautilus, which was America's first nuclear submarine is a GREAT chance to see and feel a comprehensive example and memorial to the submarines and submarine sailors of rhe U.S. of A.!

This museum offers interesting exhibits, displays, and videos on the history of the Naval Submarine Force. You can tour the USS Nautilus,the world's first nuclear powered submarine. Admission and parking are free, however donations are suggested. There is a gift shop and picnic facilities are available. Don'miss it!

If you have any interest in naval history, this museum is a must-see. You will be able go aboard the US Navy's first nuclear sub. Loads of other exhibits as well. Kid friendly.

We found the museum to be very informative. We were able to tour the Nautilus Submarine and get a feel for how cramped their quarters are. While we were touring the museum they announced that a sub was coming back to shore from deployment. We went outside and were able to see the sub with the sailors standing on top of it while it made its way back to dock. Very interesting to watch. Would recommend this museum to everyone.

My 9 & 10 year old loved it!!!!! It is a beautiful Museum. I was impressed & thankful that it is free. They have a nice little gift shop. We had a great time!

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the museum. The walk through the submarine was interesting. You are given a hand held audio player that explains the various areas of the submarine. I'm always amazed that people actually live in this confined place for months. Kudos to them, I know I couldn't do it.

It's not a huge museum but has lots of interesting displays. Between the tour of the sub and the museum we spent about 1.5 and then wandered outside to see the other items.

Both the museum and the parking are free which is always an added bonus.

Free admission to this small museum. Covers submarine warfare development. Gift shop. Located just outside Main Gate of Sub Base.Good for 30-60 minute visit.

I will be the first to admit I am not all that into Navy history or submarines but this actually was very interesting. You can spend a lot of time or just quickly go through. The submarine that you can tour was very interesting to see the inside. Good for kids and adults. And it is free, you can't beat that! If you are in the Groton area it's definitely worth going!

This is definitely worth the trip to Groton. The museaum covers all aspects of the submarine force and goes back in history the the very first submarine. The tour of the Nautilus is a bit cramped but you definitely leave there with great respect for the men and women who man todays submarine force. A must do in Groton!

First of all I can't believe this is FREE!!! I strongly suggest you donate upon arrival. It is well worth it. There is so much to look at and learn. You can go onto an actual submarine for a radio guided tour.

This museum is small. Though it’s very interesting. You get to tour inside the submarine. It’s a self guided audio tour. The space inside is cramp, I guess just like in a real submarine situation. So just excuse yourself from other people if you go through the tour quickly! A lot of good information if you’re reading through what’s on the display. They have a small gift shop just before the exit. There is no entrance fee. Parking is free. Just don’t forget to drop a dollar or two in the donation box support the museum!

This was a last minute rainy day decision. I am sure glad we went! The entire museum is donation based so you can get in for free (we did donate once we realized how extensive and incredible it was). The tour of the submarine is a self guided audio tour (you can take as king as you want but if you move from area to area on the schedule of the audio tour you will be completed in about 30 minutes). You will have to climb stairs, navigate small doorways, and be in small and enclosed spaces. My 6’5” husband was able to fit with just a bit of ducking in some places.

Inside the building are several exhibits regarding the history or submarines and how they were first conceived and built and how they are built today. There is a video you can sit and watch. They also show some of the weaponry that subs use. This part of the museum will not be nearly as captivating to children. It is incredibly informational. If you (as an adult) were to read every exhibit and look at every picture I would expect you could spend at least an hour or an hour and a half in there. We did not look at every single picture and I don’t feel that we missed out on too terribly much (not that it’s not interesting, just that some it I already knew from previous submarine tours in other places).

They do have a small area where you can see through periscopes mounted on top of the building and also where you can try driving a submarine. These would definitely be fun for children. The gift shop was fairly sizable, mostly USN submarine items and a lot of kitchsy sea-themed items. There were very few museum branded things.

I would highly recommend this museum to families, anyone interested in naval history, anyone who was a submarine or has one in their family, or anyone who is just looking for fun things to do. I fit in none of the above categories except the last one and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Wasn't sure what to expect but I was surprised and pleased to see all the exibits. The history and tours are not to be missed.

Well presented history of submarines and cannot believe it is free, so make sure to leave a donation.

This is a free museum run by the US Navy which also has the Nautilus submarine. There are some movies here as well as a number of exhibits and a gift shop. There is a periscope that you can look through and some torpedos. It is an especially good activity for a rainy day.

We had only an hour to spend here and could have easily used two more hours. Make sure you have enough time.Fascinating. You can tour an actual sub as a self guided tour. Entry and parking were free. Very cool museum !

The Submarine Force Museum provides an excellent overview of US Navy submarine operations & technology from the past century. I've been to this Museum before, and it always had an excellent overview of WW II USN submarine operations. Recent additions now cover (now unclassified) submarine operations during the Cold War as well. A great museum to visit if you're interested in naval history and/or history of the past ~120 years.

If you are going through New London, CT during the day, do yourself a favor. Get off I-95 and go to Groton just a short distance away. This is the only US Navy Submarine Museum in the USA and located at the US Navy Submarine Base and Training Center. The history of submarines from the first one and the ones built during WWI, WWII and then the Nuclear Age Submarines. Extensive and interesting exhibits and films in a well laid out museum. You then have a chance to go on board the USS Nautilus and go below decks to view the different operating areas of the sub. Be forewarned, going thru some of the hatches between compartments is tight and not easily done, but was fun. Your tax dollars are at work for you since this is completely FREE!

The Submarine Force Museum is a comprehensive museum about submarines, with a lot to see and read. There are some interactive exhibits inside and outside. Some of the information was a little too technical for me, but for someone more scientific, it's wonderful. My children (ages 20, 24) and I agreed that taking the audio tour of the Nautilus was definitely the best part!

Go to tour the submarine, it really is a neat experience. When your done you can walk around inside the building and get some submarine history.

Getting to going into a submarine was great experience. I'm glad I was short. To think they are on the submarine for months. God bless them.

I didnt know that people are allowed inside the submarine. It is really awesome and you can literally feel how they survived there in the underwater. Awesome..worth a visit

The Submarine Force Museum is a great place to visit with family and friends. Lots of exhibits and history presented. Well organized and good lighting displays.

We were able to visit the museum while we were in town for our son’s BESS graduation. Very informational and being able to tour the Nautilus was SO cool! If you have a sailor that is or will be assigned to a sub then you will definitely enjoy this!

Very informative & fun!! Great 40 minute movie on the history of submarines and their role in military conflicts.

We made an impromptu visit here on our way back to NY and found a gem. Great for submarine history and the tour thru the Nautilus was the icing on the cake. Highly recommend

This place is fascinating information for those unfamiliar with submarine history in the military. Learned so much about these modes of transportation and the men who have served on these vessels. The museum is done well with a balance of displays, reading boards and hands on exhibits. The movie is a bit long at 50 minutes, but history buffs will love it. Enjoyed a rainy day here, but one should visit anytime!

If you love the Navy and love submarines then you need to visit the Submarine Museum. Not only do you get to walk through one of our first nuclear subs. But you will see the history of our submarines and be able to use a periscope and see just what the Captains experienced looking through them

Wow.. There is alot to see and you can go in the submarine.
Thought this would be a lame 45 minute maximum stop, and we were there for hours. Could have stayed longer, but we got hungry. There is a 50 minute movie, other videos, lots of displays.

Could have done without the 1920's video playing non-stop. It echoed throughout much of the display area.

Open sub was great, because there were only a handful of people there on the Monday when we went. Would have enjoyed less if it was crowded (very confining).

