The South Street Seaport is one of New York City's most historic neighborhoods.
If you are like me and enjoy charming 19th-century architecture, cultural activities and nice dining options with views of the water, a visit to the South Street Seaport is worthy of your time.
My mother lived across the street from the South Street Seaport for decades so I've spent a lot of time there. The small, cobblestone-paved streets in a pedestrian zone are lovely to stroll along.
Along the waterfront, paved paths and manicured lawns are a perfect spot to sit down, relax and admire the exquisite Brooklyn Bridge nearby.
You've probably guessed by now that I'm a fan of the Seaport, but I wanted you to see what others think of the area.
So I reviewed comments from some of the more than 250,000 members of our NYC Travel Tips Facebook group. You can see what they had to say at the bottom of the post.
Our group consists of locals, regular visitors to NYC, and those just getting to know the city. There's no need to join to read the recommendations.
So take a look at our group for more ideas or ask a question yourself!
BRIEF HISTORY
The lands around the Seaport were once a Native American trading area, before the arrival of Dutch settlers in the 1600s.
The colony of New Amsterdam was established in 1624, and in 1625, the first pier in this area was built by the Dutch West India Company to transport goods from the colonies back to the Netherlands.
In 1664, the British ousted the Dutch and rechristened the land as The City of New York.
The seaport area continued to grow to meet the needs of vessels shipping goods from the colony to England.
After the Revolutionary War, the new Americans opened the now historic Fulton Fish Market in 1822, which quickly became the largest seafood provider for the East Coast.
The Fulton Fish Market moved to the Bronx in 2005 and the development of the Seaport district as an entertainment and cultural hub has been an ongoing labor of love.
New Yorkers and tourists alike are delighted with the offerings the Seaport brings to the city.
HOW TO GET HERE
The Seaport is located in Lower Manhattan, near the Financial District.
There are several easy ways to make it to the district, including public transportation and tours.
By Subway and Bus
- Subway: Take the A, C, 2, 3, J, Z, 4, or 5 train to Fulton Street.
- Bus: Take the M-15 SBS or M-15 to Fulton Street.
By Ferry
The NYC Ferry, Water Taxi, and New York Waterway provide service to Pier 11 from Brooklyn, Queens, and New Jersey.
Read about these services from our post on all the NYC ferries.
By Car
Parking in the area is limited. A parking lot is located at Front and John Streets, just one block from the museum. Another lot is available at 294 Pearl Street.
Free Shuttle Bus
If you are already in the Downtown area there is a free Downtown shuttle bus provided by the Downtown Alliance.
TIP: Many hop-on-hop-off bus tours have routes that include Lower Manhattan.
TOP THINGS TO DO
The South Street Seaport is filled with historic two-story buildings and cobblestone streets are filled with great shopping, restaurants, and a museum.
One of the best things about the Seaport is the amazing views of the New York Harbor.
I go into more detail about these activities below.
TIP: The entrance to the walkway of the Brooklyn Bridge is about a 15-minute walk from the Seaport so you may want to combine a visit to the area with a walk over Brooklyn Bridge.
Our Lower Manhattan and Across the Brooklyn Bridge walking tours take place nearby so consider joining us before or after your visit to the South Street Seaport!
1. Take In Sweeping Views at Pier 15
Pier 15, a two-level esplanade with green space and benches, offers a free place to relax and enjoy amazing views of the East River, Brooklyn Heights, and the Brooklyn Bridge.
You can also see Brooklyn Bridge Park in DUMBO, the Manhattan Bridge, the Williamsburg Bridge, and even an internal look at the wonderful Lower Manhattan skyline.
I like to come here with friends, grab a seat on a bench and sip coffee as we catch up on life.
Find out more free locations to catch beautiful skyline views of NYC.
2. Visit the South Street Seaport Museum
This somewhat small museum includes its main building at 12 Fulton Street and other historic sights in the nearby streets and on the river.
Inside the museum, you can see cool artifacts and ongoing exhibitions that include themes like South Street and The Rise of New York, and Street of Ships: The Port and Its People.
The best part of the museum is its fleet of ships docked on the East River at nearby Pier 16.
As a history buff and a native New Yorker, I enjoy places in the city where I can imagine what life was like when the only way to travel was by boat.
This is why I like the majestic Wavertree, a tall ship, and the schooner Pioneer, both from 1885.
You can also see the 1908 Lightship Ambrose and the 1932 tugboat W.O. Decker.
What's really neat is that free tours of the Wavertree and the Ambrose are included in your ticket. You'll need to reserve the free guided tour of the Ambrose. Reserve here.
What is even better is the museum's generous Pay What You Wish ticket policy during all regular open hours which are Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Here's how it works:
For free admission, check in at the museum.
If you want to book online in advance, you can choose how much you want to pay. You must pay a minimum of $1 per person. What a bargain for families!
When booking online, you will also have the option to pay full price ($18/adults, $15/seniors and students, $5/children).
You also have the option to pay half-price for adults, seniors and students. Children are still $5.
So why would anyone pay full or half price if you can go for free or pay just a buck? Profits from paid tickets help the museum stay afloat (pun intended!)
The options are there for you to choose what is right for you.
You might be surprised to learn that there are a lot more museums in New York City with free entry or pay-what-you-like days or hours.
Read our post on free museums and attractions and take advantage of this budget-friendly opportunity!
3. Shop Small Boutiques
There are some lovely unique boutiques in the Seaport area, including clothing stores like Scotch & Soda, Club Vintage, and The Canvas.
They fill the storefronts along historic Schermerhorn Row with cobblestone streets.
