USS Constitution

Visitors can look around the ship's top deck and two lower decks on free self-guided USS Constitution tours. Step onto the vessel—often known by the nickname Old Ironsides—and ask the naval crew members any questions you wish: They're primed to provide information about the ship and its past. Aside from roaming the decks, you can also visit the nearby museum to trace the vessel's history in detail.

One of the attractions on Boston's Freedom Trail, the USS Constitution is a fixture on most city tours, be they by air-conditioned vehicle, foot, trolley car, or bike. The ship is also a star attraction on almost all Boston Harbor cruises, so you can admire it from the water against the city skyline. Options include daytime cruises that stop to let you go on board, and drinks-and-dinner cruises that pass the ship during the daily sunset firing of its cannons—a famous Boston ritual.

• The USS Constitution is a must-visit for history, maritime, and military buffs.

• A passport or other photo ID is required to board the ship.

• Be ready to climb down steep ladders if you want to explore below the top deck.

• While the ship is not wheelchair-accessible, the nearby museum is.

Charlestown Navy Yard is in the Boston National Historical Park in Boston Harbor. By car from downtown, take the Charlestown Bridge and turn right onto Chelsea Street. Alternatively, ride the subway to North Station or one of the regular shuttle boats from Long Wharf to the yard.

The ship gets busy in summer and on weekends, so arrive early to beat the sometimes long lines. The ship's twice-daily cannon salute takes place at around 8am and sunset.

Once aboard the USS Constitution, make sure you see all the highlights. Visit the gun deck to see the rows of original cannons, and check out the original sleeping quarters—complete with hammocks—for a glimpse of the cramped conditions endured by the crews at sea.

Yes, you can go aboard the USS Constitution; tickets aren't needed as it's free to visit. The three-masted frigate is an official site along the Freedom Trail, and an included stop on many Boston guided tours. If you take a sightseeing cruise on Boston Harbor, you may also see the USS Constitution from the water.

Guided tours of the USS Constitution last about 30 minutes and are available Tuesday through Sunday on the half-hour. It's worth setting aside some additional time to visit the nearby USS Constitution Museum, whose exhibits explore the ship's history, preservation, and pivotal role in the War of 1812.

Yes, the USS Constitution is still seaworthy. The three-masted frigate sets sail to mark significant events and commemorations. Each year on the Fourth of July, the USS Constitution cruises across Boston Harbor with a fleet of boats, firing a 21-gun salute to celebrate the United States' Independence Day holiday.

No, there are no restrooms on the USS Constitution. Sailors aboard the 1797 naval frigate once used primitive toilet facilities known as heads, but today, those are just for display. The closest restrooms for visitors are at the Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center and the USS Constitution Museum.

Opening hours vary at the USS Constitution, so check the website before planning your trip. Admission to the ship is on a first-come, first-served basis, so lines can sometimes be lengthy. Wait times are usually longer on holidays and weekdays, as this is a popular destination for local school groups.

Yes, there are active-duty crew aboard the USS Constitution. In wartime, between 400 and 500 crew would join each cruise, including marines, gunners, carpenters, and even musicians. Today the US Navy assigns just three commissioned officers and 75 enlisted crew members to the ship---you might meet some of them onboard.