Charlestown Navy Yard image

Charlestown Navy Yard

Tourist attraction Historical landmark Naval base

One of the oldest shipbuilding facilities of the Navy currently houses war boats & a museum. People often mention Constitution, Navy, Boston, ship, Yard, yard, museum, visit, free, kids,


Address

1st Ave &, 3rd St, Boston, MA 02129

Website

www.nps.gov

Contact

(617) 242-5601

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (64 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: Open 24 hours
  • Sunday: Open 24 hours
  • Monday: Open 24 hours
  • Tuesday: Open 24 hours
  • Wednesday: Open 24 hours
  • Thursday: Open 24 hours
  • Friday: Open 24 hours

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: Constitution (16) Navy (11) Boston (11) ship (10) Yard (9) yard (6) museum (6) visit (6) free (6) kids (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 BradJill 5 years ago on Google • 4322 reviews
    The Charleston Navy Yard is an important historical port in America, having operated from 1800 and 1974. Here visitors can walk the grounds of the shipyard, see the dry docks and enjoy important attractions during their visits to Boston. The Charleston Navy Yard visitor centre is open from 9-5pm. You clear security here for tours of the historic USS Constitution warship. There is useful information and displays regarding the The vessel at the visitor centre as well as a gift shop if interested to by a souvenir. You will find an even better USS Constitution Museum further down the navy yard. It is very much worth spending some time at the is family-friendly museum before or after touring the historic vessel. At the Navy Yard, you can also board the Fletcher class destroyer, USS Cassin Young, which is docked here. This ship saw action in the Pacific during WWII and is available for self-guided touring. Another nice attraction to look out for is the early 19th century Commandant's House perched on a hill just above the navy yard. Some of the key buildings and machinery around the navy yard have been left for you to see and there are plenty of information signs throughout. These are very helpful if you are unfamiliar with shipyards. Overall, we enjoyed our stop at the Charlestown Navy Yard, finding this a nice place to spend a couple hours as part of our visit of the Boston Freedom Trail. This is a neat place for anyone with interest in sea vessels, maritime, military and/or early American history. Note: The USS Constitution vessel has irregular visitation days and hours so do make sure to check their online website for updated openings prior to planning your visit.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dejan B. 1 year ago on Google • 1060 reviews
    Charlestown Navy Yard stands across Boston downtown, being one US oldest navy bases. It's an interesting area to explore as there're several museums, as well the Bunker hill monument in walking distance. The biggest attraction is of course the USS Constitution - free tours, as well the kids oriented same name museum. Also, there's USS Cassin Young war ship. which was closed when we visited in late April. Terrific water views of downtown Boston.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Stephen S. 4 years ago on Google • 353 reviews
    If you have kids, please be aware they have a junior ranger program that is a lot of fun. Just ask a national park ranger about it and your kids can earn a Ranger badge. This was a great place to visit and definitely one of Boston’s jems.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 RoadTrip N. 1 year ago on Google • 268 reviews
    The Charlestown Navy Yard is the 2nd to last stop on the Freedom Trail as home to the USS Constitution. The yard also has a dry dock built especially for maintanence on the Constitution as well as a World War 2 destroyer which are all free to explore. The Consitution is a (very) popular attraction so plan ahead in the summer months. There’s a Constitution Museum on the grounds and you’ll find some artifacts and interactive exhibits on the history of the ship. Mostly aimed towards kids you’ll still find interesting tidbits in the museum if you are older. Admission is suggested donation, so it’s worth checking out for a few dollars if you can spare (or free) Hidden behind an abandoned building just before the Constitution is a marker where Paul Revere landed after being towed across from the North End the night of his Midnight Ride. From the deck of the ship you can see the Old North Church and the Boston skyline.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Elizabeth T. 1 year ago on Google
    The USS constitution was a great ship to see and the ship is still an active part of the Navy due to it traveling every year on the fourth of July. The navy yard has 2 permanent ships right now, and the USS constitution is described as "Bostons most popular resident"
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Matthew L. 4 years ago on Google • 140 reviews
    USS Constitution was really cool and the other ship was too. Great gift shop and museum. It was all free too. Gift shop has some cool stuff in it and the museum was very interesting. Definitely recommend stopping here if you’re in Boston.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 J M. 5 years ago on Google • 8 reviews
    Great place to visit (with or without kids). Museum of free, with suggested donation. It has a number of informative sections and interactive learning portions for kids. The whole second floor is really dedicated for children from 5-12. Clean facilities and the USS Constitution is something to behold. You will need to pass through a checkpoint (screening) to get on board the ship. Plenty of photo opportunities. I've been twice, today being the 2nd time. I'd go back again in a few years for sure.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 paul m. 3 years ago on Google
    History!! From rope making for a ship's anchor a one-time military prison the Constitution I think there was a battleship there I'm not sure I was taking in the view at the water's edge nice view of Boston boats in the harbor old world meets Modern Luxury Apartments red brick granite Green Grass and trees there's a Coast Guard base and a Marine Corps Barracks nearby
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kristi Sarchi (Get Out 2. 4 years ago on Google
    Beautiful area. Clean and well-kept. The USS Constitution had a sign saying that they would open in the spring. It is currently April so I'm not sure what they consider spring! Still had a good time anyway.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Daniel W. 4 years ago on Google
    At the Navy Yard in Charlestown lie the USS Constitution and the USS Cassin Young. We got there on a lovely crisp fall day. It is a beautiful sight worth a visit. Both ships can be entered (after security inspection). You can also get a water cab to the North End, and there is a small bar overlooking the water. The Navy Yard is on the Freedom Trail, making it very easy and convenient for tourists. I can highly recommend the Freedom Trail and the Navy Yard, followed by a water cab to the North End for a wet lunch.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Maria R. 1 year ago on Google
    Charlestown Navy yard in between Pier number 4 and 6 they have sprinklers they have a playground the Korean War Memorial beautiful place to come to and walk and enjoy the water View and the view of Boston they have a 7-Eleven they have Banks they got Dunkin' Donuts and more
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 John P. 6 years ago on Google
    A wonderful opportunity to tour the USS Constitution, the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat. Also a short walk over the WWII destroyer Cassin Young.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 J. Frank R. 1 year ago on Google • 78 reviews
    Free tours (if open) of the military museum ships. Sometime special shops such as the coast guard flag ship dock here and can also be toured. Tall people: Watch your head on the USS Constitution!

