Historic Ships in Baltimore image

Historic Ships in Baltimore

Tourist attraction History museum Maritime museum

Maritime museum with 1850s sloop-of-war & lighthouse, plus a submarine, Coast Guard cutter & more. People often mention ship, ships, Baltimore, tour, time, visit, Constellation, history, experience, staff,


Address

301 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21202

Website

historicships.org

Contact

(410) 539-1797

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (973 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 10 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Monday: 10 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: Closed
  • Thursday: 10 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Friday: 10 AM to 4:30 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: ship (53) ships (35) Baltimore (22) tour (19) time (18) visit (18) Constellation (18) history (14) experience (14) staff (12)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Nicole C. 2 years ago on Google
    I had a fantastic time exploring the Historic Ships in Baltimore. I spent an afternoon wandering through and learning about each one from the amazing staff. Some tight spaces and uneven walkways to be aware of & could be a lot of legwork for little ones, but overall is welcoming & educational for all ages
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brad 11 months ago on Google • 278 reviews
    This was one of my favorite things to do during our stay in Baltimore. There are 5 ships to tour and they can keep you busy if you are the type that likes to read all of the informative plaques / markers in the exhibits. I started the tour around noon and had just enough time to visit all 5 ships, toward the end I was feeling a bit rushed to get through them all. Go early if your like me, and would like to read everything they present.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 B 1 year ago on Google • 146 reviews
    Had a wonderful time exploring this historic ship. There is a small museum inside that explains the history of the ship, and then you can actually get on the ship. There are 4 levels to this ship, and the stairs are steep. The experience is so worth it!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Matt S. 2 years ago on Google
    Visited the Constellation and the Torsk on a recent visit to Baltimore. There are other exhibits - a coastguard ship and a lighthouse, and $20 gets you access to all four, but we only had time for the two. Docents were available to answer questions, but our tour was unguided. Great historical displays and info, plus freedom to roam and explore. Highly recommend!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jon J. 2 years ago on Google
    Lets go boating..... I love boats. This was a great experience touring 3 historical craft. Only wish was it wasn't out of season so we could have seen everything and all of everything.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Meli. O. 2 years ago on Google
    Totally worth it! $15 for students/teens to see and explore all three ships for as long as you like. AND you can use your ticket anytime for a whole year!! On the USS Constellation you can actually try out lying in one of the hammocks I believe.. so ask and try that!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Coming J. 5 months ago on Google • 228 reviews
    The Maryland Dove replica is really well-done, almost like a Williamsburg on the water. Great historical presentation.

