A fun and interesting way to spend some time in Portsmouth. I visited town during off-season and this was one of the few tourist attractions still open. Touring the actual sub can be done in 20-30 min. If you're claustrophobic, the first couple areas are tight but it soon opens up. If you have mobility issues, it'll be tough to maneuver. This doesn't take away from my experience but something to consider for others. The attached museum/gift shop is nice and packs in a lot. It's a one time visit for me but glad I went. read more

See all

This was an amazing experience!! We went on a whim and as someone who knows nothing about submarines, I learned so much and it was super engaging. The self guided tour has little speakers with buttons along the way that tells you all about how the ship works and amazing stories from the crew! The inside museum was really cool as well!! There's a periscope inside that you can move around and look all around the area surrounding the building! A documentary about the ship plays on loop inside as well. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, and they were excited to talk about the submarine! The prices are 1000% worth it and I would totally do this again if I was in the area. They have tons of memorabilia to look at and gifts to buy as well! We will be back!! read more

See all

We arrived at 3pm on a Sunday and there were several families and couples milling about. Once you park, you enter a small building where you buy tickets and they have some informational reading material and objects. You go through the building to get to the submarine. They did a nice job of setting up audio recordings outside and inside the submarine so that you can go at your own pace and learn about each section of the sub. However, there were times where the people behind you would skip the audio so the pacing was wrong and it would get crowded. Overall, I found it educational and something the entire family could enjoy. read more

See all

This cool submarine was built in Portsmouth and served as a research sub from 1953-1972 for the U.S. Navy. The retired sub, named Albacore, stands propped in this little park near Portsmouth for visitors to tour. The submarine has a special high strength steel hull that was designed for faster speed. Throughout the sub's life, changes were made to the propellor, engine, stern, hull and other parts to improve operation. There is a small gift shop to purchase tickets to tour inside the vessel. Tickets are fairly inexpensive. The shop was undergoing renovations during our visit. The surrounding park has nice benches to sit and observe the submarine and adjacent river. There is plenty of parking in the park, at least while we were there. Worth a visit if you like history, engineering and subs (not the kind you eat). read more

See all

Albacore Park was a sight I think everyone who is passing through should check out! My friends and I stopped by on our way to Maine and we were shocked at how much this had to offer: a gift shop, exhibits, a small memorial garden, and tours to the inside of the USS Albacore! The staff were super friendly and knowledgeable about the area, so while also helping those learn about the submarine they also have tips on what routes were best to get to their destination! If you are planning a trip that passes through here, please make a stop to check it out for yourself because the pictures do not do it justice. read more

See all

I highly recommend a stop at this historic Naval museum! We've been on nearly every class of submarine, in service and out of service, and this museum was the best of all! The self guided tour with the red speaker buttons all along the way give a very detailed account of both the operations of the submarine and life aboard a submarine. Hubby served 21 years on submarines so the nostalgia alone being able to sit everywhere and touch everything was great! Super knowledgeable staff in the well laid out museum and gift shop and just an all around awesome experience! read more

See all

I was staying at a hotel very close by and as I was driving around I had noticed the submarine and figured I should check it out, how often do you see one just laying around out in the open like that - it was a no brainer. I was able to park easily in the lot which has a plentiful of spaces and then walked over to the visitor center to check in and see how to proceed. The visitor center is where you should start to check out the souvenirs, museum and to purchase a ticket to see the submarine. A ticket at the time of my visit was $9. Visiting hours are from about 9:30 am - 4:30/5:30 pm M-Sun. The museum included various artifacts, pictures, models of past and current ships, and included some short historic films; some new exhibits are also being organized. After checking out the museum I went to check out the submarine. The tour of the submarine is self-guided and features an outside and inside portion with audio stations that you press to hear various information/recordings/stories. As you explore all the different areas/rooms, the audio stations provide stories and personal experiences/thoughts from the crew about daily life and situations. All the areas were accessible and featured such areas control rooms, bunkrooms, mess halls, kitchens and more. I thought this was a cool thing to check out and it was worth the visit. The USS Albacore is a decommissioned research submarine, that was designed by the U.S. Navy to test experimental features used in modern submarines; it pioneered the American version of the teardrop hull form. The Navy tested top-secret features that led to the high-speed silent operation used on modern U.S. submarines. The revolutionary design was derived from extensive hydrodynamic and wind tunnel testing, with an emphasis on underwater speed and maneuverability. It's the third vessel of the United States Navy to be named under the Albacore brand. Albacore was commissioned on December 6, 1953 and was decommissioned on December 9, 1972. read more

