Boston Harbor braces for Tall Ships' 4 million expected visitors

Boston Harbor braces for Tall Ships' 4 million expected visitors

Sixty ships from around the world will dock along Boston Harbor next month for Tall Ships.

The intrigue: The international gathering of military ships could bring an estimated 4 million people to Boston's waterfront as the U.S. celebrates 250 years — all while the city hosts the World Cup.

State of play: Tall Ships kicks off July 11 and runs through July 16, featuring parades, tours of ships, fireworks and other festivities.

  • The events generated about $180 million the last time they were here in 2017.
  • Dusty Rhodes, Sail Boston's executive director, said the economic impact may resemble, if not exceed, the 2017 figure.

    • If you go: Take public transit, or expect lots of traffic and limited parking options.

  • Rhodes recommends getting on the Ferris wheel and seeing all the ships along the harbor when you reach the top.

    • ⛵️ Parade of Sail: SailBoston begins the festivities with the ships parade at 9am on June 11.

  • The ships will head south from Broad Sound and enter the Boston Inner Harbor before doubling back to their assigned docks.

    • Pro tip: You can see the parade from Castle Island, Jeffries Point in East Boston and along the waterfront downtown.

  • Castle Island, and likely the other spots, will be packed with thousands of people by 10:15am, when the ships are set to reach the inner harbor.
  • Large backpacks, coolers and alcohol won't be allowed around the harbor during the parade.

    • 👟 Public boarding: The ships will be open for the public to board after they dock, 5pm–10pm.

  • The public docking the rest of the festival will generally run from 10am–10pm, Sunday through Wednesday, but the ship's captain ultimately sets the schedule.
  • The ships at Boston Fish Pier have their own start time, 12pm on Sunday and 2pm Monday through Wednesday.

    • Be smart: Each ship will have different rules about whether you can board with food or drinks, linger or touch anything on board.

  • Defer to the captain and crew about the parameters.

    • Street Parade: The crews and cadets from each ship will march from Leader Bank Pavilion up Seaport Boulevard and continue onto Atlantic Avenue until reaching Christopher Columbus Park in the North End.

  • Here's the parade route map.

    • Sail Boston Cup: While Dallas Stadium hosts the World Cup's second semifinals match, Navy crew and cadets in Boston will compete in their own 5v5 soccer tournament.

  • The tournament kicks off at 10am at LoPresti Park in East Boston.

    • Yes, and: Look for fireworks launching off Fan Pier at 9:15pm on July 11 and July 15, before the ships depart Boston Harbor on July 16.