Best Kept Secrets of the South Street Seaport Museum

Relive Downtown Manhattan's maritime history at the South Street Seaport Museum on the waterfront, where you can board a historic ship, go for a sail, check out exhibits, join family programs, and stroll this historic NYC district.

Just a few steps from the city’s financial bastion is the site of the original port of New York City, and what is now the South Street Seaport Historic District. In the glory days of New York‘s maritime trade industry, this district in downtown Manhattan was lined with cobblestoned streets flanking merchant posts, trade shops, and housing for seafaring citizens from all walks of life. The piers jutting out from the waterfront served as the daily port of entry for goods from all over the world.

The South Street Seaport Museum was founded in 1967 on the outer edges of the downtown waterfront. The museum is spread throughout the historic neighborhood, encompassing a working 19th-century print shop, archeology museum, maritime library, craft center, marine life conservation lab, 30,000 square feet of galleries, and the largest privately owned fleet of historic ships in the country. The neighborhood also includes a section of nearby Fulton Street, which is preserved as cobblestone and lined with shops, bars, and restaurants. A slew of newly renovated outdoor public spaces surround the complex, inviting tourists and New Yorkers alike to grab a comfy seat by the harbor and watch sightseeing helicopters whirring above the water.

Standby Faves for Kids

A walk down the wooden-decked Pier 16 offers a feast for the eyes. Enjoy an unrivaled view of the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge while making your way down the historic “street of ships.” During the spring and summer, families can step aboard the 1907 Lightship Ambrose—which acted as a floating lighthouse for ships seeking safe passage into the Port of New York and New Jersey. Explore the vessel’s decks and galleys, complete with a working “radio shack.” Download the MustSee app—available on the museum’s website—for a self-guided tour of the ship.

Stroll along nearby Schermerhorn Row, comprised of a line of 19th-century buildings used as storefronts, hotels, and boarding houses back when the seaport needed to accommodate the constant bustle of commercial activity. Check out the Visitor Service Center at Schermerhorn, where kids can enjoy rotating displays and exhibits in the lobby. An installation currently in the works will present a series of displays about the history of the South Street Seaport District, ranging from the Fulton Fish Market to transatlantic steamship travel.

The museum offers numerous workshops and family programming. Visit Bowne Printers on Water Street for a hands-on exploration of the history of the printing press. Each child gets a printed souvenir and a chance to use one of the iconic presses in the shop. Sign up in advance for the 60-minute workshop (great for ages 12 and older).

Best Kept Secrets

You don’t have to go further than the entrance to the museum to get a sense of the rich history of the area. In 1913, the year after the Titanic’s ill-fated journey across the Atlantic, the Seamen’s Benefit Society decided to erect a memorial to the victims of the shocking tragedy. The Titanic Memorial lighthouse was raised to shine over the port where the doomed ship was intended to arrive. Stop by this landmark, located on the corner of Fulton and Pearl streets, for a quick photo-op before exploring the rest of the museum’s attractions.  

Don’t miss the Maritime Crafts Center on Pier 15, a must-see for budding carpenters and young woodwork enthusiasts. Watch craftspeople demonstrating traditional seafaring skills such as woodcarving and model making.