On our last day in Boston we hiked the Boston Freedom Trail across the Charlestown Bridge to explore the Charlestown points of interest. This hike included the Charlestown Navy Yard, the home of the USS Constitution renown as the oldest operating ship in the US Navy. At the time of our tour it was drydocked. Owing to the fact that we did not step foot physically on the ship, I am writing this review based on my experience in the Charleston Navy Yard in place of the USS Constitution. Yelp has a separate listing for the USS Constitution that includes several energetic, enthusiastic, and useful reviews encouraging people to see it.
Prior to stepping foot in the Charleston Navy Yard, my brother and I toured the Bunker Hill Monument at the northernmost point of the Freedom Trail. By the way, I highly recommend seeing both Bunker Hill and Charleston Navy Yard together. It is an easy walk along the brick pathway of Freedom Trail that passes through a picturesque historic Charlestown then under the elevated US 1 underpass into the Navy Yard.
When we stepped foot in the 30-acre Navy Yard, our footprints were on National Park soil. This historic navy yard is incorporated into Boston National Historic Park. This is a discontinuous National Park made up of eight National Historic Landmarks, that are mostly connected to the Freedom Trail. One of its two visitor centers are in the Navy Yard. The Charlestown Navy Yard dates back to 1801. It is a Navy Yard rich in history where shipbuilders built over 200 warships. This includes the USS Constitution that is currently dry docked in pier 1. As history has written, it ceased being an active Navy base on July 1, 1974. The National Park Service would preserve it. Today the mission of the Charlestown Navy Yard is to interpret the art and history of naval ship building. Today the main points of interest are the USS Constitution, USS Constitution Museum (free but encourages donations), Visitor Center, and USS Cassin Young.
Regardless that we passed over stepping foot in the USS Constitution, we took in the scenery concurrent to a photo taking spree. I also read the descriptive signs discussong shipbuilding and the history of the place and USS Constitution. I followed the Freedom Path brick topography up to where it concluded by the USS Constitution Museum. This was the ultimate photo spot in the Charleston Navy Yard.
Here is a 360 degree Yelp snapshot where I am standing on the Freedom Trail by the USS Constitution Museum. Facing north there is a parking lot near US 1. Facing east there is the USS Constitution Museum. Through exhibits and collections this museum tells the story of the USS Constitution. Here is a museum tip: In Google Maps if you pan over it then tap street view you can tour inside the museum. When I saw it in person, I was impressed with the realistic model of the USS Constitution. Back outside the museum and facing south is the USS Constitution and the Charleston River. The oldest active warship still looks majestic and worthy of spending time looking at. Facing southwest across the river is the Boston skyline. Facing west is the Freedom Trail headed for the Charleston Bridge bordering historical buildings.
In conclusion, the Charlestown Navy Yard with Bunker Hill are Boston points of interest that I highly recommend seeing. Regardless that you pass over stepping foot inside the USS Constitution, the Charlestown Navy Yard will satisfy it's mission of interpreting the art of Navy ship building and the visitor's mission of a fantastic time. read more