The Tall Ships at Aptucxet
The Tall (or Small) Ships may be coming to Aptucxet!
Wednesday & Thursday, July 8 & 9 | 9 AM – 4 PM
The excitement surrounding the Sail Boston celebration has reached Cape Cod, and while we can’t promise what we’ll see, the Museums at Aptucxet is a wonderful place to watch the Cape Cod Canal just in case a few sailing ships make the journey through! Keep your eyes on the canal! On July 8 & 9, some of the Sail250® Tall Ships may make their way through the Cape Cod Canal, and if they do, the Museums at Aptucxet is a great place to watch!
Will we see ships? We sure hope so! We don’t know exactly which ships – or if any – will pass our location, but we’ll be keeping an eye out right along with you. Want to know if a ship is headed our way? Check the Sail250 Fleet Tracker before you come.
Here’s what we know:
The largest tall ships participating in the Sail250 events are too tall to pass beneath the Cape Cod Canal bridges, so they will sail around Cape Cod rather than through the Canal. However, some of the small- and medium-sized sailing vessels may choose to transit the Canal as they travel between New York and Boston.
According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, there is no official parade or viewing schedule. Each vessel will make the trip independently, and transit times will vary based on weather, tides, and other navigational factors. In other words, we’ll all be keeping watch together! Our grounds offer beautiful views of the Cape Cod Canal, the Railroad Bridge and the Bourne Bridge, making it the perfect spot to relax and see what sails by.
Parking is available with a suggested $10 donation to the Bourne Historical Society, and we’ll have simple food and beverages available for purchase while you enjoy the view.
Want to know if a ship is headed our way? Check the Sail250 Fleet Tracker before you come.
📍 Museums at Aptucxet
6 Aptucxet Road, Bourne, MA
Stop by, enjoy the waterfront, and with a little luck, we just might spot a few tall ships together!
Museums at Aptucxet 2026 Hours and Tour Information
The Museums at Aptucxet are now open for the 2026 season and we are so glad to welcome you back!
Our regular hours for the Museums and Gift Shops are:
Thursday, Friday & Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sundays: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Walk-in visitors are welcome during these hours and all of our historic buildings will be open for you to explore. No reservation is required for regular visits.
Admission: $6 per person during regular museum hours
If you’re looking for a more in-depth experience or would like to visit at another time, private tours are available year-round by appointment. The cost for a private tour is $60 for up to 6 people, with an additional $10 per person beyond that. To schedule a tour, please email BourneHistoricalSociety@comcast.net or call (508) 759-8167.
We look forward to seeing you at Aptucxet!