See all

This is by far one of my top three museums I have ever been to, and it's a great attraction to stay entertained for a few hours if you happen to be in the area. It's not every day you get to tour a decommissioned submarine, so I planned this as part of a fun weekend road trip with some work colleagues in-between our training weeks in Boston. They had plenty of parking, and the gentleman managing the gift shop and selling tickets was pleasant to speak with. The ticket prices were quite fair and we set off to board the USS Albacore! While the submarine might be big, the internal compartments are tiny, so definitely mind your head while exploring the inside. They have covered pretty much every risky surface in soft stuff, so anyone paying attention should be safe, though make sure you keep a close eye on your kids as they explore the ship. That said, the rooms and displays inside are fantastic and do a great job portraying what everyday life on an experimental sub was like. There are a few things worth seeing outside the sub as well, with a neat-looking hydrofoil craft and some torpedoes nearby. The gift shop was well-appointed and fairly priced. I would direct your attention to the cool little state magnets and the squishy stress-relief submarines, and I definitely loaded up here on gifts for relatives and some tchotchkes for myself as well. The apparel selection is quite good too! When you consider price, ease of access, and the cool/unique factor, it is exceptionally hard to beat this "living museum". All aboard! Overall: 5.0 stars ----- Pros: - Very cool submarine self-guided tours, lots to learn and see. - Plenty of great photo ops around the grounds. - Pleasant service from the one guy running the place. - Surprisingly good gift shop considering the size of the place. Cons: - Mind your head, and those of your party members as well, on the low ceilings. Imagine having to duck down like this every day for months! Just gives you even more respect for the brave submariners. read more

Albacore Park - Cool submarine! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Really cool little submarine. It's a great look into the life on a submariner. It's a self guided tour with audio description from people that were actually on the boat. The workers in the gift shop are friendly and knowledgeable. Great experience for all ages. read more

What a cool experience walking through an old time capsule and just trying to imagine it with a full crew and under water. The self guided tour is really nice with nice informational buttons to push for more details. Great gift shop and small museum about the submarines. read more

I was entirely disinterested in going here but it's cooler than I'd thought it would be. It's a self guided tour and you can push butters and turn wheels and crawl into bunks and take all sorts of fun pictures. The price is right and it's very close to downtown Portsmouth, which is wonderful. read more

Albacore Park - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

While the Albacore itself is pretty cool to walk through and has some nice history to listen to along the way, it's super expensive and the woman at the front desk is rude and has no interpersonal skills. She really shouldn't be working with the public. read more

Employee gave me attitude and didn't believe I was under 14. My great grandfather served on the albacore and I couldn't even get in to see it! For god sake !!! Tourist rip off scam, just drive by it and go to Maine!! I don't know what smells better tuna out of a can or the use albacore . Don't recommend. read more

Albacore Park - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

We made a pit stop here on our way up to Maine. Very cool experience for the kids and parents to check out. We learned a few things too. It's important these things stick around, receive funding or donations, and get visited regularly. No one should ever forget our veterans and active service members. Good bless America read more

See all

As I was traveling around Portsmouth, NH for work - I came across the park for the U.S.S. Albacore. I was intrigued - and so had to check it out! There is a range of public memorials outside, an interesting museum and gift shop inside, and of course, the submarine. You can actually take tours inside the sub - I did not have time during this visit. However, the museum and the rest of the place was really cool and educational. Definitely worth the time to visit when in the Portsmouth, NH area! #USSAlbacore read more

