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Submarine Force Museum

1 Crystal Lake Road · Groton, CT

Why you should go…

Operated by the U.S. Navy adjacent to Naval Submarine Base New London, this museum lets visitors take a self-guided audio tour through the forward compartments of USS Nautilus, launched in 1954 and the first vessel to reach the North Pole beneath the polar ice cap. The museum's collection includes roughly 33,000 artifacts and thousands of documents and photographs tracing submarine history. It draws around 150,000 to 250,000 visitors a year.

  • #submarine
  • #navy
  • #military history
  • #museum
  • #groton

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Submarine Force Museum, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Thames River Heritage Park

    Under $25

    Hop-on hop-off water taxi tour linking historic sites along the Thames River in New London and Groton.

    2.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Shopping
    Local Gem

    Scooter A Long

    $25–$50

    Mobility scooter rental and delivery service serving Mystic-area attractions like the aquarium and Seaport.

    2.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Argia

    $25–$50

    A traditional wooden schooner offering sailing cruises out of downtown Mystic.

    6.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center

    $25–$50

    A Smithsonian-affiliated tribal museum with life-size dioramas covering Pequot history and southeastern Connecticut's natural history.

    8.4 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Florence Griswold Museum

    Under $25

    Historic art museum on the Connecticut River celebrating American Impressionism and the Lyme Art Colony.

    13 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Connecticut River Museum

    Under $25

    A maritime history museum on the Essex, CT waterfront with a working replica of the first combat submarine.

    16 mi awayMore like this