USS Constitution Museum
USS Constitution Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
At the USS Constitution Museum you don't just learn about history, you EXPERIENCE it! Furl a a sail, fire a cannon, and scrub the decks to learn what life was like at sea over 200 years ago. Located across from the ship in the historic Charlestown Navy Yard. The Museum is private non-profit Museum and is operated separately from USS Constitution (the Ship).
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Charlestown
Charlestown’s hilly roads, narrow streets and gaslight lamps, make it an enticing neighborhood to visit. Follow the Freedom Trail over the Washington St bridge from the North End or take the scenic water locks to Paul Revere Park. Walk through City Square and stroll down cute Main street, wandering up the windy residential streets to Monument Square, where you can learn about the city’s history along with a great view of Boston at the Bunker Hill Monument. While it’s not a huge area, there are some excellent restaurants. Find your way to the Charlestown Navy Yard, which is a developing area with lots of condos and an additional site for Massachusetts General Hospital research centers. Here you will also find the USS Constitution Museum. After you’re done, hop on an MBTA ferry at the dock on Baxter street and zip on over to Long Wharf and the New England Aquarium.
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See what travelers are saying
- Lynda H33 contributionsGreat visitIt was really interesting. If anything, we could have done with a little more time 30 minutes too short, and an extra 15 minutes would have been good. As a free guided tour, we can't complain. Clear sign to state that everyone needed to wait for a guide would have been useful. But Great visit.Visited March 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten March 7, 2023
- christopherbO9687MPActon, Massachusetts668 contributionsExcellent complement to addict USS Constitution shipThe USS Constitution Museum is adjacent to the famous ship, and goes into much more detail on the technologies used to build the ship, it role in the War of 1812, and this lives of the sailors serving during important battles. There are lots of hands-on displays for everyone to try their hands at being a sailor. Located on Boston's Freedom Trail (near its north end), this is easy to find.Visited April 2023Written April 5, 2023
- EssexBetty64Essex, United Kingdom474 contributionsExcellent museumWe visited this museum while on the Freedom Tour. Recommended contribution $5-10 each. A excellent museum and certainly worth a visit especially if you have children with you (we didn’t). It’s very hands on and has a brilliant Lego room where you can build models.Visited May 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten May 28, 2023
- Jaskel08California234 contributionsA great compliment to the actual USS Constitution itselfWe came with two kids, ages 13 and 7. What we love about museums is if they have modalities of sharing, educating, and informing us. This museum embodied it. There were lots of unique interactive hand-on exhibits that even kept my 7 year old girl entertained. The museum gives great insight into the Constitution, and how worships functioned at the time that the actual ship couldn’t. What impressed me the most was the staff. One of the volunteers, was peppered with questions, from myself, over 15 minutes in regards to how cannons and cannon warfare about ships worked. What impressed me the most about him….. is his passion and love for knowing and sharing his knowledge.Visited June 2023Written July 2, 2023
- TN_Dave_00Annapolis, Maryland76 contributionsA great museum to complement Old IronsidesThis museum is a well run museum that gives a lot of perspective on how Naval architects designed and built ships like USS Constitution. The entry is by donation. It’s well worth your time to go see it after you tour the ship. You’ll learn some interesting things. The gift shop also sells some items made of reclaimed wood and copper, preserved from restoration work on the ship.Visited July 2023Traveled with familyWritten July 24, 2023
- OrlandoMouseSt. Augustine, Florida2,239 contributionsVisit the Museum, the USS Constitution, USS Cassin YoungIf you are walking the red brick Freedom Trail north, you will eventually arrive at the USS Constitution Museum as well as the home of “Old Ironsides”. All of these are free admission. The museum is self-guided. It is an excellent place to learn the importance of rope manufacturing and the key role it plays in ships and shipping. Outdoors of the museum you can explore the USS Constitution ship. There are three deck levels you can explore but beware you will climb narrow stairs with rope handles. Also watch your head as our ancestors on ships must be much shorter than today. It is a beautiful ship. You can appreciate the handiwork it took to create a wood ship back in the day. Also, while there walk a little further and visit the USS Cassin Young, a destroyer from WWII. While there take a look at the torpedoes and depth charger models.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 25, 2023
- ybqueenCentreville, Virginia37 contributionsShip ShapeThis is a small compact, but very comprehensive museum. It’s reasonable to enter, and the donations are suggested. Military both retired and active duty are free. There’s also an excellent gift shop with many appealing souvenirs as well as a library of books to purchase. There are interactive films to watch. The personnel are friendly and helpful. There is also a nice restroom.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 1, 2023
- jtkoehler2270 contributionsDone miss this gemGreat info, great history info. Very good hands on for the kids, that will get them off their screens. I’ve done the ship, but I like the museum better. $10 suggested donation. We were there about an hour and half. Also there is war ship on the sight.. well worth a visit. Use Uber to get there and head back out.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 9, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
3,655 reviews
Excellent
2,114
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1,115
Average
340
Poor
61
Terrible
27
jtkoehler2
crawfordsville270 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Great info, great history info. Very good hands on for the kids, that will get them off their screens. I’ve done the ship, but I like the museum better. $10 suggested donation. We were there about an hour and half. Also there is war ship on the sight.. well worth a visit. Use Uber to get there and head back out.
