tall ship tour holland mi

TALL SHIP SAILING CRUISES IN SAUGATUCK, MICHIGAN

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Daily public sailing tours on the Schooner Serenity, Saugatuck’s only authentic tall ship.

Daily public sailing tours on the Schooner Serenity.

Set sail on saugatuck’s only authentic tall ship..

2 hours long

Day Sailing Cruise

$56 / all ages

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Sunset Sailing Cruise

$68 / all ages

Welcome aboard!

Step aboard the Schooner Serenity with Sailing Saugatuck and embark on a sailing adventure you won't forget. Our daily two-hour cruises take you through the stunning scenery of the Kalamazoo River and onto Lake Michigan, providing a peaceful and relaxing experience.

Our goal is to create an unforgettable sailing experience for everyone, so whether you're a seasoned sailor or a first-timer, come join us for a relaxing and enjoyable trip.

Recent reviews

"Simply Perfect. The highlight of our vacation!"

“I can’t say enough good things about the crew on the boat. They were all so friendly– it was like sailing with family! Very well maintained ship and professional crew! Highly recommend this adventure!”

Samantha H.

September 2022

"The best boat tour in Saugatuck."

“We really enjoyed our sunset sail on Lake Michigan! The Serenity staff was great and the trip was full of beautiful scenery. We will definitely sail with them again!”

August 2022

"Incredibly friendly and fun crew."

“I never understood the relationship people have with their boats until I sailed on the Schooner Serenity. What a beautiful experience. A visit to Saugatuck is not complete until you have a sail on Serenity!”

“The best sailing experience to date!”

“What a wonderful experience! We did the sunset sail with family that came into town and everyone enjoyed it immensely. The Captain and Crew were great. You can participate in hoisting the huge sails which was so fun and provided opportunity for great photos. GO, you won’t be disappointed.”

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Our guests have access to free and easy parking just steps away from our dock.​

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Coast Guard Certified

Our Captains, crew and sailing vessels are US Coast Guard certified and regularly inspected to provide a safe and fun sailing experience.

Private Charters

Small weddings, reunions, birthdays, bachelorette parties… our boats offer a one-of-a-kind backdrop for your special occasion!

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Have a special event coming up?

Special event coming up, book the schooner serenity for a private charter., daily public sailing tours on saugatuck's only authentic tall ship..

$59 / all ages

Private charter options

Interested in a more intimate, private sailing experience for your crew? Consider booking a private charter on one of our two sister vessels.

Private charter option

Interested in a more intimate, private sailing experience for your crew? Consider booking a private charter.

Private sail on the Schooner Serenity

Up to 24 guests, us coast guard certified.

Make your next private event or leisurely outing on the water an unforgettable experience by chartering Schooner Serenity. With room for up to 24 guests and our professional captain and crew, you'll have everything you need.

Starting at $1,288

Private sail on tamerlane, up to 6 guests.

Want to experience the water in a truly unique way? Tamerlane, our charming and elegant wooden boat, can accommodate up to six people. With its classic design and attention to detail, it's the perfect choice for an unforgettable adventure.

Starting at $520

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Michigan Maritime Museum's tall ship 'Friends Good Will' returns to Tulip Time Festival

by Katie Sergent | News Channel 3

HOLLAND, Mich. — Take a tour on Michigan Maritime Museum's tall ship 'Friends Good Will' during the Tulip Time Festival this May.

The vessel is scheduled to be docked behind Boatwerks Restaurant beginning May 6, and will be offering a complete tour above and below deck, according to the Michigan Maritime Museum.

• Museum reopens: Michigan Maritime Museum welcomes visitors after $3.6 million rebuild

'Friends Good Will' is a replica of a square topsail sloop built in 1811 for a Detroit merchant, which was captured by both British and American forces during the War of 1812, organizers said.

Its been an annual visitor to the Tulip Time Festival since 2018, offering dockside tours to festival goers, according to organizers.

"We’re so proud to be part of the West Michigan lakeshore,” Patti Montgomery-Reinert, executive director of the Michigan Maritime Museum said. "And Tulip Time is a celebration of our region and all that makes it special. It’s the perfect way to start our season!”

Those who take the tour can expect to see where fur trade cargo was stored, and where the British mounted their naval guns on deck, organizers said.

• Seamanship course: Registration opens for Michigan Maritime Museum's 2023 Basic Seamanship Course

Attendees can also learn what it takes to sail and maintain a traditionally rigged tall ship without leaving the dock, according to organizers.

Tours usually span 15 to 20 minutes once guests are aboard the ship and are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 6 through May 13, organizers said.

Tickets cost $8 per person and can be purchased ahead of time online.

Tickets can also be purchased at the gate, availability permitting, according to organizers.

More information about Holland's Tulip Time Festival can be found online.

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• Destinations
• Beyond Great Lakes

Tall Ship Cruises – A Great Way to Experience Great Lakes

One of the unusual and memorable ways of spending leisure time in the area of Great Lakes is going on a sailing ship (tall ship) cruise. Surprisingly, there are a number of tall ships around that offer both short and long trips on the Inland Seas.

• Lake Michigan

Windjammer Multi-day Cruises , Traverse City, MI – Traverse Tall Ship Co. offers 3- to 6-day long cruises, as well as short 2-hour trips. Of course, they are offered during the warm months of the year. Summer sailing season begins during the Memorial Day weekend. Their tall ship is the 114-foot Manitou , a replica of a 19 th -century schooner.

