Sail Boston® 2026

How to Get to Sail Boston® 2026

The Tall Ships return to Boston Harbor from July 11 to July 16, 2026, for Sail Boston®! This special event is a part of Sail250®, which welcomes the Tall Ships and sailors from over 25 countries to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s independence. Sail Boston® will include educational programs for younger audiences, enabling children to learn about American and international maritime history. Additionally, cadets and crew members will be available throughout the entire event to share their personal experiences at sea, their home countries, and more.

Ride the Commuter Rail into Boston for the Celebration

For New England locals and regional travelers, let the Commuter Rail get you to the Sail Boston® with ease. Park at a Commuter Rail Station outside of the city, and skip the traffic by riding the train to South Station. From there, take the Silver Line to the Seaport District and Boston Waterfront, where you can visit the Tall Ships. If you’re coming from North Station, it’s about a 0.6-mile walk to Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park in the North End, another great place to enjoy a beautiful view of the ships. Visit our Beginner’s Guide to the Commuter Rail to learn more about the Commuter Rail and how to buy tickets. 

Note: Other great places to see the Tall Ships include Charlestown and East Boston. Please use our Trip Planner to find the best route.

Where to Stay 

For travelers coming from out of state or even out of the country, there are plenty of smaller cities along the Commuter Rail with nearby hotels available for your stay.

Salem

As one of the most walkable cities in Massachusetts, Salem, located on the Newburyport/Rockport Line, offers numerous hotels within a short distance of Salem Station. During your stay in this spooky city, you can also explore nearby museums like The Witch House (0.38 miles from the Station) or shops like Moon’s Gift Shop (0.39 miles from the Station). 

Providence

Providence, along the Providence/Stoughton Line, is another walkable city in Rhode Island with plenty of places to stay that are close to Providence Station. The city is great to explore in the summertime, as you can visit WaterFire (0.2 miles from the Station) or the RISD Museum, and find plenty of other fun things to do. 

Rockport

Rockport, also along the Newburyport/Rockport Line, is a quaint seaside village with inns and hotels close to Rockport Station. You can explore Front Beach (0.43 miles from the Station) or the Rockport Art Association & Museum (0.60 miles from the Station).  

Concord

Concord, along the Fitchburg Line, is a town in Massachusetts full of Revolutionary history and comfortable accommodations near Concord Station. During your stay, visit the Concord Museum (1.07 miles from the Station) or Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House (1.40 miles from the Station). 

Things to do in Boston

During your time in Boston, stroll the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile red-brick walking trail that passes through 16 nationally significant historic sites, beginning at the Boston Common (0.6-mile walk from South Station) and ending at Bunker Hill, near the Charlestown Navy Yard, the home of the USS Constitution, which is the oldest commissioned ship afloat in the world. 

There are plenty of other ways to explore the city while you visit the Tall Ships. Check out the New England Aquarium, close to the Seaport District and a 0.65-mile walk from South Station. You can also go on a Duck Tour (a 0.65-mile walk from South Station) or even ride the Swan Boats (a 0.86-mile walk from South Station). Find more things to do around Boston and near Commuter Rail Stations by checking out https://massbytrain.com/things-to-do/.   

Start Your Journey Today with Keolis massAdventures

If you’re visiting Boston for Sail Boston®, enhance your journey with a memorable day trip beyond the city with Keolis massAdventures. With group tours beginning at North Station or South Station, you can travel to places outside of Boston to explore all the history, culture, and nature that Massachusetts has to offer. Plus, no planning required! Keolis massAdventures takes care of all the details, including transportation and admissions to different attractions. Learn more about how you can book your tour today by heading to https://keolismassadventures.com/how-it-works/.  

Celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence and make your plans now for Sail Boston®!