Group Walking Tours

Neighborhood Walks That Teach Local History

The South Street Seaport Museum tells the story of how New York’s great natural harbor gave rise to the metropolis we know today. From Lenape villages, to the early Dutch settlements of New Amsterdam, to the growing city of New York, the story of this land through time is the story of the waterfront. Practice your map skills and walk our historic district!

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NEW: Sinister Secrets of the Seaport – Available Now!

90 minutes | Grades 9–adult

Discover the scandalous, dubious, and sinister tales lurking in the cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and waterfront of Lower Manhattan. Explore the way that newspapers and publications from the 1790s to the 1990s reported sensational events, and analyze how media depictions shape public perception. Students will test their “Ear for Crime” in an interactive game as they unravel the darker past of the South Street Seaport Historic District.

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The Revolutionary War in New York City – Available Now!

90 minutes | Grades 9–adult       

The streets and sites of Lower Manhattan tell the story of New York during the Revolution – the ships and the seaport that were the center of trade and taxation disputes, the buildings and street corners where futures were debated and history made, and the green where the statue of King George was raised and then toppled. Images, documents, artifacts, streets, and buildings all help tell the story of this era as students consider what the news of the day meant to different kinds of New Yorkers.

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Typography & Job Printing in the 19th Century Seaport – Available Now!

90 minutes | Grades 9–adult   

Most printers in early 19th century New York were located where the action was: near the city’s main port of entry at South Street. Walk with us to discover where passenger and shipping services printed their tickets, and learn about the typography on these historic buildings.

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African-Americans in Early New York City – Returning 2024

90 minutes | Grades 9–adult   

People think of slavery as existing in the South, but did you know that in Colonial New York, almost half of the white families enslaved people of African descent? Take a walk back in time with maps, documents, and images, and walk the sites that tell how lower New York and the Seaport were central to African enslavement and the road to freedom, and how Africans helped shape our city.

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The Civil War in New York City – Returning 2024

90 minutes | Grades 9–adult           

New York had a complicated relationship with the South. Much of the economy was tied to Southern crops farmed by slave labor, and the outbreak of the Civil War meant big changes for rich and poor alike. Explore the financial district while analyzing primary sources to see how trade and commerce affected New York’s relationship with the South, and how New Yorkers reacted to the war.

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All programs are designed for groups of up to 34 students (40 people maximum including chaperones). We do not recommend combining small classes into a large group. Programs may conclude at locations other than the Museum – allow additional time (10–20 minutes) to walk back to the starting point on your own.

All programs are aligned with New York City and State Social Studies and Science Learning Standards. Programs can be customized to meet your curricular goals and the needs of your students.

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