Inland Seas Education Association , Suttons Bay, MI – The association offers few different 2- or 3-hour cruises with hands-on sailing experience aboard the 77-foot schooner Inland Seas .

Michigan Maritime Museum , South Haven, MI – The Maritime Museum offers educational and passenger sails aboard the 101-foot Friends Good Will . The 2004-built ship is a replica of an 1810 square topsail sloop.

Sailing Door County , Sister Bay, WI – Their ship is the 65-foot gaff-rigged schooner Edith M. Becker . Tours vary with the weather. Generally, they are short 2-hour cruises.

Discovery World , Milwaukee, WI – The Discovery World’s  tall ship, the sailing vessel Denis Sullivan is the world’s only recreation of a 19 th century three-masted Great Lakes schooner. It is a pretty large ship with the length of 137 feet. There are day and evening sails that are offered aboard s/v Denis Sullivan . ( Denis Sullivan was sold in 2022! Discovery World does not offer tall ship cruises anymore. Read about it here .)

The Tall Ship Windy , Chicago, IL – The s/v Tall Ship Windy is 148-foot traditional four-masted topsail schooner. The company offers day and evening sails, as well as some special events tours. The Tall Ship Windy sails from the Chicago’s Navy Pier.

Red Witch , Kenosha, WI – Red Witch is the 77-food two-masted topsail schooner. It is a replica of a 19 th century Great Lakes ship. Red Witch offers short sails from Thursday till Sunday.

Lake Superior

Superior Odyssey , Marquette, MI – The Coaster II is a 58-foot topsail schooner built in 1933 and sails out of Marquette. It offers two-, four-, or eight-hour charter sails for groups of up to six. The Coaster II also offers overnight sails along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. ( It appears that Superior Odyssey stopped operating. The webiste is gone, and I could not find any information about what happened to it. )

Appledore Tallships , Bay City, MI – The only tall ships on Lake Huron –  the 85-foot, two-masted schooner Appledore IV and 65-foot , two-masted schooner Aplledore V offer a variety of day and evening  sails from its port in Bay City in Michigan.

Erie Maritime Museum , Erie, PA – Their ship is the 198-foot U.S. Brig Niagara . “Sailing onboard brig is an unusual opportunity to experience the long vanished world of the wooden square rigged sailing ship.” When Niagara is in her home port of Erie, PA, people can sign up to sail onboard. Typical day sails include four hours of sailing in Presque Isle Bay and/or the open lake (weather and time dependent), history lectures  and demonstrations.

Spirit of Buffalo , Buffalo, NY – Spirit of Buffalo is a classic 73 foot topsail schooner. It offers day sails, evening and sunset sails, pirate cruises and dinner and a sail.

• Lake Ontario

Tall Ship Cruises , Toronto, ONT – Tall Ship Cruises offers cruises aboard its Kajama and Challenge ships. Kajama is a traditional 165 foot three-masted schooner and Challenge is a 96-foot, also, a three-masted schooner. Kajama offers day and evening sails every weekend from beginning of May, all the way until the end of September! The 2-hour day or evening sunset  Toronto harbor boat cruise consists of a 30 minute boarding time, and an hour and a half sail out on the open waters of Lake Ontario. During each cruise they fire off the ship’s canon.

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• Cancellations

Michigan Maritime Museum’s tall ship Friends Good Will sails to Holland for 2023 Tulip Time Festival tours

HOLLAND, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Michigan Maritime Museum is set to return to Holland for the 2023 Tulip Time Festival with tall ship Friends Good Will.

Museum officials say the replica nineteenth-century vessel will be located at the docks behind Boatwerks Restaurant May 6 through May 13.

Friends Good Will is a replica of a square topsail sloop built in 1811 for a Detroit merchant, which was captured by both British and American forces during the War of 1812.

“We’re so proud to be part of the West Michigan lakeshore,” said Patti Montgomery-Reinert, executive director of the Michigan Maritime Museum. “And Tulip Time is a celebration of our region and all that makes it special. It’s the perfect way to start our season!”

Tours will be available from 10 am to 4 pm, Saturday, May 6 through Saturday, May 13.

Tickets can be purchased ahead of time online at tickets.michiganmaritimemuseum.org .

More information about the 2023 Tulip Time Festival can also be found online at tuliptime.com.

• Grand Rapids/Muskegon
• Saginaw/Bay City
• All Michigan

Your guide to Tulip Time, a week long celebration of tulips and Dutch heritage

• Published: May. 05, 2022, 10:15 a.m.

De Zwaan, the authentic Dutch windmill, is seen amongst tulips on Windmill Island during ‘Tulip Time’ in Holland, Michigan on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. De Zwaan, which is Dutch for “The Swan” or “Graceful Birds” was built in the 1770s and was moved to Windmill Island from the Netherlands in 1964. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com) Joel Bissell | MLive.com

• Brian McVicar | [email protected]

HOLLAND, MI — Tulip Time, the annual weeklong celebration of tulips and Dutch heritage, kicks off Saturday in Holland.

Over the course of the eight-day festival, May 7-15, attendees can check out thousands of tulips scattered around the city.

