USS Constitution Museum
- Home
- Attractions
- USS Constitution Museum
Known as "Old Ironsides" and as the head ship of the War of 1812, the USS Constitution is a historic warship that the USS Constitution Museum now commemorates. The ship itself was launched from Boston in 1797, and it famously fought against the British HMS Guerriere in 1812 when a sailor aboard called out, "Huzza! Her sides are made of iron!"
The USS Constitution Museum, which is in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Charlestown, Massachusetts, houses over 2,000 artifacts relating to this iconic warship, and the ship itself now sits just outside the museum, open for public tours daily. While the museum is operated independently of the ship, both the museum and the ship are open during the same hours, so visitors can easily tour both on the same day.
How to Get There
This museum in downtown Charleston. The closets airport is the Boston Logan International Airport. You can head to the USS Constitution Museum by car, cab, or bus, specifically by Bus 93, which stops close to the museum at the intersection of Chelsea Street and Constitution Road. Some major cities near the museum include Boston, Cambridge and Somerville.
Rent an RV For Your Visit to USS Constitution Museum
Visit USS Constitution Museum
The best time to visit the USS Constitution Museum and the ship outside is in the summer and early fall when the weather is pleasant, and the tide is low. While inside the museum, be sure to check out the "Old Ironsides" in War and Peace exhibit, which details the three centuries that the USS Constitution has been active. You may also like experiencing the All Hands on Deck: A Sailor's Life in 1812 exhibit, which is full of interactive pieces that allow you to feel what it was like to be a part of the U.S. Navy in the 1800s.
Ticket Information
The USS Constitution Museum is open for admission with a donation. The suggested donation for adults to enter the museum is $10 to $15 while the suggested donation for children to enter is $5 to $10, though larger donations are welcome. The USS Constitution ship, which is attached to the museum, is open to visit for free on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors over 18, however, should have a photo ID ready to show to board the ship.
Free admission to the museum is also available to those with a museum membership, and having such a membership also unlocks a 10% discount on all items in the museum's store. All active and retired military members with a photo ID can enter the museum free year-round, and active-duty military families may enter for free, as well, between Armed Forces Day and Labor Day. Free admission is also offered to Massachusetts teachers, EBT cardholders and those with a free pass provided by a Massachusetts public library.
Family-Friendly Options
The USS Constitution Museum is full of interactive exhibits for all ages, and the museum additionally offers educational programs for youth. Twice a year, the museum hosts Scout Days for Girl and Boy Scouts to enjoy, and group programs for youth can be reserved any time of year for an individualized experience.
For families, the USS Constitution Museum offers interactive games; a printable children's book; and printable activities, like crosswords and sailor challenges, on its official website. There are also activity and craft videos created by museum staff online, and all these activities can be completed before, during or after you visit the museum.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
For the best experience exploring the USS Constitution Museum and the USS Constitution ship, plan to visit the ship first since guided tours of the vessel may take quite some time. Along the way, be sure to chat with the Navy military members on board. After that, head over to the museum, and then explore the first floor before heading up to the second level.
The museum and the ship are filled with amazing photo opportunities. Get a picture of you and your family hanging out in hammocks at the All Hands on Deck exhibition. Snap a breathtaking photo of the USS Constitution with the sunset in the background. Explore the Charlestown Navy Yard, one of the original six naval shipyards in the country, and capture once-in-a-lifetime images of two historic warships and various artifacts and old buildings.
USS Constitution Museum Accommodations
Campgrounds Nearby
Out of all of the campgrounds in Medford, Massachusetts, a nature lover may want to consider staying in Harold Parker State Forest. The beautiful white pine and hemlock forest is filled with plenty of wildlife that you can see throughout the seasons. During certain times of the year, hunting and fishing are even permitted here.
Situated in the infamous Salem, Massachusetts, this campground is surrounded by attractions and things to do. Not only do you have the attractions of Salem at your fingertips, with a Salem historic trolley tour stop right outside the campground, but you’re nestled on Winter Island, right on the water of the picturesque Salem Harbor. Visit the historic lighthouse and the House of Seven Gables, right at your doorstep. When you’re ready to walk the Freedom Trail, Boston is just 45 minutes away.
Hanscom AFB FamCamp is an ideal option for families or couples who have a military background. The facility is located in Bedford, which means that you can easily reach Boston and other nearby attractions. Reservations are not needed at this campground, which means that sites are given out on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Activities Near USS Constitution Museum
Things to Do
Hiking
When you want to go hiking, you can check out North Point Park, which is just a short walk from the USS Constitution Museum. This park, located along the river waterfront, has a few urban walking trails plus playgrounds and picnic tables with grills.
Boating
There are plenty of options for boating on the Mystic and Charles Rivers near the museum, too, and you can take your own boat to the Little Mystic Boat Ramp to launch in the water. If you'd like to rent a non-motorized boat, stop by the Charles River Canoe & Kayak boat rental service.
Swimming
For a chance to go swimming in the Upper Mystic River, head north to Shannon Beach. This beach, found inside Mystic Lakes State Park, has an accessible boardwalk and outdoor public showers.
National Sites
Weather, Safety & Accessibility
Weather & Packing
Aside from closures on certain holidays, the USS Constitution Museum is open year-round. While weather conditions will not affect your experience inside the museum, those who want to visit the USS Constitution ship should take the weather into consideration since rain, storms and high tides can affect the daily public tours on board. Visitors in wheelchairs should also know that they may not be able to board the ship at all during high tide conditions.
You can bring bags to the museum. However, bags must pass a security screening before they can be brought on the ship. Additionally, weapons of any kind, and gum, food and beverages are not permitted on the ship, except for sealed, bottled drinks. Smoking is also prohibited, and strollers are not allowed on the ship, though they may be left on the pier before boarding.
Safety & Accessibility
The USS Constitution Museum is ADA-accessible and can be easily toured by visitors with walkers, canes, wheelchairs, scooters and strollers. The museum also offers a digital, printable communication book and a social narrative on its website for visitors who need language assistance.
Visitors to the USS Constitution ship should know that the ship is not completely accessible for wheelchairs. Wheelchairs may be allowed on the deck of the ship, but they are not able to access the lower decks since the lower decks are fixed with their original ladders from the early 1800s.
Conclusion
The USS Constitution Museum is a must-see location for everyone interested in the United States' nautical history. Since it is located in Charleston right next to Boston, it is surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Charles River.
FAQ
Winter Island Park in Salem is one of the best camping options near the Charleston and Boston areas. This seasonal campground offers full hookups for RV campers, and it's surrounded by water with plenty of opportunities for fishing, swimming and boating.
There is minimal parking at the USS Constitution Museum. RVs may be allowed to park at the Constitution Marina instead.
Visitors who use a wheelchair or other assistive device should know that the USS Constitution ship is not completely accessible. However, the museum has entrance ramps and an elevator, making it fully accessible.
There are many interactive exhibits at the USS Constitution Museum that are tailored toward young visitors. There are also books and activity pages for children to download and use while at the museum on the museum's website, making it a great place for families to stop and spend some time.
The USS Constitution Museum does not allow pets inside the museum or on the USS Constitution ship, but service dogs are allowed.