Based in Lower Manhattan, the South Street Seaport is one of New York City’s oldest districts that is now a historic hotspot. Neighboring the East River and the Financial District, the Seaport (which it’s also now being called) contains trendy shops and restaurants amid cobblestone streets and restored maritime buildings. Here is a guide to South Street Seaport.
History Of South Street Seaport
Once a Native American trading area and then an outpost for the Dutch West India Company in the 17th century, the South Street Seaport grew over the next two centuries into a major commercial hub for shipping and fishmongering. The Fulton Fish Market, a major seafood provider, started at the Seaport in 1822 and operated there until moving to Hunt’s Point in The Bronx in 2005.
Yet right before the 1900s, the South Street Seaport’s peak started to decline. Its port could not accommodate newer built ships, and its resources were drying up. By the 1930s, ships no longer docked here and instead went to the West Side of Manhattan and Hoboken.
However, the Seaport would see new life in the later part of the 20th century. Efforts for the area’s preservation were significant with the saving of “Schermerhorn Row,” a block of Federal-style merchant homes, from demolition in the sixties. Efforts continued with the Seaport’s redevelopment in the eighties and later on its recovery after superstorm Sandy in 2012. Every holiday season, the Seaport Holiday Tree is lit for its annual display.
South Street Seaport Museum
Founded in 1967, the South Street Seaport Museum is the first tourist attraction in this area. It preserves and tells of this area’s time as a major world port. The museum has a vast collection of art, artifacts, and historical documents chronologizing NYC’s rise and role as a port city.
Bowne & Co. is a letter print shop that is New York’s oldest operating business under the same name; it dates back to 1775. In partnership with the South Street Seaport Museum, the business runs a gift shop at the Seaport, at 211 Water St., where you can see their letterpress collection and purchase notecards, posters, and other items. You can also visit their online store.
The Museum also has a fleet of historic ships that the public can visit; some go out on the water. Among them, the 1908 Lightship Ambrose is open for guided tours of its decks; advanced registration is required. Pier 16 is where these decommissioned ships are stationed; it is also where to find great views of the harbor and the Brooklyn Bridge.
Titanic Memorial Lighthouse
Outside the South Street Seaport Museum, the Titanic Memorial Lighthouse was built in memory of those who perished in the sinking of this famous ship on April 12, 1912. Built with donations, the light was mounted just over a year later on the roof of the Seamen’s Church Institute on South Street (now Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza.). In the late sixties, the lighthouse was donated to the museum and moved to its current location in 1976.
Exterior of Tin Building by Jean-Georges
Tin Building By Jean-Georges
Opened in August 2022, this culinary epicenter is located in a historic building that was once used by the Fulton Fish Market. Tin Building By Jean-Georges is a 53,000-square-foot, two-level culinary destination named after French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Vongerichten has a personal connection with the area, too. He visited the Fulton Fish Market here in 1986.
Made in partnership with The Howard Hughes Corporation, which has brought much of the South Street Seaport back to life, Tin Building By Jean-Georges holds six restaurants, grocery markets, quick service counters, and four bars. Dining choices include The Frenchman’s Dough, an Italian restaurant with a twist; Shikku, a countertop sushi and saki offering; and Fulton Fish Co., a countertop seafood section.
Pier 17
Pier 17 on South Street is a longtime link to the Seaport, originally as a shipping and maritime gateway; In the present day, it’s become a mixed-use space. Ox.17 Gallery is a community-focused NFT gallery that presents digital works of art. This webpage lists current exhibits and events.
Dining al fresco is in its prime at Pier 17, with a good number of places to eat. Mister Dips is known for their griddle burgers and loaded waffle fries amid its playful decor setting. Carne Mare is an Italian chophouse by Chef Andrew Carmellini, while The Fulton is Vongerichten’s first seafood restaurant. During the summertime, the Rooftop at Pier 17 hosts a Summer Concert Series and has The Greens, a year-round restaurant that embraces the seasons and offers indoor and outdoor dining, with the latter being schedule permitting. During winter, an ice rink is operated between Pier 16 and Pier 17.
Fulton Stall Market
Fulton Stall Market brings local farmers and food producers to this South Street location within the Seaport District. Here, purchase everything from breads and baked goods to produce to spices.
Manhattan By Sail
Other sailings are offered at the Seaport, especially with Manhattan by Sail. This company’s staff conducts day and evening and special themed harbor cruises on board two historic ships, Shearwater and Clipper City.
Places To Shop
Along with Bowne & Co., there are other places within the Seaport to shop. McNally Jackson Books has a location along Fulton Street within the famous Schermerhorn Row building. Amid browsing through their bookstands, spend time within their café setting. Its Fulton Street neighbor, Funny Face Bakery, adorns famous faces and amusing images on their delicious cookies. Boutiques at the Seaport include Club Vintage, a vintage shop on Front Street, Scotch & Soda, an Amsterdam-based clothing company on Fulton Street, and The Canvas, with retail brands aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, on South Street.
How To Get Here
There are many subways stops close to the Seaport. The A, C, J, Z, 2, 3, 4, and 5 trains all stop at Fulton Street. The Seaport is just a few blocks east, towards the East River. The E train stops at Chambers Street-World Trade Center, with the Seaport being a 10-minute walk from the station. Another option is to get there by NYC Ferry. It stops at Pier 11/Wall Street, and then walk north along the waterfront until you reach the Seaport. Various MTA buses stop near the Seaport as well.
For staying in this area, Mr. C Seaport is the Peck Slip location for the Mr. C Hotels brand belonging to the Cipriani family. This boutique luxury hotel has 66 guestrooms, a fitness center, and an Italian restaurant called Bellini and bar.