Among the events planned for Tulip Time 2022 are Dutch dances, the Tulip Time run, large parades, a carnival, tall ship tours, an artisan market, walking tours, a quilt show, art exhibit, musical entertainment and more. For a daily lineup of activities and more information about each item, go to this spot on the Tulip Time website .

The activities at held at various locations in Holland, mainly within a 4-mile radius of downtown.

“Celebrating our 93rd year in 2022, Tulip Time has grown over the years to be so much more than a flower festival,” according to the festival’s website. “Back in 1929, the City of Holland planted its first crop of 100,000 tulips and the overwhelming number of visitors over the years as the Festival took shape resulted in the addition of programs, pageantry, costumes, parades and the popular Dutch Dancers. Each year, we strive to showcase all that Holland, Michigan has to offer.”

Here’s a look at Tulip Time’s events, as described in an announcement from festival officials:

Zeeland Girl: Beyond Tradition by Rem van den Bosch

The three-part photography series, Zeeuws Meisje (Zeeland Girl) by Dutch photographer, Rem van den Bosch, will be making its way to the United States for the first time. The three parts are equality, tulips and brotherhood.

According to the Tulip Time press release, “Zeeland Girl is a collaborative project involving dressmakers hand-sewing traditional dresses with modern spins and photography with bright contrast to spark discussions about the need for mutual respect, solidarity, and care for the environment. van den Bosch’s striking photos will be displayed on towering, 10-foot-tall displays, and side-by-side with twenty-five of the dresses used in the series.”

The series is set to be on display at the Holland Armory during the festival.

Tulip Immersion Garden: The Journey of the Tulip

A world-renowned Dutch horticulturist will be setting up the Tulip Immersion Garden at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds.

Ibo Gülsen’s project is designed to take travelers through the history of the tulip, from its origins in Turkey, to the Netherlands, and finally to Holland.

“Gülsen will use 50,000 tulips of all varieties and colors to craft an experience that brings the tulips up to eye-level and creates Instagrammable photo opportunities for friends and family alike,” festival organizers said in the press release.

Historical Walking Tours

Walking tours will be taking place at Tulip Time to allow participants to learn the history of Holland and its Dutch heritage.

“Costumed guides will tour guests around the historical sites of Holland providing an up-close visit to many sites and icons that make up our wonderful city where over 200,000 tulips bloom each spring,” according to the news release. “Participants will see many of the tulip displays and will have numerous photo opportunities with magnificent tulips.”

The tour is about two miles and is set up as a one-and-a-half-hour experience.

Elton Rohn – The Premier Elton John Tribute Show

Elton Rohn is set to perform an Elton John-inspired show on May 7 at the Holland Civic Center.

“Elton Rohn is the premier Elton John tribute show,” organizers said in the news release. “Elton Rohn combines the look, feel and sound of a real Elton John show. Featuring full harmonies and all musicians playing and singing live (no recordings). This high energy show is an engaging and familiar experience for audiences to sing along with.”

The Texas Tenors

The Texas Tenors are scheduled to perform on May 13 at Central Wesleyan Church.

“The Texas Tenors have been annual favorites at Tulip Time and are most known for their appearances on America’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent: The Champions,” organizers said. “Their live performances combine a classical country feel with original songs and familiar covers.”

Fiddlefire – The Panning Family Band

Fiddlefire is set to perform on May 12 at Central Wesleyan Church.

“Fiddlefire shares their exceptional musical talent, humor, and charm to sold-out crowds,” organizers said. “This band formed from members of the Panning family virtuosically performs a variety of genres with their own folksy twist. Their diverse instrumentation includes fiddles, guitar, string bass, mandolin, percussion, and dancing feet.”

Gentex Kinderparade

The Gentex Kinderparade will be held on May 12.

As described by organizers, “elementary school children will line up with their teachers and school administrators in full costume and smiling faces as they march together through downtown Holland. Each school and grade will have their own theme that nods to the towns’ Dutch heritage, from Dutch agriculture to the Dutch Master’s painters.”

Quality Car Wash Volksparade

“The Quality Car Wash Volksparade (people’s parade) will be big and bold as Tulip Time combines elements of the Street Scrubbing parade and the Muziek parade. People from near and far will be invited to don their Dutch costumes, grab a bucket and a broom, and scrub the streets clean for the coming performances. Town officials will walk through with their ceremonial white glove inspection to approve the streets for the parade and when the town crier officially announces the official’s approval, the parade will start. Dozens of bands from West Michigan middle and high schools showcase their talents amid the community floats through downtown Holland. The Quality Car Wash Volksparade parade will be on Saturday, May 14th, 2022.”

Dazzle! A Tulip Time Talent Showcase

The Tulip Time talent show is scheduled for May 11 at Central Wesleyan Church.

“The brilliantly fresh talent from four area high schools’ bursts onto the stage to present this vibrant medley,” organizers said. “Enjoy this astounding variety of soloists, show choir and orchestral performances, all in one show.”

American Legion Band

The Holland American Legion is set to perform on May 14 at Beechwood Church.

“Founded by the by the Willard G. Leenhouts American Legion Post 6 in Holland, Michigan, the American Legion Band is filled with prolific musicians who have performed in the Holland community, across the state, country, and the world,” organizers said.

Dutch Organ Music Old and New

The Dutch Organ concert is set for May 8 at Hope Church.

