Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Submarine Force Library and Museum

    4.7 (99 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Submarine Force Library and Museum Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Submarine Force Library and Museum

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Jenny R.

    This was a quick stop to a wonderful museum. You could spend 15 minutes here or two hours. Very interesting items on display. The tour from inside the submarine was informative and very interesting to see the close quarters. Be mindful that it is very difficult to go through if you are over a certain height. I would not recommend for anybody that has problems with stairs as some of the stairs are very steep. Definitely worth a stop if you are in the Groton, Connecticut area.

    Veronica P.

    It's FREE Go and see what its like to be a submarine sailor and live in a can, maybe you can appreciate what you have. Excellent tour.

    Nico Samneil S.

    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.

    Enlisted berthing area on Nautilus
    Mike M.

    This museum is dedicated to the US Navy submarine fleet and chronicles the history of the "silent service" since the invention of the submarine and Bushnell's Turtle to the current SSBN class of Ohio submarines. Adjacent to the indoor museum is the OG itself, the USS Nautilus (the world's first nuclear powered sub. Most of the museums displays are on the ground floor with some others on the second floor accessed by stairs or elevator. The history of submarines and how they developed is quite interesting and the story told here keeps your attention. Included is a 20 minute continuous loop video showing the development of US ballistic missile development from the 1950's to present. In a theater they show a 43 minute movie every hour on the hour about the US Navy's history of subs from inception thru the end of WW II. Both are very good movies that I recommend you take time for to watch. Outside on the river is the Nautilus about a 50 yard walk from the museum. I have been on many WW II boats but never something like this. The walk thru begins at the bow and descends two levels and proceeds to about amidships and then circles back to the bow ascending back to the deck. This boat is of course much larger and consists of two touring levels which is unique. When Nautilus was commissioned it changed the game of naval warfare. It represented the future and became an instant legend. If the crew didn't need food, nuclear subs could stay submerged for years because they are so self sufficient. Finally this museum has its own free parking lot and admission is free too. Amazing!

    USS Nautilus from afar
    Allison P.

    I stopped here with my partner when we were just looking for something to do to kill time. My partner was interested in going here because it has the USS Nautilus, which was featured in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea among other movies. The exhibits were all interesting and educational, and we enjoyed looking at some of the memorabilia. Some areas were only accessible by stairs, and access to the Nautilus itself was closed off. The bathrooms were clean and the gift shop had some cool stuff in it. The people were all pretty friendly and knowledgeable.

    Isaiah G.

    I found this place on Yelp and it was on my way so decided to stop by. First it's on a side of a base and I thought that was pretty cool. There was a small parking lot right next to the water. The admission is free so you can't beat free. It's a pretty cool museum it has a lot to look at. They have real pieces of what a submarine looks like so you get a better idea of what things are. Then you actually get to go into a submarine and walk all inside. Definitely such a great experience and I learned a lot. My favorite part was seeing the Purple Heart that was so cool. If you pass by the area you definitely have to stop here.

    Sarah A.

    We took my 4 1/2 year old here today because he's been interested in submarines lately. The museum is free. We were greeted by Bob, who gave a great introduction and answered our questions since we had never been here before. The exhibits were well done and the highlight was touring the Nautilus submarine outside. We toured the Nautilus twice since my son loved it so much. There's plenty to see and we spent about 2 hours there.

    Brian G.

    Well designed and offer submarine museum! I always enjoy seeing some history, and also reading about the forces that protect our great land.

    Scott G.

    I visited the Submarine Force Museum recently, which is the first time I've been since I was a little kid... But it was just as cool as I remembered! First off, the museum is completely FREE, so you can't really go wrong in making the trip. There is a large parking lot that is also free. The museum is located right next to the Submarine Force Base New London, but keep in mind that the base itself is not open to the public, only the museum. Once inside, there are lots of cool exhibits to explore and you'll learn the history of modern submarining and how submarines operate, including a small theater where you can watch two different short films related to submarining history. The best part, in my opinion, was boarding the USS Nautilus, which was the world's first nuclear-powered submarine built right in Groton. You can actually go down into the submarine itself (which is in the water) and learn about what life was like living on a sub. Keep in mind that you will be walking through some confined spaces and will have to walk through hatchway doors that are fairly small. But it is definitely the highlight of the museum! On the way out, stop by the gift shop and pick up some submariner swag. Overall a very cool (and very free) spot to visit, especially with kids!

