USS Constitution
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KidsSenior-FriendlyIndoorOutdoorCity LandmarkMust-SeeWorld RecordGuided TourEducationalWarship
Overview
Docked proudly within the Charlestown Navy Yard, the USS Constitution, also known as 'Old Ironsides', is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Launched in 1797, this historic wooden-hulled heavy frigate earned its legendary nickname during the War of 1812, when enemy cannonballs were seen bouncing harmlessly off its thick white oak hull sides. Today, visitors can step onto the wooden decks, explore interactive naval galleries, and chat with active-duty U.S. Navy sailors who maintain this magnificent, floating symbol of American freedom.
Practical Info
MonClosed
TueClosed
Wed10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sun10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Suggested DurationAbout 1-1.5 hours
Best TimeVisit Friday through Sunday from May to September right at the 10:00 AM gate opening. Managed by active-duty U.S. Navy sailors, visiting early on weekends grants you shorter security lines at the naval yard and a chance to witness morning military ceremonies.
Getting ThereLocated in the Charlestown Navy Yard. The most scenic route is taking the MBTA water shuttle (F4 Ferry Route) from Long Wharf in downtown Boston directly to the Navy Yard pier, followed by a 2-minute walk. Walking across the Charlestown Bridge is also common.
Travel Tips
- This is an active Navy ship with strict military security. Visitors aged 18+ must present a valid government-issued photo ID (like a passport), and large bags or backpacks are banned.
- Boarding is free and operates strictly on a first-come, first-served basis with no online reservations. Security checks mean summer lines exceed an hour; line up before 10 AM opens.
- The accessibility ramp to the top deck depends heavily on changing tide conditions. Lower decks are only accessible via very steep military ladders, which is a hazard for limited mobility.
Reviews
Positive
- The world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat; stepping onto the deck delivers a perfect score of visual shock and a truly unique authentic historical experience.
- Guided and managed by active-duty US Navy sailors dressed in traditional uniforms; they maintain strict order and top professionalism, making visitors feel very secure.
- No separate ticket is required to board the warship; it is completely free to the public, and getting to walk inside the lower decks offers immeasurable core value.
- Located in the Charlestown Navy Yard with clear signage guidance; taking the Boston Inner Harbor water shuttle drops you right off for a unique transit experience.
Heads up
- Being an active military site requires standing in long queues for rigorous airport-style security screenings with strict entry limits, leading to long wait times.
- Restricted by its historic layout, the interior cabins feature extremely low ceilings and narrow companionways where tall visitors easily bump heads, and accessibility is impossible.
- Operating hours frequently change at short notice due to military duties or inclement weather, sometimes resulting in unexpected closures that ruin tourists' itineraries.
- During peak travel seasons, deck crowding is high with tour groups packed together, making it hard to take clean photos or quietly absorb the warship's historic atmosphere.