I didn’t realize just how much fun Sail250 would be until we spent a weekend exploring the ships in New Orleans, the kickoff port for this nationwide maritime celebration tied to America’s 250th birthday. Now the fleet is headed to Norfolk, Baltimore, New York, and Boston. If you’re within driving distance of any of these ports, put it on your calendar. Between the ships, the history, the people, and the atmosphere, it’s an experience that’s hard to describe until you’re standing on the waterfront gazing up at a skyline filled with towering masts. Here’s what we learned and what I’d tell anyone planning to attend.

Sometimes the best trips are the ones you don’t overthink. When I heard that Sail250 was bringing tall ships and military vessels from around the world to New Orleans, Edward and I packed an overnight bag, pointed the car south, and headed for the Mississippi River.

We set our expectations on a chance to tour a few ships. We ended up with a fantastic weekend filled with maritime history, sailors on every street, a rainbow over a warship, fireworks on the riverfront, and a new friend.

The moment we arrived, New Orleans decided to welcome with a little summer shower. At first we were a little bummed because we had left our rain gear in the car, but as we reached the waterfront, the rain subsided and a rainbow stretched across the sky above the USS Kearsarge. The massive gray ship sitting beneath that arc of color was breathtaking. I felt like a five-year-old kid on Christmas morning, pointing and grinning at everything in sight. I was delighted to say the least.

Sail250 drew huge crowds, and the popularity of the event quickly became obvious. We were hoping to tour all the ships, but soon realized with the wait time standing in lines, we were not going to accomplish that goal. In the end we were able to tour four vessels, which turned out to be plenty for a weekend adventure. Just seeing the other ships was treat enough!

Saturday we arrived before the crowds and were among the first visitors aboard the Peruvian tall ship B.A.P. Unión and Sweden’s Gladan. It was the perfect way to start our Sail250 experience. The crew was so welcoming and eager to teach us about their culture.

Touring the B.A.P. Unión

Homeport: Peru / 378 feet long – 3,527 Tons – Steel Hull

The B.A.P. Unión was stunning. This enormous four-masted barque is the largest sailing training ship in Latin America. From the rigging to the beautiful woodwork, every detail reflected the craftsmanship and tradition of life at sea. Walking her decks felt like stepping into another era. The Peruvians had outfitted an entire museum aboard that educated us about their culture, agriculture, and economics. It was quite amazing and such an interesting tour.

Touring Sweden’s Gladan

Homeport: Sweden / 131 feet long – 325 tons – Steel Hull

The Swedish training ship Gladan offered a different experience. Elegant and understated, the vessel felt more intimate than the larger ships we toured. It was fascinating to compare the ships and learn how each nation trains the next generation of sailors.

Sunday was a different story. We arrived early again, but so did thousands of other people. We spent several hours in line waiting to tour the USS Kearsarge and the U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle. Fortunately, the wait became part of the adventure. While standing in line, we met Chad, a fellow ship enthusiast. What started as small talk turned into hours of conversation about travel, history, and the ships around us. By the time we reached the gangway, we’d not only toured incredible vessels but also made a new friend.

What it’s like aboard the USS Kearsarge

Homeport: Norfolk, Virginia USA / 844 feet long – 41,000 tons – Steel Hull

The USS Kearsarge was impressive in every sense of the word. Walking through an active amphibious assault ship is almost overwhelming in scale. Massive hangar spaces, aircraft, equipment, endless passageways, and multiple decks combine to create what feels less like a ship and more like a floating city. Seeing it up close gave us a new appreciation for the sailors and Marines who serve aboard her. We were able to climb inside military vehicles, try on protective gear, and get an up-close look at equipment most civilians only see in photographs or movies.

Touring the U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle

Homeport: New London, Connecticut USA / 295 feet long – 1824 tons – Steel Hull

Next came the U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle (America’s Tall Ship). Looking up from the deck, the towering masts seemed to disappear into the sky. The intricate network of sails and rigging offered a glimpse into a maritime tradition that stretches back centuries. It was easy to understand why so many visitors were willing to stand in line for hours to experience it.

