Have you ever wanted to step foot on a historic ship?
Okay. Probably not. BUT...now that I've mentioned it, you probably think it'd be a pretty awesome experience.
Don't lie. Visions of you standing at the front, arms spread wide, doing your own cheesy re-enactment of Titanic just swirled in your head.
Well lucky for you, Chicago is less than one week away from being invaded by 20 amazing historic Tall Ships. The Pepsi Tall Ships Chicago tour will drop anchor at Navy Pier and stay afloat from August 24th until August 29th.
With something to offer everyone in your family (boat tours to sails to Q&A with the boat's captain), tickets are going fast at navy.com/tallshipschicago.
Here's a look at some of the Tall Ships fleet that will be no doubt have me singing Styx's "Come Sail Away" for the next week...
Now sing with me, everyone...
IIIIIIIII'm saaaaailing awaaaaay....set an open course, for the virgin sea...'case IIIIIII've got to be freeeeee....free to face the life that's ahead of me...
See you at the Tall Ships, my friends.
Chicago's own Tall Ship Windy has sailed Lake Michigan since 1996. She is the first certified four-masted traditional sailing ship built in the U.S.A. since 1921 and is outfitted to carry 150 people on deck. Outside of the Tall Ships event, you can take spirited tours on Lake Michigan on Windy experiencing everything from a Haunted Sail to a Fireworks Cruise to a day with Pirates and even Rum Runners. Originally built as a fishing yacht, The Roseway is often recognized by her colorful masts. The vessel gave honorable service during World War II and currently is part of the World Ocean School--and international, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing challenging educational programs.The Flagship Niagara will built in 1813 to protect the Lake Erie coastline in the U.S. from the British. Commander Oliver Hazard Perry won the Battle of Lake Erie aboard the vessel and it was sunk for preservation on Presque Isle in 1820. Then, in 1913, the ship was raised in 1913 and rebuilt for the centennial of the Battle of Lake Erie. She may be old, but she still gets around. Europa sails all over the world and you can buy a ticket for an expedition (assuming your wallet is deep enough). This winter, she'll set sail to Antarctica for the 9th time. You can reserve your ticket for a future expedition and stay in a cabin like the one shown above.Built in 1911, Europa originally was named "Senator Brockes" and restored to its current glory in 1994. At the ripe age of 99, this year Europa received a new figurehead of a bull and has deep roots in Greek mythology.
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If you look closely you may recognize this beautiful ship from Hollywood. This Tall Ship was originally built for the MGM film "Mutiny on the Bounty" (1960) but was most recently helmed by Captain Jack Sparrow in "PIrates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest."
Great event. Here's a video preview of the event! http://www.cltv.com/videobeta/8b84c864-b863-483a-b702-a2f27c39e2d9/Entertainment/Tall-Ships-Final-mov
Very neat!
Great event. Here's a video preview of the event! http://www.cltv.com/videobeta/8b84c864-b863-483a-b702-a2f27c39e2d9/Entertainment/Tall-Ships-Final-mov