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Set sail on a voyage of discovery today!

Come aboard USS Constitution, “America’s Ship of State,” and meet the active duty sailors who are part of her legacy today. Then, go deeper into the Ship’s history at the USS Constitution Museum with interactive exhibits, hands-on programs, and a vast collection of artifacts that are fun for all ages. Conveniently located on the Freedom Trail, discover for yourself why the Ship and Museum are consistently voted a “must-see” attraction in Boston.

USS Constitution (the Ship) is owned by the United States Navy and operated separately from the Museum. Visit USS Constitution ’s website for more information on visiting the Ship.

Museum Hours Open Daily | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

The Museum is closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day and has an early closure at 2:00 PM on December 24th.

Open Tuesday– Sunday | 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Closed Mondays

The Ship is also closed on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Visit USS  Constitution ’s website  for more information about visiting the Ship.

Museum Admission

The Museum has a suggested admission of:

$10 – $15 for Adults $5 – $10 for Children

Please help us keep our doors open for all by being as generous as possible.

The USS Constitution Museum is proud to offer several discounted or free admission programs to individuals, families, and groups. Visit our Ways to Save page to find out more.

Ship Admission

When the Ship is open, it is free to visit on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be aware that visitors must pass through a security inspection and show federal or state photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, before embarking on USS Constitution . Visitors under the age of 18 do not require a photo identification card.

Visitor Policies

The safety of our visitors and staff remains our top priority. We ask all visitors to:

• Wash or sanitize hands frequently.  Masks are available for interested patrons.
• Do not visit if they are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19.
• Do not eat or drink in the exhibits.
• Be respectful of fellow visitors, Museum Staff and Museum exhibits.

All visitors to USS Constitution are required to pass through a security screening and show federal or state photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport. Visitors under the age of 18 do not require a photo identification card, but are required to go through the screening process. Similar to airport security, visitors will be asked to remove bulky articles of clothing such as jackets, all jewelry, watches, belts, and all bags, luggage, or backpacks to allow the item to be examined.

Museum Accessibility

The Museum is committed to accessibility for all visitors. The Museum’s two-floors of exhibits are physically accessible to walkers, wheelchairs, scooters, and strollers. Service animals are welcome, but must be under the control of the owner at all times.

A Communication Book and Social Narrative  are available for download to help visitors communicate their needs during a trip to the Museum.

Ship Accessibility

Maintained in its 1812-era configuration, access to USS Constitution is limited to visitors who can safely walk aboard the Ship’s top (spar) deck unassisted. Access to the below decks requires climbing and descending steep ladder-like steps. Wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, and strollers are not allowed on board and must be left on the pier while touring the ship.

Visitors with service animals are authorized to tour the top (spar) deck of the Ship. Though not required by law, proof of the service animal’s status as a verified service animal makes the security screening procedure more efficient. Service animals must be on a leash or harness and under control of the owner at all times.

Daily Programs

Go through the museum first that way by the time you step onto the ship you are in awe”, the ship itself is enough to come see, but the museum makes it spectacular.", the museum is fascinating; it makes us want to see the ship even more”, we have been to a lot of historical sites and museums and this is the most amazing place", the museum has things for all ages and all levels of interest. we can’t wait to come back”, helpful links.

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USS Constitution Museum

USS Constitution Museum, Building 22 Charlestown , MA 02129 United States

Get Directions

The USS Constitution Museum engages its visitors with their exhibit " Old Ironsides " in War and Peace where three centuries of USS Constitution's history is retold. The museum houses hands-on activities, digital displays and a range of artifacts and archival records that help tell the story of the famed ship.

Featured Content

USS Constitution

Old Ironsides: a History of America’s Ship of State

Naval Engagements in the War of 1812

Uss constitution museum: what's nearby.

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USS Constitution Museum

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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USS Constitution Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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USS Constitution in Boston

Visit a historic naval frigate and museum.

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.

Location: Building 22, Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA

Open: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm

This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.

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How you can win a spot aboard USS Constitution on July 4th

BOSTON - The USS Constitution is holding a free lottery for a chance to be on the ship as it goes underway on Boston Harbor. 

The lottery is open to the general public and 150 people will be randomly selected. They will join the USS Constitution crew as they go underway on July 4, 2024. Each person selected will be able to bring one guest.

Passengers will learn about the history of Old Ironsides and get a front-row seat as the crew fires a 21-gun salute in honor of Independence Day.

A link to enter the lottery will be posted on the USS Constitution Facebook and Instagram pages on Tuesday. The lottery will be open until May 2.   

Watch CBS News

USS Constitution holds lottery for July 4th underway

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Scout Day with the USS Constitution Museum

Boston National Historical Park

Location: LAT/LONG: 42.373907, -71.055526

Dates & times, type of event, description, calling all scouts.

Join us in the Charlestown Navy Yard for Scout Day–a special day of activities just for BSA Scouts and Girl Scouts. Scouts will learn about life at sea in 1812 and life in the Navy today, all while meeting some requirements for scout rank advancement badges. Explore the Museum and Ship as you stop at different activity stations throughout the Navy Yard. There will be something for all ages, so come as a scout, a family, or as a troop! All registered scouts will receive a special USS Constitution Museum Scout Day patch.

Activities include:

• Tour USS  Constitution , a national landmark. Don’t forget to bring your troop’s American flag to fly on board and fold with a Navy crew member.
• Build and race your own ship out of household materials in our Ship Design Challenge.
• Join in knot-tying and 1812 sailor games.
• Express your creativity at the “Paint a battle” and “Make a Captain’s Hat” maker stations.
• Participate in a mock 1812 gun drill with your troop.
• Meet USS  Constitution’ s active-duty Navy crew.
• Write a letter of encouragement to a new Navy recruit in boot camp.

A full list of activities and related badge requirements is coming soon.  Please note, the Museum will provide evidence of completed activities, but will not provide any merit badges at this event.

Reservation or Registration: Yes