  • 5/5 Maria S. 2 months ago on Google • 37 reviews New
    I highly recommend this place. I was in Baltimore killing some time before my flight. At first, I didn't realize you could go in the boats at the dock until I saw a lady on top. I immediately went inside the office. I honestly didn't know what to expect. When I stepped on board I genuinely had my mind blown. I was walking on a living piece of history. It wasn't like a stagged museum. They tried to keep everything as authentic as possible. The staff was well-informed and answered all our questions. Buying one ticket gives you access to 5 ships in total. It is valid for a year. If you only do one touristy thing let it be this one. I will cherish the memory forever. I took a million pictures I have included a few because I want you to be amazed like I was. ⚠️DISCLAIMER: If you suffer from claustrophobia I would recommend skipping the submarine. Although a unique and treasured experience it was very claustrophobia. I managed to push through it but it became excessively difficult. So use caution.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Vandana K. 2 years ago on Google
    Visited some amazing ships used in WW1 and WW2. The tour is 19$ and you will have access to 3 ships with 1 being a submarine. It is absolutely worth it!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Aleah L. 2 years ago on Google
    Only two ships were open, but that was fine by us! The boys loved being inside and exploring all the little parts that make a huge ship or submarine work!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kris T. 1 year ago on Google
    I was too early for the Tour of the Argentine Tall ship, but it was a beautiful sight and the crew was still very polite and helpful. Massive, beauty and historic all in one.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jacob V. 1 month ago on Google • 60 reviews New
    Cool experience seeing all the ships!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Eli M. 9 months ago on Google • 41 reviews
    This is a must-do in Baltimore for sure! You learn a lot from each ship (as well as the lighthouse) and the crews on each are very kind and helpful. We visited all the ships and the lighthouse. My favorite was definitely the USS Constellation. The young lady on the ship was really informative and smart -- she gave us a quick lesson on what the crew would eat while the ship was out at sea. Overall, an amazing experience! I would definitely suggest getting the tickets online prior to visiting.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 kendall s. 4 years ago on Google
    Lots of fun, so much history to learn about
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Geoff W. 4 years ago on Google
    We only visited the Torsk and the Constitution but it was a really great experience. The staff were very helpful, friendly, and able to answer all of my questions about the history of both vessels and the operation of them too. It would have been great to see the Coast Guard ship and the Chesapeake too but we ran out of time. Expect about an hour per ship.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 jeyaraj j. 11 months ago on Google
    Looks beautiful in the evening with all the lights. A decent place to sit and spend time with a group of friends.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amber 2 years ago on Google
    Nice relaxing place for kods to walk and explore .. love the place .. too much to explore .. with so many nice restaurants around with shopping center .. and many gift shops.. they have small paddle boat area around that's good to do with kids
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jason T. 4 years ago on Google
    This was part of a Boy Scout overnight trip for my son and I. The experience was pretty cool, as we got to sleep on the boat overnight. The program offered dinner and then breakfast in the morning. The dinner was decent and attempted to copy what sailors would have eaten when this ship was still commissioned as part of the Navy. The breakfast was a joke, but you don’t visit this historic vessel for the food anyway. The location in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor makes this a must see for anyone visiting Baltimore.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kathryn H. 1 year ago on Google
    Very good value to se 3 historic ships! My teen kid loves the history and I will sometimes just find a place on deck to settle while he explores. It was nice to have such a spectrum of military history for 1 affordable ticket, would highly recommend to anyone with interest and stamina!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 S G. 1 year ago on Google
    If you're in Baltimore, this is 100% a must visit. The website recommends getting the tickets online, and that is definitely the best way to go about it. You can buy the ticket on your phone and then just walk up to the ships you want to visit. A staff member will be there to check your ticket and then tell you where to start your tour. It is all self-guided and there is a ton of information. I got to see the USS Constellation, the USCG Cutter, and the USS Torsk. The fourth ship was closed (probably because I was there on the off season). You can easily see all the ships in an afternoon. It is a good bit of walking though so be prepared. The USS Torsk can feel pretty cramped, so fair warning if you don't like small spaces.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 DarcyDoodle (. 1 year ago on Google
    This particular ship was just steps away and adjacent to our hotel. The USCGC Cutter 37 resides on Pier 5. Tours are available, but a bit pricier than we wanted to spend. However, admission will get you access to all 3 ships 🚢
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 DJ H. 5 years ago on Google
    You can see nice views of this old sailing ship while walking through the Baltimore inner harbor. I would have liked to actually take the electric tour of the USS Constellation. However we needed to make it to Washington DC in time to see all the attractions we wanted to see. Maybe on our next trip to Baltimore we can take the tour.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 ‘ CCK5018 �. 5 years ago on Google
    It was a pretty cool ship and it was really interesting to see where the sailors slept and the bottom floors of the ship! However, I hit my head a lot, which is what you can expect. Historians on the ship are very knowledgeable and have a lot of know-how on the ship. Also recommend the other ships in the area too.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Victor W. 6 years ago on Google
    Very cool ship with very reasonable admission prices. Definitely check this place out if you're a navy buff and want to learn more about marine boats. There's a small museum before you enter the ship that has some information and background. Stairways are a bit narrow and steep but not a problem. Headroom is limited but enough where you don't have to strain yourself. The 4 decks are very impressive that you can go all the way from the top to the bottom. Not many people when I visited so it was great to enjoy the boat without people crowding in. A lovely hidden gem.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Khondhaker Al M. 9 months ago on Google
    A historical ship 🚢. There is nice seating arrangement.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sheila C. 10 months ago on Google • 40 reviews
    I only visited USS Constellation, but it was a wonderful experience. 4 decks, all beautifully restored and with placards giving historical context. I especially liked that I could simply buy a ticket at the museum and spend as much time on the ship as I wanted.

