Now On View
Maritime City
Explore the Seaport Museum’s three-floor exhibition Maritime City, which highlights how New York City, as we know it today, arose from the sea.
Throughout the extensive exhibition, 540 deliberately-selected objects from the collections and archives of the Museum are on view to underscore how the city’s identity as a global capital of culture and finance is rooted in its origins as a seaport.
As you walk through the exhibition you will discover how the waterways, people, and industries of the Greater New York area led to the creation of a truly diverse city.
Shop at
Bowne & Co.
Wednesday–Sunday
Bowne & Co. weaves together New York’s rich maritime and printing legacy through two distinctive experiences: the Printing Office and Bowne & Co. Stationers. The Printing Office is a workspace that continues the age-old tradition of job (or small-batch) printing using historic presses from the Seaport Museum’s working collection. Next door, Bowne & Co. Stationers is a 19th century-inspired gift emporium selling a carefully curated selection of unique wares.
Stop by Bowne & Co. Stationers to browse house-designed and letterpress-printed paper goods, along with charming books, candles, stationery, home decor, and delightful oddities.
You can also ask our friendly staff about ordering your own custom letterpress printing and joining in seasonal and monthly activities, workshops, and open houses!
Sail New York Harbor
The 2026 Schooner Pioneer Season is Now Posted!
Get your ticket today to sail aboard the one-of-a-kind National Register-listed schooner! Perfect for history buffs, maritime and sailing enthusiasts, romantics, or anyone who loves the water, a sail on the 1885 schooner Pioneer is an unforgettable way to experience New York City. You have the option to help the crew raise the sails or simply sit back and relax on deck while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, and city skyline.
The Pioneer sailing season runs from May through October, but you can reserve tickets or book a private charter now to get ahead of the booking rush.
Featured Blog
The Business of Cold
The Story of the Knickerbocker Ice Company
With all this cold weather, now is the perfect time to read along as the Seaport Museum’s Director of Collections and Exhibitions Martina Caruso shares the history of the Knickerbocker Ice Company in the latest Collections Chronicles Blog post! You’ll also learn many fascinating facets of the ice harvesting industry from the 19th and early 20th century and take a look into the collections and archives of the Museum.
Ice harvesting was a seasonal industry that relied entirely on sustained cold, careful timing, and skilled labor. When ice reached the proper thickness, crews moved onto frozen surfaces with saws, chisels, and horses, cutting vast grids of gleaming blocks that would soon make their way into icehouses, markets, and homes.
There is so much to tell about this resilient, hardworking industry—one that shaped daily life and commerce throughout the Hudson Valley, New York City, and the entire Northeast coast of the United States. Read “The Business of Cold” to see the material culture and archival records preserved within the Seaport Museum collections and archives.