If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, Detroit in the last week has become home to an unexpected treat that’s open to the public at the Detroit Yacht Club.
Draken Harald Hårfagre is docked at the historic club on Belle Isle Saturday and Sunday. Normally, the club is private, but they’re opening up their dock for public access to see this amazing ship that sailed from Norway all the way to the Great Lakes.
The ship was originally part of a Tall Ships Challenge, ran into issues with unexpected pilotage fees, so they turned back at the Green Bay stop at the tour which means we in Detroit get a special look as they come through.
The Draken Harald Hårfagre was built in 2010 as the largest modern-built viking ship, able to withstand sea travel, in the tradition of the vikings. Many of the replicas out there are small, such as burial ships; this is one designed (and successfully, we might add) to cross the ocean.
This is not a free event but it is reasonably priced. Though there hasn’t been a ton of communication on this event, word is from the Facebook page and a member source that the event will be $10 for adults, $5 for children and expect cash only.
It will run from this Saturday, August 20 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday, August 21 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
State park rules apply, so you will need a State Recreation pass to get on the island, and parking may be a challenge – so put on comfortable shoes as you might be walking a little bit from street parking or a nearby lot. But if you’re into cool ships, this should be worth the wait.
The Detroit Yacht Club’s address is 1 Riverbank Road in Detroit.