  • 1/5 Helen S. 4 years ago on Google
    Nothing going on there

  • 5/5 Daniel F. 4 years ago on Google
    History!

  • 4/5 Csala H. 5 months ago on Google
    It was a good experience overall. There were 3 ships and a submarine that we could visit. The old wooden ship was pretty cool, the different levels presented different perspectives of life on sea. I think the ticket is a bit expensive compared to what the experience can give.

  • 5/5 sarah c. 4 years ago on Google
    Fascinating tour. Was very pleased.

  • 5/5 Ann K. 4 years ago on Google
    Incredible renovation of a beautiful tall ship. Very friendly and knowledgable staff. Will go again in the future!

  • 5/5 Jennifer B. 4 years ago on Google
    A lot to see if you love historic ships!

  • 5/5 Jason C. 4 years ago on Google
    Very nice ship, staff aboard give good tours and great info on period knowledge

  • 5/5 Gowthamghosh B. 4 years ago on Google
    The heritage walk.

  • 5/5 Charm'tastic M. 2 years ago on Google
    The Historic Ships in Baltimore is located in the Inner Harbor is just minutes away from The “Charm’tastic Mile”. It’s an amazing sight to see. Tourists and residents of the City and State of Maryland should take a tour. Great for school trips as well.

  • 5/5 Bill C. 2 years ago on Google
    Interesting several hours touring these ships in the inner harbor of Baltimore. Great attraction for visiting deep Baltimore and drawing people to the waterfront. Good illustration of how people have gotten taller, especially the sailing ship with very low ceilings below decks. So nice to have 1 ticket for all 4 ships.

  • 5/5 Tim G. 5 months ago on Google
    I could sit here all day listening to the live music. So beautiful, Baltimore is really amazing

  • 5/5 Jason S. 8 months ago on Google • 25 reviews
    Pretty good value for a ticket, 3 ships and a lighthouse for 1 price. We didn't go to the lighthouse this time, but will when we return again. Going through every nook in a sub and these ships were enlightening. Kudos to the staff for keeping these ships in great shape!

  • 4/5 VAPA J. 1 year ago on Google
    When you visit the ship, you get to visit other vessels in the harbor including a WWII sub, and more. The ship is well cared for and a step into history. We had a great time learning about the ship and exploring the many levels. This is not an accessible tour! Good shoes and attention to your footing is recommended by me. The building attached has a museum and a restroom. Interactions with employees was okay. Some were helpful and knowledgeable. Others were just there. Beautiful location. Beautiful ship.

  • 5/5 Henry M. 1 year ago on Google
    Great piece of history in the Inner Harbour. There’s four boats you can go on for $20 including a submarine, then if you want a bit more there’s an old lighthouse too!

  • 5/5 Janelle R. 5 months ago on Google
    This was a really cool thing to do in Baltimore. We toured 4 ships and actually lucked out and got to see a reenactment on the The USS Consolation. It was very cool to see how the shipmates had to live in there day-to-day life even in the submarine.

  • 5/5 James L. 10 months ago on Google
    Unexpectedly good feature of the waterfront. Gives a unique peek at life as a sailor throughout different periods. Tickets give you access to 4 ship museums (including a submarine) and a lighthouse

  • 5/5 Colin H. 3 years ago on Google
    Fine

  • 5/5 Mister J. 4 years ago on Google
    This self-guided tour takes about 25 minutes. Kids and adults will find it interesting. The USS Constellation is a Civil War Era ship that has been beautifully restored. There are multiple informational signs to help teach you about various aspects of sailor life. There are also some real antique items on display, including cannons and medical instruments. This is a must see if you're in the area. You will need a ticket to board, which can be purchased on site or online.

  • 3/5 Lester C. 4 years ago on Google
    Staffs were friendly and very accommodating but some facilities were not working.

  • 5/5 Jesse H. 4 years ago on Google
    We loved it!

