I've climbed inside 6 historic submarines from World War II and the Cold War. Here are the coolest things I've seen.

Historic submarine museums provide immersive experiences. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider I've visited six out of the 15 World War II-era submarine museums in the US. I've seen a missile hangar, sonar equipment, and a conning tower where orders were issued from. I've also had insights into crew life, like a soft-serve ice cream machine and comic strips. Visiting historic submarines requires a certain level of comfort with confined spaces, steep ladders, and the smell of diesel fuel. I can't ...