South Street Seaport Museum image

South Street Seaport Museum

Tourist attraction Historical landmark Event venue Cultural center History museum Education center Historical place museum Maritime museum

One of the Most Reviewed Education centers in New York


Address

12 Fulton St, New York, NY 10038

Website

seaportmuseum.org

Contact

(212) 748-8600

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (423 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 11 AM to 5 PM
  • Thursday: 11 AM to 5 PM
  • Friday: 11 AM to 5 PM
  • Saturday: 11 AM to 5 PM
  • Sunday: 11 AM to 5 PM
  • Monday: Closed

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: museum (13) ships (10) ship (10) Wavertree (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 T A. 3 years ago on Google • 505 reviews
    Love this place! Usually has a nice crowd of people, but because of COVID it was almost empty. But still a nice place to come for leisure, admire the two old ships that are docked here. They have two nearby restaurants where you can sit and eat outside. But this place is a very historic part of New York City. You should definitely stop here when you are in New York City.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Rachel S. 2 years ago on Google • 419 reviews
    While the South Street Seaport Museum is very small inside and everything can be read in 30 minutes (which I did,) the standout of the museum are the two ships that you can take guided tours on for free. The whole museum was free on the day that I visited. My husband and I went on 2/19/2022 and toured both the Wavertree and the Ambrose Guide Ships. Both ships are very different and if you could only tour one ship, go with the Wavertree. The Ambrose is a tour of a guide ship, which is a ship that acts sort of like a lighthouse to guide ship's past low or rocky spots and into NY harbor. Before seeing the Statue of Liberty, people coming to the US would have first seen the lights of the Ambrose. The Wavertree is a large metal cargo ships but with traditional sails as that we associate with pirate ships and Peter Pan. The hull is overwhelmingly large once you get in and many people were saying "wow!" once we climbed stairs down into the bottom of the ship. This is a free museum but it's not appropriate for small children as it's exclusively reading based inside and the ships are not accessible for strollers or wheelchairs, and are generally not safe for kids who run around and climb on things.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alexandros P. 5 years ago on Google • 199 reviews
    Nice little museum, perfectly located at this old neighborhood, that keeps the history of the original port of the city of alive. The boat is included in the ticket price and is a must see. People on board will gladly answer any questions and will give you a small tour. Great experience if you have never been on this kind of boats before. The rest of the museum will give you an idea of the immigrant experience when they were arriving in the city, but it's better if you visit Ellis Island, so that you get the whole picture.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Nick F. 2 years ago on Google • 1262 reviews
    This free museum in Seaport is not too large. They said that flooding had ruined much of the walkable space and that repair efforts were underway. From what they had available, it was neat. There's a boat tour at the docks that they suggest visiting.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anna J. 6 years ago on Google • 361 reviews
    This attraction was included in the NYC pass so I didn't want to miss it. Small museum but people still can get a bit of the past (mass immigration) After you can visit the Liverpool ship where a lovely guy was explaining the history of the ship. He was very passionate about it so it was great to listen to him. The volunteers truly love here what they do.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amy B. 1 year ago on Google • 27 reviews
    Took 6yo to tour the tall ship Wavertree. A step back in time. So impressive to see the scale of ropes and masts up close. Free! Knowledgeable docents. A great interactive, educational activity while downtown/seaport area.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Confesiones de un V. 6 months ago on Google • 344 reviews
    Boring museum in the lower part of Manhattan, in the financial district of New York. Located in the dock area, which is really beautiful, the museum is focused on the world of navigation and includes a visit to several ships that are docked at the dock. Reading other reviews, it seems like they are fake or bought because it is honestly the worst thing I have seen in the city. Boring, poorly presented, not very educational, lazy workers... Each space has its style and direction but after passing through places like the USS Intrepid and with all the plans that the Big Apple houses, it seems like a bad joke to waste your time in this space as long as you are not a fan of the sea and sailing. Included in the Sightseeing Pass is, without a doubt, one of the most expendable activities offered by the card.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 James M. 1 year ago on Google • 177 reviews
    A delightful, free, experience. Short and informative. The visit around the ship is included and that makes it worthwhile. The exhibition is limited but I learned a fair bit. There was a small tribute to Eric Carle in an annexe. The ship has good information panels and it is fun to walk around below decks and above.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Barbara P. 4 years ago on Google
    Boat tours were awesome. NYC history.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 julia c. 1 year ago on Google • 513 reviews
    HERMOSO LUGAR HISTÓRICO CULTURAL, THANK U JAY 4 THIS TOUR VERY GOOD NICE PERSONAL 👌 GOOD WORKERS.

  • 4/5 Kinder D. 4 years ago on Google
    Great atmosphere. Place was good.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Joseph B. 2 years ago on Google
    The museum is very informative. The ships are the main start of the port. The ride on the WO Decker is well worth the money.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Dexter Rex S. 7 years ago on Google
    Nice to go here at night. Staten island ferry and the subway station are just short walks away. Small museum. They don't allow tripods for your cameras though. View of Wall Street side at night can be awesome.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ale S. 7 months ago on Google • 73 reviews
    Good place

  • 5/5 Greta H. 6 years ago on Google • 62 reviews
    We visited here today and enjoyed the current exhibit, Millions: Migrants and Millionaires aboard the Great Liners, 1900 - 1914. This exhibit familiarizes us with passenger life aboard the liners, and the differences in travel between wealthy Americans in first class and immigrants traveling in 3rd class.

  • 5/5 claudia maria c. 7 months ago on Google • 35 reviews
    Wonderful place

  • 5/5 Eli A. 1 year ago on Google • 32 reviews
    Chris fantastic presentation. We loved it. The west Africans have loved it.

  • 5/5 Marcio F. 7 months ago on Google • 11 reviews
    Amazing place, Fantastic.

  • 5/5 Lindsay C. 9 months ago on Google
    Loved touring the long ship Wavertree and the smaller Ambose. Got great pics and learned a bunch. A memorable and enjoyable experience with a dose of history and nostalgia. Glad we took the time to do this short excursion.

  • 1/5 Leonid K. 9 months ago on Google
    Don't believe them. There on their website they tell you the Seaport Museum is open and the Lightship Ambrose is also available BUT actually they are closed. The Wavertree Ship is ONLY available. That's it.

  • 5/5 Richard G. 2 years ago on Google
    Many interesting things to see including tours of two historic ships.

  • 5/5 Yooseon K. 1 year ago on Google
    Tours are available at Pier 15

  • 1/5 Graham H. 2 years ago on Google
    Arrived yesterday on advice in Google and NYC.com that it was opened but it was CLOSED. Not even the Southport area Admin office knew it was closed. No notices on its entry doors to state it would be closed. A shocking and disappointing lack of respect of the area and potential customers. Won't be bothering again

  • 4/5 Arun W. 4 years ago on Google
    You can a couple of small ships as part of this museum.. Friendly staff

  • 5/5 Millee N. 2 years ago on Google
    You must go! It offers great information and history.

  • 5/5 Samuel M. 2 years ago on Google
    Had an amazing afternoon exploring the seaport.

  • 5/5 Eric 2 years ago on Google
    Wonderful unique museum in the city.

  • 5/5 Sarmento 7 months ago on Google • 1 review
    Great place


Call (212) 748-8600 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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