Hotel at a Glance: The Constitution Inn

Nearly every square foot of Boston is loaded with American history, and the Charlestown neighborhood is no exception. It’s home to the Bunker Hill Monument and the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship afloat today. Just minutes away from the historic ship is its namesake hotel, The Constitution Inn. The nautically themed property puts guests within walking distance of Boston’s historic waterfront and downtown.

• Freedom Trail: Take a self-guided stroll through Charlestown and downtown Boston, passing 16 historically significant sites along the way.
• Complimentary shuttle bus: Hop on for a ride to the North End, Boston’s charming Italian neighborhood.
• In-room amenities: coffeemakers, refrigerators, microwaves, and complimentary WiFi
• Squeeze in a workout in the adjacent YMCA fitness center. The hotel offers complimentary access.

Boston’s Charlestown: Historic Waterfront Neighborhood on the Freedom Trail

Founded in 1628, Charlestown prides itself as being Boston’s oldest neighborhood. In fact, it was the first capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. You can experience a bit of the neighborhood’s colonial history along the 2.5-mile long Freedom Trail, which marches across the Charlestown Bridge to stop at two historic areas in this northerly neighborhood. The first is the USS Constitution, where Navy sailors run 30-minute guided tours of the 200-year-old ship’s spar deck, gun deck, and berth deck. The impressive vessel was nicknamed “Old Ironsides” after British cannonballs simply bounced off its hull during the War of 1812.

The northern terminus of the Freedom Trail, the Bunker Hill Monument, commemorates the Revolutionary War Battle of Bunker Hill with an obelisk reminiscent of the Washington Memorial. Follow the trail across the Charlestown Bridge (or hop on the MBTA orange line) to reach downtown Boston, where you can explore the Freedom Trail’s south end.