Very well put together and informative. Can spend as long or as little time as you'd like. Especially like the cut away scale model of the WW II Gato-class sub given we've spent nights aboard two with the Boy Scouts.

This is a great place to visit for all ages. It has a wonderful museum inside and outside. You get to see vintage sumbmarines and go aboard and tour a real one. Everyone can use several periscopes they have available. Get to see what our brace submariners went though to protect out country! Everyone was thrilled and impressed with what they saw. It's a visit well worth the trip. It's all free but donations are accepted. We are so happy we went. Will go again!

Worth visiting the museum, you get to see the history of submarines and the nautilus visit is very informative.

Submarines are a constant fascination to me and everyone else and Groton is the submarine's home port. The museum is exciting and really gives you a feel for what life on a submarine is like....... believe me; I served on a Cold War missile sub and this is the real deal.

A must see. The submarine is massive. You should have some agility in order to move around in the submarine. Lots of history. Pretty cool activity. Must see.

The SFM is a great stop just outside the gates of the Naval Submarine Base New London, home to many of our nuclear subs and their crews. The museum takes you through the history of the Navy's submarines, from the 19th century to the present in a series of indoor displays, but the highlight is a chance to tour through the USS Nautilus for a first hand look at life aboard the first US nuclear submarine. Think you have what it takes to spend three months at a time under water in one of these cans? You will be greeted by an active duty submariner who will be happy to answer any questions before or after your self guided tour. Most visitors will probably spend an hour or two at this attraction. ***Kids will love the sub, but it is not handicap accessible and adults should watch their heads!

We loved touring the Nautilus. We can now appreciated how our submarine force live and work beneath the sea. A great value as it is free.

This is a FREE golden opportunity to look into the unique life of those who serve in our “Silent Service”. This wonderful Submarine museum, which is located just outside main gate, Groton, Sub Base, is free to all... but they appreciate your generous donations. Allow at least an hour to an 1 1/2 hrs. to get the most of your visit. Self guided. Great thing for a rainy day. This is a great place for all ages. Our 73 year old aunt was able to go onboard the boat and she absolutely loved it, however she is in pretty good shape. She struggled a bit trying to make her way over the bulkheads but overall had no problems. She was amazed to finally see how two of her nephews had lived while serving onboard subs. They replaced the boat ladders on the Nautilus with steps which was a huge help to her getting on and off the boat, Definitely recommended for those visiting the area. So much history. Great gift shop! Thanks to all those who have or currently are serving in our Sub Service. We appreciate you!

Amazing place! No cost, donations accepted. Toured SSN 571, the world's first operational nuclear powered submarine. The tour provides a hand held recorded guide. Great place for everyone!

This was one of the coolest places I've ever seen. The history technology, all fantastic it is a free museum. Right next to the sub base. It is a must-see

The museum is full of Naval submarine exhibits including a decommissioned USS Nautilus. If you have claustrophobia you may want to skip the climb into the sub, otherwise it is a fascinating exhibit.

Climbing on a real submarine and visiting it was a surprisingly very exciting and moving experience, for both parents and children. Even my 5 years old daughter was mesmerized.
A lot of information, but not too much. A well balanced museum.
A little too bit at the glory of the US army but that was expected.

Great museum if you are interested in subs or if you want to go on a sub. Inside there are a bunch of exhibits about the history of the subs and some of the people that commanded them. The main attraction is going onto the sub. It's very interesting to see how small of an area there is on a sub and the living conditions that people have to live with. On a crowded day it could take a little while to go through since it is pretty much single file. If you have any issues with small spaces or walking up steep stairs or bending do not go on it. Inside the museum they have real periscopes that you can look through and see if water and the parking lot. Our kids liked this more than the aquarium.

My husband and I visited for a couple hours in July. We enjoyed the museum and tour through the Nautilus submarine. Since the last time we were here the museum added an interactive zapper app game that unlocked addition digital content to explore within the museum. It provided some video content and expanded upon some of the info placards by displays. The trigger points were scattered, giving a bit of a scavenger hunt feel, which was fun.

If you love history, especially naval submarine history, you will Love this place. So much to see and learn. The museum is well done. The exhibits are many and very detailed. We didn’t see it all in one visit so went back the next day. The submarine is fantastic. A must see!

If you are interested in Navy or Submarine you are going to really enjoy the visit to this museum. You will get the opportunity to walk through the entire breadth and length of the first nuclear Submarine of the US Navy. They security personnel will give you an audio device at the entrance, and you will receive specific and detailed information about each area you visit. This service is free.

A nice, small, free museum with great history and a tour of Nautilus herself. High quality tribute to the submarine service. Easy walking tour, a little cramped onboard but no trouble if you are fit and flexible.

One of the best free museums I've ever been to. The exhibits are well-kept and showcase the history of submarines from the very beginning to the present. It's definitely more interesting when Nautilus is there, but was worth a visit even when it wasn't.

It's a fascinating half-hour, self-guided tour that seemed to be popular with the families who were there--all age ranges. Lots of interesting details.

As someone whose husband served on submarines for many years I still learn something each time I visit. This time I took a friend visiting from across the country with no military connection and she was impressed with what she learned about this component of our nation's defense and the lives of the persons who serve on them. The interactive components kept children engaged as well. With free parking and admission (but don't forget to donate) and docents who themselves served, this is a can't miss experience.

Great museum for adults and children. It was very interesting going into the submarine and seeing how close the quarters were. It is also free admission.

I didn't really visit the actual museum, I did the audio tour of the USS NAUTILUS. It was interesting to see how Navy men lived when the sub was operational. The audio tour is self-guided so you can go at your own pace, they give you a walkie talkie to use.

A great place to take the kids. Lots of displays and pleanty to see. A must when in Mystic area. Five stars

What a beautiful museum very informative and fun. We loved walking around on the submarine. I can't wait to visit again!

We originally thought we could have a picnic at the end of the parking lot where there were picnic tables. We were going to use our propane camp stove (one burner) to cook our lunch, however it was too windy. We thought we would then get something at the "shed" but all that was for sale was drinks, ice cream and snacks ALL in machines. We opted to leave, and then come back after we ate.

The tour of the Nautilus was very educational and eye-opening as to what our servicemen endure to defend our great country.

After seeing the "payloads" and pictures of how many of these "bombs" can be stored and sent from one ship is amazing. Loved all the exhibits. ESPECIALLY, the parascopes that really worked. We then looked at them when we were leaving at the top of the museum.

Awesome.

I learned so much in 2-3 hours and had a wonderful time touring the Nautilus submarine. Fun for all ages. Move along at your own pace. the 40 minute movie is how you should begin the visit. Makes you proud for what our men and women in uniform have done for all of us. Very moving.

It's very informative and educational , it's good to learn more about the life in the submarine and what they experienced . I admire and respect them them more now after seeing what they had gone thru..

Nice museum that focuses on the submarine and its role in the United States Navy. The USS Nautilus is a neat, but brief tour. The museum itself is nice, but the exhibit labels can be tough to read. However, it's a great free activity and worth the hour or so of time.

The Sub museum is with the Submarine Nautilus exhibit and tour and you should not do one without the other. The museum is well laid out and the displays are beautifully done with old photographs interspersed with artifacts. There is a 45 minute film about submarine history that is great for laymen with little previous submarine knowledge (like me!). This historical museum should be a must see if in the New London/Groton area!

Its FREE and an excellent place to visit with family, couples or kids. The submarine is there and you go in to check the ssn571.