“Join Rhonda Sider Edgington and Jonathan Ruffer as they put 500 years of Dutch music on display in one night, spanning the early traditional styles to modern fusions of jazz, rock, and pop music,” organizers said. “Siders Edgington guides audiences through the centuries with clever color commentary and a witty approach to musical entertainment.”

Siders Edgington is an Organist at Hope Church, an instructor at Calvin University and an international concert artist. Ruffer, who will be accompanying Siders Edgington on trumpet, plays in the St. Anderew’s Cathedral Brass band and an instructor at Hope College.

Artisan Market

The Artisan Market is set to run May 7-8. It will be held at Beechwood Church on Ottawa Beach Road.

“The annual Artisan Market brings together over one hundred vendors to highlight their artisanship and sell unique, hard-to-find items,” organizers said.

The Quilt Show is scheduled for May 7-15 at Beechwood Church.

“Over 100 exquisite quilts will be hung high for patrons to enjoy up close,” organizers said. “Every cut, every stitch, every pattern will showcase the quilter’s skill and experience in increasingly rare craft.”

Floral Arranging Class

Floral arranging classes are scheduled for May 9-10.

“Huisman Flowers’ award-winning floral designers teach the art of floral arranging as guests create their own masterpiece to take home,” organizers said. “The classes take place at their beautiful Holland flower shop location where you can browse through a vast assortment of occasion themed gifts.”

Tulip Time Run

The Tulip Time Run is set for May 7.

This run offers a 10K, a 5K and a Kid’s Fun Run option. The run begins at Kollen Park.

Registration opened on TulipTime.com in the fall.

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Shows & Events

Where is the festival? The Tulip Time Festival does not occur in a gated, single location. Over 8 days in May, events and activities take place in different locations, most within a 4-mile radius of Downtown Holland. Tulips can be seen for no charge in public parks and along downtown streets. Where to get tickets: No tickets are needed to visit Holland, explore and experience the area. Specific Tulip Time events and activities are listed below and you can find ticket details about each one by clicking on the images. No dogs are allowed at ticketed events and venues.

Many independent attractions have tulips and happenings during the week of the festival and beyond. They have their own operating hours and ticket requirements. Learn more on the Area Attractions  page!

Thursday, May 2

Kinder/Middel Dutch Dance

Dutch Dance

Friday, may 3.

Tulip City Open - Pickleball Tournament

Saturday, May 4

Tulip Immersion Garden

Tulip Time Run

Historic Walking Tours

Tall Ship Dockside Tours

Art in Bloem Fine Art Exhibit

Tulip Time Quilt Show

Artisan Market

Dutch Dance Lessons

On Golden Pond

Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute - SOLD OUT

Sunday, may 5.

Pedals in the Park

Dutch Organ Concert

Monday, may 6.

Floral Arranging

Dutch Lunch and Dance Performance

Tulip Time Photo Walk

Tuesday, may 7.

Wednesday, May 8

American Legion Band Concert

Thursday, may 9.

Kinderparade

Dutch Dogs on Parade

The Texas Tenors

Friday, may 10.

Scotty McCreery

Saturday, may 11.

Volksparade

Tulip Time Fireworks in Partnership with LAUP

Sunday, may 12.

Learn about Michigan's maritime history on an 1800's-era tall ship at Tulip Time

HOLLAND, Mich. — An exhibit at Tulip Time is giving visitors a look into Michigan's maritime history.

Dutch heritage is deeply intertwined with water, trade and the art of sailing, which is why the Michigan Maritime Museum is giving people a firsthand look at an 1800's-era tall ship.

Visitors can climb aboard the tall ship 'Friends Good Will', a replica Great Lakes sloop from 1810, owned and operated by the museum.

It costs $8 per person. Advanced tickets can be purchased online . Same day tickets will be available for purchase at the admission gate subject to availability.

On-water experiences at the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven begin Memorial Day weekend. There are many opportunities to set sail on one of the museum's historical ships and boats.

Click here for more information.

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Tulip Time festival in Holland features tours, carnival, Tall Ships

It's Tulip Time but with a twist this spring. The annual flower festival, running Saturday through May 9, will have some COVID-safe tweaks during its eight days in Holland.

"It’s a really great place to come and be outside, we have beautiful parks here, we’re on the shores of Lake Michigan, it’s just a really peaceful and really restful place to be," said Executive Director Gwen Auwerda. She said in addition to all that the Tulip Time festival offers, downtown Holland itself is worth a visit because of all the shops and restaurants. 

It's free to gaze at the millions of colorful tulips, and most can be viewed from public parks and throughout the streets of downtown Holland. Other events and activities — including a carnival, Tall Ship dockside tours, Dutch costume exhibit and market and ticketed tulip photography walks — will take place within a four-mile radius of the downtown area. 

The walking tours are new this year; they replace the popular trolley tours from previous events. 

"Sixteen people, two miles walking, two hours and a costumed guide will take you around town and show you some of the historic sites, tulips of course, and get you some behind-the-scenes information," said Auwerda. "So that’s really fun and unique and brand new."

The annual event has some virtual aspects this year, too, like the online artisan market with homespun goods for sale like jewelry, fiber arts, paintings, woodworking and more. View the shop at tuliptime.com/artisan-market. 

Tulip Time also hosts daily virtual visits with Princess Lida. Kids can view an interactive video from Lida's summer house with story time, activities and online access to coloring, recipes and more. She can be viewed each day of the festival at noon and tickets are $8. 

