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USS Constitution
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Charlestown
24 5th Street
(between 2nd Ave & 1st Ave)
Charlestown, MA 02129
(617) 242-0543
24 5th Street
(between 2nd Ave & 1st Ave)
Charlestown, MA 02129
(617) 242-0543
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
23 reviews for USS Constitution
this is history, our history as americians. and for you MORONS that dont rate this as 5 star you must be un-americian. this is the real thing. must see in boston.....if you are an AMERICIAN
I am proud to have served my country
sempre fi
gh
I'm not usually interested in Naval ships but as a camp counselor I go on all sorts of field trips. So after a T-ride and bus ride my munchkins and I got to the ship. We had to walk through a labyrinth of roped lines for about 30 minutes. Then we were broken into groups of 30 in a seating area. A sailor entertained us while we waited by telling us a bit about herself and some basic history facts.
As we walked onto the antique ship and traveled through her, we were greeted by several sailors. Each shared a piece of history ranging from the sleeping patterns of sailors, ranking, cannons, and cooking. It was pretty interesting for both adults and kids, which is a feet (especially when you have 10 tween is tow!).
I can't believe I haven't mentioned it's FREEEEE! Yes, indeed. So if you're interested in experiencing Boston and are on a budget, it's definitely a spot you have to visit. My only beef with the place is the lack of bathrooms. There's a single male and single female stall at the snack bar! I didn't see any water fountains (or as you New Englanders call it "bubblers") around either.
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If I were soley reviewing the USS Constitution herself... and basing my critique on her hundreds of years of service to defending freedom, then of course a 5-star review would be in order (as well as health insurance for all her veterens... but that's another story).
I must say, I didn't even step foot on the ship. But, I did expolore the musuem bearing the same name... including its maze of boring yawn inducing exhibits. It was free to tour the museum, so at least I didn't drop and cold hard cash for that giant disappointment.
We did, though, get to excercise the democratic process in the museum's exhibit hall. We were encouraged to walk around and inspect about 50 different miniature boat models, and vote on which was the best.
So unless you have to go for a school project or something, or unless you are a big war buff, do your research online, and save yourself the boredom.
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Very good museum full of naval history. There was a line to see the ship at the same time the museum was empty. Visit both!
Went on the USS Constitution, nicknamed Old Ironside. They have tours every 1/2 hour. You have to line up & go through security like at the airport. Then a guide leads you onto the ship.
We didn't get to see that much. Walk on the deck and then go down below then back up.
Husband enjoyed it more, but then he's a boat freak.
Worth it if you like old warships. Kids seemed to like it too.
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Just do it.
It's fun, it's free, it's historical, and you get to learn how they make grog and why it is called "Old Iron Sides." Definitely wait the 20 minutes it takes to get into the guided tour. It is well worth it for the extra info, extra decks you get to see, and the potentially cute Naval Officer that shows you around.
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This museum is a cute little gem. Admission is like $1 and you get too see some cool maritime and historical items from the Revolutionary War time.
I used to bring my group of disabled adults here since it was cheap and inexpensive community outing as well as handicapped accessible.
Admission covers the cost of museum and boarding the USS Constitution Ship as well.
I would love to actually sail on the ship out on Boston Harbor, which does snot happen that often.
The views of Boston from the Museum. There is a small gift shop as well as out patio seating so people can just sit down and relax and enjoy the views.
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Let me speak on behalf of many Massachusetts natives and say -- I grew up in this state, and I never came to this site until a friend from out of town visited and brought me here.
I know it sounds cheezy, but fellow Massholes, we're really missing out by leaving this site to the tourists. On a visceral level alone, the ship itself AND the view from the ship of the city (on a clear summer day, like when I first went) is damn inspiring.
The ship is -- how many superlatives can I use? -- magnificent, beautiful, monumental, and lovingly and painstakingly maintained. The whole time I was in/on the ship or looking around the museum I couldn't help but think how it's a shame that most of us locals just write this place off for tourists or schoolkids. We shouldn't.
If history isn't your bag, I guess you'd find this place boring. But fer pete's sake, this is Boston, history is everywhere! And the USS Constitution is one of the city's best and most striking monuments. Everybody should visit. Period.
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I am in love with this ship.