  • 5/5 Isaiah G. 1 month ago on Google • 5 reviews New
    Boston was super cool we stayed in Boston for a weekend during a class trip and got to see so much awesome trip.

  • 3/5 Achille B. 2 years ago on Google
    Bittersweet. The USS Constitution is in sad shape and a State of Decay. Very little of Her original material is left and what is there is rotting. The Whaleboats are sitting out on the docks falling to pieces, barely covered by cheap tarps. My Father worked on Her first Restoration in 1927 and had restored those Whaleboats. I did love the Museum,Gift Shop and Shipyard Displays. The Tour Guides are knowledgeable. I felt honored to be able to walk Her Decks,but was saddened to see Her in the State She is in.

  • 5/5 Farhana A. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful ship to visit with so much history to learn from. The admission is free. Staffs were very polite. Nice view of downtown Brooklyn. Walking distance to Ferrys.

  • 5/5 Karen C. 2 years ago on Google
    Celebrated my nephew's 30th Birthday with family and friends on the scenic water paddle boat. So much FUN 🥳🥳🥳


Call (617) 242-5601 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Trends



Last updated:

Similar Tourist attractions nearby

Fenway Park image
1
Fenway Park
Stadium
Historic, small-capacity ballpark, home of the Red Sox & occasional big-name concert venue.
4.80 (37.5K reviews)
Boston Common image
2
Boston Common
City park
Storied, nearly 50-acre urban park that hosted British troops during the American Revolution.
4.70 (33.7K reviews)
New England Aquarium image
3
New England Aquarium
Aquarium
A giant glass tank spiraled by a multilevel walkway is the main draw at this waterfront attraction.
$$ $$
4.40 (22.7K reviews)
Public Garden image
4
Public Garden
City park
Placid, verdant, circa-1837 city park with a lagoon, boat rides, fountains & other sights.
4.80 (16.4K reviews)
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston image
5
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Art museum
Neoclassical & modern wings house a vast collection from ancient Egyptian to contemporary American.
4.80 (16.1K reviews)
Last updated:
()