There's even a clothing shop owned by Sarah Jessica Parker (Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City).
My favorite shop is McNally Jackson, an independent bookseller with a cafe.
4. Pier 17
Pier 17 is a hub for dining and entertainment. Four of its five floors are dedicated to restaurants and shops.
On the 5th floor is an outdoor concert venue, The Rooftop at Pier 17, which hosts bands from current-day pop bands to the best bands from the 80s and 90s.
From a distance, Pier 17 is a magical sight in Lower Manhattan. The building’s light band is lit up colorfully at night.
It can be seen well from key vantage points like the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and the DUMBO waterfront as well as cruises on the water.
On the northern side of Pier 17 is the Riverdeck, where you can sit and admire the views of the East River and the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges.
In the summer, free movies are shown at Pier 17. Space is limited and you must reserve in advance.
Seeing free outdoor movies is one of my favorite activities. Our New York City Summer Guide lists all the places to catch free flicks!
In the winter on the rooftop, there is usually a winter holiday market along with an ice skating rink that comes close in size to the Rockefeller Center skating rink.
5. The Tin Building
This historic building at the base of Pier 17 was once part of the historic Fulton Fish Market, which opened in 1822.
Now the Tin Building is occupied by a 53,000-square-foot food hall created by award-winning chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
The Tin Building is part marketplace, part retail, and a big part food heaven.
There are restaurants and food vendors of a variety of cuisines. From breakfast to dinner, there's something here for all palates!
TIP: This is where I get my coffee and a pastry when I meet friends to sit on Pier 15 (#1 above). Go to TCafe -- it's so good.
6. Enjoy a movie with a meal
At the IPIC Fulton Market full restaurant-and-movie theater, you can watch a movie while dining on a meal delivered right to your seat!
IPIC shows a range of movies from blockbusters to classics.
The menu includes burgers, pizzas, shareable snacks, main courses, and desserts.
A separate cocktail bar serves beer, wine, and craft cocktails.
7. Enjoy The Arts
From light installations to street art and murals, there is always an art display from different mediums.
It should be easy to spot the unique art exhibits in the district. Look at the roster to see what's on.
TIP: There's a lot of street art in the so if you are a fan like I am, see our post on Street Art in Manhattan which takes you straight to the good stuff!
8. Dine Out
There are many good restaurants in the Seaport area for all budgets.
Several are located on Pier 17 and others on nearby streets. Some even have incredible views as well!
Here's a short list:
- Carne Mare (Italian chophouse)
- Fresh Salt (American)
- The Paris Cafe (Pub and cafe fare. The cafe dates back to 1873!)
- Mister Dips (Griddle burgers)
- Di Fara Pizza (one of NYC’s best pizzas)
- The Fulton (upscale seafood restaurant)
TIP: Some of the restaurants at the Seaport participate in Restaurant Week.
Restaurant Week is a bi-annual event when more than 300 of New York City's best restaurants offer a prix-fixe menu at a low price, relative to their regular prices.
This is how I've been able to enjoy fine dining without breaking the bank! I even ate at a Seaport restaurant for a fraction of its regular prices.
9. Take a Walking Tour
South Street Seaport is perfectly located to join two of our tours starting in Lower Manhattan.
You can combine a visit to the Seaport before or after one of these two tours.
- Lower Manhattan: Wall Street & 9/11 Memorial
- Across the Brooklyn Bridge Tour to DUMBO (with East River Ferry tickets)
10. Fulton Stall Market
The Fulton Stall Market allows upstate farmers to bring farm-fresh produce to the neighborhood.
It's open year-round with indoor vendors in the cold months and additional outdoor stalls in the summer.
You can shop for artisanal groceries and freshly prepared foods. Grab some to go and have a picnic on the Pier 15 Esplanade!
The vendors vary week to week, but some you will see all year long like Orwashers Bakery, a famous artisanal bakery with an original location on the Upper East Side.
The selection of condiments at the market is especially good!
- Hours:
- Indoor Market Hours: Monday - Saturday 11:30 am to 5:00 am, year-round
- Outdoor Market: Saturday 11:30 am to 5:00 pm Fulton St. at South St., May through Thanksgiving.
- Location:
- 91 South Street between Fulton & John Sts.
FERRIES AND NYC CRUISES
The piers along South Street Seaport are the departure point for ferries and NYC cruises. Pier 11 is the hub for multiple ferries.
The NYC Ferry, New York Water Taxi, and New York Waterway lines provide service between Pier 11 and Brooklyn, Queens, and New Jersey.
Read about these services from our post on all the NYC ferries.
Pier 16 is the departure point The Circle Line cruises and from Pier 17, you can take a voyage on an old-fashioned tall ship, the City Clipper.
Check out our post, Which New York Boat Tour or Cruise is Best, for information on what cruises are available as well as prices, deals, and schedules.
TIP: Save some money and walk down to the Staten Island Ferry for a free ride that takes you past the Statue of Liberty and offers great skyline views of Manhattan and beyond!
TIPS FROM LOCALS AND TRAVELERS
Here are some opinions about the South Street Seaport from members of our New York City Travel Tips group on Facebook.
If you are looking for more thoughts about the Seaport or any other NYC topic from locals and tourists, check out our Facebook group!
As for the Seaport, it was overwhelmingly recommended. We could not find one negative comment!
Here are some of the things group members liked about it.
Not only is the food good but there are great views and interesting things to do there.
Also, it’s fine to visit year-round, even in the colder months as there are a lot of places to eat indoors.
Lastly, a few people recommend staying in the area.
See our post, Things To Do in Lower Manhattan, for affordable hotels in the area.
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