There, I admitted to my love affair. I have taken countless guided tours, had several VIP tours (getting to go where the public no longer goes!), been fortunate enough to know former seamen and gotten on board a turn around cruise, as well as taken a history class on her, taught by the (possibly former?) director of her museum. I even spent a day with the sailors that are active duty on her, following them around as their day went on, photographing them as they took a class on sailing a 3-masted frigate, gave tours, and even said good-bye to a shipmate that was being reassigned. Every experience I've ever had on her has been moving and exciting.
The museum is a whole lot of fun, too! There is something for everyone. And the gift shop is fantastic! I have a small collection of old WWI/WWII recruiting posters and most of them I've gotten there. Haven't stopped in in a while but it's always a nice place to browse.
This is a definitely attraction that everyone, regardless. The USS Constitution is the oldest active duty warship, and stepping on her decks is stepping back in time. Go! Enjoy! Take pictures!
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I'm stunned that this ship and its museum only has 8 reviews. It seems that the Constitution and other historical sites are usually left to the devices of tourists and out-of-towners, which is a real shame, because this ship is one of the real gems of the city. A working, commissioned tall ship - that actually sails? There are few of those in the world today, fewer even in such great condition, and the Constitution is in fabulous condition. I've been to see the ship in sunny and warm weather, in the pouring rain, and in the winter when the decks are closed and the yards are off the masts - and each time, she's still stunning. The tours by the active duty Naval personnel are informative and fairly interactive.
I really enjoy the museum as well. It's a small museum as maritime museums go, but fabulously put together and detailed in its history of the ship, its crew, and how the Constitution came to become such a symbol of our country. The gift shop has gotten a lot better since the first time I visited, especially with regards to the book selection. When I went last, they had a ton of tall ship sailing books in stock, including most of the old standby volumes that 19th century sailors would be familiar with - Falconer's "Dictionary of the Marine", Lever's "The Young Sea Officer's Sheet Anchor", Dana's "Two Years Before the Mast", and more, which I don't remember them having in stock last year.
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This review is for the Museum only.
As part of a summer program visiting the ship, this was planned as a pleasant stop meant to complete our visit as well as cool us from the 95 plus degree heat.
When we entered, the staff (except the cashiers) were rude and assumptive: they made a big point of making sure I would "watch my kids." That's my freakin' job you idiots! I, in return, was less than polite, but was offended at their blatantly rude attitude toward us.
One staff person chose to follow close behind us, huffily and painstakingly adjusting every item that my students touched. All I can figure is that he must of thought we had not mastered the use of our opposable thumbs and could not carefully pick up a $3 bag of gummy bears without laying it down oafishly!
It gets a second star because there was A/C and water.
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The Constitution Museum is run by a non-profit group associated with the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned ship afloat in the world.
The museum has a nice collection of artifacts/information and stuff for kids to do (fire cannons (a la battleship), dress in period garb, swing in hammocks) and is a great place to go on Mondays when the ship is closed.
The ship has tours Tuesday through Sunday starting every half hour at 10:30 till 3:30. She also fires off her guns (and sets off car alarms in the area) at 8 AM and sunset. 50 actual Naval officers and sailors are stationed there to give tours and interact with the public.
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This is definite history that needs to be seen. It sits in the old historic Boston Navy yard with great views of the city and is a site that is for the entire family. The ship is the oldest active ship in the Navy and is turned around every 4th of July so that is another sight to watch! The ship is open for tours and is awesome! The kids will love the interactive hands on displays and there is even a museum with all sorts of facts and exhibits, even a day in the life of a colonial sailor! There is also a old WWII destroyer that sits near the Constitution that is open for tours as well. Make this a definite visit well touring the city!
The museum, run by a private non-profit, is a gem. It has much, much more than A/C and water, and I'm sad for both museum and Emily M that this is what she valued in it. I am an overseer at the museum, despite the fact that my interests in naval history are tangential, at best. The people involved have made all the difference in helping me see across these differences, and I trust the majority of visitors would discover likewise, or I'd personally like to learn more about their disappointment.
There are many events run out of the museum aimed at increasing the involvement and ideas of people far younger than the ship, ages 20 through 45. As an Overseer, I will gladly "hook you up" and get you involved. Special tours of the ship are not uncommon (touch the original keel... something the common visitor doesn't get to do, as the traffic can't be tolerated!), and a good taste of authentic grog is, likewise, something to be savored with the diverse group of impassioned people who enjoy a common social bond centered on this living maypole of the American experience.