The tulip 5K, 10K and kids run are also virtual this year. Runners can register ($40) and run any day or time they like between May 1-10. Courses along the tulip-lined streets and waterfront have been mapped out or runners can create their own course anywhere. 

Auwerda said the festival organizers decided which events needed to be virtual and which could be in person based on guidelines from the Michigan Department of Health. 

She estimates that during a normal year, around 500,000 people visit Holland during Tulip Time's nine-day period. 

“It’s very hard to count because people are coming for parades and just to look at tulips, so that’s just an estimate we had done from an economic impact study,” said Auwerda, who has been with the festival for a decade. “I don’t know what to expect this year, maybe half of that, but it’s hard to say.”

Holland is about 200 miles from Metro Detroit, located just west of Grand Rapids. Visit tuliptime.com for more details on the festival. 

[email protected]

Twitter: @melodybaetens

Private Tall Ship Sailing Cruise on Lake Michigan

Sailing Saugatuck - On the Tall Ship Serenity

Description, what's included.

• Life jackets
• It can be a little chilly on the water so we recommend bringing a light jacket. You may bring any food or beverage you want to enjoy during your sail (alcohol is permitted!)

Additional Info

• $1,245 day sail rate (up to 24 guests)
• $1,505 sunset sail rate (up to 24 guests)

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Because life's too short to stay home …, following the tall ships, sloops and schooners still sail on lake michigan and lake superior..

© Beth Gauper

On the Great Lakes, everyone loves to see a multi-masted schooner, white sails flapping in the breeze.

They're always the favorite guests at festivals, especially on Lake Superior, which usually sees only freighters.

On Lake Michigan, these magnificent replicas of 19th-century schooners and sloops are more common, offering tours and day sails from their homes when they're not appearing at festivals.

Most of the tall ships are non-profit and devoted to teaching early American history and training future sailors. Many offer passage between ports as they sail to festivals.

Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City is home to several tall ships, two of them owned by the non-profit Maritime Heritage Alliance .

Its workhorse is the Madeline, a 92-foot twin-masted wooden replica of an 1840s commercial schooner.

Day sails and tours

The Madeline was built to be authentic to the era, so she doesn't meet Coast Guard requirements to sell tours or cruises. But she makes frequent appearances at festivals, sailed by Maritime Heritage Alliance volunteers.

They also offer complimentary heritage and community sails of Grand Traverse Bay on both the Madeline and the 39-foot Champion , an 1870s-style single-masted cutter. The boats dock on the west edge of Traverse City .

Also at the alliance's Traverse City dock: the 114-foot Manitou , a replica of a 19th-century cargo schooner that offers public sails and also is a floating bed-and-breakfast.

It's operated by the Traverse Tall Ship Co., which gives two-hour day sails and evening sails with picnic.

It also offers ice-cream, wine-tasting and entertainment cruises and four-day theme sails. For overnight guests, the evening sail is included.

Just up the shore in Suttons Bay , the Inland Seas Education Association includes the 31-foot sloop Liberty, a replica of a 1905 Maine fishing vessel, and the 77-foot schooner Inland Seas, which offers three-hour Great Lakes Discovery Sails around Grand Traverse Bay.

In the southwest Michigan town of South Haven, the 101-foot Friends Good Will , a replica of an 1810 square-topsail sloop, sails Lake Michigan from the Michigan Maritime Museum .

It offers afternoon and sunset cruises from late May through September.

In the Door County town of Sister Bay, the 65-foot two-masted schooner Edith M. Becker , the former Appledore III, offers cruises on Lake Michigan's Green Bay.

For more, see At sea in Door County .

In Chicago, the 148-foot four-masted topsail schooner Windy offers six or more sailings a day with themes, including pirates, maritime history and fireworks.

In Kenosha, the 77-foot two-masted topsail schooner Red Witch , a replica of a 19th-century Great Lakes working schooner, sails from Kenosha Harbor or Southport Marina, depending on weather conditions.

On Lake Huron, the 85-foot, two-masted schooner Appledore IV and V offer a variety of day and dinner sails from its base in Bay City on Saginaw Bay in Lower Michigan.

The boat, owned and operated by the nonprofit BaySail, also offer overnight voyages that teach seamanship to youths.

Frequent guests

Some tall ships make frequent appearances in the Great Lakes, including the 198-foot U.S. Brig Niagara of Erie, Pa., and 157-foot privateer Pride of Baltimore II , replicas of War of 1812 battleships; and the privateer Lynx , a replica of a Maryland schooner that fought on America's behalf in the War of 1812.

© Discovery World

The 65-foot Niña , a replica of the Portuguese caravel that Columbus sailed to the New World, and its sister ship, the 85-foot Pinta, has made appearances at towns along the Mississippi River .

They're operated by the Columbus Foundation of the British Virgin Islands.

Tall ships festivals

Every three years, the non-profit sail-training organization Tall Ships America brings its Tall Ships Challenge festival to the Great Lakes, to promote sail training for youths and adults.

In 2022, the only official stop in the western Great Lakes is Two Harbors, Minn., whch is holding a Festival of Sail Aug. 4-7. Visiting ships include the Spanish galleon Nao Trinidad and the Canadian schooner St. Lawrence II as well as the U.S. Brig Niagara and the Pride of Baltimore II.

