The best Fleet Week events in NYC

On Wednesday, May 24, the boats cruise into NYC, and it's a sight to see. This year, except to see three U.S. Navy ships, two U.S. Coast guard vessels and four U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) Yard Patrol boats (YPs). Additionally, three ships from NATO allies will join in. Ships from Canada, Italy and United Kingdom will sail in the Parade of Ships. 

The parade runs between 7:45am to 11am. You can see the ships along the Hudson River from Battery Park to just south of the George Washington Bridge. The event is free to the public to view.

Tour the ships all week long at the following locations:

Manhattan, Pier 88 South:
— Amphibious assault ship, USS WASP (LHD-1) from Norfolk, Virginia
Note: Closed on Sunday.

Manhattan, Pier 88 North:
— Ocean survey vessel HMS Scott (H131) from Plymouth, United Kingdom
Note: Closed on Sunday.

Manhattan, Pier 90 North:
— HMCS Glace Bay (MM 701) from Nova Scotia, Canada
— ITS Virginio Fasan (F 591) from La Spezia, Italy

Manhattan, Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, Pier 86:
— Four U.S. Naval Academy YPs, Annapolis, Maryland
— Fast response cutter USCGC Warren Deyampert (WPC-1151) from Boston, Massachusetts

Homeport Pier, Staten Island:
— The Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) from Norfolk, Virginia
— Spearhead class fast transport USNS Newport (T-EPF 12) from Norfolk Virginia
— Medium Endurance cutter USCGC Legare (WMEC-912) from Portsmouth, Virginia

Ships are open from 8-5am daily, except for tours on the Intrepid which run from 10am-5pm daily.

For World War II buffs and folks who like checking out fighter ships and planes, this museum on a real aircraft carrier The Intrepid docked at Pier 86 is a chance for an upclose look at the nuts and bolts of our not-so-distant history.

The Intrepid Museum serves as a primary destination during Fleet Week with activities all weekend long. Here's what's on the schedule: 

— Friday, May 26: Intrepid Summer Movie Series

Watch a free screening of Top Gun atop the aircraft carrier.

— Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28: Activities, displays and performances

Explore free hands-on activities and interactive displays from the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Guide Dog Foundation/America’s VetDogs and more.

Hear live performances from the U.S. Coast Guard Jazz Band (Saturday), U.S. Marine Corps Band (Saturday), the casts of TITANIQUE, Rock & Roll Man (Saturday) and A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical on Broadway (Sunday), and more. 

— Monday, May 29: Memorial Day Ceremony 

In addition to continuing activities from the weekend, a Memorial Day ceremony will be held at 10am. This solemn ceremony will honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who have given their lives in defense of our nation. Civic and military leaders will offer remarks and join a special wreath-laying ceremony to honor the fallen. The ceremony will conclude with a flyover by fighter jets.

At 2pm, watch the U.S. Coast Guard perform a test search and rescue demonstration.

Times Square becomes a hub for Fleet Week fun. Here’s what to see:

Wednesday, May 24
— 5 pm: Fleet Week New York Iconic Military Photo in Times Square (7th Avenue & 42nd Street)
— 6:30-7:30pm: USMC Band & USMC Silent Drill Platoon Performance (Times Square Broadway Plaza, W 47th Street)

Thursday, May 25
— 10am-5pm: Navy Dive Tank in Times Square. See U.S. Navy divers, check out their gear, and take photos at this free event (Military Island, 43-44 St. Plaza)

Friday, May 26
— 10am-5pm: Navy Dive Tank in Times Square. See U.S. Navy divers, check out their gear, and take photos at this free event (Military Island, 43-44 St. Plaza)
— 7-7:30pm: Navy Ceremonial Guard Performances (43-44 St. Plaza Times Square)
— 7:30-9:15pm: Navy Band North East Concert (43-44 St. Plaza Times Square)

Saturday, May 27
— 10am-5pm: Navy Dive Tank in Times Square. See U.S. Navy divers, check out their gear, and take photos at this free event (Military Island, 43-44 St. Plaza)
— 7:30-9:15pm: USMC and USN Band Concert (43-44 St. Plaza Times Square)

Every year, the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in Riverside Park becomes the site for a Memorial Day Observance. Representatives from the New York Council and other military and veterans support organizations participate in this annual ceremony to honor all who have served and sacrificed. The monument is located at Riverside Drive and 89th Street and the event is free and open to the public. The event runs from 10am to noon.

If you're single and ready to mingle, head to this singles event called "Fleet Week Mixer: Snag Yourself A Sailor," held on Friday, May 26 at The Dean in Midtown. Tickets for servicemembers cost $18; tickets for the general public cost $28. (Time Out readers can get $5 off with the code TIMEOUTNY.)

At the mixer, expect servicemen and women in uniform, complimentary appetizers, professional photos, a fun icebreaker to get everybody mingling, DJ music and dancing. Servicemembers in uniform get access to an open bar for the first hour.

More than 150 people usually attend the 21+ Fleet Week mixer. While the majority of attendees are women looking for men, Soletti said the dating scene is becoming more diverse.