Group Tours

Treat your group of ten or more guests to a private tour of the Copeland Maritime Center and our shipyard campus to discover the remarkable story behind Kalmar Nyckel and Wilmington’s historic riverfront. With advanced planning, we can provide an interpretive guide for your group.

Riverfront Cultural Trail 

Explore the Riverfront Cultural Trail in Wilmington, Delaware with a tour that starts at the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation’s Copeland Maritime. Enjoy Kalmar Nyckel, The Tall Ship of Delaware when it is in port (she travels a lot in the spring and summer months). A short walk will take you to Fort Christina Park which is part of the First State National Historical Park (National Park Service collection of sites). Please read on to discover more options.

Travel back to 1638, when Swedish and Finnish settlers arrived on the Kalmar Nyckel and landed on the Christina River in present-day Wilmington. Here they would sign a treaty with the Native Lenape, build Fort Christina, and establish the first permanent European settlement in the Delaware Valley.

Itinerary

Visit two nationally significant sites to discover the challenges of the 17th century and of freedom seekers on the maritime Underground Railroad. 

• Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard and Copeland Maritime Center – the modern riverfront home of today’s full-scale replica of the Kalmar Nyckel. Explore the rich maritime and industrial history of the Delaware Valley plus the Watercraft of the World collection of 73 model ships and boats, Science of Sailing, a 3/4-scale model of the ship's deck, an authentic Finnish log cabin, a 3D-animated Tall Ship Time Machine exhibit, a specially-commissioned oil painting and wall-sized depiction of the original Kalmar Nyckel's last battle, and more. 
• Fort Christina Park – a tree-lined riverfront park and monument by noted Swedish sculptor Carl Milles marks the Swedes’ original 1638 landing site. Our staff can schedule private interpretive tours including topics ranging from life in the colony of New Sweden to maritime Underground Railroad history on the park's natural rock wharf. 

Add Ons

In addition to the cultural sites above, you may choose from the following experiences to round out your excursion.

• Kalmar Nyckel Christina River Cruise or Deck Tour – For an unforgettable visit, set sail on the stunning Tall Ship of Delaware for a 1.5-hour river cruise or take a brief guided deck tour (when the ship is in Wilmington). Private sails for up to 49 guests make a perfect day; available with advance planning.
• Ship Deck Tours of the Kalmar Nyckel can be scheduled during winter/spring maintenance season and when the ship is not engaged with sailing passengers or school children. A basic schedule can be found here.
• Old Swedes Historic Site – includes guided tours of the 1638 burial ground, the active, well-restored 1698 Old Swedes Church, and a furnished 18th century Swedish-American farmhouse. Part of the First State National Historical Park, this site is operated separately and requires an additional tour fee.
• Lunch at the Copeland Maritime Center – Bring your lunch here. We offer a relaxing outdoor picnic area or indoor location for an additional fee.
• Lunch at Riverfront Wilmington – Take a short drive to Riverfront Wilmington for a great selection of local restaurants, hotels, and nearby sites like Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park. 

Fees

Private group tours are for ten (10) or more guests. Custom packages are available upon request.

• Copeland Maritime Center guided tour:  $15/person (1 hour)
• Copeland Maritime Center guided tour plus Fort Christina Park: $20/person (1.5 hours)
• Kalmar Nyckel Package: Guided tours of Copeland Maritime Center and Fort Christina Park, plus Kalmar Nyckel deck tour. $25/person (2 hours)
• Riverfront Cultural Trail Package: Guided tours of Copeland Maritime Center and Fort Christina Park plus Old Swedes Historic Site ($12/person payable to their organization). $35/person (2.5 hours)
• All Attractions Package:  Guided tours of Copeland Maritime Center and Fort Christina Park plus Old Swedes Historic Site ($12/person payable to their organization), and Kalmar Nyckel deck tour. $40/person (3 hours)

Add-On Lunch Space: $50 minimum fee for groups up to 10 for 1 hour. An additional $5/person over and above 10 guests will be charged. We offer outdoor picnic tables or indoor tables with access to our restrooms. Please plan to bring your food; no food is available on site.

Accessibility & Directions

• The Copeland Maritime Center: Parking is Free, and full restrooms facilities are available. The Center is handicapped accessible.  Steps are required to board the Kalmar Nyckel; the historic ship is not wheelchair accessible. Directions to 1124 East 7th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
• Fort Christina Park is wheelchair-friendly, but visitors are advised to walk with care on its uneven stone paths.  There are no restrooms in the park. Address (adjacent to Copeland Maritime Center): 1110 East 7th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
• Old Swedes Church and churchyard are handicap accessible; the Hendrickson House on-site is not. Directions to 606 North Church Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

Book Your Tour

To learn more and book a tour please click here to email Amy Sypher, Assistant Director of Public Programs and Engagement or call 302.429.7447 during business hours. You may also click the button below to send Amy an email message.