    Submarines Displayed Outside Museum Entrance
    Leena S.

    This is a great museum with a beautiful and scenic location right on the Thames River. The inside of the museum is housed on two levels. It's not that large, but there is plenty to read and learn if you are a submarine buff. The museum has free admission and free parking. One of the best things is probably the submarine self-guided tour. You're provided with a headset, which walks you through the submarine providing facts and tidbits about the submarine, its operations and crew.

    Denise Z.

    What a great place! When in the area definitely stop and check this place out. I actually got to see a real submarine come in that's rare. The people that volunteer are very informative. Come with many questions!

    See all

    5 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 2
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Allison P.
    0
    385
    737

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 0
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 96
    Thanks 0
    Love this 103
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    11 years ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 0
    Love this 11
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 0
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Troy D.
    156
    225
    1144

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tom K.
    0
    60
    0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brian S.
    255
    1992
    28197

    16 years ago

    Helpful 18
    Thanks 0
    Love this 21
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cher Â.
    1216
    1589
    4248

    15 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of G M.
    1
    94
    242

    17 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ruth R.
    4
    48
    10

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kris W.
    1511
    225
    1743

    7 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 1

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Submarine Force Library and Museum

    Review Highlights - Submarine Force Library and Museum

    Adjacent to the indoor museum is the OG itself, the USS Nautilus (the world's first nuclear powered sub.

    Mentioned in 20 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Museums 262 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center - Pequot Village

    Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center

    4.3(60 reviews)
    8.4 mi

    Always learning something new at the MPMRC! Came in for "The Art of Storytelling" which was a great…read moreexperience with one of the amazing educators as she told two stories at the gathering place. Once finished had plenty of time to view the exhibits, watch the educational movies and explore the museum in its entirety. If you are ever in the area, ensure to stop in for a visit!

    The Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center is a Native American culture museum that opened in…read moreMashantucket, Connecticut in August 1998. It was founded by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. Federally recognized since 1983, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation consists of descendents of the Pequot Native Americans who have historical roots in the state of Connecticut. They historically spoke Pequot, a dialect of the Mohegan-Pequot language, which became extinct by the early 20th century. The tribal nation currently consists of more than 1,100 members, with about 200 of them residing on their reservation in Ledyard. The museum focuses on the history of the Pequots and other Native American peoples of eastern North America. The Mashantucket Pequot tribal nation also owns and operates the nearby Foxwoods Resort Casino: one of the largest casinos in the world. The 308,000-square-foot museum facility was built at a cost of $193.4 million, largely funded by casino revenues. My family and I recently visited the Pequot Museum during the long Thanksgiving weekend. I've visited the museum a number of times since it first opened, but this was the first visit for my two young sons. Since Thanksgiving occurred a couple of days before, my wife and I felt it was important to show our sons an accurate portrayal of Indigenous Americans (and their treatment) as opposed to the ones in the "fairy tale" narratives of the First Thanksgiving or Columbus' arrival in the Americas. The museum features some excellent interactive exhibits and life-size three-dimensional dioramas which showcase the culture of the Pequots and other Algonquian peoples from the Pre-Columbian era right up to the present day. Highlights for us included the "Pequot Village", "Life in a Cold Climate", and a 185-ft observation tower where visitors can get an excellent view of the entire Mashantucket Pequot reservation (including the casino). My family and I feel that the history and culture of our local indigenous peoples should be preserved and embraced, and this museum truly does a great job at doing that. We all highly recommend a visit to this museum!

