Saturday and Sunday | 11am–4:30pm | Free
Weekends bring fun activities for the whole family to the South Street Seaport Museum. Timely 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 Seaport Museum galleries, the tall ship Wavertree, and the lightship Ambrose.
Activities and their locations change each month to highlight various aspects of maritime history, New York City’s beginnings as a port city, or the Museum’s collections and offerings. Engagement stations may be located in the Seaport Museum program space at 207 Water Street, the introduction galleries inside Schermerhorn Row at 12 Fulton Street, or aboard 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.
About Registration
You may participate in the monthly family activity at any time from 11am to 4:30pm on the day of your visit. You do not need to select a time slot. Last admission will be 4:30pm.
Due to the various Museum locations in which family activities may take place, please register for the free activity and admission to ensure you can explore more that the Museum offers. In addition to participation in the monthly Family Activity, admission tickets include access to visit the historic ships Wavertree and Ambrose as well as exhibitions on view in the Seaport Museum’s introduction galleries inside Schermerhorn Row located at 12 Fulton Street.
The Seaport Museum aims to make our facilities accessible to all visitors. Due to the historical nature of our ships and Landmarked buildings, access requirements vary for each location. Please see the specific access details on our Accessibility page.
Book your admission ticket and your desired activity below.
July 2025: Build a Baggywrinkle
Join the Seaport Museum for an all-ages activity where you get to learn about the common ships’ tool known as a baggywrinkle––a soft covering used to protect sails from damage. You’ll get to see a real example from one of the Seaport Museum’s historic ships, and then learn how to make one!
Traditionally, baggywrinkle is made from unraveled ropes, but on weekends throughout July, you can come aboard the 1885 tall ship Wavertree and learn to make these important tools from scratch using colorful yarn.
This activity will be offered Saturdays and Sundays from July 5 through July 31. Access to Wavertree involves climbing a few stairs, walking up an angled gangway, and descending a few stairs onto the deck. The lower decks are accessible via stairs, while the upper deck requires navigating steep ladder-like stairs.
August 2025: Lenape Games
Weekends in August offer families the opportunity to come aboard the tall ship Wavertree for a journey into the Greater New York region’s rich past through fun, interactive games! Discover the traditions of the area’s Indigenous people and play the same games that were enjoyed here long before the city we know today.
Family-friendly activities include Selahtinalìtin (sˈɛlɑːtˌɪnɐlˌɪtɪn): a scattering straws game similar to Pick Up Sticks or Jackstraws, and Mamantuhwin (mˈæmɐntˌuːwɪn): a dice-and-bowl game inspired by the whirligig beetle. Experience the excitement of these traditional games and connect with the history of Lenapehoking, the land now known as South Street Seaport.
This activity will be offered Saturdays and Sundays from August 2 through August 31. Access to Wavertree involves climbing a few stairs, walking up an angled gangway, and descending a few stairs onto the deck. The lower decks are accessible via stairs, while the upper deck requires navigating steep ladder-like stairs.
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.