Charlestown is one of Boston's oldest neighborhoods and a quieter alternative to downtown for a night's sleep: brick and clapboard rowhouses on the slopes of Breed's Hill, the Bunker Hill Monument at the top, and the Navy Yard, home of USS Constitution, on the water below. It is also short of hotels. Our selection has just two places to stay in the neighborhood itself, a suite hotel on Tudor Wharf and a pair of boats in the Navy Yard, so many visitors stay across the river at North Station, 15 to 20 minutes on foot from Charlestown's waterfront sights.
We mapped both, along with three hotels at North Station, and measured the walk from each to USS Constitution and to the Bunker Hill Monument on the street network. Parking and pet rules come from the hotels' official pages where available, and from travel sites otherwise, as noted.
Tap the map to open it full size. Gold pins are in Charlestown, blue pins across the Charles River at North Station.
Walking times to the Navy Yard and Bunker Hill
From the Residence Inn, USS Constitution is 8 minutes away along the harbor and the Bunker Hill Monument 10 minutes uphill. From the Green Turtle, at the far end of the Navy Yard, allow 11 minutes to the ship and 16 to the monument. The three North Station hotels are 18 to 22 minutes from both, on a walk that crosses the North Washington Street Bridge, part of the Freedom Trail.
Charlestown hotels at a glance
Figures come from the hotels' own pages where they publish them, and otherwise from travel-site listings, marked with an asterisk.
| Place to stay | Area | To USS Constitution | Style | Parking a night | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residence Inn Boston Harbor on Tudor Wharf | Charlestown | 8 min | Suites with kitchens, indoor pool, breakfast | Valet $60 | $100 a stay |
| Green Turtle Floating B&B | Navy Yard, Pier 8 | 11 min | Two boats: a houseboat and a 45-foot yacht | Ask the B&B | Not accepted, per travel sites* |
| citizenM Boston North Station | North Station | 18 min | Compact rooms, 24-hour canteen | None on site | No |
| Hotel Indigo Boston Garden | North Station | 19 min | Boutique hotel by TD Garden | Valet $66 | $75 a stay |
| Eurostars The Boxer | North Station | 21 min | 1904 flatiron building, 80 rooms | None on site | No pets |
Checked October 19, 2026, on the official pages of Marriott, IHG, Eurostars and the Green Turtle first. An asterisk marks a figure from a travel-site listing. Walking times are rounded estimates on OpenStreetMap's street network at 80 meters a minute, to USS Constitution at Pier 1 and to the Bunker Hill Monument on Monument Square; they reflect street distance only, not hills, traffic signals, the ship's security check or waiting for the ferry.
Which one to choose
- For families and longer stays: the Residence Inn Boston Harbor on Tudor Wharf, with 167 suites, kitchens, an indoor pool and free breakfast, and North Station about 9 minutes away on foot. Valet parking is $60 a night with in-and-out privileges, subject to availability, and one pet per room is accepted for $100 a stay.
- For something different: the Green Turtle Floating Bed & Breakfast rents two boats moored at Pier 8 in the Navy Yard: a houseboat with two queen suites and a 45-foot yacht that sleeps up to six. Children are welcome with adult supervision; pets are not, according to travel sites. Ask about parking when you book.
- For TD Garden and the commuter rail: citizenM, Hotel Indigo Boston Garden and Eurostars The Boxer are a few minutes from North Station and the Garden, and 15 to 20 minutes' walk from Charlestown. For hotels on the harbor across the river, by the Aquarium and Long Wharf, see our waterfront hotel guide.
- For drivers on a budget, off the map: the Holiday Inn Boston - Cambridge Area, at 30 Washington Street just over the line in Somerville, is not among the five places above but is close to Sullivan Square on the Orange Line, with outdoor parking at $20 a night, according to IHG. The Navy Yard is a long walk or a short drive away.
The Constitution Inn, a former YMCA in the Navy Yard that many older guides still list, closed in 2020.
What to see in Charlestown
- USS Constitution: launched in 1797, the oldest commissioned warship afloat, at Pier 1 in the Navy Yard. Entry is free; visitors pass a security check, and adults aged 18 and over need a photo ID. As of October 2026 it is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm; hours change with the season.
- USS Constitution Museum: next to the ship, with hands-on exhibits for children.
- Bunker Hill Monument: the 221-foot granite obelisk on Monument Square marks the battle of June 17, 1775. It is free, run by the National Park Service, and has 294 steps to the top, with no elevator; the climb can close for weather or safety reasons.
- The Freedom Trail: the Navy Yard and the monument are its last two stops, so a hotel here lets you walk it in reverse from the end.
- Main Street and City Square: the neighborhood's restaurants and pubs, a few minutes from the Residence Inn.
Getting around
The MBTA's F4 ferry links the Navy Yard to Long Wharf (South), by the Aquarium and the Financial District, in about 10 minutes; check the schedule, which differs on weekdays and weekends. On foot, the bridge to North Station takes you to the Orange and Green Lines and the commuter rail; Community College station on the Orange Line serves the western side of the neighborhood. Street parking in Charlestown is mostly for residents with permits, so drivers should plan on hotel parking.
Who Charlestown suits
Charlestown suits travelers who want quiet streets, harbor walks and the Freedom Trail sights at their door, and families who need a suite with a kitchen and a pool. It is less suited to those who want many hotels to choose from or nightlife on the doorstep: for that, North Station, the North End and downtown are a short walk away.
Compare nearby areas: Charlestown connects over the bridge to North Station and Downtown; for more hotels on the harbor, see the Waterfront.
Frequently asked questions about staying in Charlestown
Is Charlestown a good area to stay in Boston?
Yes, if you want a calm, residential base near USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument. The choice is limited, though: the Residence Inn on Tudor Wharf and the Green Turtle Floating B&B are the two places to stay in the neighborhood in our selection.
How far is Charlestown from downtown Boston?
About 15 to 20 minutes on foot from Tudor Wharf to Faneuil Hall over the North Washington Street Bridge, or 10 minutes by the F4 ferry from the Navy Yard to Long Wharf.
Are there hotels in the Charlestown Navy Yard?
The Green Turtle Floating B&B, which rents two boats at Pier 8, is the Navy Yard accommodation in our selection. The Constitution Inn closed in 2020. The Residence Inn on Tudor Wharf is about 8 minutes' walk from USS Constitution.
Do Charlestown hotels have harbor views?
The Residence Inn sits on the water by the Charlestown Bridge, and the Green Turtle's boats are moored in the harbor itself. Ask for a water-facing room when you book.
Is it easy to get from Charlestown to other Boston neighborhoods?
Yes. North Station, with the Orange and Green Lines and the commuter rail, is across the bridge, Community College station is on the Orange Line, and the F4 ferry runs to Long Wharf.
Is USS Constitution free to visit?
Yes. Visits are free, with a security check; adults aged 18 and over need a government-issued photo ID. As of October 2026 the ship is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm.