The Seaport Museum will open Friday 11am–5pm.

South Street Seaport Museum

Where New York Begins

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Visit the Museum
Friday–Sunday, 11am–5pm

Black and white photograph depicting passengers aboard North German Lloyd Line ship SS Bremen looking starboard toward Manhattan skyline.

See Exhibitions on View
Friday–Sunday, 11am–5pm

Tour Historic Ships
Friday–Sunday, 11am–5pm

Explore the Letterpress Print Shop
Wednesday–Sunday, 11am–5pm

Reserve 2026 Sailing Tickets
Schooner Pioneer

Explore the Collection Online
Anytime

This Week

Fresh Prints

This open house features a breadth of printing equipment that you will be invited to use. Come see how the designers at Bowne lock up limited edition designs that showcase some of the more eccentric parts from the Seaport Museum’s printing and graphic arts collection.

The Women of Coenties Slip: Art, Connection, and Place

Step into the creative world of Coenties Slip for a special evening premiering three short On This Spot documentaries celebrating pioneering women artists Agnes Martin, Lenore Tawney, and Chryssa.

Family Activities

Free hands-on activities and engagement stations for kids of all ages provide creative opportunities that illuminate history and life at sea while enhancing your visit.

Announced This Week in The New York TImes

The Promise of Liberty: Words That Shaped a Nation

OPENING MAY 27

Prebook your tickets today to be one of the first to experience this newly-announced landmark exhibition!

In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, The Promise of Liberty will take you on a journey through the nation’s founding ideas—tracing how they have evolved over time through rare defining documents and pivotal moments in history.

Through rarely-seen documents and ephemera—including the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, as well as remarkable 19th and 20th century treasures—you will discover pivotal moments that pushed the nation closer to equality. You will also experience how New York played a central role in this history.

Reserve your ticket today to experience the ongoing story of a nation shaped by words—where ideals have been tested, expanded, and reimagined over centuries. When you reserve General Admission and The Promise of Liberty in advance you can get a special discounted combo ticket.

Learn More and Book Now

Museum Admission

Friday–Sunday | 11am–5pm

Tall Ship Wavertree

Lightship Ambrose

Maritime City

Millions

South Street and the Rise of NY

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.

Learn More and book General admission

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!

Learn More

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.

Learn More About Sailing
Featured Blog

From Attics to Archives 

Preservation tips for your own family memories

Do you have boxes of old family photos and papers and aren’t sure where to start organizing and caring for them them? The Museum’s Archives and Special Collections Specialist, Elena Abou Mrad, has some expert tips!

While processing a fascinating collection that once belonged to Captain Moses W. Collyer (1856–1942)—a Hudson River sloop captain who also worked in lighterage across New York City—she documented the steps you can take to build your own family archive. From opening letters sealed since the late 1800s to removing rusty staples and performing light preservation work, these practical steps help ensure that collections—whether in museums or at home—are safely organized and preserved for the future.

Discover how museums care for historic materials and learn practical ways to assess, organize, and preserve your own family memories in the latest Collections Chronicles blog post.

Read The Blog Post