See all

As a bit of a history buff, this was an interesting visit. True confessions, I remember going to a WW2 sub when I was a child so this is not my first rodeo. It was interesting to see the mess and the quarters and imagine being on duty in this sub which being more of experimental vessel to evaluate different tail configurations and propellers would have been considered a premium assignment, it is located right on the border of Maine so a nice little side trip from the south of Portland beach towns. read more

Loved this! It was a lot bigger inside than I thought. My 4YO loved all of the different areas and that he could sit in the captain's chair and press ALL the buttons. We went through the whole thing twice so he could do it again. Twice through we were there about an hour. Inside the little store there's also a small walk through area and the employees are knowledgeable about the history of the sub. They do not allow kids under 3 but if you have been here, you know why. There's a lot of climbing through places and even spots that there are openings on the bottom. Tbh I don't think I would bring someone elderly, who is unsteady either. We will definitely be going back to do it again! read more

Thank you for your sacrifices. People ask me how could I stay underwater for so long? I just treat it as an everyday event but if you're in the area this place will explain what we see or don't see. From the museum to the actual ship, you get an understanding of what these men went through. I'm going to break this review into two parts. The museum building and the actual USS Albacore AGSS 569. At the building, there are the usual souvenir magnets, shirts, hats, and books but there's also a small theater explaining the submarine force and its history. There's actual equipment that we older submariners all have been trained to use. In my early years in the Navy, I've used an Oxygen Breathing Apparatus and prayed I've never had to use it in a real fire. I've had to crawl on top of batteries and prayed I didn't get electrocuted and I've used a steinke hood for training and prayed I didn't use it in real life. So you know there are weekly religious services at sea on US Naval vessels. Cause I prayed a lot. This place brought back loving memories. As submariners we have a weird sense of humor and....what am I saying?!?!? You had to be nuts to volunteer for sub duty?!?!? As for the actual ship, it's a trip down memory lane. From the cramp rack that is the actual dimensions of a US NAVY coffin. To the small mess hall which doubles as a training room. Or the secretive radio room where I hid my snacks I have a much deeper appreciation for what these men went through. The boat tour is self guided with audio boxes at different sections of the ship explaining what you're seeing. And if you are claustrophobic don't bother coming down just tour the building and watch the film. Overall five stars. You get to see how people did things for God, for Nation, and for each other. Now excuse me, that movie Hunter Killer is out. M read more

See all

The tour that I took explained me was it's like to travel in a submarine. I looked through the periscope, to see the bridge. The periscope is in the control room, where submariners navigated and used sonar. read more

Nice museum. Lots of history on this submarine. There are good signs and audio throughout the sub and we learned so much. Glad we went. Also had a picnic on their grounds afterwards which was nice. read more

Was driving up to Maine (Kittery) the other day and 1A was closed over the Portsmouth Navy Yard Bridge so I was taking a detour & then all of a sudden I looked over & there it was... This HUGE submarine just sitting there... Saw the sign for Museum & Gift Shop but figured What the Hell, theres a huge submarine sitting there, so I cut across 4 lanes of traffic in proper Boston fashion & pulled into the lot (which was empty) - the place was completely closed... But the Ship was completely accessible (the outside at least)... My dad was in the Navy and my son is at a stage in his life where he likes Boats & Trucks, so he was kinda Psyched to see it... Although it was VERY cold... Took several pics, Posed, looked around at all the things in the park area... Will def come back this summer to take a tour! It was kinda cool! Love stuff like this! read more

See all

This place was very cool to see and stop and stretch our legs. I really appreciated the staff supporting active duty military!