    Photos
    Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center - Pequot man serving in the American Civil War

    Pequot man serving in the American Civil War

    Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center - Pequot Village

    Pequot Village

    Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center - Pequot man in the 18th century

    See all

    Pequot man in the 18th century

    Mystic Seaport Museum - 3.22.2025

    Mystic Seaport Museum

    4.3(280 reviews)
    6.6 mi

    Our visit here started out horribly because the parking lot for the museum is across the street, so…read moreafter we parked and walked up to the corner, we pressed the crosswalk button to cross the street. Having just come in from that same direction, I was well aware that the stoplight that we initiated by pressing the crosswalk button is right around a blind curve. I made sure that the first car actually stopped before I started through the crosswalk, but just as we were almost to the other side, I heard a huge crash that shook me to my core. We turned around, still partially in the street to see that a vehicle that had come around the corner was unable to stop in time and smashed into the car that was stopped at the crosswalk. Luckily no one was injured, but the sound and the proximity and the fact that there was some sort of lingering feeling that our crossing the street caused this accident put me in a really bad headspace. We stayed out in front of the museum for a while to make sure everyone was okay and the cars were moved out of the street but there was debris everywhere and I did have to sit down at a picnic table for about 5 minutes to calm down. All that being said, we actually enjoyed this Museum quite a bit once we got past what had happened. We have visited multiple Maritime museums in the last month and I can honestly say this was probably the best one. If you're at all interested in Maritime history, or just history even, sailing or boat craftsmanship, anything like that really, you will enjoy your visit here. This is not really a museum in the traditional sense. It's kind of like walking through a village in time. You can wander through historic buildings and watch live demonstrations of traditional skills like blacksmithing or rope making or sail stitching. Don't be afraid to go inside the buildings and interact with the employees. The immersive parts of this Museum are the best because they help you to feel like you're really experiencing what it was like instead of just reading about it. I think my favorite part was getting too board and tour a historical boat that was moored in the river. I don't recall what it is named, but you can board and walk around and even go down below deck. You can really get a feel for what life was like on one of these boats. I'm 5'7 and I had to duck the entire time. The beds were so tiny it was as if they were for children. It's crazy to think of grown men being packed down there like sardines. We also enjoyed checking out the lighthouse. They show a little movie inside but you can't actually go up. That was a quick stop and a little photo op but fun nevertheless. We ended up spending a lot longer here than we had anticipated because we really enjoyed the demonstrations and the historical feel of it all. It was dog friendly which is important to us but we also found a little reading room and a nice playground area so I know it would be great for children as well. Even after such a rocky start, I was really glad that we visited here and I highly recommend a stop if you can. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours here and wear comfortable shoes because the ground is gravelly and you will cover more of it than you think.

    Mystic Seaport continues to be one of the most thoughtfully run and genuinely enjoyable attractions…read morein New England. Every visit feels like stepping into a living, breathing piece of history, and the amount of effort that goes into maintaining that experience is impossible to miss. The staffing is exceptional. Everyone--from the interpreters in period dress to the shipyard craftsmen to the folks running the exhibits--brings an energy that makes the place feel alive. They're knowledgeable without being overwhelming, friendly without being scripted, and clearly passionate about what they do. It's rare to find a team that consistently elevates an entire visit, but Mystic Seaport pulls it off. The shops are charming and well-curated, offering everything from nautical gifts to handcrafted items to books you won't find anywhere else. They strike a great balance between being tourist-friendly and genuinely interesting, and it's easy to lose track of time browsing. As for the overall experience, it's simply entertaining from start to finish. Whether you're wandering through the recreated 19th‑century village, stepping aboard historic vessels, watching demonstrations, or exploring the rotating exhibits, there's always something engaging to see or do. It's the kind of place where you can spend hours without realizing it, and every corner feels like it has a story waiting to be discovered. Mystic Seaport remains a standout destination--beautifully maintained, thoughtfully staffed, and endlessly enjoyable. A true 5‑star experience. Enjoy