I was in the area for work and had an afternoon off, so I drove to the Submarine Force Museum. Well worth the time. While not the largest museum in the world, every exhibit is worth looking at or going on. To my knowledge, this is the only nuclear submarine one can actually visit, and makes for a nice comparison with older WWII era submarines in Chicago, Hawaii, and Baltimore. In addition to touring the submarine, there were a wide range of shore-based exhibits, with the highlight being able to use an actual periscope and look over the water and shore. The museum also had excellent displays of US submarine history before the Nautilus, and after the Nautilus. Finally, it was easy to get to, and had a nice gift shop.

This is a great stop if you are close to Groton. We spent a day in Mystic in our way to Maine this year and made a stop here as well. Staff is very helpful in explaining how to best experience the museum. We took their advice and started with the Nautilus. The self guided tour is very cool, but be prepared and able to climb through small hatch ways. I’m 6’2 and on the large size. It was tight, but worth the effort to see how people lived in this ship. You only tour two levels in the front half, it takes about 20 minutes to walk through and listen to the narration on the provided device.

Back inside, the film shown on a loop as you enter one of the display areas is very informative and probably also lasts about 20 minutes. Thee are some very nice displays informing about submarine vessels through the years.

I think in total we spent two hours here.

Superb Museum! Clean, well-maintained, and most informative. I would expect nothing less - I think the place is staffed by active duty sailors and retired Submarine Force veterans. I wish I'd had all day to look and read everything!

As mentioned by others, USS Nautilus is NOT handicap accessible.

One more thing - see that picture at the top? The two rings - a small one inside a BIG one? Those rings represent the hull diameters of a modern Ohio class SSBN and an early (USS Holland, I think) conventional submarine. Incredible!

Well done, you bubbleheads!
Salute, from an old SOSUS weenie

visited this museum on the way home from the Cape. Its only a short distance from I-95. Its free and the bathrooms are clean. The sub and display are very nice. The tour includes a walk thru of an early nuclear powered sub....very cool

Free museum for all ages. History of submarines right on the river. Terrific gift shop and friendly staff. Dinner was brought in for us and tables were set up. Nice atmosphere.

The submarine museum is well worth a visit. I remember as a kid hearing about the first nuclear powered submarine, the U.S.S Nautilus, going under the polar ice cap. And now, decades later, I was able to go through it! The displays are excellent and there is always a Navy vet around to answer any of your questions. Plus, it’s free although most visitors leave a generous donation.

A stop at the museum and Nautilus submarine was informative and full of history.Loaded with pictures and
memorabilia of the history of submarine warfare in the main building. Exiting the building you walk along a ramp to access the Nautilus submarine anchored in the Thames river. Upon entering the sub you are greeted and given a wearable speaker for the self guided tour. Down stairs and thru hatch ways you are led on an informative tour of all the different areas of the sub. Not a tour for people who don't like tight spaces or have mobility issues otherwise it is a great place to cost. Best of all it is free.

This place is indeed very interesting....with the great military that have past and present.
There are many little videos to see and listen to...its very nice that the men and women that has served in the past is also recognized with their names and dates stamped onto foot plaques! To all the men and women that have served and still serving...THANK YOU!

Oh wait!!!... not the same...Lol!! A wonderfully fascinating museum that has the USS Nautilus SSN-571 as its only full scale submarine for visitors to experience firsthand what life is like on a nuclear powered submarine. As a former submariner that was stationed at Naval Submarine Base New London Groton, CT in the early 2000's, this was the first time to visit the museum and the boat. It definitely brought back some memories of being on the boat in such confined living spaces.

Apart from the actual submarine, there is a museum building with rooms highlighting the different areas on board US Naval Submarines, with some interactive panels to interest the youth on the various components necessary to operate the submarine, the history of submarines in naval warfare, and the various submarine class boats built for service in the US Navy. The sail of NR-1 sits outside the building, along with weapons, and a mock setup of a missile tube hatch on an SSBN submarine. A former submariner veteran may be present in the main hall area to answer any questions visitors may have about submarine life, and a gift shop filled with some gifts and souvenirs that you won't be able to get anywhere else.

Admission is free. Parking is free. As the only voluntary force in an all voluntary military, it is best to volunteer yourself and 'voluntell' others to go and visit this one of a kind special museum. You'll be patting yourself on the back 20,000 leagues later you went to see it all. Highly Recommended!!

First of all... This is FREE! But that isn't the best part. The museum offers a great historical introduction to submarine history and evolution. The artifacts and film offered a very nice history of the subs. The self tour of the Nautilus sub was GREAT. I am not a big fan of museums that overwhelm you with placards of information. This museum doesn't. The artifacts and history are presented with short easy to read and interesting information. Plan a couple hours to take it in.

A wonderful museum that tells the complete story of the US Submarine force of the Navy! Free of charge and a tour of the world's first nuclear submarine, the USS Nautilus. It is a great place to see the heroes of the Silent Service!!!

This is a wonderful piece of US history. Everyone we encountered was super friendly and helpful!
My husband and I were amazed at the Nautilus. I was shocked at how small the inside area was. My husband who is 6’7 was super claustrophobic so we quickly made our way through the sub.

Great history of submarines, with admirals, innovations through the years, different classes of subs, etc. Great for educational purposes for families and kids, not so much for solo unless this is an interest of yours. Free.

See history come alive. See how the men lived under the sea on long trips even under the ice. See it all in one place, Groton, CT.

The tour is free and extremely informative. You get to tour an actual submarine at your own pace and are supplied with an individual audio guide that tells you about the areas on the submarine. There are videos, pictures, artifacts and a simulated sub cockpit that was a hit with the kids.

This isn’t a large museum, but it is packed full of fascinating information about the American submarine fleet and its history. Was especially impressed with the section on the Medal of Honor recipients. Well done. Would recommend to anyone.

1. Location
We drove from New York City to Mystic and decided to stop by the museum to tour USS Nautilus. It is a convenient stopover which should take no longer than 1.5 hours.

2. Parking and Admission
Both are free!

3. Museum
We found the exhibits interesting, especially the primitive submarine models, torpedoes, submarine cockpit and periscopes.

4. USS Nautilus
A free audio guide is provided. Walking through the submarine was a great experience for me and my children. We learnt a lot about life onboard a submarine.

First and finest, indeed! Don't miss this if you happen to be around the area.

Had a great time looking through all the displays and reading about the history. Loved the walking tour through the authentic submarine.

my dad took me here today, as a early birthday present. i did both the museum and the sub. it is well worse a trip. i am a bit of a military buff. it took me about a hour to go through the sub. and museum. i had a ammazzing time. admission is free.

This museum is immediately south of the Groton Submarine Base, with excellent signage along the approach roads.

The museum building has numberous interesting exhibits, both inside and outside.
The museum gives you the opportunity to use a small number of simulators.

The featured exhibit is the SSN 571, Nautilus, which is docked in the Thames River.
Self guided tours of the forward part of the boat are available, with a docent available to answer questions. Areas forward of the reactor compartment can be toured. The rear portion of the boat cabbit be toured, Unfortunately, the boat is not "accessible".

Two notable radio transmissions from the Nautilus: "Underway on NuclearPower" and "Nautilus, 90 North". As all steel ships/boats, the Nautilus is now fighting a losing battle with sea water corrosion and is not too many years away from need to be relocated ashore.

I found this to be a fascinating attraction and could have spent much more time here.
Best of all: it is free! Take note of museum hours.

Leaving the museum, posted directions to US 1, North are sparse and difficult to follow.

I learned a lot! They had the history of submarining from its earliest attempts to the vaguely worded “future of submarining” panel which provided no real information - I assume because it’s all classified. I got an understanding of life on a submarine and some famous submarine contributions to our successes in WWII and the Cold War.

The Nautilus anchored right outside adds to the experience. Be sure to tour it too!

