Come Aboard a Giant Wooden Viking Ship in NYC

The Viking ship Draken Harald Hårfagre has arrived in New York City! This 115-foot long, open-wood ship is the largest Viking ship built in modern times and is stopping in the North Cove Marina at Brookfield Place for the final days of its East Coast American expedition. Before the ship sets sail back across the Atlantic, you can climb aboard for a deck tour to get a look at a day-in-the-life of the thirty-five diverse men and women from all over the world who make up the ship’s crew, and learn about the historic craftsmanship used to build the ship with oak, tar, hemp, iron, and silk. Thanks to Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky, Untapped Cities Insiders are invited on board to join the crew for a private deck tour on October 21st before the ship opens to the public! Not an Insider yet? Become a member today and access free behind-the-scenes tours and events in New York City all year long!

DATE: Sunday, October 21st, 10:30a.m. – 11:00a.m.

PRICE: FREE for Untapped Cities Insiders! ($14 for the general public)

CAPACITY: 50 guests. Spots allocated on a first come, first served basis.

REGISTRATION: OPEN NOW!

Photograph Courtesy of Highland Park

The Draken was built in Haugesund, Norway from 2010 to 2012. The boat stretches almost 79 feet high and a little over 26 feet wide, with a 260 meter square silk sail. The ship is made of oak and Douglas fir, with a rigging of hemp. It’s top speed is 14 knots. A whopping 100 oarsmen can row it and the ship comes with 25 oars. It’s construction was inspired by boats found through archeological digs, Norse legends, visual and foreign accounts of Viking boats, old sailing records, and Norwegian ship building know-how, as the Vikings did not leave behind nearly any records about ship building. The ship’s journey on its East Coast American Expedition is an ode to the historical route followed by the Vikings that led to the discovery of the Americas more than 1,000 years ago. The ship will set sail back across the Atlantic on Tuesday, October 23rd at 10:30a.m.

Photograph Courtesy of Highland Park

The ship will be accompanied by the Draken Village, a space that is free and open to the public, where guests can experience a photo and video exhibition illustrating Viking history, modern explorers, and the adventures of the Draken; land-side views of the ship; the Highland Park hospitality tent; local food and beverage vendors; official Draken merchandise, and more.

Photograph Courtesy of Highland Park

Photo courtesy Draken Harald Hårfagre website

Photo courtesy Draken Harald Hårfagre website

See our full list of Untapped Cities Insiders Tours and our upcoming Public Tours.