Tour & Solar Eclipse Viewing at the Historic Lilac Steamship
Tour & Solar Eclipse Viewing at the Historic Lilac Steamship
Photos Courtesy of Lilac Preservation Project, Eclipse Photo by Andrew Preble
- April 8th
- 1:30 PM ET
- In-Person
- FREE for Insiders (Includes free eclipse glasses!)
Explore America’s oldest lighthouse tender, the steam-powered Coast Guard Cutter Lilac, and watch the solar eclipse!
- Tour the historic 91 year old vessel with Captain Mary Habstritt, Museum Director of the Lilac Preservation Project
- Watch as the moon covers 90% of the sun from a prime waterfront location
- Bring your own lunch to enjoy on the open deck
- Mingle with fellow Insiders and Lilac volunteers
- Get free eclipse glasses to safely view this celestial phenomenon
About the event:
Tour America’s oldest lighthouse tender, the steam-powered Coast Guard Cutter Lilac with Captain Mary who will regale us with the ship’s 91 years of service and show us through spaces not normally part of public tours. By the end, you will know something about the Aids to Navigation system that keeps ships safe and about the job of buoy tending.
After the roughly 1 hour tour, join fellow Insiders and Lilac volunteers to view the solar eclipse with your free eclipse glasses! The eclipse will reach its peak in New York City at 90% obscurity at 3:25pm. Insiders are welcome to bring snacks or picnic lunch to enjoy on the deck. Chairs will be provided by the Lilac crew, but please provide your own utensils, napkins, and anything else you need to enjoy your food. Please be sure to bring out everything you bring in and note that there is no running water on the boat.
THINGS TO NOTE:
- Composting toilets are available on board and public restrooms on the pier are open.
- Bring your own water bottle as it is still early spring and the water on board and at drinking fountains on the pier is turned off.
- The historic nature of the ship means there are steep stairs and other trip hazards that make it difficult for visitors with mobility impairments. Wear comfortable flat shoes and clothing that you can wear to climb a ladder.
- Lilac is undergoing restoration so you may encounter work in progress.
- All visitors must follow instructions of the crew for a safe visit.
- Dress for the weather as viewing will be on an open deck.
- Smoking is not allowed on board or in Hudson River Park.
How do I sign up for this event?
If you are not an Insider yet, become an Insider today and join this event!
If you are an Untapped New York Insiders, simply login to your Insider account using the round icon in the bottom right corner of this screen. Once logged in, click on the “Book Now” button to book this event!
How many tickets can I reserve?
If you are an Insider level member ($20/month), you can reserve 1 ticket to this event. Explorer level members ($30/month) can reserve 2 tickets. If you are a Virtual level member but would like to attend, it’s easy to upgrade your account here!
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The event is sold out?
In-person Insider tours may have limited capacity and are booked on a first come, first served basis.
But don’t worry! Sometimes spots open up closer to the event date if there are cancellations. We also repeat our most popular events when possible so you will have another opportunity to join us. There are also multiple other members-only events weekly that you can join in!
What if I need to cancel?
If you cancel more than 48 hours ahead of the scheduled event, you will receive a 100%. When canceled less than 48 hours before the start of your tour, you will receive a gift card that can be used on any future events. Please be courteous to your fellow Insiders and let us know if you can no longer attend so we can offer your spot to another person.