This museum is about Submarines as the name suggests. It also allows you to enter the first nuclear sub in the navy. My hat is off to anyone who has gone on a sub rotation. It is amazing to see.

Thanks to All who have served!

My husband had been on a nuclear sub during Vietnam war, so this was really interesting for him and for me, too. Being able to go aboard a nuke sub is a great experience. It has self guided tours with audio. The explanation of each part of the sub was fascinating. This was a low time for visitors, so we were the only two and had plenty of time to look and enjoy. It’s free, and the adjacent museum is also informative. A definite “must see”.

This was very informative. The preteen actually found it fascinating. The coolest part was going inside the submarine and seeing the really crammed quarters. There were even military personnel available to answer all of our questions

We visited the Submarine Force Museum on June 7, 2018. Parking is Free and admission is Free. The museum is indoors and outdoors. Indoors they have many interactive exhibits and video clips explaining the evolution of submarines. Our boys (ages 5,5 and 3) had a great time with some of the hands on experiences. They have a mock cockpit area where the boys were able to pretend they were piloting the submarine. They also have fully functioning periscopes. We were able to find our car out in the parking lot. The indoor portion was great but we really enjoyed going outside to the harbor and touring the actual submarine. Walking through the submarine does require you to go through some tight spaces. You have to walk down some steep stairs and crawl through small spaces to get from one room to the next. Our boys needed a little assistance in a couple spots. Overall it was a great experience and one we would recommend for families with toddler age kids and up. I'm not sure how it would be with children two and under.

Truly enjoyed the historical US submarine museum and the walk-through of the US Nautilaus. How can you go wrong in a free museum that keeps our nautical history alive!

Really interesting place. You can walk through a real retired submarine using a remote self guided tour. It is not for the claustrophobic, but it gives you a real glimpse into that life. The museum is free and has a lot to see. We spent about 1-2 hrs there. Saw a lot of old naval guys reliving their glory days.

The rest of the family was tired and I visited solo. What fun! It was a gas to your a decommissioned nuclear sub. The Audi narration was helpful. Interesting exhibits in the museum helped to round out the quick visit. Well with the time and effort.

Can't recommend highly enough. Very well done and informative with great hands on experiences. Don't pass it up if you're in the area. Kudos to the staff which are former USN submarine personnel. They were Very patient with everyone and detailed in explaining life and operations aboard a submersible.
Go visit.

Growing up, my family used to come to Groton every summer and visit the Submarine Force museum. It was exciting to bring my kids there this week to create new memories. The museum is very informative and has a few interactive features that my four and seven year old loved. They were so excited to go on a real submarine. In addition, everyone who works there is such a wealth of knowledge and experience and happy to answer any questions. The museum is such a gem and worth the visit!

Right at the submarine base and free of charge, although contributions are excepted. There are displays and descriptions going back to the Turtle of revolutionary war fame. Informative videos in comfortable settings. You can also tour the Nautilus, the first nuclear sub, if you are willing and able to climb through hatchways and climb narrow stairways. Self guiding audio tours are provided. There is also a gift shop.

I never thought I would go down into the inside of the USS Nautilus, the first ever nuclear sub! The full history of submarines with great tour guides.

My blushing bride and I spent almost 3 hours touring The Submarine Force Museum. We learned a lot, such as President Carter was a submariner and President Bush was plucked out of the water after being shot down in the Pacific. Touring the first nuclear sub, The Nautilus was unbelieavable.

Hard to find words for this museum. Being a veteran seeing our military history is always rewarding and this was no exception going on the Nautilus was fascinating and of course the highlight but the total facility both inside and out was well set up and informative. Highly suggest you make your way here if in the area No charge admission and free parking also

Undoubtedly, this was the best, most informative, well organized submarine museum I have ever been to. Being from the Galveston, Texas area, the WWII Sea Wolf submarine is a museum there. But it is no comparison to this one. If you get to visit one submarine museum, of which there are many, this should be your first and only choice. I was amazed at the historical detail in the evolution of the submarine as well as the armament they contain. Mind boggling to say the least. This museum deserves 10 stars.

We were looking for the first nuclear submarine - it was really on display and you could go inside (very limited visit), but found the overall museum a really great introduction into the world of submarines, both from technological and human perspective. Highly recommendable, in particular for families and for history lovers. And it's free and an ample parking is free as well.

Absolutely incredible museum; clean, organized, and an amazing display of submarine artifacts and information. Great for families with children ages 5 and above. Our 5-year old daughter didn’t want to leave the control room in the main exhibition area. Staff are welcoming, friendly, and informative. Self-guided tours a plus given one member of our group spoke only Russian and their was a self-guided audio for her as well. I’m amazed there’s no fee for this museum, which is far better than museums that charge a significant fee (albeit I understand it all depends on your interests). This visit is a must when in the Mystic area.

Loved the museum. There is so much to see and read about during the visit. You can take a leisure walk through reading and looking at the exhibits or, if you are just passing through like us, you can go through pretty quickly. I plan on making another trip there in the future when we can spend more time.

There is so much to see and do here! Really takes you through the history of submarines from the beginning to present. There are movies and hands on displays, as well as a lovely little store.

We made a quick stop here with my husband and three teenage daughters. Museum is interesting and the tour of the submarine was also interesting. They provide tour headsets​ for the submarine which nicely explained what we were seeing. We spent less than one hour. Happy Daddy for stopping there. Teenage girls weren't completely bored. Win all around.

A great display of the development of subs through the years and the roles they have played in war and peace. Lots of reading if you are so inclined. As a tourist from north of the border I especially enjoyed reading of the young submariner from Canada who was awarded the Medal of Honor and the role the subs played in protecting the conveys that sailed across the North Atlantic during the war. The display and explanation of how the tomahawk missiles were deployed was also very interesting.
Free parking, free admission; CLOSED Tuesdays.

If you are visiting the area I highly recommend this museum.
It covers the history of submarines from the revolutionary war to the present day. Real submarines are on display as well as models. There are hands on activities, working periscopes and movie.
I have taken grandchildren and visitors here.
You can’t beat the price.

This is a great museum if you have any interest in naval history.

If you are into military history or just want to honor folks that have contributed to the history of submarines, this is the place. And it's free! Thanks to the US Navy that appears to volunteer active duty personnel to help with the operation ot the museum.

There are plenty of large scale models and walk-through displays to enhance your learning experience. Come on down!

Great for a quick no-cost break since it's easily accessible off I-95, this is definitely worth a stop. The museum is interesting, with parts of subs on display, films, tour guides, etc. But the highlight is definitely going onto the submarine itself with a self-guided audio tour. Sadly, I found out that I was claustrophobic, which kind of dampened the experience, but you really get a taste of what those sailors go through. They truly are one of a kind! Highly recommended!

As a former submarine sailor, the Nautilus is the trendsetter and made all of todays submarines possible. I hadn't been back to Groton since 1993 and to see the boat and all the sights and sounds were really enjoyable. This facility is a great way for the silent service to tout our accomplishments and let the people of our great country have the opportunity to learn and appreciate what a submariner goes through. As a nuclear power trained submariner, it was great to see and smell the boat again!!!!

A couple of recommendations for the facility would be to include a family section and how spouses and children of the sailor are impacted. Another section to include would be the nuclear power propulsion information while still maintaining the required security of the submarine propulsion platform.

A great place to go to learn about the history of the submarine. The first nuclear submarine, The Nautilus is docked there and available for a tour. All for free.

