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USS Constitution

INFO

Contact Information: 
5 Charlestown Navy Yard
Charlestown, MA 02129
(617) 242-5670
Description: 
Photograph of the USS Constitution taken during a turnaround cruise to Castle Island.
The USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. It was launched in 1797. Constitution was one of six ships ordered by George Washington in order to protect America's growing maritime interests. The USS Constitution earned the nickname “Old Ironsides” during the war of 1812. She defeated four British frigates in the battle. Enemy cannon balls bounced off her thick hull. The durability of the hull is attributed to a three-layer sandwich of wood from all across America. The ship’s copper fastenings were constructed by Paul Revere. The ship was restored in 1927 with contributions from the nation's school children.
 

GETTING THERE

Driving and Parking: 
The GPS address for Constitution is:
1 Constitution Road
Charlestown, MA 02129
From Points North:
Follow I-93S to exit 28 (Sullivan Square). Follow signs to Charlestown/Sullivan Square. At light at end of ramp, enter traffic circle and take first right onto Rutherford Ave. Move into left lane on Rutherford Ave. At the City Square intersection, just before the bridge, turn left onto Chelsea St. Once on Chelsea, take a right at the 3rd light (5th st.). You will see the security gate for the National Park/ Navy Yard on your right. Vehicle access is only for authorized personnel, please refer to the parking information listed below.
From Points South:
Follow I-93N to exit 23 (Government Center/North End). Follow the signs for Route 1/ Charlestown, proceeding along Joe Tecce Way until you get to the five way intersection of Causeway St, North Washington St, and Joe Tecce Way. Proceed over the Charlestown Bridge and merge right onto Chelsea St. Once on Chelsea, take a right at the 3rd light (5th st.). You will see the security gate for the National Park/ Navy Yard on your right. Vehicle access is only for authorized personnel, please refer to parking information listed below.
From the New England Aquarium:
Follow Atlantic Ave. to North Washington St. and turn right onto the Charlestown Bridge. Go over the bridge to the next light. At that light, turn right onto Chelsea St. Once on Chelsea, take a right at the 3rd light (5th st.). You will see the security gate for the National Park/ Navy yard on your right. Vehicle access is only for authorized personnel, please refer to parking information listed below.

 

Parking:
Due to its location in the Boston National Historical Park, vehicle access to Pier One is restricted. Parking is available at the following locations:
Nautica Parking Garage - Phone: (617) 723-1488
Location: Constitution Road, opposite the Navy Yard Visitor Center. Validated parking is available at the Constitution Museum.
Flagship Wharf - Phone (617) 241-7640
Location: In front of Ship Yard Park in the Navy Yard.
Public Transportation: 
The Constitution is not very close to any subway stops. The following public transportation/walking directions are from the official USS Constitution website:
From the MBTA Green Line: The closest Green Line stop to us is North Station. Once out on Causeway St, walk perpendicular to and across the Zakim Bridge toward the North End. At the five way intersection, cross to the far side and proceed over the Charlestown Bridge, picking up the painted red stripe of the Freedom Trail. At the take far end of the bridge continue to follow the Freedome Trail as it returns to red brick with a right turn onto Chelsea St. At the next intersection take a right onto Warren St. then take a left on Constitution Rd. Proceed up the street all the way to the end and you will see the USS CONSTITUTION up on your right. The entrance to the National Park will be ahead of you. Walk into the park and go the end of the building to your right, turn right and you will have arrived.
From the MBTA Orange Line: Take the Orange Line to Bunker Hill Community College. Come out of the stop and proceed down the rest of the bridge toward Charlestown. Go past Foodmaster Center on left and go to intersection. Turn right onto Warren St. Go all the way to Henley St, turn left onto that. Go to stop sign and proceed right/straight up to intersection of Chelsea and Warrens Streets. Go across street to Constitution Rd. Follow that around and to the end, where you will see the entrance to the Navy Yard with the Ship on your right.
Entrances: 

The gangway to the USS Constitution has a step up on to the gangway and a step down on to the ship.  Ship's crew have and will lift wheechairs on to and off of the gangway, if the user is comfortable with this arrangement.

GETTING AROUND

Features for People with Children: 

Tours of the ship itself happen regularly and are very child-friendly.  The USS Constution Museum, located in the Charlestown Navy Yard, is also very child-friendly.  Exhibits educate children about the ship, its crew and its place in history with hands-on and interactive exhbits.  The Museum offers programs for school groups of all ages, as well as Boy and Girl Scouts.  For more information, visit the USS Constitution Museum Website. 

Features for People with Mobility Impairments: 

The gangway to the USS Constitution has a step up on to the gangway and a step down on to the ship.  Ship's crew have and will lift wheechairs on to and off of the gangway, if the user is comfortable with this arrangement.

OTHER

Cautions: 

The USS Consitution is an old ship and access is VERY limited.  There is a step up on to and down off of the gangway leading to the ship.  Because it is a suspended gangway, it responds to the water, and so can pose a challenge to those with balance issues.  Once on the ship, other decks are reached by ladder, which can present a challenge to many visitors.