Boston
is a town that teems with history. From
Paul Revere’s famous Midnight Ride to the pivotal battle on Bunker Hill,
visitors and locals have plenty of local history haunts to visit. But there is one piece of history that can’t
be missed – a trip aboard The U.S.S. Constitution.
The
U.S.S. Constitution is the world’s oldest commissioned warship. On October 21, 1797, this 44 gun battleship was
launched. The government initially
built her to help defend American merchant ships coming off the coast of
Africa. But that is only part of her
story.
Her
biggest battles came during the War of 1812.
Outmaneuvering England’s Royal Naval Ships, she not only won the battles
but uplifted “American morale…and end forever the myth that the Royal Navy was
invincible” helping her earn the nickname “Old Ironsides.” She was officially taken out of active service
in 1855.
Today,
visitors can step aboard one of America’s best pieces of living history. Free daily guided tours are given by active-duty
Navy sailors. Visitors will not only
learn the history of this spectacular vessel, but get to explore the top deck,
berth deck, and gun deck. They’ll have a birds-eye view of the captain’s
cabin, the wardroom (where the ship’s officers lived), and the surgeon’s cockpit. Then, it’s off to look at that impressive
dragon that winds down her bow.
Note: Because the ship is still commissioned,
security is incredibly tight. All
visitors over the age of 18 must have a valid state or federal government id to
enter.
For
more information about tours and hours of operations, visit www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution/
Looking
for more vacation ideas? Then, visit our
website, greatamericanvacationideas.com , for complete
travel guides to destinations around the country!
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