Written 9 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ybqueen
Centreville, VA37 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
This is a small compact, but very comprehensive museum. It’s reasonable to enter, and the donations are suggested. Military both retired and active duty are free. There’s also an excellent gift shop with many appealing souvenirs as well as a library of books to purchase. There are interactive films to watch. The personnel are friendly and helpful. There is also a nice restroom.
Written 1 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OrlandoMouse
St. Augustine, FL2,239 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
If you are walking the red brick Freedom Trail north, you will eventually arrive at the USS Constitution Museum as well as the home of “Old Ironsides”. All of these are free admission. The museum is self-guided. It is an excellent place to learn the importance of rope manufacturing and the key role it plays in ships and shipping. Outdoors of the museum you can explore the USS Constitution ship. There are three deck levels you can explore but beware you will climb narrow stairs with rope handles. Also watch your head as our ancestors on ships must be much shorter than today. It is a beautiful ship. You can appreciate the handiwork it took to create a wood ship back in the day. Also, while there walk a little further and visit the USS Cassin Young, a destroyer from WWII. While there take a look at the torpedoes and depth charger models.
Written 25 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rashae Williams
Yardley, PA41 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Came here with our 8 month old and also toured the ship. Totally worth it! The museum was great for all ages honestly, we loved it as adults but it was super interactive and would be fun with kids too. Lots of information and learning and really valuable experience.
They recommend $10-15 per adult as a donation fee but require no payment to explore everything. We parked at Nautica garage close by, which was pretty pricey but close to walk, that was nice.
They recommend $10-15 per adult as a donation fee but require no payment to explore everything. We parked at Nautica garage close by, which was pretty pricey but close to walk, that was nice.
Written 21 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LAC
79 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
This museum is interesting, but not as interesting as the ship itself right outside. If you have the time and inclination to pay the entrance fee, then it's worthwhile seeing. Otherwise, skip and focus on the ship itself.
Written 28 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TN_Dave_00
Annapolis, MD76 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
This museum is a well run museum that gives a lot of perspective on how Naval architects designed and built ships like USS Constitution. The entry is by donation. It’s well worth your time to go see it after you tour the ship. You’ll learn some interesting things. The gift shop also sells some items made of reclaimed wood and copper, preserved from restoration work on the ship.
Written 24 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaskel08
California234 contributions
Jun 2023
We came with two kids, ages 13 and 7. What we love about museums is if they have modalities of sharing, educating, and informing us. This museum embodied it. There were lots of unique interactive hand-on exhibits that even kept my 7 year old girl entertained. The museum gives great insight into the Constitution, and how worships functioned at the time that the actual ship couldn’t.
What impressed me the most was the staff. One of the volunteers, was peppered with questions, from myself, over 15 minutes in regards to how cannons and cannon warfare about ships worked. What impressed me the most about him….. is his passion and love for knowing and sharing his knowledge.
What impressed me the most was the staff. One of the volunteers, was peppered with questions, from myself, over 15 minutes in regards to how cannons and cannon warfare about ships worked. What impressed me the most about him….. is his passion and love for knowing and sharing his knowledge.
