South Street Seaport Museum
South Street Seaport Museum
3.8
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The South Street Seaport Museum preserves and interprets the origins and growth of New York City as a world port, a place where goods, labor, and cultures are exchanged through work, commerce, and the interaction of diverse communities.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Downtown Manhattan (Downtown)
A captivating blend of old and new, Downtown Manhattan offers a unique view into the past, present, and future of New York City. Iconic landmarks like the historic Wall Street, the poignant 9/11 Memorial, and the awe-inspiring One World Trade Center punctuate the skyline, while the lush greenery of Battery Park provides a tranquil respite from the urban landscape. For foodies, the neighborhood is a culinary wonderland, featuring everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to diverse food markets such as the famed Eataly. Art lovers will find themselves drawn to the stunning exhibitions at the Whitney Museum of American Art or captivated by the street performances in Washington Square Park. With several subway lines crisscrossing the area, exploring the rest of the city is just a train ride away.
How to get there
- Fulton St • 5 min walk
- Wall St • 6 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
8,794 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,802 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.8
92 reviews
Excellent
34
Very good
27
Average
16
Poor
9
Terrible
6
P F B
Edison, NJ1,623 contributions
Jan 2020
I had expected more. For the price of admission, you can visit four locations associated with the museum. that includes the Browne I Company Printing Office, a visit to thee Wavertree ship,and a cruise on a tugboat. Unfortunately, the tug boat is not operating for the season. The museum and printing office were OK, but not much to see, although they do provide a brief history of the area. A visit to the Wavertree was also OK. Overalll - disappointing.
Written January 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ash H
Poughkeepsie, NY1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Family
My family and I had a lovely time at the museum. The boats were amazing and the staff was friendly and knowledgeable about boats and beyond! I’m taking away stars because during one point in our visit we were asking the front desk some questions and a coworker (Lamila? Lamia?) constantly interrupted her. Poor girl couldn’t get a word in. Other than that it was a great time and I would recommend!
Written June 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine C
San Francisco, California, United States197 contributions
Mar 2013 • Friends
Great welcome from the young lady on the reception desk, unfortunately "The Bodies Exhibition" is closed due to hurricane Sandy....along with many merchants in this area...However, the small museum is worth a visit, especially not to be missed the Timescapes 22 minute History of New York movie and the Folk Art exhibit. Continue walking Fulton Street passing a variety of small shops all the way to Ground Zero and St Paul's Chapel.
Written March 29, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg Harris
Bronx, NY2,148 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
The South Street Seaport Museum is an amazing cultural institution, and an absolute “must visit” attraction of Manhattan, New York.
Located in Manhattan’s South Street Historic District, the museum was founded in 1967, and does a wonderful job on preserving and showcasing the history of New York as a major world port city. It contains an impressive collection of artwork, artifacts, galleries, and a fleet of historic ships.
In August of 2024, I brought and treated my wife and myself for a visit of the South Street Seaport Museum and we both thoroughly enjoyed our time there!!!
During our tour, we learned that the South Street Seaport played an integral role on New York’s maritime activities in the 18th and 19th centuries by serving as bustling hub and trading port, and connecting New York to the global market. The museum’s numerous exhibits feature images of sailers docking their ships at the South Street seaport, unloading their cargo and trading with local businessmen and merchants. The prolific amount of trade that trade that occurred at the South Street seaport would undoubtedly transform New York to a major commercial and maritime center, and contribute to its economic development.
In addition to the exhibits, my wife and I also had the pleasure of seeing and visiting the museum’s historic vessels. We had fun exploring the “Wavetree” an iron-hulled three-masted full-rigged cargo ship that was built in England in 1885, and had successfully sailed around the globe at least three times. When visiting the Wavetree, we were able to view and takes pictures of the ship’s numerous sections ranging from the quarterdeck (where the ship’s steering wheel is located), the saloon (which likely served as the captain’s living room), and the ship’s vast cargo hold.
The highlight of our visit to the South Street Museum was our guided tour and ride on the Tugboat W.O. Decker. This ship dates back to 1930 and is considered to be New York’s last surviving wooden tugboat. Both my wife and I found this ride to be quite exhilarating because we loved the boat’s rapid sail on New York Harbor, and enjoyed the spectacular views of New York’s major attractions ranging from the One World Trade Center, the Statue Of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Brooklyn Bridge. The ship’s crew also did a great job on briefly discussing the history of the Tugboat W.O. Decker, other historic vessels, and the rich and storied legacy of the New York’s maritime heritage.
Both my wife and I would love to thank the South Street Seaport Museum for providing us with a very delightful and educational experience, and highly recommended for everyone to visit and explore this outstanding institution!!!
Located in Manhattan’s South Street Historic District, the museum was founded in 1967, and does a wonderful job on preserving and showcasing the history of New York as a major world port city. It contains an impressive collection of artwork, artifacts, galleries, and a fleet of historic ships.
In August of 2024, I brought and treated my wife and myself for a visit of the South Street Seaport Museum and we both thoroughly enjoyed our time there!!!
