A hands-on ship museum in the Charlestown Navy Yard with Sensory Sea Bags to borrow every day and Sensory-Friendly Sunday mornings before it opens, with the cannon sound off and the LEGO Shipyard set aside as a quiet room.
“Sensory Sea Bags are available for use and may be checked out from the Admissions Desk on a first-come, first-served basis.”
“The LEGO Shipyard exhibit will be designated as a quiet room.”
“The quietest place in the museum is often the Courtyard.”
Each Sensory Sea Bag has noise-reducing headphones, a weighted shoulder wrap, sunglasses, a magnifying glass, fidgets and copies of the Communication Book and social narrative.
On Sensory-Friendly Sundays the quiet room has noise-reducing headphones, a weighted shoulder wrap and other calming items. The Forest to Frigate ship model gets a touch table with rope and sail cloth.
Weekday mornings and the last hour of the day are usually the least busy. January and February are the quietest months, except February school vacation week; June through August is busiest.
The ship itself, USS Constitution, is run by the U.S. Navy, with its own security screening. The Navy doesn't change its tours for Sensory-Friendly Sundays.
War of 1812 battle room (two cannons make a loud sound when all their buttons are pushed in order)not stated
Lobby (sometimes a lot of people, can get a little noisy)not stated
Quieter, in the museum's words
The Courtyard, often the quietest place in the museumquiet zone
LEGO Shipyard, set up as a quiet room on Sensory-Friendly Sundaysquiet zone
Admission is a suggested amount you choose: $25, $15, or free to $10 per person.
Parking: the Nautica Parking Garage, with discounted parking using a validation the museum offers. For accessible parking, call the Admission Desk at 617-426-1812 ext. 101.
By transit: the Green or Orange Line to North Station, Bus 93 to the Charlestown Navy Yard stop, or the water shuttle from Long Wharf near the New England Aquarium.
Restrooms are on the first floor; ask at the Admission Desk for the family restroom. Seating is spread through the galleries.
Wheelchairs to borrow at the Admissions Desk, first come, first served.
Access questions: 617-426-1812 ext. 101 or info@usscm.org.