Washington Navy Yard

Washington Navy Yard Review

A 115-acre historic district with its own street system, the Washington Navy Yard is the Navy's oldest outpost on shore. Established in 1799 as a shipbuilding facility, it was burned during the War of 1812. Rebuilt and converted to weapons production by the mid-19th century, it gradually fell into disuse until the 1960s, when it was revived as an administrative center.

The visitor access gate is at 6th and M streets SE. To get here, take Metro (Green line to Navy Yard station or Orange/Blue line to Eastern Market station) or the DC Circulator Union Station to Navy Yard route on weekdays. Personal vehicles are permitted into the Navy Yard on weekends only. Bring valid government-issued I.D.

The Navy Museum, in Building 76, chronicles the history of the U.S. Navy from the Revolution to the present. Exhibits range from the fully rigged foremast of the USS Constitution (better known as Old Ironsides) to a U.S. Navy Corsair fighter plane dangling from the ceiling. All around are models of fighting ships, working periscopes, displays on battles, and portraits of the sailors who fought them. The decommissioned U.S. Navy destroyer Barry, open weekdays 10-4, floats a few hundred yards away in the Anacostia River. In front of the museum is a collection of guns, cannons, and missiles. The museum is open weekdays 9-5 and weekends 10-5. 202/433-4882 Navy Museum; 202/433-4882 USS Barry. www.history.navy.mil.