    Photos
    Mystic Seaport Museum - So pretty

    So pretty

    Mystic Seaport Museum - Shipyard

    Shipyard

    Mystic Seaport Museum

    See all

    National Submarine Memorial

    National Submarine Memorial

    4.6(8 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    OK, it's free, it's not 100% ADA compliant, the submarine Nautilus definitely is not…read more It is filled with naval photos, equipment, and explanations for almost everything. there is always someone there that you can ask "What is this?" spanning over 200 years of U.S. naval history. I've done a review of the submarine; this is for the rest of the museum. They have a theater where they show a short film about World War II naval combat. There are dioramas and sections where you can see some of the actual operating systems for the ship. They don't work though. There are some places to sit down if you should get tired. The museum has the usual souvenirs. Young and old will find it an interesting visit.

    If you come to the Groton/New London area it's probably because your visit has something to do with…read moresubmarines. The US Navy's Submarine School is located here, Electric Boat builds all of the Navy's nuclear powered submarines here, the free Submarine Museum with the USS Nautilus is here and finally this outdoor park dedicated to US Navy Submariners who died during WW II. That was over 3000 men and the 52 subs lost during the conflict. The Yelp location is accurate and there is free parking around the very small park. The memorial consists of a conning tower from a WW II boat that you can't climb on since there is no access but it is well maintained for viewing. There are 52 small stone tablets commemorating those sunk subs along with a Wall of Honor with the names of all of the perished submariners on it (I believe). The wall looks like the Vietnam Memorial in D.C. and has several benches in front to sit on and reflect. Come spend 15 minutes here and pay your respects.

    Photos
    National Submarine Memorial
    National Submarine Memorial - Wall of Honor

    Wall of Honor

    National Submarine Memorial - 52 subs that are still "on patrol".

    See all

    52 subs that are still "on patrol".

    Stonington Lighthouse Museum

    Stonington Lighthouse Museum

    3.8(18 reviews)
    10.3 mi

    Mrs. K. and I were not interested in actually going inside the museum or in climbing to the top of…read morethis lighthouse. But wow, we were very interested in seeing, walking around it, enjoying the view of the Sound that you can see from here. This structure was built in 1840 to replace an earlier one from 1823 that succumbed to shoreline erosion, it was crafted from large granite blocks, some salvaged from its predecessor. The tower itself is octagonal and 35 feet tall, attached to a 1 1/2 story keeper's house. Initially lit by an oil lamp and eight parabolic reflectors, it was upgraded to a sixth-order Fresnel lens in 1856 - a leap forward in lighthouse technology. But by 1889, its light was extinguished, replaced by newer beacons on the harbor breakwaters. Its second life began in 1925, when the Stonington Historical Society purchased it for $3,650 and transformed it into what's believed to be the nation's first lighthouse museum. Since then, it's become a repository of local maritime and agricultural history, with exhibits ranging from sea captains' treasures to artifacts from the British bombardment of 1814, including a cannonball embedded in a hearthstone and a rare Congreve rocket. The museum doesn't have its own parking lot but you can park nearby if it's not too busy. Stonington Point and the Dubois Beach have a small lot and it's nice there. If you're passing by on I-95, this is only 20 minutes off the highway. Take the time to detour and check this out. Even if it's not season and the museum is closed, walking around is free. [Review 1071 of 2025 - 124 in Connecticut - 24625 overall]

    Very nice small, local museum. Exhibits are varied. War, slavery, whaling, local life. Three rooms…read moreon ground floor, one small upper space that is under renovation and the tower. During our visit the fresnel lens was in a crate on the 2nd level. The staircase to the light housing is narrow and two-way. The ladder to the top is sturdy but takes a bit of maneuvering to get on the platform. Area holds ~ four people and is quite warm. The one employee answered our many questions. They offer senior, first responder and veteran discounts on entry. The museum is air conditioned. A good stop while in the area.

    Photos
    Stonington Lighthouse Museum
    Stonington Lighthouse Museum
    Stonington Lighthouse Museum

    See all

    Submarine Force Library and Museum - museums - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...