Nauticus National Maritime Center, Norfolk, Virginia, Maritime History and Modern Technology

Downtown Norfolk, Virginia is home to the Nauticus National Maritime Center. There are over 150 exhibits, including some that are one of a kind.

In July of 1944, the U.S.S. Wisconsin left Norfolk, Virginia on her first deployment. Now, she rests on the docks beside Nauticus and has been one of the museums most popular exhibits since her arrival on December 7, 2000.

The Wisconsin, which is one the largest battleships ever built, is open for tours during regular museum hours. The battleship is part of the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, which is operated by the U.S. Navy and housed on the second floor of Nauticus.

In addition to partnering with the navy, Nauticus has also teamed up with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide exhibits such as "Secrets of the Deep'' where visitors can learn about some of the work NOAA does, including a virtual tour of the USS Monitor site. Visitors can also learn to control a robot that is just like the one NOAA uses when collecting items from shipwrecks and other underwater sites.

Another NOAA exhibit, "Science on a Sphere'' allows visitors to touch a tornado and learn how to analyze weather conditions in order to make more accurate forecasts.

For children, there are several hands on exhibits such as the popular Shark Petting Lagoon where visitors can actually pet live sharks that are between two and three feet long. There is also another touch tank containing starfish, sea urchins and other small ocean creatures.

In the interactive theater, Design Chamber, which is set just before the start of World War II, visitors can try to create a powerful battleship. Other simulation games are available where you can learn to hunt for subs while listening to members of the U.S. Navy describe their everyday lives aboard a navy ship.

In addition to the large number of permanent exhibits, there are also changing exhibits. These have included an exhibit of artifacts collected from the R.M.S. Titanic and another about the use of underwater robots.

One visitor from Orange County, California said the trip was a must for anyone visiting the area. Some visitors were less impressed, but visitors can decide for themselves by visiting just the first floor and the battleship Wisconsin, both of which are free of charge. If you find the museum interesting, you can pay the admission fee to see the entire museum.

There are usually special educational programs going on, such as one commemorating the anniversary of the first successful trip to the North Pole and another focusing on how wind can be harvested and used for energy. The museum and the U.S.S. Wisconsin are also available for birthday parties, weddings and other special events.