As if the ships weren’t enough, New Orleans added a few extra touches. We watched fireworks light up the night sky over the riverfront and logged more steps than my Apple Watch is accustomed to tracking. The forest of masts transformed the skyline into something that felt more nineteenth century than twenty-first. The illusion was made even better by the bands of pirates roaming the French Quarter throughout the weekend.

Sail250 gave us the opportunity to step aboard remarkable ships from around the world, experience maritime history firsthand, and spend a weekend immersed in something completely different. Add a rainbow over the Kearsarge, fireworks over the Mississippi, and a new friend named Chad, and it became exactly the kind of spontaneous adventure that reminds you why quick trips are often the best trips.

Not bad for a weekend in New Orleans.

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Sail Tips for East Coast Sail250 Events

What We Wish We Knew Before Visiting Sail250

If you’re planning to attend Sail250 in Norfolk, Baltimore, New York, or Boston, here are a few things we learned from our weekend in New Orleans:

• Follow Sail250’s social media channels. Boarding schedules, ship availability, and line closures can change throughout the day. The official updates are often the best source of real-time information.
  • Official Sail250 Website: sail250.org
    • New Orleans: sail250neworleans.com
    • Norfolk: sail250virginia.com
    • Baltimore: sail250md.org
    • Port of New York & New Jersey sail4th.org
    • Boston: sailboston.com
  • Facebook:
    • New Orleans (catch up on all the past posts – lots of fun pics!)
    • Norfolk
    • Baltimore
    • New York
    • Boston
  • Instagram:
    • New Orleans
    • Norfolk
    • Baltimore
    • New York
    • Boston
  • Download the App
    • Baltimore

• Book a hotel with river views if your budget allows. Looking back, this is one thing I wish we had done. We missed out on seeing the ships illuminated on the Mississippi at night, and it would have been exciting to watch the fireworks from our room. If a river-view room fits your budget, I encourage you to splurge. It would add an entirely different dimension to the Sail250 experience.
• Be prepared for security screening. U.S. military vessels operate much like a secure facility. Expect bag checks, identification verification, and restrictions on what can be brought aboard.
• Arrive early if there’s a specific ship you want to see. Popular vessels can develop wait times of three to four hours. In New Orleans, some lines were closed by late morning because organizers wanted to ensure everyone already waiting could board before the event ended.
• Hydrate before you get in line. Standing in the sun for hours can be exhausting. Finish your beverages before entering security zone. Put some mints in your pockets so that you have something when your mouth gets dry!
• Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes. You’ll spend a lot of time standing, walking, climbing stairs, and navigating steep ship ladders. I ended up buying new shoes during the trip due to poor planning. If you’re wondering which shoes saved my feet, I bought a pair of Skechers Mens Max Cushioning Endeavour Kauska. The funny part? As I’m writing this blog, I just realized I accidentally purchased the men’s version instead of the women’s. No wonder they felt a little roomy! Even so, they were comfortable enough to get me through miles of walking around the waterfront and ship tours.
• Bring a valid photo ID or passport. We were required to show identification before boarding U.S. military vessels.
• Expect accessibility limitations. Wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers were not permitted aboard the U.S. military ships we toured. Children under five were also restricted from boarding some vessels. Check the requirements for individual ships before your visit. Walking canes were permitted, but Edward was asked if he was capable of walking a flight of seven stairs.
• Talk to the people around you. Some of our favorite memories came while waiting in line. We met fellow ship enthusiasts, exchanged travel stories, and even made a new friend named Chad. The wait felt much shorter because of the conversations.

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, Sail250 offers a unique opportunity to step aboard living pieces of maritime history. If Sail250 is coming to a city near you, don’t miss it. At the same time, don’t get so focused on checking ships off your list that you miss the experience around you. Some of our favorite memories weren’t aboard a ship at all. They happened while standing in line, meeting new people, and simply taking in the atmosphere along the waterfront.

The ships are impressive, but it’s the combination of history, people, patriotism, and shared adventure that makes the experience truly memorable. We left New Orleans with sore feet, hundreds of photos, and memories we’ll talk about for years. I suspect you’ll do the same. Book your trip now for your own Sail250 Adventure!

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