If you and your family love naval history, then there are some great places that you need to visit. They are filled with maritime sites to see and unusual naval-based activities to explore.
San Diego, California
You can take a high-speed tour aboard Swift boat PCF-816 at the Maritime Museum in San Diego. This museum also offers a four-hour trip aboard the tall ship California, and a four-hour tour aboard a replica of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s ship that first landed in the San Diego area on September 28, 1542. You can also walk the plank of a 200-year-old wooden fighting ship along with seeing other naval memorabilia.
Groton, Connecticut
If you are visiting the East Coast, then put Groton, Connecticut, on your itinerary. With a number of museums dedicated to naval history, this is a must stop. This city is home to the Submarine Force Museum, where you can see four midget-submarines before you climb into the Nautilus, which was the first nuclear warhead submarine in the world. Once inside the Nautilus, you can see how a submarine’s fighting crew lived. You can also see many documents, photographs, and artifacts that are changed frequently. You will also want to visit Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park, where you can learn about the soldiers that defended this fort from attack by British sailors in 1781. Groton is also located very near New London, Connecticut, where the U.S. Coast Guard has its academy housing several naval history artifacts to see. A popular choice for visiting this area is to see the colorful dress review of the Corps of Cadets, which occurs four times annually.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii, is home to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. A trip to this 17-acre park starts with a 23-minute video before you climb on board a U.S. Navy water shuttle to be taken to the Pearl Harbor Memorial. After you visit the memorial, the shuttle will bring you back to the visitor’s center where you can tour the USS Missouri, where the peace treaty ending World War II was signed and visit the USS Bowfin fleet attack submarine. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial also holds two hangars of planes instrumental during World War II.
These are just a few of the fascinating places in the United States, where you can learn about naval history. Pick your favorite, and make plans to visit the community you. You will be warmly welcomed and love learning more about maritime history.
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