But if you don't take me up on this invitation, don't shrink from visiting the ship and its museum. The museum has many artifacts (more than the ample array on display), and a wooden model of the ship that took tens of thousands of hours to construct. That is more exciting, I think, than any ball of twine you might find in the fly-over states.
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ok ok ok... i must be honest!
yes: old, very cool ship.
yes: very interesting to hear the history of the ship.
even more yes: very hot man ass that hangs out guarding and touring very old ship.
i mean you put me in any situation where i'm faced with gorgeous specimens of man ass, while also having them in a uniform...pshhhh i'm your girl!
ok enough about the man ass, though it is awesome, i will tell you that the ship is cool because it's free to go on and they also offer free tours. we were in a bit of a rush, so we took the unguided tour. it only allows you aboard the top deck, but that's still pretty cool. next time i would definitely do the guided tour to go below deck! :D
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The USS Constitution offers both guided and unguided tours. The guided tours cover the whole ship but unfortunately the lines were so long (30-60 minute wait) that we decided to just do the unguided tour which only includes the top deck. It was still a great time and the museum includes both a great little gift shop (the girlfriend got a sailor bear and I picked up some paintings) and a number of art/history displays.
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Nothing is cooler than Old Ironsides. There will probably be a line to tour her, but she is 100% worth the wait. The ship is just beautiful, and the navy boys (hi, boys) keep her in lovely shape. There's something majestic about the old tall ships, and the Constitution is certainly no exception. Go check her out.
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It was interesting. Like all things Boston it was a very good historical site. My husband was in the military at the time and my sister is in the Navy so we appreciated it more. The tour was great, but the line.... well, I don't like waiting even for a minute, lol j/k.
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This is by far the sweetest part of the Freedom Trail. After prancing my mid-Western mother and father all throughout Boston and it's revolutionary grandeur, we went to see Old Ironsides, per my father's request.
My feet were tired, my cheeks wind-chapped, and yet when I saw the masts and ropes on her deck, I felt a quickening in my steps... The incredibly handsome Navy men in their woolen pea coats helped, I'm sure.
We walked through the metal detector -- undetected! I had pennies, nickels, and quarters in my pocket, and I made it through (queue James Bond music). We climbed the ramp, got on deck, and then jumped to attention when the crew yelled the tour of the USS Constitution was starting. The tour guide was a 19-year-old girl from Texas, just off maternity leave. She gave us the best tri-level tour of the ship, with great comedic delivery and a heartfelt rendition of Old Ironsides that would have left Oliver Wendell Holmes weepy. There are sweet cannons, a kick ass captain's quarters, and all kinds of neat cannonball contraptions on display too. Watch out for the stairs, though. They're steep and scary, and you'll most likely be staring at the ass of the person in front of you as you move from deck to deck. Oh, and duck. If you're over 5'2", you'll get a bruise on your forehead (I'm 5'7", and the proud owner of a nice, slightly purple goose egg).
History, history, I am a freak who loves history!
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really cool and free.
this place is actually really sweet. you can take a water shuttle from the boston aquarium... it's part of the MBTA.. u can use ur charlie card and zip right over there.
there are two ships and a museum to check out. the veterans there are really friendly and will tell u the real deal about what to see in boston. the ship is from WWII and is kept up to the Navy's standards. If you go by, be sure to ask for Mario.
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If and when you go you need to take the tour instead of self-guiding since this allows you to go down to the gun and berthing decks to get a better idea of how the sailors and officers lived while afloat. This is a really cool, beautiful piece of Boston/US history.
Whenever I have visitors from out of town, I take them to the USS Constitution tour. In my opinion, it is the best part of the freedom trail. The ship is so majestic and has so much history. The tour guides are always fun and insightful, and I learn a new tidbit every time I go. I have probably been about 10 times, and it still never really gets old. And it's free! Though I usually throw a few bucks into the donation bin. While there, stop by the USS Constitution museum, which is surprisingly pretty robust as a museum. Trust me, you'll learn a lot.
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I had no clue the US Navy still has this thing in actual commission but that's a nice, sentimental gesture. It was built in 1798. Some nice views across the river of Boston and yet another interesting stop on the Freedom Trail.
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