  • 5/5 Jacob N. 4 years ago on Google
    Very intriguing ship. Access to multiple decks via steps.

  • 5/5 Dan G. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful ship and tours.

  • 5/5 Isabella J. 3 years ago on Google
    The walking audio tour was nice, the kids each got theirs and we got ours. The signs are sometimes hard to find, though. Also, there was a discrepancy between the posted website closing times, what the staff said, and what the sign on the ticket office window read, so call ahead of time OR visit early in the day, and plan to finish up at least one hour before the listed time.

  • 5/5 Sol T. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing city, so much history. USS Constellation is awesome to tour.

  • 5/5 Fastidious L. 3 years ago on Google
    Wonderful ship tour on these floating jewels of American history.

  • 5/5 Isaac K. 4 years ago on Google
    Excellent ship to visit!

  • 5/5 Tewdwr Mab y M. 3 years ago on Google
    Hugest ships I've seen

  • 5/5 rayoisaac2005 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very interesting (Original) Muy interesante

  • 5/5 Marissa C. 5 years ago on Google
    Very cool and well-maintained ship to explore! A unique experience and very helpful and friendly staff. Well worth the price. There are steep stairs you have to go down so those with limited mobility may not be able to go to all levels.

  • 4/5 Mike S. 4 years ago on Google
    Did the overnight sleepover with thr cub scouts. Great tour! Super informative and the kids had a blast!

  • 5/5 Tiffany D. 4 years ago on Google
    Had a great time touring the USS Constellation. What a cool piece of history preserved through the generations. The ceilings are a bit low and the stairs could be tricky, but the staff was wonderfully informational as well as friendly.

  • 4/5 Jeremy S. 4 years ago on Google
    Anything in the Harbor is amazing. It’s always a great time every time I go. Our daughter loved every boat as well!

  • 4/5 Asanga S. 5 years ago on Google
    A must see if you ever go to Baltimore. There are two types of tickets. One for 4 ships and another for 2 ships. Since we had to catch the bus, we only had little time. Hence, we took 2 ships ticket and went only to the submarine and USS Constellation. Very educating visit.

  • 4/5 Akhilesh S. 5 years ago on Google
    Beautifully maintained, a well preserved heritage boat. A must visit..takes u back to the old days of slvery and sail ships..the Cannons are amazing..$15 for a pass to visit 3 ships ..

  • 5/5 Pat B. 4 years ago on Google
    Great self guided tour. The USS Constitution may look plain from the outside but inside it's the most informative & well preserved US naval sailing ship we've seen. The USS Constitution is older & great to visit but the USS Constitution provided us with a much better tour experience. The upper deck is filled with working, touchable parts from spare spars to the ships double wheel to simple belaying pins. Below decks, the huge, old guns are still there along with a full deck of hammocks, office cabins, the galley & mess area exhibits. Very informative. Even the hold and bulge full of ballast were open. Amazingly, many spare parts are visible & most are huge pieces of Oak - well worth the visit!!

  • 5/5 Vashti C. 4 years ago on Google
    Great historical site in the Inner Harbor

  • 5/5 tim h. 4 years ago on Google
    Lots of great historical info. Good for day trips with the family.

  • 5/5 Rodney B. 4 years ago on Google
    Must see stop when visiting the waterfront

  • 5/5 Matthew N. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice activity weather permitting. I was really impressed by the USS Constellation.

  • 5/5 Gary W. 4 years ago on Google
    What a beautiful ship, loving cared for these days