Watch the movie. It lasts 50 minutes but it's worth it. Good displays explain everything you want to knows about submarines. Tour of the Nimitz is short but informative. Small spaces to get through so be careful if you are claustrophobic or if you can't get around well.

wonderful museum dedicated to our submariners from the earliest submarines to the most modern.great interactive displays. a very helpful volunteer staff.as a matter of fact,the gentlman whom was volunteering the day we visited was also the honored guest speaker at my sons graduation! a retired submariner himself'with many years experience in the naval submarine fleet.the gift shop is well stocked with nice quality items relevant to our submariners.affordably priced,and many items are quite unique.

Near the gates to the New London Submarine Base, there is a museum and the decommissioned USN Nautilus and the best is it’s FREE admission and free parking. Of course, donations are gratefully accepted. The museum covers the history of the United States submarine forces from its beginning to the present. The museum offers visitors an opportunity to look through submarine periscopes and sit at a mock-up of a submarine cockpit. Here you will find out about the sailors who willingly submerge themselves underwater in a submarine, a steel tube. Submarines have been a part of Connecticut and, hence, one reason why the museum is located here. It is a self-guided tour so you progress through the displays at your own speed. In the museum, you will see a Polaris Missile (A-3), a salvage and escape system, a Nautilus sea shell, David Bushnell’s machine, binoculars used during WW II, and a host of other exhibits. Recommend a stop here.

I visited this museum during the summer of 2017. It was a great experience. First, you enter the museum area which has a lot of naval information, including history and information about our current US Navy. I am a Navy veteran myself, so this was very nostalgic.

As you make your way through the museum, you eventually come to the doorway that leads you the the USS Nautilus; a floating museum inside the first commissioned nuclear powered sub in the US Navy.

The walkways throughout the inside of the submarine are tight, which is to be expected. You travel along a predetermined route. There are also audio tours available for those interested.

In my opinion, this is a great experience for all ages. It's a must-see if you are visiting the area. The one word of caution I have is if you are concerned at all with tight spaces or tight stairwells, the submarine aspect may be one to skip. It does get a little tight in areas.

Best part was the walking tour of the submarine. You get a small handheld tour guide. Cramped quarters and high steps to walk between areas on ship.

Visiting the Submarine Force Museum and historic USS Nautilus is a wonderful experience. Young and old, there is something for everyone to enjoy! Admission is free but all voluntary donations help keep the museum in top condition. Touring the Nautilus, you learn she was the first US Navy boat run on Nuclear Power. The museum houses artifacts both inside and out. We will definitely visit again in the summer... We missed the 45 min movie. We met a wonderful man named Jim, 88 years young who greeted us as we entered and he had an amazing spirit and a wealth of knowledge to share with visitors.

Interesting to tour this historic submarine that was the first nuclear powered in the US Navy along with the museum historical info onsubmarines.

The museum covers the history of submarines right up to the latest vessels. Stories of the bravery of our submariners are outstanding. The visit inside the Nautilus submarine was memorable

Very informative museum. Worth visiting once when you are near the area. Great for kids. Can enter a real sub marine and see how it is on the inside!

An excellent example of why specialty museums should be on everyone’s things to see list when in a new area: they’re not overwhelming, you can take your time without feeling rushed and still see and enjoy everything in a couple of hours, and usually there are no crowds. Certainly the centerpiece of this museum dedicated to the US Navy’s submarine fleet is the USS (SSN-571) Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear powered submarine. A self-guided tour allows plenty of time to view the various parts of this ship. The curators have done an excellent job of using period material to ‘decorate’ the sub. The building itself houses various displays of submarine history and items. For those more militarily inclined there is a visual display of the progression of US submarines which includes the number of boats built in a particular class as well as a exhibit dedicated to changes in the strategic use of submarines. And for those not so militarily inclined, there are displays of things that are just interesting. And don’t miss the outdoor exhibits both just outside the museum and across from the entrance road. If you’re in the area or just passing through and have the time or need a break from getting from here to there, definitely worth a visit

Plan accordingly, many other websites including TripAdvisor say they close at 5pm and this is NOT true, they close at 4pm and the last tour group allowed out to the sub is 3pm. We got there at 3:15pm and missed everything but the gift shop. There are a few displays outside the building, but the parking lot area closes too at 4:10pm. They give you only 10 minutes to get out and are very strict on timing.

They have a few films that you can watch & all of them kept our attention from beginning to end. We spent 3 hours there. Even though the museum isn't huge, it didn't have to be because everything that you saw & read was well worth your time. Because of the way it is represented It kept you interested & you wanted to keep reading. When you go into the submarine, you get a hand held audio & you just hit the number that you see at each area. Very interesting audio tour.

We visited this museum based on other reviews and we were not disappointed. The museum has lots of displays and informative pictures and submarine equipment to view. The museum is free and includes a self guided tour of the first nuclear sub, the Nautilus SSN 571. On the Nautilus, there are quite a few stairs and hatches to climb thru so it's probably not appropriate for everyone. However, the museum itself is easily walkable. We thoroughly enjoyed this museum and the sub.

some how I missed this we stopped to see the USS Nautulias SSN571 and get my flag flown there
but I mnissed meusum site
very weill worth the trip my Grandsons enjoyed a chance to walk around and see things
Highly worth the 45 minutes we spent there
great history lesson for kids
combine with the sub and the trip / tour is afternoon well soent

Before entering the museum, checkout exhibits outside. Here is a 1957 USS X-1 midget sub, captured Japanese midget sub-type used during the attack on Pearl Harbor-and small research vehicle. Since rain started didn't have time to fully investigate this vehicle.

The museum is self guided that starts on the right. First room has torpedoes, replica of the 1776 Bushnell Turtle that attacked British ships in either Boston or New York harbor. An ASA rescue chamber, a Polaris missile in sections. Hanging of the ceiling is 1/4 scale-guessing- of a US WW 11 sub, showing all the different compartments-front to back.

Behind a glass case is the U.S. submarine history from 1900-1938 starting with the first US sub the 1900 Holland. The American submarine in WW 1, Retrenchment & Tragedy & Toward the Fleet Best. The other side is the US's submarine's roll in the Pacific 1941-1945. In between are WW 1 to the beginning of WW 11. Some of the WW 1 are about;
Victory Ends WW 1,
Life on a WW 1 Submarine,
The Great War In 3D,
America's Submarine Development,
The U-Boat Menace,
America's Entry into WW 1.

After this room-which is two levels-continue outside for a tour of the USS Nautilus. Once back in the museum a visitor will encounter the Cold War from the 1950's to the present. Some of the time periods covered are;
Combat System Technology,
Communication & Surveillance,
Information Gathering,
Strategic Deterrence,
Forty-One Freedom 1960-1994,
Weapon System Technology,
Sonar Sensor Technology.
There is theater showing a 50 minute film at the top each hour.

In one small room are three working periscopes that allow a visitor to view a 360 degree of the outside. The middle scope is on the foggy side.

After the museum checkout the gift shop. Admission & parking are free, with a donation box next the front desk as a visitor walks in. I would say any naval/marine veteran or a person having a strong military interest will enjoy a visit. Hours are 9;00-5:00. A complete visit-museum & Nautilus- should last at most two hours.

A visit is highly recommended.

I decided to make a stop here without having high expectations for the place. Boy was I wrong! Such a great museum with all sorts of history and interesting information on submarines. The tour of the USS Nautilus was great too. The only minor gripe is that a lot of the information is WW2-centric. There isn't a whole lot about the current submarines used by the Navy and what their capabilities are. Maybe that's on purpose though.

Regardless, if you like military history, definitely make this stop. You won't regret it!

Neat place to visit and see some history along with boarding a real submarine. All free of charge. Good for all ages.

My awareness of the role of submarines in our military was greatly expanded. It is a well-done, free museum next to the U.S. Navy Submarine Base. Going through the Nautilus sub gives you a great idea of what it would be like to be out on a sub for weeks at a time.

