Mark your calendars!

The Tall Ship Kalmar Nyckel is making a special appearance in historic New Castle on Saturday, October 17. The ship will dock at the public pier in Battery Park. Not sure where that is? Don’t worry. Once the ship arrives, just head toward the Delaware River. You won’t be able to miss it.

Bring the family and learn about the ship’s rich history from the captains and mates on land. Due to COVID-19, visitors cannot board the ship itself. Drop by between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.

If you are not familiar with Delaware’s official tall ship, the Kalmar Nyckel is a full-scale replica of the 17th-Century Dutch-built armed merchant ship that brought Swedish settlers to North America in 1638, to found the first European settlement in the Delaware valley.

Then, on Saturday, October 24 the Kalmar Nyckel will be docked on the Wilmington Riverfront, right across from Iron Hill Brewery, for a special afternoon of Halloween fun. Come on out for free, safe, outdoor fun including a scavenger hunt and pumpkins. Don’t forget to wear your costume!

Visit Delaware's Tall Ship

Want to learn more? The Kalmar Nyckel, launched in 1997, serves as a floating classroom and an inspirational platform that has a crew of 200 trained volunteers who help maintain, sail, and teach its programs. The ship’s home berth on the historic riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware is just 200 yards from the original 1638 landing site. Kalmar Nyckel serves as a catalyst for social and economic development and outreach and, in a typical season, the ship sails more than 2,400 nautical miles from Norfolk, VA to Provincetown, MA.

And why not make a weekend of it? Both the Wilmington Riverfront and historic New Castle are perfect destinations for a family getaway. Want to take in both? Check out the J.A.M. Trail, a family-friendly bike trail that connects the two locations. It is an easy, mostly flat 7.5-mile route from point A to B. Go to www.visitwilmingtonde.com for more ideas on where to stay, what to do, and where to eat. Be sure to check out our 3-2-1 Getaway package too!