But Marquette, Mich., has engaged several of the ships for a Festival of Sail Aug. 12-14, including the Nao Trinidad, Niagara and Pride of Baltimore.

The Tall Ships Challenge festivals usually include one ship from Europe and several from the East Coast and Canada, as well as Great Lakes schooners. Many of the ships offer day sails from each port, and some take on paying adult sail-trainees to sail from one festival to the next; check the websites of each ship for opportunities.

The festivals are expensive for cities to host, so not every city participates every time. In 2019, the Tall Ships Challenge included stops in Bay City, Green Bay and Kenosha, as well as larger U.S. and Canadian ports on the eastern Great Lakes, including Cleveland, Buffalo and Toronto.

Planning a Great Lakes trip

Be sure to sail on a boat or catch a festival if you're planning a Circle Tour of Lake Michigan.

For details, see Circling Lake Michigan .

For a Circle Tour of Lake Superior, see Circling Superior .

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TULIP CITY TROLLEY TOURS - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Launching a Legacy

The journey continues with you, join us for a museum event or host one of your own at the most picturesque place on the harbor., bringing history to life through hands-on activities and interactive tours., step aboard history on one of our historic or replica vessels., welcome to the michigan maritime museum.

Come Sail With Us

Each on-water experience includes Museum admission.

Museum Exhibits

The museum offers a variety of engaging opportunities, including permanent and changing exhibits on Michigan maritime history.

Upcoming Events

The Museum always has something going on. Join us at one of our many events throughout the year!

The Museum offers a variety of education programs to schools, groups, and organizations.

Launching a Legacy Phase I Complete!

Our new Maritime Heritage Center is now complete thanks to our incredible donors, sponsors and hard working teams. Let’s keep up the momentum for Phase II! 

To learn more about our ongoing capital campaign, visit our Launching a Legacy pages.

Make History Come Alive!

From hands-on exhibits on our authentic waterfront campus to historically immersive experiences aboard our on-water fleet, the Michigan Maritime Museum has something for every Great Lakes enthusiast.  

Step into the role of an early Michigan sailor aboard tall ship  Friends Good Will , salute the brave men and women of the United States Coast Guard in our Coast Guard boat house, or simply sit and enjoy the bustling harbor from our docks located in the heart of South Haven’s Maritime District. The Michigan Maritime Museum is one of the Great Lakes premiere destinations to experience freshwater maritime heritage as you explore our exhibits both on and off the water.

Five separate structures offer a variety of engaging opportunities for the Museum visitor, including permanent and changing exhibits on Michigan maritime history, a workshop for teaching boat-building and related maritime skills, and a fleet of period and replica vessels available to visitors for on-water experiences. Waterfront festivals and events are complemented by a quaint harbor atmosphere in one of west Michigan’s most picturesque shoreline communities.

Handcrafted Wooden Canoe Raffle

Get your tickets today for this one-of-a-kind, artisan built canoe from Mackinaw Watercraft, The Western Star . Tickets are available at the MMM and online . The drawing will take place at the Museum’s Antique & Classic Boat Show in June 2024. Don’t miss the boat!

Featured Events

Working waterfront lecture series- faces of a fish empire.

Join the Michigan Maritime Museum and presenter Joe Kutchera for a true fish tale about commercial fishing on Lake Michigan.

Coast Guard Clean Up

Join us for our annual Coast Guard Clean Up!

MMM @ Tulip Time

Step aboard history at Tulip Time with the Michigan Maritime Museum!

Blessing of the Fleet & Summer Kick-Off

Celebrate the start to summer with us at the Blessing of the Fleet and Summer Kick Off!

Antique & Classic Boat Show

Join us for our 43rd Annual Antique & Classic Boat Show

50th Anniversary Gala Fundraiser

Embracing the heyday of steamship travel on the Great Lakes, join the MMM in celebrating it's 50th Anniversary!

Friends Good Will Fireworks Sail

Celebrate Independence Day aboard Friends Good Will!

22nd Annual Fish Boil Fundraiser

Join the Michigan Maritime Museum for our 22nd Annual Fish Boil Fundraiser!

Rock the Boat 2024: R3PEAT

Get ready to Rock the Boat at the Michigan Maritime Museum!

Friends Good Will 20th Anniversary Sunset Sail

Celebrate Friends Good Will’s 20th Anniversary with us!

8 Incredible Tall Ship Destinations for Your Dream Vacation

If you’ve decided to book a tall ship cruise as your next vacation, or as part of your next vacation, you probably have questions. Where are the best places to go? What are the prices like? How long will the trip last? What should I expect when I’m on board?

In this article, we’ll take a look at some tall ship cruise options and discuss prices, routes, and what to expect when you arrive.

Where Are the Best Tall Ship Routes?

For this article, we’ll frame our discussion from a US standpoint. The United States has the most tall ships out of any country (64) and therefore has the most opportunities to book a tall ship cruise.

Ps: You can click the name to jump directly to the relevant details.

Domestic Routes and Daysails

1. liberty fleet and the adirondack – boston, ma.

The Liberty Fleet has two boats, The Liberty Clipper and the Liberty Star, which sail out of Boston Harbor. They offer a couple of domestic cruise options – harbor day sailing, transit passages, and an Atlantic Seaboard cruise.

