Parking meters will be posted “No Parking” in the Long Wharf area to accommodate vendors’ tents from today through Sunday, the polcie said.

On Saturday, there is a ship crew parade from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. that begins at the Old Colony House on Washington Square, marching down to Thames Street and onto America's Cup Avenue, then to Thames Street to King Park on Wellington Avenue.

As a result, according to the police, parking will be restricted from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the metered spaces on the south side of Washington Square and on Thames Street from the Red Parrot restaurant to Lee Avenue.

The police said all businesses should ask their regular delivery companies to complete their deliveries prior to 9 a.m. for their convenience.

A free bus shuttle will run between the corner of America's Cup Avenue and Thames Street -- the Red Parrot Jug Handle -- to Fort Adams State Park every 20 minutes for those visiting ships, the Fort Adams Tall Ships Fair, and to view crew and cadet sports activities from this scenic harbor vista.

There is also a harbor shuttle connecting the downtown and Fort Adams locations via Perrotti Park. Perrotti Park is one block south of the Gateway Center, overlooking the harbor.

Handicapped accessible shuttle buses will be available from all three Tall Ships parking lots. Handicapped accessible parking spaces are also available at the Gateway Center and Fort Adams. Tall Ships organizers recommend people needing handicapped accessibility and who plan to visit Fort Adams drive directly to Fort Adams and park there.

The Tall Ship Friendship is the only one with handicapped accessibility and is berthed at Fort Adams.

Visitors who want to view the Tall Ships berthed along America’s Cup Avenue may find convenient parking at the Gateway Center and use a handicapped-accessible shuttle service, which will run along America’s Cup between Gateway Center and the Post Office -- the corner of America’s Cup and Memorial Boulevard.

-- Traveling by water? The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority -- RIPTA -- has a Providence to Newport ferry boat. It has stops at Conley's Wharf -- Providence Piers located at 180 Allens Ave. -- and Newport's Perrotti Park. Reservations are recommended. Call (401) 453-6800 or reserve seats at www.nefastferry.com.

And there's a Jamestown to Newport ferry, which makes stops at Jamestown, Rose Island, Fort Adams, Bowen's Landing and Perotti Park. Two boats will run during the Tall Ships period due to more visitors. Go to www.conanicutmarina.com. Parking is available to customers, which is part of the ticket price.

-- Traveling by bus? Rhode Island Public Transit Authority runs from Kennedy Plaza in downtown Providence to various routes. Check out RIPTA information by clicking here.

There's also a Peter Pan Bonanza bus terminal in Providence

By train, there's the Amtrak Kingston Station off Route 138 in West Kingston, which is 18 miles -- about 30 minutes -- from Newport. And there's the Amtrak Providence Station in Providence, which is 34 miles, or 45 minutes, from Newport.

There are also car rental agencies in the region.