The USS Constitution is one of the big draws in Boston Harbor and while we were visiting New England and Boston last year we had the chance to tour this historic ship. You have probably heard of the USS Constitution before, but you might be more familiar with her nickname, Old Ironsides.
How to Get to the USS Constitution
There are several ways you could get to the USS Constitution, which is located at the Charlestown Navy Yard on the north side of the Boston Harbor. Earlier in the day when we were visiting we had been down by the Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall, so we just walked over to the Long Wharf (near the Aquarium) and took a ferry across the harbor.
We had wanted to go out in the harbor anyway to get the great views of the Boston skyline. The ferry is included on your T pass if you are using public transportation to get around Boston. You want to make sure you get in the public transportation line at the Long Wharf so that you don’t accidentally get onto a different ship doing a harbor cruise.
The ferry will drop you off just across form the Charlestown Navy Yard and you just need to walk around the docks to get to the USS Constitution. Once you get there you will need to stand in a security line to enter, Old Ironsides is a national treasure and the area is an active navy yard, so there is pretty tight security.
Actually visiting the ship is free, you just need to wait your turn in line, but if you want to visit the museum they take “donations”. We did not have time to visit the museum while we were there, so we don’t know how good it is.
What You Will See at the USS Constitution
Visiting the USS Constitution is a great experience since she is fully restored and fully functional. She does occasionally still sail although only rarely since so many people want to visit her.
You are allowed to wander all over the ship which lets you exactly what it was like to live and work on the USS Constitution. It is pretty cool to be able to go all over a piece of history like this.
In addition to the upper main deck you are allowed to go below, although this does involve going up and down steep ladders into very short spaces. I went down below a couple places while Meagan and Lucy stayed up on the main deck.
Sum Up
the USS Constitution is definitely worth a visit while you are in Boston. It won’t cost you anything except some time waiting in line. There were lots of people visiting on the day we were there, but it did not take us too long to get through the line and visit the ship.
