The USS Constellation is the only surviving ship from the American Civil War era that remains in its original location.
The USS Torsk participated in the sinking of the last two enemy ships destroyed by the U.S. Navy during World War II.
The LV116 Chesapeake lightship served as a floating navigational beacon in the Chesapeake Bay for over 30 years.
USCGC Taney is the only ship still afloat that was present during the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
The USS Constellation was built in 1854 at the Gosport Navy Yard in Virginia.
Historic Ships in Baltimore manages a collection of significant maritime vessels docked in the city's Inner Harbor. The fleet includes the USS Constellation, the last sail-only warship designed and built by the U.S. Navy. Visitors can board the USCGC Taney, a Treasury-class cutter that was the last ship remaining afloat from the attack on Pearl Harbor. The museum also features the LV116 Chesapeake, a decommissioned lightship that served as a floating lighthouse. The U-boat U-505 is not located here; instead, the site houses the USS Torsk, a Tench-class submarine that holds the record for the most dives of any U.S. submarine. Each vessel provides access to interior decks, engine rooms, and crew quarters. The site functions as a living history exhibit centered on 19th and 20th-century naval technology. Displays document the daily lives of sailors and the evolving roles of these ships in American military and maritime history.
The pier level between the USS Constellation and the USCGC Taney provides a panoramic view of both ships with the city skyline in the background.
Wear flat, rubber-soled shoes to navigate steep, narrow ladders and uneven metal decks safely.
Check the weather forecast, as most of the experience is outdoors on exposed ship decks.
Allow extra time for climbing between decks, as stairways are tight and can become congested during peak hours.
Attempting to tour all ships in under an hour, which is physically impossible, or visiting during heavy rain when upper decks may be slippery.
Operations may be limited or outdoors sections closed during severe weather or high wind events.
No smoking, no running on decks, and visitors must wear closed-toe shoes due to safety hazards on metal flooring.
