The Charlestown Navy Yard is a part of the Boston National Historical Park. The three main attractions at the site are the USS Constitution, the USS Cassin Young and the USS Constitution Museum. The navy yard is near the northern terminus of the Freedom Trail.
Begin your visit at the Constitution Museum to get a overview of the history of the site and of “Old Ironsides.” The museum has exhibits covering life aboard the ship and a history of the vessel. There are also rotating special exhibits such as an annual model ship show.
The USS Cassin Young is a World War II era Fletcher class destroyer. The ship is maintained as a floating museum and is a great memorial to the ships and sailors of the war.
The highlight of any trip to the navy yard is a tour of “Old Ironsides” herself. The oldest commissioned warship in the navy still in active service. It has been a prime Boston tourist attraction for generations. My father would tell me a story of how he collected pennies as a boy during the great depression to fund a preservation effort for the ship. YOu understand why they used to have to have 10 year old boys running ammunition when you see how cramped the interior of the vessel is.