  • 5/5 Jesus A. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The USS Constellation is a frigate built in the Sterrett Shipyard, Baltimore, Maryland, in 1797. The ship is completely made of wood and during the time it was in service it operated mostly in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea and the West Indies The ship was rebuilt following the original plans, maintaining some original parts that were recovered, so in the background and keel inside these remains are observed. To enter the tickets that are sold in a kiosk near the Aquarium, you have two options, visit 2 or 4 of the discount boats for seniors, veterans and children Inside the ship there are posters explaining each of the environments visited (Original) El USS Constellation es una fragata construida en el Astillero Sterrett, Baltimore, Maryland, en 1797. La nave es totalmente de madera y durante el tiempo que eatuvo en servicio operó mayormente en el Atlántico Norte, Mar Mediterráneo y las Antillas La nave fue reconstruido siguiendo los planos originales, manteniendo algunas partes originales que fueron recuperadas, por ello en el fondo y quilla por el interior se observan estos restos. Para ingresar los tickets que se venden en un kiosko cerca al Acuario , tienen dos opciones, visitar 2 o 4 de los barcos con descuento para adulto mayor , veteranos y niños En el interior de la nave hay carteles explicando cada uno de los ambientes que se visita

  • 5/5 Paula R. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) This muse has four historical ships, they have been part of different historical moments of the United States and the world, it is worth doing the tour for each ship. (Original) Este muse cuenta con cuatro barcos históricos, han hecho parte de diferentes momentos históricos de estados unidos y el mundo, vale la pena hacer el recorrido por cada barco.

  • 5/5 roy o. 4 years ago on Google
    Beautiful Warship! There’s a lot of history about this boat, I’m not gonna ruin it by saying too much here. It’s definitely worth a visit and it’s amazing how well they maintain the ship. It was built in 1854!

  • 5/5 A small c. 4 years ago on Google
    USS Constellation gift shop/entrance to the ship/museum. They have a pressed penny machine which is I came to the museum/gift shop so I could get the lighthouse penny. I collect these pressed penny souvenirs. We did not tour any of the ships but we did check out the lighthouse ($1 admission). Ships they have are the USCGC Taney, USS Constellation, LV116 Chesapeake, and the USS Torsk. They are located at the Inner Harbor in downtown Baltimore. They are spread between the piers – pier 1, 3, and 5. You can purchase a squadron pass and go to 2 ships or you can get the fleet pass and go to 4 ships. Pricing and other information are located on their website. I had e-mail correspondence with Dayna and she was very helpful with hours of operation for the lighthouse since the hours for it really depend on staffing each day. The female staff member inside of the Historic Ships USS Constellation museum was nice, kind, and friendly. The gift shop had cold drinks as well as souvenirs available like hats, ships, shirts, pens, pencils, etc.

  • 5/5 Mary D. 4 years ago on Google
    A visit to the inner harbor could include this ship. The attendants aboard are knowledgeable and very passionate about their task of helping visitors to enjoy their exploration of this well restored relic. Information is posted about the ship but you can ask all the questions you are wondering. Great photos.

  • 5/5 Mikhail M. 4 years ago on Google
    There are four historical ships in one harbor this one is the oldest and wonderful ship to see. Great day in Baltimore.

  • 5/5 ann e. 4 years ago on Google
    Interesting place

  • 5/5 Emperatriz O. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) If you come to Baltimore you should not lose this experience. Visiting the USS Constellation was a beautiful experience for our family, especially for children, full of history. The attention staff is wonderful and the boat, in excellent condition, is exceptional! (Original) Si vienes a Baltimore no debes perder está experiencia. Visitar el USS Constellation fue una linda experiencia para nuestra familia, especialmente para los niños, llena de historia. El personal de atención es maravilloso y el barco, en excelente condiciones, es excepcional!

  • 5/5 sh4rkbyt3 4 years ago on Google
    Having been aboard here, it's hard to imagine the months and weeks these men had to endure to travel in search of or in battle. Very cramped quarters but uniquely designed for exactly what this ship did in our early founding of America. It gives you a first hand look and idea of how really brutal life was for these warriors of early America. No comforts to speak of either, at all. The ship had one purpose and that's exactly what it was designed for and it shows. Even the captain's quarters while more forgiving was nothing to brag about. Something you definitely want to see first hand and for kids as well to see what and under what conditions our country was created under.

  • 4/5 Jonathan D. 4 years ago on Google
    Beautiful ship. Tour was expensive so I passed on that.

  • 3/5 Joseph L. 4 years ago on Google
    Staffs were knowledgeable about the history but some area was not well-maintained.


Call (410) 539-1797 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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