USS Constitution & Museum

Visitor Guide to "Old Ironsides" and the Charlestown Navy Yard

⏱ 1.5-2 hours👤 All agesFree

Launched in 1797, the USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat — and remarkably, still an active vessel of the United States Navy, crewed by active-duty sailors who lead visitors aboard. She earned her nickname "Old Ironsides" during the War of 1812, when British cannonballs were seen to bounce off her thick oak hull. Undefeated in battle, she's a national symbol berthed at the Charlestown Navy Yard, across the harbor from downtown and one of the final stops on the Freedom Trail.

Boarding the ship is free, though all visitors pass through a security screening (it's an active military vessel) and should bring a photo ID for adults. Sailors aboard answer questions and share the ship's history. Nearby, the USS Constitution Museum — a separate, donation-supported institution — fills in the rest of the story with engaging, hands-on exhibits about life at sea, the ship's battles, and her ongoing preservation; it's especially good for families.

Because the Charlestown Navy Yard is across the harbor, many visitors reach it by walking the full Freedom Trail, by water shuttle, or by trolley, and combine it with the nearby Bunker Hill Monument. Both the ship and the museum keep their own hours, which can shift, so it's worth checking before you go. Admission is free; this listing points to the official site for current hours and details.