Saturdays and Sundays | 11am–5pm | Free with General Admission
Weekends bring fun activities for the whole family to the South Street Seaport Museum. Hands-on activities and engagement stations for visitors of all ages provide creative opportunities that illuminate history and life at sea while enhancing your visit to the Museum’s galleries, the tall ship Wavertree, and the lightship Ambrose.
No additional registration needed, these activities are free with your General Admission tickets. Engagement stations may be located indoors in the Seaport Museum introduction galleries at 12 Fulton Street, or on the tall ship Wavertree at Pier 16. Museum staff will be happy to point you in the direction of the weekend’s activity when you check in.
December 2023: Make Your Own Signal Flag Decoration
Every weekend in December, the Seaport Museum is offering kids, families, and visitors of all ages the chance to make your own signal flag garlands to bring some maritime-inspired decorations into your seasonal decor.
For centuries, flags were the only form of communication between ships at sea, and between ships and the shore. In the 19th century, signaling with special flags developed into a system capable of passing several types of information and relatively elaborate messages. This even became a successful form of communication between crews who didn’t share a common language. Learn more about how sailors communicate using these vibrant flags that feature different patterns, shapes, and colors, while making your own banner that spells out whatever message you like. There will also be opportunities to use your new-found skill by decoding other’s signal flag messages.
Let your creativity fly this holiday season and create a keepsake to give as a gift or keep for years to come.
This family activity is free with General Admission and will be offered Saturdays and Sundays in December except for December 10 when the Chanukah Menorah Lighting Activities will be offered. No registration required. Stop by anytime from 11am-4:30pm to participate in this maritime-inspired experience. Please note that this activity will be available from 11am–2:30pm, on Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, and New Year’s Eve, Sunday, December 31.
Want to learn more about Maritime Flags? Check out our See the Flying Colors blog post for more information and history about flags and how the Seaport Museum cares for the flags in its collection.
South Street Seaport Museum
By subway: Take the A, C, 2, 3, J, Z, 4, or 5 train to Fulton Street.
By bus: Take the M-15 SBS or M-15 to Fulton Street.
By water: The NYC Ferry, and New York Waterway provide service to Pier 11. The Staten Island Ferry provides services to Whitehall Terminal.
Parking: Parking lots can be found at Front and John Streets, as well as 294 Pearl Street.