Connecticut River Museum

Connecticut

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Adjacent to Essex's Steamboat Dock, this museum's meticulously presented exhibits recount regional history and include a reproduction of the world's first submarine, the American Turtle: a hand-propelled, barrel-like vessel built by Yale student David Bushnell in 1776 and launched at nearby Old Saybrook. The museum also hosts visiting exhibitions, runs summer workshops and organizes river paddles – dates and prices vary.

A reproduction of Dutch explorer-privateer Adriaen Block's yacht Onrust goes out on summer cruises. Ensure that your phone navigates you to Main St and not North Main, which is in another part of town.

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