Alexandria is preparing for a nautical spectacle as the iconic tall ship, Pride of Baltimore II, is set to arrive at the Old Town Alexandria waterfront early Thursday morning. According to a social media announcement from the City of Alexandria, the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge will be temporarily raised to accommodate the ship’s passage, causing brief traffic disruptions.
The City alerted residents that the bridge will open at approximately 12:00 a.m. (midnight) on Thursday, April 3, to allow the Pride of Baltimore II to sail up the Potomac River. The bridge will then reopen for the ship’s departure in the early hours of Monday, April 7, at 3:30 a.m. Each bridge opening is expected to last between 15 and 20 minutes.
“Get your cameras ready! The Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge is scheduled to open for the passage of the tall ship Pride of Baltimore II on Thursday, April 3, at 12:00 a.m. (midnight). The bridge will re-open for the ship’s departure on Monday, April 7 at 3:30 a.m. Both openings will last around 15-20 minutes,” the City shared on Facebook.
The Pride of Baltimore II, a renowned replica of a 19th-century Baltimore clipper, departed its namesake city on Tuesday, charting a course down the Chesapeake Bay and up the Potomac. The ship’s social media revealed its planned arrival at Old Town Alexandria’s Harbor Pier G/H shortly after navigating the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
“Alexandria here we come!” the ship’s post declared, outlining a packed schedule of public events.
While In Alexandria
The arrival of the Pride of Baltimore II will offer several opportunities for the public to engage with maritime history:
- Free Deck Tours: They are scheduled for Friday, April 4 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Saturday, April 5 (5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.), and Sunday, April 6 (2 p.m. to 6 p.m.).
- Day Sails: Ticketed events offering a chance to sail on the historic vessel are scheduled for Saturday, April 5, and Sunday, April 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $55 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under.
- Evening Sail: On Friday, April 4, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., visitors can also purchase tickets for an evening sail. Tickets are $55 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under.
Tickets and additional information for those interested in participating in the sails can be found at https://pride2.org/come-aboard/.
The Pride of Baltimore II’s visit also highlights the historical significance of the region’s waterways and the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, which, as the ship’s social media pointed out, is the only bridge in the U.S. that crosses the borders of three state-level jurisdictions.