Wish we had more time to read everything, it's a small museum but very informative, recommend setting aside 90 minutes or so if you want to do more than browse. There are some hands on things for kids, and a small gift shop.

Interesting exhibits on the history of the submarine force. The USS Nautilus is behind the museum and you can tour that as well. While I was there, I got to see a submarine coming home to return to the base next door. Pretty cool!

Interesting small museum. Make sure to talk to the Veteran who is at the information desk. The movie gives a good history of why submarines were so important in WWII

It was very interesting to see the first nuclear submarine up close. It was more spaceious than other submarines I have visited. The self-guided tour in the sub takes about 30–45 minutes, which I think is good. In total I think we spended about 1,5 hours at the museum.

Perhaps no element of our Navy is more shrouded in mystery than the submarine service. Those who serve are generally bound by confidentiality about what they've done, where they've gone, etc. until a generation or more after the fact. This museum tells a rich story of sacrifice and technology. Situated as it just outside the gates of the largest submarine shipyard in the United States, the museum is easy to find, easy to access and worth the side trip to visit. The displays and exhibits are probably more appropriate for older children, but there is no age limit for wonder and the artifacts and images on display are captivating and compelling for all. The centerpiece, though, is amazing... You can walk through the USS Nautilus, the very first nuclear submarine in the United States' Navy fleet.

Descend the (very) steep stairway and you'll gain an appreciation for the cramped, even claustrophobic quarters in which generations of heroes plied their craft. You're never more than an arm's length from equipment; passageways are barely one-person-wide and the control stations are remarkably compact. But you can put your hands on controls and stand duty stations in almost half the vessel to gain an insight into the character needed to work and live in such an environment. Interestingly, even decades out of commission, the Navy and the Nautilus still guard her secrets well - there is no access permitted to the reactor compartments.

Even those with no fascination with the armed services will gain an appreciation for what generations of men (and now women) who put to sea as submariners experience every day. Well worth the visit and out-of-the-way drive to see.

This place is free and run by volunteers. It's really interesting to see the exhibits and tour the submarine. Staff are sub veterans & really knowledgeable.

Frankly, I was not sure how good the place will be. I was in Hartford and had a few hours before my flight, decided to pay a visit. My friend and I drove down south. There is no entry fee and parking is free. If you have limited knowledge of submarines, this is a cool place to visit. I did not know that Submarines in its primitive form existed in 1800s and US bought its first submarine from UK in 1900. The place makes you feel that we have come a long way in 100 years :) The submarine Nautika itself is very good. First nuclear powered submarine in the world and the first one to cross north pole. WOW!

The location is also beautiful as the submarine is on the river with small hills on either side of the banks. We spent 2 hours and we loved it!

This was such a terrific find. Lots of interesting things to see in the museum. You can look out a periscope from inside the building and find your car in the parking lot. There are fascinating displays and plenty of reading to be done so you will want to take some time. Behind the museum is a submarine self guided tour. This is so cool! I thought this was a great experience and the best part is it is all free but you can make a donation. On the way out you go through a gift shop so you will have an opportunity to get a souvenir. We visited on a afternoon during the week and there was no crowd.

This museum is just outstanding. I used to bring my kids all the time. They could get as much out of it as their age allowed... each year learning a little bit more. Now I bring my grand kids! It's a great outing. The kids love the working periscope and climbing through the wonderful Nautilus.

I recommend it to all of my out of town guests!

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DEFINITELY take the time to visit even if you think you are not interested in this. It is very cool to see for people and children of all ages!

Wow! This museum which is well maintained is FREE in admission! So much learning if you are interested in submarines. Gift shop inside . See images for reference.

Awesome & FREE! There aren’t many places you can take a ton of kids for free that keeps the whole party engaged. My friend and I took eight children(ages 5-15) and spent 3 hours here, complete with a picnic lunch on the grounds. If you go, be sure to chat with the person on duty and the guides inside. Everyone we encountered was a pleasure to chat with and answered all of our questions. Highly reccomend!

Make sure to watch the 45 minute video, go in the Nautilus, and talk to the docents (mostly former navy).

We visited this museum while passing through the area on a weekday. It is several miles off of Route 95.

The inside museum was pretty interesting - particularly the section on Medal of Honor recipients.

The self guided audio tour of the Nautilus was excellent. What was even better was the staff member who answered all of our questions, we really enjoyed this museum.

This is a must see in the Mystic area. I learned so much about what submarines and submariners contribute to our nation’s defense. Kids love the periscopes and being able to go down into a submarine was a real learning experience. We even saw a real sub go up the river as it returned to base. Submarine veterans act as docents.

This was a place I had no idea existed, and I was glad to experience it when offered a tour of the area. The Nautilus is fascinating in its own right, and the museum taught me many things I didn’t know. A fascinating little experience!

This museum was very interesting and informative. The staff was very knowledgeable and friendly. Working periscope and mock up of control panels was cool. We had a great time at this museum and would highly recommend it.

The museum cover all you ever wanted to know about submarines. From the very first attempts to travel under water to the state of what is out there now. A lot of actual artifacts and plenty of stories.
Tied up along side the pier and free to visit is the now inactive Nautilus, the first nuclear submarine that sailed under the North Pole. A audio device allows you to travel at your own pace and learn about life on a sub. It has tight quarters and a lot of steep stairs to go up and down. If you can handle the exercise it is worth the trip.

The museum has docents to answer questions. There is a gift shop with all prices of items.

Parking and entry are free.

The museum is clean, and informative about the rich history of Submarines. Groton has a rich history all its own and here you can learn about and experience the Submarine base's pride and joy.

I was dropping by son for Submarine School and visited the museum & gift shop afterwards. Definitely watch the 50 minute movie about the history of submarines. I wished that they also showed the 2nd part of the movie post WWII. The displays are fascinating and you can complete the experience with a self-guided tour of the Nautilus.This is definitely a great option for any afternoon. Also, be sure to visit the gift shop. It has many interesting items for adults & kids.

The submarine and museum were terrific. You really get to know some history and feel what it’s like to be inside the sub. We have fun.

Open, bright museum with lots of history. It's a relatively small museum, but the exhibits are definitely worth a look.

Great museum which won’t take all day unless you want to dig in deep at every station! Provides a great overview of the submarine service and especially the Groton connection. Great for adults and kids!!

Brought our 10 yr old grandson, and enjoyed it as much as he did!! Excellent, personable guide who really gave a good insight into what submarining is all about.
Would highly recommend!!

What is a good place to go when you have time to kill self-guided Tour clean restrooms the staff is more than helpful and knowledgeable lots of information plenty of parking for large RVs and buses must see will get the history the best submarine of the world

On a visit to the New England States for my 70th. birthday, we accidentally learned of the Museum honoring the United States submarine service. There was no chance I was going to miss this. One morning we took off from Mystic to tour the museum. After arriving we discovered there was no admission charge. However, after touring the museum for several hours and then seeing the USS Nautilus outside, I would have paid $20.00 for that day. Indescribable. Moving. Emotional. Don't miss it.
And we were there at the right time. We got to watch the USS Virginia, a nuclear, attack, submarine deploy on a tour of duty.