The USS Albacore Submarine (205' long & 1,540 tons when full), an experimental research sub that pioneered modern subs, was launched in 1953. The Servicemen on board were termed "The Astronauts of Their Time." I'm not well versed in naval history or engineering, but the 2 hours I spent in the Museum & inside the Sub blew me away. I had a million questions! The Video & Museum were excellent. A series of 5 audio stations outside the Sub, then 11 more inside, provided a lot of information. As a novice, I just could not absorb enough. The super-compact spaces had to make it difficult for the 55 men aboard to move around. Every inch of space in all directions was covered with wires or equipment of some kind. I had little idea of what I was looking at, which made the tour even more amazing. I found the Museum & Memorial totally fascinating & highly recommend this Tour. read more

An excellent day trip to the area resulted with capping off our day on a tour of this decommissioned Cold War era submarine. A must for any history buff. Excellent time just exploring the vessel and hearing a self guided tour with audio boxes outside and within the submarine recorded by former crew members who served on the USS Albacore. $9 per ticket was worth every penny. read more

See all

This was a delightful visit! Reasonably priced, informative and oh so much fun! My son and I spent about an hour and half here, taking our time wandering through the submarine. It does get warm inside but it wasn't unbearable. The audio recordings are interesting, especially the diving procedure and the galley. There is also a little museum inside the gift shop that was very interesting as well. There is a little park and a memorial garden around the outside with plenty of seating to enjoy the outdoors. read more

Albacore Park - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

We visited this Museum with our grandson-6 years old and really enjoyed our visit. He was really excited to go into the submarine and so was I. As we walked around and inside it was very educational for us. At each location there was a recording which helped explain what we were looking at and giving us a first hand account by actual servicemen who served on the submarine. Amazing to see the technology of our Navy but even more amazing to see how these servicemen actually lived and worked on this sub. The Museum was definitely worth the visit and I think it is appropriate for all ages. read more

See all

Cool place. Glad we stopped in to check out. The grounds were well kept neat and clean.

I must admit that after watching "Das Boot" I've gotten a little fascinated with submarines and thought it would be fun to visit one in person. A few weeks later my friend and I were driving to Portsmouth, and she makes a couple of wrong turns. Then while being rerouted via GPS she looks to her left and we see the huge honking USS Albacore, just sitting there beckoning us! We knew we had to go back for a visit, so we did. This was an experimental sub commissioned in the early 1950s to test sub technology. For a very fair admission price, you can tour this beauty and touch pretty much everything inside including checking out the bunkers (really tough to get up on those higher bunks) to peeking through the periscope (which gives you a view of a couple of local houses whose owners probably have no idea the sub is spying on them.) The "please touch" aspect makes this a good attraction for kids that may be old enough to get a kick out of it. It is indeed very confining and the doors from one section of the sub to another are on the narrow side and seemed to only be about four and a half feet tall, so be prepared to do some stooping. Also we went on a day with low humidity and in the low 70s, and the inside of the sub was still stuffy. It's a self guided tour, so along the inside and outside of the sub are audio stations that give you an idea of what life was like for the submariners of the USS Albacore. Inside the visitor's center are tons of submarine memorabilia including a glow-in-the-dark gauge from an actual WWII German U-boat, and behind the center is a memorial park dedicated to all American submariners. A fascinating look at American naval history up-close and recommended. read more

See all

A real piece of important maritime history and engineering. If a visitor from afar this is as good as it gets for a rainy day activity. Welcome aboard!!!! read more

Albacore Park - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

See all

I know Portsmouth, NH doesn't have many Yelp reviews, but I was shocked to see that this place wasn't even listed. I was brought here once or twice as a child and it was one of my favorite museums. The submarine itself was pretty impressive considering its age and the duties it performed. The submarine itself was built about 5-10 minutes north at Portsmouth Naval Yard in Kittery, Maine. (Don't ask why the Portsmouth Yard is in Maine.....I never figured it out.) It was commisioned in 1953 and used mostly as a research submarine. Unfortunately it only had 19 years of seatime and was decommissioned in 1972. From what I have read, it was never an actual warship during the Korean War and Vietnam War, but was used during that time for training and research exercises with other countries that the United States were allied with. I think that if you have a family you should bring the kids here. The submarine is a national landmark and worth stopping in on the way if you are on I-95 or Route 1. The admission prices are low and i'd pay to visit this once again...........then again I am prior Navy so this stuff always impresses me. ADMISSION Adults, $5.00 Children 7-17, $3.00; Children under 7, free Military, $4.00 Family, $10.00 (2 adults and 1 or 2 children under the age of 18) read more

