Three Places to Tour a Submarine

Every submarine is a remarkable technological achievement, but it's truly the personnel who make the machine. Attention to detail, education and dedication are the essentials to keeping subs at sea. And there is no better way to gain insights about the abilities of their crews than taking a tour. Here are three places in the United States to tour and learn about submarines. Though they are all far older than the boats currently in service, all three will still impress visitors.

Chicago Museum of Science and Industry
In Chicago, visitors to the Museum of Science and Industry can see one of the very few naval vessels the US Navy captured in combat. The German u-boat U-505 is displayed in a huge hall bathed in swirls of light. It's a nice effect for photographers - but photography knowledge will come in handy to deal with the dim lighting.

The boat itself is well kept. But that's the result of a lot of work. Before being placed into the museum, U-505 sat derelict at the Portsmouth Naval Yard for a decade, stripped of every salvageable part. The then-museum president contacted companies that manufactured pieces of the u-boat for replacements, and was surprised at the positive response.

Touring U-505 costs $8 above the $15 museum admission fee.

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
The USS Blueback, the last non-nuclear boat to enter service with the US Navy, is now on display in Portland, Ore. The museum offers guided tours several times a day, and the submarine staff are avid storytellers and know the boat thoroughly. They're eager to get people involved, from quizzing kids on the tour to letting people take a look out of the periscopes.

The Blueback has a far different flavor from the WWII-era boats frequently on display. Its black, teardrop-shaped hull is similar to the modern nuclear boats in service today - and there's a Cold War vibe throughout its decks.

Touring the Blueback adds $5.75 to the museum's $12 (for adults) admission fee.

USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park
There are few places that appeal to the history buff than Pearl Harbor. But most people come for the USS Arizona memorial and only discover the Bowfin by accident. The Bowfin is the museum's namesake and centerpiece, but other exhibits add to the flavor - including a Japanese human-guided torpedo and a rescue chamber that saved the lives of 33 American submariners.

As for the Bowfin, it's typical WWII-era submarine fare. The museum is full of stories about the Bowfin and its exploits. The boat's history of sunken ships during nine patrols in the war is fairly lengthy.

The power of even such an old boat is impressive. Equally impressive? That it accomplished its tasks with technology that seems to antiquated today.

Museum admission is $10 for adults.