Day Sailing around the harbor is a fun, family-friendly activity and a great way to see Boston Harbor if you’re staying in the city. Liberty Fleet offers a basic daysail, a sunset cruise, and a historical tour.

• Basic Daysail – $39, 1.5 hours
• Sunset Cruise – $45, 1.5 hours
• Historical Tour – $45, 1.5 hours

If you’re looking for a little more adventure, Liberty Fleet also offers transit cruises and racing. These are overnight or week-long trips that require passengers to get their hands dirty by helping to crew the ship.

You could take part in a three-day roundtrip sail aboard the Liberty Clipper over Labor Day weekend (this includes participating in the Gloucester Schooner Race), or help transit the Liberty Clipper from her homeport in Boston to New York City during the first week in October.

• Gloucester Schooner Race – call for prices. You can choose to participate in the full three-day race or choose either the Northbound or Southbound leg.
• Fall Transit Cruise – From $799. Saturday, Oct. 3 – Thursday, Oct. 8. Meals provided.

A third tall ship, The Adirondack, also operates out of Boston Harbor. This tall ship offers day sailing only, and special occasion cruises such as on Valentine’s Day, Independence Day, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. You’ll sail past many of the historical sights in the harbor. Beer, wine, cocktails, and other drinks are available to purchase, and you can bring a snack or picnic lunch to enjoy.

2. Lady Washington – Grays Harbor, WA

The Lady Washington is the West Coast’s premier tall ship, and sails out of Grays Harbor in Washington. She sails up and down the West Coast all year, so if you live on the West Coast, you might be able to tour the lady Washington at the dock when she stops in your hometown.

A trip up to Washington opens up many other cruising options aboard this historic ship, including sunset sails, adventure daysails, passages and charters. Sunset sails are best if you’re just looking to relax and enjoy a cocktail, while adventure sails are longer trips where you will be invited to join the crew in hauling lines and setting sails.

• Sunset Sail – $39, 2-3 hours
• Adventure Sail – $69, Friday – Sunday

You can also join the Lady Washington crew for a transit passage, a multi-day sail where you will be expected to stand watch, steer the ship, climb aloft and participate in other daily chores.

For a truly unique experience, the Lady Washington is available for private charter, for events such as weddings, workplace team building, and private parties.

• Passage Sail – the price depends on the length of the leg
• Private Charter – call for prices.

3. Maritime Museum – San Diego, CA

If the cold of the Pacific Northwest or Northeast US isn’t your thing, you might opt for a trip aboard one of the tall ships docked in the port at sunny San Diego. The San Diego Maritime Museum offers historic bay cruises and adventure sails aboard their fleet.

Those passengers wanting a quick, relaxed trip might opt for the 45-minute historic cruise aboard Pilot. Though not a tall ship, this historic vessel was launched in 1914 and performed regular operations until 1996.

For those seeking a splash of adventure, try a four-hour adventure sail aboard either the Californian or the San Salvador, where you will be invited to assist the crew as they sail out of San Diego bay.

• Historic Bay Tour – $30 general admission (access to tour most boats at the dock) + $10 Pilot add-on
• Adventure Sail – $59-$99. 11:30 AM to 4 PM daily

4. Traverse Tall Ship Co – Traverse City, MI

The Traverse Tall Ship Company has two ships – Manitou and Scout – both of which sail out of Grand Traverse Bay. They offer a brunch cruise, daysails, multi-day windjammer cruises, and private charters, all of which offer passengers the chance to explore the scenic beauty of Northern Lake Michigan.

The Scout also offers a 6-hour island package, in which you sail out to Power Island and get off the boat to spend the day hiking, picnicking, and swimming on the island.

If you’d like to experience spending the night aboard, but aren’t ready to do so at sea, Scout also offers the option to enjoy a sunset cruise followed by an overnight stay on the boat at the dock in Center Point Marina.

• Brunch Cruise – $70, 10 AM – 12 PM, weekends only.
• Daysail – $330, 2 hours. Snacks and soft drinks provided, BYOB for alcohol.
• Sunset Cruise – $380, 2 hours
• Windjammer Cruise – $895-$1170, 4 or 5 days. Offered in September only.
• Power Island Package – $750, 6 hours.
• Dockside Overnight – $350-$600, 2 hours + overnight

5. Navy Pier – Chicago, IL

Another option for East Coast residents is the tall ship Windy, Chicago’s Official Tall Ship. Windy sails from Navy Pier at the south end of Lake Michigan, and offers day sailing options only, as well as private charters and a few special sails like the Chicago Air Show sail.

• Chicago Skyline Sail – $39, 1.25 hours
• Fireworks Cruise – $43, 1.5 hours, alcoholic drinks available for purchase
• Marshall Vente Sail – $75, 2.5 hours, includes a live band performance
• 2021 Chicago Air Show – $79, 3 hours, watch the air show from the water

International Routes

1. liberty fleet – bahamas.

As well as offering daysail and transit options, the Liberty Fleet in Boston also runs the Windjammer sailing vacation to the Bahamas. The trip lasts six nights and offers guests the chance to explore the outer islands of the Bahamas.

Aboard the Liberty Clipper, you’ll leave from Nassau in the Bahamas and spend seven days island hopping to various tropical locations before returning to Nassau. This is a vacation cruise, so passengers are treated as guests, not crew, and are not expected to help with running the ship.