Written 2 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EssexBetty64
Essex, UK474 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We visited this museum while on the Freedom Tour. Recommended contribution $5-10 each. A excellent museum and certainly worth a visit especially if you have children with you (we didn’t). It’s very hands on and has a brilliant Lego room where you can build models.
Written 29 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
christopherbO9687MP
Acton, MA668 contributions
Apr 2023
The USS Constitution Museum is adjacent to the famous ship, and goes into much more detail on the technologies used to build the ship, it role in the War of 1812, and this lives of the sailors serving during important battles. There are lots of hands-on displays for everyone to try their hands at being a sailor. Located on Boston's Freedom Trail (near its north end), this is easy to find.
Written 5 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris
Clermont, FL23 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
Great history of the USS Constitution. I highly recommend for families with children. Most of the exhibits are hands on and designed with kids in mind.
Written 20 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara G
Murfreesboro, TN181 contributions
How much time should we plan to visit this museum? (We’re 2 seniors, with no kids.)
ejavos
South Lyon, MI44 contributions
I’m sorry I haven’t seen the question sooner! I think 1 hour would be fine. There isn’t much walking involved, but there are some stairs and tight spaces on the ship itself. We had no lines to get in really, maybe 5 people in front of us. The Cityview trolley stop is right in front of the museum.
ronao769
2 contributions
Can we do our own tour of the freedom traIL or do we have to pay and tour?
kcs2689
Marion, OH129 contributions
You can easily follow the trail (just follow the red trailed marked on the sidewalks). But you might want to consider an inexpensive tour guide who will provide lots of interesting information about what you are seeing. Our group felt we would have missed a lot without the benefit of our guide
stdur12
Columbus, OH5 contributions
We are in town July 12-14th and the website shows the USS Constitution is closed due to docking schedule. What does that mean? Thank you.
kcs2689
Marion, OH129 contributions
The ship is in dry dock for restoration. It is really something very unique to see while it sits totally out of the water. We were able to board the ship and to explore the main deck and the one below it. I'm not sure if you can still due that due to the restoration schedule. I know they still have to move the cannons back onto the ship, so this could make it off limits to visitors awhile. Please don't let this discourage you from visiting. The museum is amazing (especially if you have school age children). And, even if you can't board the ship, you'll love seeing her in dry dock.
Andrew T
Columbia, SC1 contribution
About how long does it take to see the museum and tour the ship? Also what time of day is the lest busiest in July?
Helene S
Houston, TX1,776 contributions
I would go early in the morning. The museum can be done in 30 minutes or several hours depending on your level of interest. Talk to the crew on the ship. They tell the story best!
trailmix_26
North Jackson, OH11 contributions
I can't find prices?
ReviewsByAZ
London, UK856 contributions
It's free. You can donate whatever you feel is appropriate.
How close is parking ?
Kathleen
Castle Shannon, PA160 contributions
If you go on their website there are directions to the Nautica Parking Garage where I think you can get discounted parking.
helpinghand2015
Wakefield, UK
We are in Boston from 9 September for three full days. Will it be possible to tour the ship during this period? I understand it's in dry dock at this time, so it's not clear if the ship is available for visitors. Also, can visitors simply turn up on the day and buy a ticket.
Thank you,
Helpinghand 2015
USSCM_1
Boston, MA
Hi Helpinghand 2015,
Yes, visitors are still able to explore USS Constitution’s top (spar) deck while in dry dock. In September, the Ship will be available for boarding in the afternoons from 2:30-6:00 Tuesday through Friday and 10:00-6:00 on weekends (closed Mondays)*. Visiting USS Constitution is free and does not require any advance ticketing since boarding is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, 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 going aboard the Ship. Visitors under the age of 18 do not require a photo identification card.
Also, as you may or may not be aware, the USS Constitution Museum and the Ship are operated separately. The Museum, open daily from 9:00-6:00, provides interactive exhibits, hands-on gallery programs, and a vast collection of artifacts that connect visitors of all ages to the stories of “Old Ironsides.” For more information on visiting the Museum, please visit our website.
*The hours listed above are subject to change at any time. The Navy’s website provides the most up-to-date information on visiting the Ship.
We look forward to welcoming you in September!
-The Visitor Experience team at the USS Constitution Museum
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Frequently Asked Questions about USS Constitution Museum
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