Sail New York Harbor | May–October | Pier 16 | $20–$70
Get ready to experience New York City like never before with the Seaport Museum’s thrilling sail aboard the historic 1885 schooner Pioneer! From May through October, this exclusive opportunity offers you the chance to take in the breathtaking views of the Big Apple from the deck of a National Register-listed vessel.
As you set sail on this unforgettable journey, you’ll witness some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, Lower Manhattan’s architectural treasures, Governors Island, Ellis Island, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned New Yorker or a first-time visitor, this adventure promises to be a truly unforgettable experience.
But that’s not all––as a guest on board, you’ll have the chance to get hands-on and help raise a sail or simply sit back and relax as you soak up the stunning scenery. And, for the perfect al fresco dining experience, bring along your favorite meal or snack, along with your preferred beverages or even a bottle of wine to sip on deck.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to celebrate history at sea and see the city from a new perspective. Book your sail on Pioneer with the Seaport Museum today!
Offerings to Sail on Pioneer:
Know Before You Go
Tour routes are subject to change due to unpredictable boat traffic in the harbor and weather, though captains will do their best to include the sites listed. Read the full FAQ for more details on sailing with the Seaport Museum.
Get a Taste of Sailing on Pioneer
About Schooner Pioneer
In the days before paved roads, small coastal schooners such as Pioneer were the delivery trucks of their era, carrying various cargoes between coastal communities: lumber and stone from the islands of Maine, brick on the Hudson River, and oyster shell on the Chesapeake Bay. Almost all American cargo sloops and schooners were wood, but because she was built in what was then this country’s center of iron shipbuilding, Pioneer had a wrought-iron hull. She was the first of only two cargo sloops built of iron in this country, and is the only iron-hulled American merchant sailing vessel still in existence.
By 1930, when new owners moved her from the Delaware River to Massachusetts, she had been fitted with an engine, and was no longer using sails. In 1966 she was substantially rebuilt and turned into a sailing vessel once again. Now she plies the waters of NY Harbor carrying adults and children instead of cargo in her current role as a piece of “living history.”
Today Pioneer is an award-winning sail training vessel teaching volunteers traditional maritime skills and the art of tall ship sailing.
Education Programs on Pioneer
Sail New York Harbor aboard the historic 1885 schooner Pioneer. Students help raise sails, see the Statue of Liberty and other Harbor landmarks, observe a variety of ships and waterborne commerce, and engage in exciting hands-on activities.