Virtual Guided Walking Tours | Free
The South Street Seaport Museum has partnered with Urban Archive, a technology nonprofit that promotes historical research and discovery. So much of our work together involves finding ways to reinterpret and approach archival collections through new digital alternatives.
Click below to take one of our virtual tours of lower Manhattan and the South Street Seaport Historic District, or download the Urban Archive iPhone app from their page to experience our virtual stories and tours.
South Street Seaport Architecture Walking Tour
Free | Online
Take a virtual walk with us, and discover the origins of New York’s greatness. Several buildings in the South Street Seaport District are considered to be some of the oldest standing structures in Manhattan. From taverns to warehouses, built by the most famous American architects of the 19th century, the buildings of the Seaport have big stories to tell.
Lower Manhattan Waterfront Walking Tour
Free | Online
Over the centuries, the coast of Lower Manhattan has been reshaped by tides, fires, demolition, development, and various colors of gentrification. Take a virtual walk with us as we unveil details of Lower Manhattan’s unique architecture, piers, and urban transformations.
Castle Clinton: A Look At New York City Through One Building With Multiple Identities
Free | Online
New York City’s architecture is central to what makes it so iconic. From skyscrapers to well-loved taverns, New York City is filled with buildings of all shapes and sizes. One building that has served many roles throughout New York’s storied history is Castle Clinton.
Join us to learn how a single location at the tip of Lower Manhattan has been renovated and re imagined over the years to fulfill the needs in an ever changing city.
Street Advertising in Early 20th Century Manhattan – NEW!
Free | Online
From soap to Broadway shows, the street advertising in the Thomas W. Kennedy Photography Collection in the Seaport Museum’s collection can tell us a lot about what late 19th and early 20th century Manhattan was selling.
Take a virtual walk with us to discover some of the most ephemeral aspects of New York: the broadsides, building signs and billboards that constantly change with new businesses, consumer products and entertainments.
19th Century Tavern Crawl – NEW!
Free | Online
New York City is known for its nightlife and entertainment. Since its early days, people have gathered in taverns to socialize, discuss the latest news, and gossip while enjoying drinks with friends. Join us as we take you back in time for a 19th century bar crawl that will quench your thirst for more of the City’s history.
Old Meets New: Coffee Houses of Lower Manhattan – NEW!
Free | Online
New York City is home to coffee lovers. For centuries, coffee has been sold, traded, and enjoyed in the city. One aspect of coffee culture that has aided its popularity is the coffee house. Coffee houses’ locations throughout Lower Manhattan were essential to the foundations of the City’s political and financial institutions.
Although these institutions are no longer standing, their influences are still felt today. Join us as we travel to the locations of several old New York City coffee houses to see what has replaced them in their stead.
Ready for more?
Head over to our Programs and Events page to see what else is happening at the Museum. Sign up for an upcoming talk, learn more about visiting Wavertree, or explore our virtual offerings.
Support Our Work!
Virtual programs like this one are provided at no cost in order to serve our community in unique and engaging ways, no matter where you might be in the world. Help us make this work possible.