Sail250, a caravan of tall ships and military warships, arrives in Maryland next week after stops in New Orleans and Norfolk, Virginia.

It’s part of America’s 250th birthday celebrations. Organizers are expecting large crowds all along Baltimore’s waterfront while it’s in town, Wednesday to June 30.

This stop, called Sail250 Maryland and Airshow Baltimore, includes festivals across the city and along with flight demonstrations by the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels, as well as British and French ambassador squads.

Events are free, and no tickets are required. On June 27, there’s a Kids on the Bay Mermaid-themed parade at the Maryland Science Center plaza. It kicks off at 11 a.m.

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After Baltimore, the ships continue on to New York City and Boston.

“This is a once-in-a-generation-type event,” said Christoper Rowsom, director of Sail250 Maryland and Airshow Baltimore.

Here’s what to know:

Visiting the ships

More international ships will dock in Baltimore than in previous years of Fleet Week, a celebration where active-duty military ships dock here.

International and U.S. tall ships, historic vessels and modern military ships open for free tours 11 a.m.-5 p.m. June 25 to June 29 at the Inner Harbor, Fells Point, North Locust Point, Tide Point and Baltimore Peninsula.

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Here’s the latest on where the ships will be located, but check the Sail250 app or website for changes before you go:

Inner Harbor

  • United States, LYNX
  • Sweden, HMS GLADAN
  • France, BELLE POULE
  • Peru, BAP UNIÓN
  • India, INS SUDARSHINI
  • USS CONSTELLATION
  • Columbia, ARC GLORIA
  • United States, Lightship 116 (LS-116) Chesapeake
  • USS TORSK
  • Ecuador, BAE GUAYAS
  • US Coast Guard Cutter EAGLE
  • Uruguay, ROU CAPITÁN MIRANDA
  • US Coast Guard Cutter WHEC-37
  • Germany, GORCH FOCK
  • Portugal, NRP SAGRES
  • United States, GAZELA PRIMEIRO
  • Romania, NMS MIRCEA

Fells Point/Locust Point

  • United States, MILDRED BELLE
  • United States, LADY MARYLAND
  • United States, Skipjack SIGSBEE
  • United States, MARYLAND DOVE
  • United States, APPLEDORE IV
  • United States, FAREWELL
  • United States, JOLLY DOLPHIN
  • United States, PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II
  • United States, Tug Boat KINGS POINT
  • Canada, HMCS WILLIAM HALL (AOPV 433)
  • Italy, AMERIGO VESPUCCI
  • Argentina, ARA Libertad
  • Spain, JUAN SEBASTIÁN ELCANO

Baltimore Peninsula

  • USS ARLINGTON LPD 24
  • USS MARINETTE LCS 25

Canton Waterfront

  • United States, LIBERTY SHIP S.S. JOHN W. BROWN
  • United States, N.S. SAVANNAH

Watching the airshow

The Baltimore Airshow features flyovers and other aircraft demonstrations, noon-4 p.m. June 27 and 28 over the Inner Harbor.

The best places to watch the show are from the Baltimore Peninsula, Canton Waterfront Park and Fort McHenry.

Participating are the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team, the British Royal Air Force Red Arrows, the French Air & Space Force Patrouille de France, and the U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team.

Martin State Airport in Baltimore County also will host an open house next weekend. Visitors can see aircraft up close, meet pilots and aviation teams and explore the Glenn L. Martin Aviation Museum.

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Getting there

Descending crowds might make driving and parking in Baltimore tricky. At all locations, paid parking will be available in various garages. Metered street parking is available but limited.

To access ship locations, visitors can ride the free Charm City Circulator bus service.

The Purple “Banner Route” buses will depart every 20 minutes from the Baltimore Visitor Center on Light Street to North Locust Point ships.

The Orange Route buses will depart every 20 minutes from the Harborplace Pratt Street Pavilion to Fells Point.

To visit the N/S Savannah and Liberty Ship John W. Brown, visitors can ride a free shuttle bus that will depart from Fells Point Broadway Square on a regular schedule.

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MTA buses, Light Rail Link and Metro Subway Link are also available. For schedules visit the MTA website.

Visitors can also travel around the Inner Harbor by water through the Baltimore Water Taxi. The taxi runs on a regular schedule from Inner Harbor, Fells Point, Canton Waterfront Park and other stops.

Where to use the bathroom

At Inner Harbor, portable restrooms will be on the north and south end of West Shore Park at 401 Light St., on USS Constellation Dock and on Pier 5.

At Fort McHenry, portable restrooms will be on the grounds, and the visitor center has public restrooms.