The Charlestown Navy Yard is one of the oldest shipbuilding facilities in the United States, established in 1800 on Boston Harbor in Charlestown. For more than 170 years it built and serviced warships for the U.S. Navy before closing in 1974; much of the historic yard is now part of Boston National Historical Park, managed by the National Park Service and reachable via the Freedom Trail.
Its star attraction is USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned warship still afloat, nicknamed “Old Ironsides,” which is berthed here and still crewed by active-duty sailors. Nearby, the USS Constitution Museum and the World War II destroyer USS Cassin Young offer further glimpses of naval history, while Dry Dock 1 ranks among the oldest in the country. Hours, ship access, and security screening for boarding USS Constitution vary, so check the National Park Service and museum websites before visiting.
Good to know
- Established in 1800; part of Boston National Historical Park and a Freedom Trail destination
- Home to USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”), the oldest commissioned warship still afloat, plus the USS Constitution Museum
- Also features WWII destroyer USS Cassin Young and historic Dry Dock 1
- Boarding USS Constitution involves security screening; check NPS and museum sites for current hours and access
Getting there
- Address: Charlestown Navy Yard, Constitution Road, Boston (Charlestown), MA 02129
- Neighborhood: Charlestown
- Nearest T: North Station (Green and Orange Lines), then a walk across the Charlestown Bridge along the Freedom Trail; an MBTA ferry from Long Wharf also serves the Navy Yard