Historic Ships in Baltimore
Museum Maritime museum preserving historic naval vessels in Baltimore
A fleet of preserved naval vessels moored in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor where visitors board ships like the USS Constellation, explore submarines and learn maritime history.
Historic Ships in Baltimore is a collection of preserved naval and maritime vessels moored at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland, that interpret U.S. naval history across the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection brings together multiple museum ships representing different eras of naval service.
Exhibits are shipboard and focus on vessel systems, sailor life and specific historic events; many of the ships offer on-board exhibits, guided tours and educational programming when open. The collection includes examples of a sail-era warship, a World War II submarine and a Coast Guard cutter among others.
The ships themselves were built and commissioned across different periods-the collection preserves vessels launched in the mid-19th century through the mid-20th century-and together they illustrate technological and operational change in naval history.
All vessels are berthed at piers on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, adjacent to downtown waterfront attractions and within walking distance of central Baltimore.
- Access: Ships are docked on piers at Baltimore's Inner Harbor, where waterfront walkways provide close views and on-board tours when vessels are open to the public.
What to See #
- USS Constellation: A 19th-century sloop-of-war launched in 1854, preserved as a sail-era naval vessel representative of mid-19th century U.S. naval design.
- USS Torsk: A Balao-class submarine commissioned during World War II, representing mid-20th century submarine service and technology.
- USCGC Taney: A Treasury-class United States Coast Guard cutter launched in the 1930s and preserved as one of the few surviving World War II-era cutters.
How to Get to Historic Ships in Baltimore #
Historic Ships are moored at Pier 1 in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor near the National Aquarium. From Baltimore Penn Station take a short taxi or the Charm City Circulator to the Inner Harbor; walking from Fell’s Point or the central business district takes 10-20 minutes depending on starting point.
Tips for Visiting Historic Ships in Baltimore #
- Board the ships at scheduled times-each vessel has its own boarding procedures and tour times.
- Allow at least 2-3 hours to see multiple ships; wear layered clothing-the breeze off the water can be chilly.
- Combine a visit with the nearby National Aquarium and other Inner Harbor attractions for a full day.
Best Time to Visit Historic Ships in Baltimore #
Late spring through early autumn is the best time to visit Historic Ships when weather is fair and shipboard tours are fully operating.
Weather & Climate near Historic Ships in Baltimore #
Temperate climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1106 mm/year), wettest in May, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 5°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm).
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May
May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (107 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm).
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August
August is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).