The USS Constitution is famously known as Old Ironsides and offers the chance to walk the oldest seaworthy ship in the world, which is part of the original U.S. Naval Fleet. It has served as a museum ship since 1907 and has toured the nation. Today she sits in Boston Harbor as a family-friendly historic attraction whose purpose is to promote understanding of the role of the navy in war and peace.
She is the oldest ship in the world that is still afloat in her original condition, a three-masted heavy frigate. You can tour the boat and then visit the USS Constitution Museum, where you'll learn about the ship as well as the history of the US Navy in general. This is an astonishing, family-friendly, and educational site to visit for your entire family.
USS Constitution in Boston - one of the highlights of 11 Best Things to Do in Boston and 10 Best Free Things to Do in Boston (Read all about Boston here)
What are the highlights of the USS Constitution in Boston?
The highlights of the USS Constitution have to include the ship herself, the oldest, and indeed, the only ship of its type still afloat in its original condition. It offers you the chance to walk the decks and below decks of a vessel from the late 18th century and see what a naval frigate looked like. You can see replicas of the original guns still in place and learn why she is called Old Ironsides.
The nearby USS Constitution Museum is also a highlight, offering hundreds of exhibits about Old Ironsides and the War of 1812. Many exhibits are interactive and explore the realities of sea life during the War of 1812. You'll learn about the war through multimedia, books, games, and other interactive, hands-on activities. Finally, you'll get to explore the battle between the Constitution and the HMS Java, one of the most spectacular naval battles in history.
A brief history of the USS Constitution in Boston
The history of the USS Constitution is a storied one, and very colorful. She saw service in war and peace, has been a beacon of US ideals and an educational ship. She was first commissioned as part of the naval act of 1794, her name chosen from among 10 submitted to President George Washington. She is most famed for her actions during the War of 1812 when she got the name Old Ironsides after her defeat of five British warships, including the HMS Java.
She was retired from active service in 1881. In 1907 she was designated a museum ship. In 1934 she took a 3-year tour of the nation visiting 90 ports. In 1997 and 2012, she sailed under her own power for her 200th birthday and the anniversary of her victory over HMS Guerriere. Today her mission is to promote the Navy's role in war and peace.
What else is good to know about the USS Constitution in Boston?
The USS Constitution is located along Boston's Freedom Trail in the Navy Hard in Boston Harbor. Here you can visit not only the Constitution but a second historic ship and the museum. The museum is open daily, but the ship is only open on weekends, so plan your trip accordingly. There is a nominal fee to visit the museum, and additional donations are accepted and encouraged. The ship, however, is free to visit on a first-come, first-served basis.
Visitors are required to pass a security inspection and, if 18 or older, must show photo identification to board the ship. Security is similar to that when passing through an airport. The ship is maintained in its original condition, which means that it is not completely accessible to people with disabilities. Service animals are permitted aboard the vessel, but pets are not.
USS Constitution in Boston
Location: Building 22, Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
Open: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm
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