Excellent! Very interesting and informative! The submarine tour was cool for adults and kids, This is a good indoor place to go when the weather is rainy

Was a great experience if you are interested in seeing how our country defends us you need to visit this museum. The history of submarines in breath taking at this facility its well thought out clean. It takes you back before submarines were just an idea to our present modern nuclear subs. The tour on the Nautilus is well planned out its just amazes me how someone can stay in one those for such a long time under water. You need to see this for yourselves admission is free they just ask for donations. Highly recommend you take your family to see this makes you proud to be an American

We took a school group here, and I admit I wish I had more time. The visitor's center was clean, well signed, and easy to maneuver. We found the submarine easily, and appreciated the audio tour. It's a very tiny space, so you may want to separate yourselves from other groups of people so you don't get backlogged. It's also a very tiny space, so if you are claustrophobic, you may want to rethink this one. Overall, it was a neat visit. You can definitely do it pretty quickly-- Again, I was with a group of middle school kids, but I think we spent about 15 minutes on the sub. I would go back and take the time to actually listen to the audio tour and really look at the sub. I recommend good, rubber-soled shoes as you'll be climbing around on the sub. The gift shop was really great, too. Overall, I think this would be a neat trip to do again.

There was a self guided tour of the submarine using a lanyard. The 3 boys that I brought were extremely interested . They were ages 16, 11, and 7. . We stopped and listened to the short video presentation as well. In all, it took about 2 hours. It certainly is an interesting place and a large part of Connecticut's history. It is free but there is a place for donations.

My husband wanted to go and it was close by on a cloudy day... so we did... and it was a good time for us (adults and two teen age kids). A little off the beaten path in Groton, the USS Nautilus is permanently docked here and you can tour it for free. A look back in time, as the technology then was considered cutting edge but would pale in comparison to what my son’s clunky old iPhone 5 can do...😜 (his words). The sub has an audio tour that gives a pretty good discussion of what it was like to a crew member and it was likely a pretty tough tour for anyone. Museum gives a pretty solid overview of the history of submarines and subtly reminds you - because it has to - that Donald Trump really is the Commander in Chief. No live buttons for him to push here, but Gales Ferry is just a stone’s throw away....

This was a museum that we've wanted to visit for quite a while and were happy to finally get the chance. It's an informative place. And that prototype for the original submarine is a must-see - if only to see how we got to these huge submarines from that little thing - and how long there have been 'boats' underwater. Oh my! There is a fair amount of reading so if there are those in your party who would rather not, leave them somewhere else so you can fully enjoy what you're learning and can look at what they have on display in detail and at your leisure. It was free to get in but we made sure to make donations to help keep this museum 'afloat'!

The USS Nautilus was launched on Jan. 21, 1954. This was our first Nuclear powered sub. The Nautilus shattered all submerged speed and distance records. On April 20, 1986, Nautilus opened to the public as part of a submarine museum. Obs! They are closed on Tuesdays. They open at 9am every day. Free admission. Enjoy

Museum is very interesting, educational and too much to list. Short movie clip available. You can take a tour inside the docked sub. My husband pointed out the Submarine he was on. There's also a gift shop and I was so thrilled to find a new "Submarine Veteran" head cap for him as his is ready for retirement.
Well worth the visit.

The museum -- it's free -- is devoted to the history of the submarine and the nuclear submarine program. Very well organized... well worth the time to learn about the people, the technology and and the boats of the submarine service. But the absolute must is the self-guided tour of the USS Nautilus. Amazing to see how sailors lived and worked ... walking through the spaces you have to feel thankful for their service and proud of their accomplishments. A perfect way to explore and celebrate the submarine service.... well done. A must visit for everyone.

We came to the area for the aquarium but it closed due to 1" of snow(??!) so we settled for the sub museum because it was open and I'm really glad we did! We went thru the displays 1st and it was fascinating to see the evolution of submarine technology and how it played such a role in the World Wars! Next we went into the actual sub on display and that was incredible!! It makes you appreciate what the men and women who serve on these vessels go thru. They are compact and I know I couldn't live that confined for months at a time but thankfully others can! I really enjoyed asking the young sailor at the entrance questions about his service which he was grateful to answer.
FYI, go on a snowy day at opening hours and you will have the place to yourself! Felt like a rock star! It also has a lovely gift shop!

The museum has wonderful displays chronicling the US submarine history since the Civil War. With the help of the kind volunteer retired submariner we were able to find the history of my brother-in-law's WWII sub - The Bacuda. Very interesting. Appropriate for adolescents and older as well.

We were in the area on a semi rainy day and looked to see if there was a museum nearby or something to visit where part of our experience would be indoors. We saw that this place was closeby and got some amazing reviews. We also saw that it was FREE! which is always a welcomed bonus. Although many free things are usually rated accordingly and held against a very low standard because they are free (which is understandable). We arrived at the front entrance where just off to the right while driving along Crystal Lake Road is the actual naval base so make sure you go straight ahead to the museum and not into the naval base. You park anywhere in the parking lot. That Sunday, although rainy was pretty busy. In the front of the museum there are a few model subs. Once you enter the front you can go right to the larger part of the main museum or left to the smaller part, gift shop and exit. There was a nice gentleman in the front counter area giving everyone a quick rundown of where things are which was helpful. There was also a large donation box, which I highly recommend contributing to. After seeing this place and all that was available, I would think many of the staff are ex-servicemen dedicating their time (or maybe not,, I could be wrong) and not to mention the maintenance of the museum itself. The main part of the museum isn't that big but has a lot of information to offer. There is a control room and a periscope area. The periscopes had three different height levels which was very considerate. The other side had tons of information about the history and evolution of submarines and how they played roles in the different wars. The small 2nd floor has a model of the typical submarine and cut-out sections of each of the rooms and how they function. Finally you can leave toward the back to get to the actual submarine. Before you down into the submarine you are given little audio devices. The device plays an audio recording that automatically plays as you walk through the submarine. You will have to hold the device up to your ear unless you bring a pair of headphones which I believe there is a headphone jack on the device. Keep in mind that the walkways in the submarine are very narrow. Also the doorways (if you want to call them that) are 2-3 foot oval openings which you will have to go through to get from room to room. That being said, if you are older or bigger, it may be hard to get around. Also, if you are not comfortable in tight spaces, you may get a little anxious. I couldn't imagine a full crew being down there during a time of crisis. The tour was great with lots to see and learn. The tour takes about 20-30 minutes and since its practically a single file line (narrow walkways) you can't really skip around anyone. So if there is a slower person in the front, everyone will have to proceed at that person's pace. Overall we had a great time. For a free place this place is excellent. If it were $5 per person, I would still rate it a 5. At $10 per person maybe a 4.5. I highly recommend this place to any and everyone. A great rainy day option but I am sure you will get some excellent views of the water on a sunny day.

Submarine tour was awesome. Museum has hands on items. My daughter was 9 when we went. Nice to go on a nice day...no rain. We saw a submarine in the water w guys standing on it as we were there.

Free a amazing place for everyone to visit. The kids especially loved this place as much as we did. A must visit if in Groton CT.

My father was on the subs during WWII. They called them "pig boats" because they never showered, sweated so much and stunk. Not to mention the depth charges being dropped on them. It took a lot of brave men to serve on the older submarines.

This is a great museum tracing the history of the submarine. Great exhibits, a very good movie of the history of submarines produced, directed and narrated by Ken Burns. The best part is the walking tour through the USS Nautilas, the first nuclear powered submarine and the first to go under the north pole submerged.

All this and more...and it's FREE! Can't beat that.

While vacationing in southern Rhode Island we enjoyed a side trip to the Submarine Force Museum at Groton, CT. We had missed it the day before as they are closed Tuesdays. The free museum is well designed to tell the story of US submarines with an emphasis on the Nautilus, the first nuclear sub, which you can tour. We were warmly greeted by a veteran volunteer and directed to a suggested route for our tour. Once aboard the Nautilis we were told to anticipate a 30-45 minute walk thru but even with reading all the exhibits aboard ship and listening to the audio segments, it was probably less than 20 minutes on ship. Very well preserved and very informative audio recordings made for an interesting tour we finished up with other exhibits inside the museum and an obligatory stop at the gift shop.