See all

We just arrived to Portsmouth and I was looking for things to do before we headed to the main area and found this submarine. This is something you could easily do in 30 minutes during the slow time. We went in the afternoon midweek and there was only one other group of people there. We didn't do the tour but simply walked around the submarine. It was pretty cool to see since I've never seen a military submarine before. They do have self guided tours for a reasonable price as well. After we walked around and took some pictures we went to check out the little store. It had some souvenirs and some reading material on the walls about the history of the submarine. It's a cool thing to check out real quick and isn't far from the downtown area. read more

Albacore Park - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

I love it here. I used to bring all my friends here to see this sub when I was a teenager. My dad was in the Navy for 22 years, I am completely fascinated by Navy artifacts and memorabilia. Its not often you can cram yourself into an old sub and be transported back in time. It blows my mind that so many men could live on that sub at one time. If you're in Portsmouth and have some time to kill, stop by the USS Albacore, check out the sub and the little gift shop. Its a self guided tour and takes about 30-45 minutes to see everything. Admissions fees are very reasonable. Adults - $7.00 Children 7-17 - $3.00; Children under 7 - free Active duty military - free Retired military (20 years) - $4.00 Family - $14.00 (2 adults and 1 or 2 children under the age of 18 read more

Great place, it was good to get out and visit. Nice museum and touring the sub was very informative. Easy to get to right off the highway.

Fun way to get a break from the more touristy parts of Portsmouth and learn some obscure things about US naval history. We went on a sweltering July afternoon, which I would not recommend as the sub is poorly ventilated, but fortunately we had the place to ourselves. The audio tour was fun and it was interesting to see how the seamen lived and worked on this experimental submarine. The museum attached had some cool pieces, despite being small. Worth the cost of admission. read more

Albacore Park - Lady at the helm! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

The Albacore is an awesome reminder of the cold war. It's cramped and couldn't have been enjoyable for the men who sailed in her after the first few hours. Go see it once, then go see the Nautilus in Groton, Connecticut. And when you're done and you can imagine the inside of a submarine, learn about the USS Thresher. This is very scary stuff when you think about it and it's why many people automatically thank anyone who has served. Why not five stars? I wish there was more to the museum, but maybe that would give me nightmares. read more

For just $5, why wouldn't you want to scrunch, hunch and stumble through an actual 50s-era submarine and marvel at how small, tight, cramped and uninviting for human life these things actually were? To some it's just an old sub in a ditch. To others, including old Navy veterans and many locals who have the Portsmouth Navy Yard in their veins, this is much more than a sub in a ditch. How much more depends on who you talk to. A roadside attraction worth stopping for. To enhance your visit, go through the official Web site and learn all about the boat's history. It is fascinating. read more

This was a great place to visit. For $6 you can explore the inside of the submarine. It's crazy to see how crammed in everything is. I loved learning about the history of it. It's also pretty cool that it's dry docked as you really get a feeling for how big it is since you can see the whole thing. For such a small price you should definitely visit too. read more

Unique stop in Portsmouth with a very friendly staff! **Be advised this sub is open to the air only by the entrance and the exit on opposing ends, so it is very stagnant and gets HOT, HOT, HOT in the summer.** We ended up rushing through it because the stagnant heat was making us sweat too much. Other than that, the self-guided tour was just our pace ;). It's amazing the amount of technology they can jam in such a vessel! It's worth the time and the price. Great for all ages. This sub might be a little difficult to navigate for people who have difficulty fitting in tight quarters or bending down through short entrances. Enjoy! read more

Subs are cool. Not many you can walk through on an unguided tour. If you are in the area, worth a 30 minute stop. If you are not, don't drive here just for this. read more

Albacore Park - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

See all

I loved it. Super awesome. Going through the sub was amazing. You can actually turn and twist all the knobs you want. Periscope actually works. The entire sub has audio clips you can play to learn more about it during your self guided tour. Super tight quarters. So cool! read more

Albacore Park - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire