On the Charles River
Charlestown

What's New? 

Under the wing of the National Park Service, the Charlestown Navy Yard is jammed full of interesting things to see. Once a shipbuilding yard for the Navy, two ships are docked here and available for touring: the USS Constitution and the USS Cassin Young, a WWII destroyer.

"Old Ironsides", as the Constitution was nicknamed during the War of 1812, can be toured under the guidance of the sailors of the U.S. Navy. She’s the oldest warship still in commission and a permanent member of history. Launched in 1794 to protect the interests of a new nation, she served for almost 100 years in both military and diplomatic capacities.

Across the Yard, lies the USS Cassin Young, open for both self-guided and guided tours. This Fletcher Class destroyer was commissioned in 1943 for duty in the Pacific. The Cassin Young still carries much of its original equipment – walking her decks and below feels familiar thanks to all those old war movies. The galley, laundry, berths, radio room, supply room are just some of the restored areas. Although the Constitution wins in the history category, the Cassin Young is the more fascinating of the two to look at. She’s also less crowded since most of the tour bus visitors give her a miss. The below-decks tour led by Park Rangers is especially fun and interesting.

In addition to the warships, the Dry Dock facilities are in use renovating an old steamer, the Nobska. Placards explain how ships are brought into dry dock; the means with which they are repaired are all visible. Seeing an entire ship, from the bottom of its hull, to the top of its smokestack is a surprise. The thing is huge.

The NPS also has several of the old buildings in charge. These are viewable during a free guided tour of the Yard given by Rangers, given every hour. The Park Service’s Bunker Hill Visitors Center is tucked away in a hidden corner. The Bunker Hill Monument is actually about half a mile away, up the hill where there is no room for the Center. As a result, the film that reconstructs the Battle of Bunker Hill, called The Whites of Their Eyes is shown here. You can also get information about the Yard and the NPS tours here.

The Constitution Museum is also on the grounds. Not part of the Park, nor owned by the Navy, the museum is run by a private, non-profit organization. The museum owns some of the Constitution’s documents and provides cultural demonstrations from the era, as well as an in-depth history of the ship’s voyages.

Other buildings are in use by Navy personnel and are not open to the public. The Charlestown Navy Yard is a stop on the Freedom Trail.

Hours:

Bunker Hill Visitors Center: 9:30-5

USS Constitution: Daily 9:30-5 (guided tours only)

USS Cassin Young: Daily 10-5

USS Constitution Museum: May 1 – October 31: Daily 9-6

November 1 – April 30: Daily 10-4

All exhibits are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Admission:

Free to all areas.