Experience Lady Washington
Embark on a journey back in time aboard the Lady Washington, a majestic replica of an 18th-century sailing vessel, offering an unparalleled family-friendly adventure at the Port of Olympia.
From exhilarating passenger sails and exclusive charter sails to informative dockside tours, the Lady Washington promises an unforgettable experience for explorers of all ages. Book your tickets today and set sail on a voyage of discovery and fun that the whole family will treasure!
A Storied Past
Launched on March 7, 1989, the new Lady Washington, a full-scale replica of the original Lady Washington, was built in Aberdeen, Washington, by Grays Harbor Historical Seaport (GHHS), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public development authority.
In 1787, after the Revolutionary War, Lady Washington was given a major refit to prepare her for an unprecedented trading voyage around Cape Horn. In 1788, she became the first American vessel to make landfall on the west coast of North America.
A pioneer in Pan-Pacific trade, she was the first American ship to visit Honolulu, Hong Kong and Japan. Lady Washington opened the black pearl and sandalwood trade between Hawaii and Asia when King Kamehameha became a partner in the ship.
The modern Lady Washington, constructed as a brig, was thoroughly researched by historians, and traditionally constructed by skilled shipwrights. She was launched as part of the 1989 Washington State Centennial celebration. The new Lady Washington is a U.S. Coast Guard inspected and certified passenger sailing vessel.
Over the years, Lady Washington has appeared in several motion pictures and television shows, including Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Star Trek: Generations, Once Upon a Time, and Revolution.
- Laid end to end, Lady Washington’s 156 lines of running rigging would extend three miles.
- The original Lady Washington started out as a single-masted sloop when it was constructed in the 1750s. It was refitted as a two-masted brig before her voyage to the Pacific Northwest in 1787.
- A number of coins are hidden on Lady Washington. Traditionally, each time a mast is “stepped” or fitted onto the keel, a coin is placed at the base of the mast. In 1989, when Lady Washington received her first mast, a silver coin was placed at the base.
Passenger Sails
Step aboard our Tall Ship Lady Washington and enjoy our 2-hour or 4-hour Day Sail! Experience sailing as it’s been done for hundreds of years and learn about the history of American maritime exploration. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even join our crew in hauling lines and setting sails!
Most Sundays from 1:00-3:00 pm, enjoy our usual 2-hour day sail with light refreshments.
We also offer Family Sails, which are our usual 2-hour day sail at a discounted rate offered the first Friday at each port we're in from 3:30-5:30 pm. Lend a hand in setting sail and experience what we teach local students on our educational programs.
Our Passage Sails are a one-way sail from one location to another! Passages can range from only a few hours to several days. Step aboard the spectacular Lady Washington and get a true "behind the scenes" look at life aboard a Tall Ship! Take part in climbing aloft, standing watch, steering the ship, hauling lines, sailing, and more!
Don't have time to take a sail, but still want to come check out Lady Washington? The dockside tour is for you! Come down and take a 20-minute self-guided tour of Lady Washington at Percival Landing / The Port of Olympia. A crew will be onboard to answer questions. A $5 per person donation is appreciated, but we want everyone to be able to enjoy Lady Washington, so please come visit!
Charter Sails
You won’t find a more unique venue than aboard Lady Washington! No matter what kind of event you are planning, we can provide an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. Rent her for a Dockside Charter, or an Underway Charter.
Lady Washington accommodates 45 passengers, space for catered food and drink, electrical hook ups (A/V, amps, and microphones available for rent), performance areas and changing space, and the ability to fire cannons.
Tall ship charters are available year-round on a first come, first served basis. Availability may be affected by existing programs and events and scheduled maintenance periods. Our port schedule may not be fully determined beyond 3-4 months in advance. It is STRONGLY ADVISED that those pursuing a charter have flexibility to plan their event with less than 6 months’ notice.
Each year we engage thousands of students in our one-of-a-kind educational field trip, Voyage of Explorers. Our hands-on maritime heritage program provides inquiry-based lessons that begin in the classroom and conclude with unforgettable activities aboard the tall ship. Voyage of Explorers is aligned with the Common Core Curriculum Standards for grades 4-6 and can be booked year-round at any port we visit.
Voyage of Explorers is more than just a one-day experience –it’s a week-long maritime heritage unit that begins in your classroom! When you book one of our programs, you will receive access to the lesson plans in our Teacher Portal, which contain daily readings, activities, and writing prompts meant to be introduced in the days before your tall ship visit. Your students will get the most out of their onboard experience by first exploring the content in our lesson plans as a foundation.