Sub central: Visiting the submarine museum in Groton
Groton has earned its nickname as the Submarine Capital of the World, thanks to the subs built at Electric Boat and operated out of the Sub Base.
Since that is central to the city’s identity, if you want to know Groton, you have to go to the U.S. Navy Submarine Force Library and Museum. While that might sound like an assignment, it won’t feel like work; the museum is a fascinating spot where you’ll learn a lot.
There is everything from a “midget” sub to torpedoes to a model showing what the interior of a Gato-class sub looks like, along with info about various aspects of this arm of the military service. The museum is promoting the New Augmented Reality Exhibit, with computer-generated virtual content.
Alas, the Nautilus, the first operational nuclear-powered sub, is undergoing maintenance, so visitors can’t go onboard. It’s scheduled return in September.
The U.S. Navy Submarine Force Library and Museum, 1 Crystal Lake, Groton; hours 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, but closed Tuesdays; free admission; 1-800-343-0079.