Enjoyed the tour and recommend a visit.

I visited the sub musuem with my youngest son and we were amazed by it .it worth the trip and see the history of sub and see th first nuclear submarine ever built

Having served in another branch of the military, all I knew about submarines was from old movies and an occasional documentary. It was fascinating to learn about their history and the significance they played, particularly during WW2. The scale models help bring a perspective of their sizes over the years. You could spend hours here learning about their development, evolution and accomplishments in national defense / deterrence. Much of what they do today is shrouded in various layers of security.

The museum is staffed by volunteers, who are former submariners, active Navy sailors and civilian employees. I was told the Navy personnel are there, because the reactor is still in the Nautilus docked just aside in the river. They are nuclear-qualified and must remain on site to perform various safety checks. The Nautilus is an attraction in itself and is a ‘must see’ during your visit to the museum.

We travelled throughout the New England States and even crossed in Canada on this trip. The costs of parking in the cities, the numerous toll roads and bridges significantly added to the overall cost of the trip. $50 to park in Boston! The Submarine Forces Museum stands out as being one of the only attractions we visited that was FREE! No cost to enter and no cost to park during your visit.

Even if there was a cost for this attraction, it would be well worth the price. Visit the Submarine Forces Museum; it’s worth it.

Great historical information and hands-on displays. You can spend hours here! Gives a wonderful perspective of submariners!

I’m a bit biased because I work on the base so I get to enjoy the museum anytime I want. With that being said, I try to go at least once a month to show my support.

Parking is free the staff is amazing and if you are a bit of a nerd, they have a penny press machine inside the museum by the gift shop. it does take dollar bills, but it is so worth it if you want to souvenir

While I'm tempted to tell you that the best part about your experience at the Submarine Force Museum is that it's free of charge, I fear that would give the wrong impression.
This place is great; there's a lot of history here. The museum is divided into various classes of subs and I especially loved how they fit the evolution of the submarine into world history. Great exhibits feature pictures and diagrams that go a long way to drawing you into the subject.
I headed straight to the Nautilus. I think what I noticed right away is that when you step into the bowels of the boat, it's like walking through a time warp: the formica tables and wood grain took me right back to the '70s. Beyond that, though, if you let your mind wander, you begin to marvel at the complexity involved in creating these machines. The bulkhead doorways can be tight, but the stairs that replace the original ladders makes ascending and descending a lot easier.
The irony of such a large parking lot for an homage to a vessel where sleeping seaman barely had the room to roll over in bed was not lost on me. The parking lot, though, gives you one less thing about which to be concerned.
The gift shop is well appointed and makes it easy to find something to commemorate your visit.
And yes, the visit is free! Be sure to contribute something, though; while the best things in life are free, showing your appreciation is priceless.

I've been here a few times solo and think it's a fantastic museum for adults, but my kid unreservedly loved the USS Nautilus as well. Great little gift shop, too. And FREE!

This was on our itinerary for our time spent in New London, CT, and it was well worth the trip. The museum itself is immaculate and we had a lot of fun wandering through the self-guided tours. Being able to actual board the Nautilus was definitely a highlight. If you're claustrophobic in the least, you should probably skip that part!

A museum dedicated to all those who served in the submarine corp. The USS Nautilus is open and you get to realize how they lived for long periods of time! Thanking them all for their service. The museum is free and full of history.

Very informative. Good value for what you see and learn. Love the history that's presented. Just go see it!

We enjoyed the Sub Museum more than we expected. Interesting movie of the history of the submarine force begins your visit, then lots of historic and interactive displays, followed by a visit to a real submarine docked off the museum. Very well done!

If you have any interest in submarines, past or present, this is a must see. If you have kids who want to look through a periscope, this is a must see.

This was an awesome place to visit. So much history and so well preserved and displayed. The self guided tour of the sub was fantastic. So much to see and a new surprise around every corner. A must do!

Free...kids love it...short ride from westerly ri...lots of old cool subs and history of submarines great thing to do on a rainy day..

The museum traces the technical development of the Navy's Silent Service, both ships, and weaponry.

Also onsite is the USS Nautilus, the Navy's first nuclear sub, famous for navigating under the North Pole from ocean to ocean. How eye-opening to see how every square inch of the sub is crammed with equipment, bunks, messes, and weapons.

from the first submarine, the turlte, to the uss nautilus, this museum gives a grand and sweeping history of the submarine. there are many exhibits tracing the history behind submarines. you can have a view through periscopes, learn about different control panels, etc. also on view are many different types of missiles an torpedoes. the highlight is the opportunity to walk through the nautilus, and to get some feel of what it is like to be on a nuclear submarine. plan to spend 2-3 hours here, with a visit to the gift shop. free parking is available.

I suggest the audio tour. That being said, there are multiple exhibits in a main building. These exhibits talk about submarines and their weapons in their earliest forms. There are no mentions of anything within the past 40 years. Touring the retired Nautilus sub gives civilians a great idea what sailors went through in Vietnam and Korea.

This place is well worth a visit. Very informative and well laid out. It's free as well - would have been happy to pay for the visit.

This was a great FREE museum! Brought my seven and four year old children. They loved it. They have a neat interactive periscope and control room exhibit that the kids loved. I was a little surprised the submarine exhibit was a little short but still interesting. Only a portion of it is open to see but the display was well done and lots of info packed in. Definitely worth the visit. This is a very well maintained and put together museum. I highly recommend a visit.

Great displays -lots of information - family friendly lots of parking very helpful staff not all are handicapped Accessible lots of photo opportunities

This free museum is just outside the base. We were there early for our son's homecoming and decided to visit. You cannot bring in a purse or bag, but they'll let you bring in your phone. Read about and see the history of the 1st nuclear submarine, and then go outside and tour the real one yourself!!! Definitely worth the visit, and it it's free. (They do ask for donations if you feel so inclined)

We had a great time at the museum. It was very informative and interesting. Not boring at all! Especially enjoyed going down into the submarine onsite.

Unfortunately, the USS Nautilus is not currently located at the museum. The Nautilus has been removed for renovation and is scheduled to return in the fall of 2022. I have toured the Nautilus in the past and wanted to repeat that experience. Even with the absence of that submarine – the museum is still worth visiting.
The museum extensively covers the history of submarines and submarine warfare. The exhibits are interesting for all. You do not need to be an expert in naval operations or submarine warfare to enjoy this museum. Did I mention it is FREE?
A person with a strong interest in submarine warfare could probably spend 3-4 hours in the museum but most folks will probably be looking at a 1 – 2-hour visit. There are some exhibits outside but the day we were there it was uncomfortably hot, so we skimmed that part quickly.
Some the cool exhibits include a Polaris missile, A collection of U.S. Navy torpedoes, a large model of a GATO class submarine, working periscopes that you can look through, deck guns, survival gear and much more.
There is some great history available here and you can’t beat the price.

This was a very interesting museum for anyone interested in military history and submarines. The museum is free which was a bonus. The exhibits are informative and the grandsons loved the hands on exhibits. The tour is the submarine was not as extensive as anticipated but it definitely gave the visitor the understanding of what life was like in a submarine with cramped sleeping and living quarters. If you are a history or maritime buff then this museum is well worth the visit.

Terrific museum highlighting the Navy's Submariner force and significant related events!

Tour of the Nautilus itself is not to be missed - there is NOTHING anywhere like it for civilians.

So much to see and learn. Things that you may not have thought about in regards to the submarine service they have. The staff is very helpful and the Zapper app only enhances the experience.