During our tour, we learned that the South Street Seaport played an integral role on New York’s maritime activities in the 18th and 19th centuries by serving as bustling hub and trading port, and connecting New York to the global market. The museum’s numerous exhibits feature images of sailers docking their ships at the South Street seaport, unloading their cargo and trading with local businessmen and merchants. The prolific amount of trade that trade that occurred at the South Street seaport would undoubtedly transform New York to a major commercial and maritime center, and contribute to its economic development.
In addition to the exhibits, my wife and I also had the pleasure of seeing and visiting the museum’s historic vessels. We had fun exploring the “Wavetree” an iron-hulled three-masted full-rigged cargo ship that was built in England in 1885, and had successfully sailed around the globe at least three times. When visiting the Wavetree, we were able to view and takes pictures of the ship’s numerous sections ranging from the quarterdeck (where the ship’s steering wheel is located), the saloon (which likely served as the captain’s living room), and the ship’s vast cargo hold.
The highlight of our visit to the South Street Museum was our guided tour and ride on the Tugboat W.O. Decker. This ship dates back to 1930 and is considered to be New York’s last surviving wooden tugboat. Both my wife and I found this ride to be quite exhilarating because we loved the boat’s rapid sail on New York Harbor, and enjoyed the spectacular views of New York’s major attractions ranging from the One World Trade Center, the Statue Of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Brooklyn Bridge. The ship’s crew also did a great job on briefly discussing the history of the Tugboat W.O. Decker, other historic vessels, and the rich and storied legacy of the New York’s maritime heritage.
Both my wife and I would love to thank the South Street Seaport Museum for providing us with a very delightful and educational experience, and highly recommended for everyone to visit and explore this outstanding institution!!!
Written August 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deanna C
5 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
This museum is pure trash. Went there on a Friday. They opened at 11 and by 1215. Nothing was running. They have a joke of an exhibit that’s about 3 feet wide inside a building. Then the two boats that you should be able to tour yourself stay permanently closed while seven coworkers just talk to themselves at the entrance. They keep saying they’ll be open in 10 minutes yet here I am an hour and 15 minutes later and it’s still closed.
Written August 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maura M
Abington, PA13 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
Underwhelming and not worth the “donation” of $18/adult. The museum is a room with a couple of photos and a a video about NyC around 1900. The only reason for 2 stars is the tour of the schooner. Buyer be ware, you don’t know that the larger museum space closed 10 years ago until you are inside. Given the rich history of this area as the largest seaport for most of US history, this museum could really be so much more, like other maritime museums. But it is in a word: lame. The surrounding area is definitely worth exploring—and a great little bookstore is nearby.
Written March 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stepknees
Bellevue, WA708 contributions
Jul 2022
We didn't do any of the other museum bits, but we went out on the 2-hour afternoon sail on the Schooner Pioneer and it was fabulous. It was a hot July day and the breeze on the water felt great (although the sun was still very hot if you weren't in the shade of the sails). The crew works hard to manage the boat in the busy harbor so there's not a lot of 'tour guide narration'-- just a chill and beautiful sail (although they will answer questions, and also look for volunteers to help raise the sails). Bring snacks, water, sunscreen, and enjoy.
Written July 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrooklynGuy13
Brooklyn, NY121 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
This is a FANTASTIC two-hour sail from South Street Seaport around New York Harbor. You have beautiful views of lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Statue of Liberty, Governor's Island and Ellis Island. The sunset cruise from 7-9 pm is particularly excellent. You can also join the crew in hoisting the sails. The 1885 schooner PIONEER is an authentic 19th Century schooner, with public sails daily from May through October. This is one of the best and most low-key, special sailing options from the Seaport, or anywhere, in New York City. You are allowed to pack a lunch or snack and come on board. Restroom facilities are extremely modest--remember, it's an old ship. It was such a great sail, I even considered volunteering on the crew on a regular basis! The crew consists of New Yorkers (and professional sailors) who volunteer regularly to crew the vessel. This is a VERY special New York attraction! It is not a party boat--no music blasting, no heavy drinking. Go elsewhere for those attractions. Great for families, couples, good friends. I loved watching teens pretend they weren't smiling when they got the chance to hoist the sails! One of them even stopped texting for almost the whole two hours. Every New Yorker should have this unique sailing experience. You appreciate the city all over again.
Written June 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Giulia C
New York City, NY74 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
I'm almost reluctant to post the iPhone photos from last night's sail. Schooner Pioneer is the best kept secret at the South Street Seaport. For a very modest $32 per, one can sail for two hours in New York Harbor on a historic vessel with a small group of other fortunates. No concession stand, no annoying tour-speak, no music, just cool breezes in July, amazing views, and an engaging and happy crew who are happy to tell you about the boat and harbor. You can help to set the sail, or watch others heave on the ropes while you enjoy the picnic you brought along, you clever insider, you.
Written July 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
misopiso88
Seattle, WA24,069 contributions
Nov 2019
South Street Seaport has become a very cool part of NYC and the museum is worth checking out if you are nearby. Lots of history!
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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