Sail250 HarborFest

Highlights Include:

• Old Town Alexandria,
• Guided Colonial Tour,
• Gadsby’s Tavern,
• Christ Church,
• Tall Ship Providence,
• George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate,
• George Manson’s Gunston Hall Estate,
• Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello,
• Michie Tavern,
• James Monroe’s Highland - Ash Lawn Estate,
• University of Virginia’s Rotunda,
• James Madison’s Montpelier,
• Virginia State Capital Richmond,
• St. John’s Church & Patrick Henry actor,
• Colonial Williamsburg with Guide,
• Yorktown Visitor Center,
• Norfolk HarborFest,
• Parade of Sail,
• Virginia Aviation Museum

Sample Itinerary ~

• Arrive in Old Town Alexandria, a beautiful port town and key location during the Revolutionary War. Begin with a Colonial History Tour, visiting iconic landmarks such as Gadsby’s Tavern & Museum and Christ Church.
• Set sail on Tall Ship Providence and capture the spirit of early American seafaring. When you tour Providence, you step back in time into the shoes of a sailor fighting the American Revolution. A sailor straight out of the 18th Century will assign you your role among the crew, show you the ropes, and give a short briefing on your duties and the mission assigned to Providence by the higher ups of the Continental Navy. When you’re ready, you will board Providence and present yourself to her esteemed captain – the legendary John Paul Jones, Father of the American Navy. From there, you will visit the quarterdeck, the main deck, the captain’s cabin, and the hold to see where you’ll be spending the next several months during your time at sea. You may even learn to load a cannon!  After disembarking, head to the Naval History Theater for an exclusive showing of the short film, Providence: Dawn of the US Navy, produced especially for Tall Ship Providence and featuring four subject matter experts and many beautiful camera shots.
• Enjoy a Welcome Dinner in Old Town before checking in to your comfortable accommodations for the night.

• Enjoy breakfast at your hotel this morning prior to checking out.
• Discover George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate where America's first president escaped the rigors of public office and enjoyed the life of a plantation farmer. Tour the mansion and explore the estate grounds followed by an included lunch at the Mount Vernon Inn.
• Next, visit Gunston Hall, the estate of Founding Father, George Mason. The 1750s home of Virginia statesman George Mason, features Georgian design and 250-year-old shrubs on a vast, 550+ acres estate.
• In the afternoon, head to Charlottesville for an included dinner and a relaxing evening at your hotel.

• Enjoy breakfast at your hotel this morning prior to heading out for a day of adventures.
• Delve into history with a visit to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.  During your tour, you'll learn about the ideas of freedom and the realities of slavery that made the United States.
• Lunch is a colonial-themed experience at Michie Tavern, a historic tavern with a period restaurant serving Southern fare by colonial-dressed waitstaff, plus a gift shop & tours.
• In the afternoon, tour Highland / Ash Lawn, the home of James Monroe, where you might even meet Mr. Monroe himself! Highland, formerly Ash Lawn–Highland, located adjacent to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, was the estate of our country's fifth president of the United States.
• End the day with a visit to the University of Virginia’s Rotunda to see the designs of Thomas Jefferson, before enjoying an included dinner and returning to your hotel.

• Fill up with breakfast at the hotel this morning before checking out and hitting the road!
• Tour Montpelier, the lifelong home of James Madison, Father of the Constitution, Architect of the Bill of Rights, and fourth President of the United States. It was also the home to six generations of enslaved individuals. As a museum of American history and center for constitutional education, Montpelier engages the public with the enduring legacy of Madison’s most powerful idea: government by the people. The historic home and 2,700-acre grounds are open to visitors and groups throughout the year with a Visitor Center, formal gardens, and over 8 miles of walking trails to explore.
• Afterwards, head to Richmond to see the Virginia State Capitol, another design by Thomas Jefferson. Experience a reenactment of Patrick Henry’s iconic "Give me liberty, or give me death!" speech at St. John’s Church. Continue to Williamsburg for an included dinner and overnight stay.

• Enjoy an included breakfast at the hotel this morning prior to checking out.
• Explore Colonial Williamsburg with a Guided Tour.  This unique experience boasts a 301-acre living history museum portraying life in the 18th century with 40+ landmark sites & tours.
• Enjoy an included lunch and then head to Yorktown to visit the Visitor Center with a Step-on Guide.
• End the day in Norfolk, checking in to your hotel before a lovely Welcome Dinner to celebrate the upcoming Sail250 HarborFest.

• After breakfast, embark on an exciting day at Norfolk’s HarborFest!
• Board a sightseeing ship to witness the grand Parade of Sail and enjoy the HarborFest festivities. (Schedule: TBD) The day is free for exploration, with lunch and dinner on your own. A continual shuttle service will be available for convenience. About Sail250: The year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding in 1776 – The United States of America’s Semiquincentennial. For this milestone occasion, a fleet of the world’s most magnificent international tall ships and military ships, in an epic peacetime gathering, will sail into the harbors of Virginia as part of Sail250® Virginia.  For seven days in June 2026, 4,000 officers, cadets and crews of more than 55 ships from 20 nations will engage with residents and visitors across the Virginia Chesapeake Bay region in events and programs symbolic of the bonds of international goodwill.

• Enjoy breakfast at your hotel this morning.
• Enjoy a Guided Tour of the Virginia Aviation Museum.  The Military Aviation Museum is home to one of the largest flying collections of World War I and World War II era military aircraft in the world. Each of our planes has been beautifully restored to its prior military condition, using original parts whenever possible. Most of the planes are airworthy and flown at the museum during flight demonstrations and at air shows throughout the year. Some being the last flight-ready aircraft of their time, and all of them being one of a kind.
• Spend time on the Virginia Beach boardwalk and enjoy lunch on your own.
• The afternoon is yours to relax or continue exploring HarborFest. (Schedule: TBD)
• End the day with a stunning fireworks display before returning to your hotel.

• Enjoy an included breakfast at the hotel this morning prior to checking out.
• Depart for home, taking with you a wealth of memories from America's historic beginnings and the excitement of Sail250!