Guests can purchase shared or private cabins, at either standard or premium prices. Guests are also expected to pay their own airfare to the Bahamas and provide their own accommodation if they need it before boarding the boat.

• Shared Single Cabins – $1399 standard, $1599 premium
• Private Single Cabins – $2098 standard, $2298 premium
• Private Double Cabins – $2798 standard, $2998 premium, $3198 en suite

2. Star Clippers – Caribbean, Mediterranean, Central America, Ocean Crossings

Star Clippers has a fleet of three ships – the Royal Clipper, Star Clipper, and Star Flyer – and runs a number of cruises at various destinations around the world. Trips in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Central America are vacation packages that typically run for about seven days and include stops at several different ports along the way.

Caribbean cruises happen aboard the Star Flyer during the winter season, while the Star Clipper sails in the Mediterranean in the spring. The Royal Clipper sails in both locations and offers the chance to partake in an ocean crossing in-between seasons for those brave souls who want to experience a true tall ship adventure.

Visit the Star Clippers website for pricing and details – there are too many options to list here. You can also find brochure rates and discounts of up to 65% on some trips on the Star Clippers website.

3. Tall Ships Races 2022 – Denmark, The Netherlands, Belgium

The Tall Ships Races is an annual event run by Sail Training International that happens in Europe during the summer. Every year, four different European cities are chosen as host ports, and over 100 tall ships participate in a race between them. In 2022 the boats will start in Esbjerg, Denmark, and race two legs to Harlington in The Netherlands and Antwerp in Belgium, before returning to Denmark to finish in Aalborg.

Because there are so many tall ships involved in the race, you have to choose which ship you would like to crew and book a spot on that ship. This is an official race, and the crew will be required to participate in all the tasks necessary to perform well in the race, including watches, sail trimming, and managing lines. The Sail Training website has information on each ship that will participate, including how many crew can fit, and the special considerations for each ship.

What is it Like to Travel by Tall Ship?

Traveling by tall ship is an experience like no other, and it can be as challenging or as easy as you like, depending on the vacation that you choose.

• If you’re up for the challenge of crossing an ocean or being part of a tight-knit crew racing to beat a fleet of other boats, then a trip to the Tall Ship Races or an ocean crossing aboard the Royal Clipper might be for you.
• If you’re simply looking to sip on a cocktail and watch the sunset, you should opt for a two-hour cruise aboard the Lady Washington or Liberty Fleet.

No matter which option you pick, there are a few things you’ll want to know ahead of time.

Do I Need to Know How to Sail?

No! The great thing about booking a tall ship cruise is that no sailing experience is necessary – even for an ocean crossing or the Tall Ship Races! Part of the fun of crewing on a tall ship cruise is that you learn as you go. Your captain and the tall ship’s paid crew will teach you everything you need to know and help you perform your assigned job.

Be aware that if you are booking a spot in the races or on an ocean crossing, you will be expected to perform all tasks, and you should be able to perform them well. Life at sea can be a matter of life or death, and your captain will not hesitate to let you know when you are doing something wrong. A tall ship adventure is a tough experience not to be entered into lightly.

What Do I Need to Bring?

For a multi-day or multi-week tall ship adventure, you will need to bring everything you need to live on a boat for that length of time.

For an ocean crossing or transit passage when you will be helping crew the boat, this will include a few changes of clothes, closed-toe shoes, a waterproof jacket and pants if you have them, warm clothes including a hat and gloves, work gloves for handling lines and a headlamp with a redlight setting for seeing at night. You will probably also want to bring some kind of entertainment like a book, deck of cards, or device for watching movies during your downtime.

For a windjammer-style vacation where you will not be expected to work as a crew, you won’t need nearly as much – just whatever clothes you’d like to wear, layers to stay warm at night, a bathing suit, and something to entertain yourself during downtime.

For a daysail, it’s a good idea to bring a snack and bottle of water, sunscreen, and layers.

Will I Get Seasick?

There’s no one right answer here, as seasickness susceptibility differs from person to person, but it’s always a good idea to prepare for the worst, even if you’re only going out for a couple of hours. If the water you’ll be sailing on is relatively calm – i.e you’re staying inside the bay and not going out onto the open ocean – it’s safe to assume you probably won’t get seasick.

If you are working as crew on a multi-day passage, the chance of getting seasick becomes much higher. Even the most seasoned sailors often get sick for the first two or three days of a passage. Don’t be embarrassed – it happens to the best of us!

If you do find yourself getting seasick, the best way to combat it is to go up on deck and look at the horizon. The fresh sea air will feel much better than the stuffy air below deck, and having a stable point to focus on will help your body adjust to the motion of the boat. Other remedies are a ginger beer or any light, carbonated beverage, salted pretzels or other easily digested snacks, and motion-sickness pills like Dramamine.

Can I Bring My Pets?

No. Pets are not allowed on any tall ship cruises. Service animals are permitted under certain circumstances – inquire with the company running your trip. If you plan to bring a service animal, be sure to research the animal importation regulations for any foreign countries you may be visiting.

Sail Away on Your Next Adventure

Whether you sail for a day, a week, or a month, the majesty and splendor of these spectacular boats will be something you remember for the rest of your life. With the tips and information outlined in this article, you should be prepared to book the adventure of a lifetime!

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