Amongst the skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan, tucked away on the Lower East Side, is the South Street Seaport—one of New York City’s thriving heritage villages. The precinct was once an important trading port between the 1820s and the 1860s, but like most cities around the world, modernisation and the need for more space moved the port facilities away from the heart of the city.
In 1967, the South Street Seaport Museum was founded, reminding people of the area’s important heritage and value. Then, in 1998, a 12-square-block historic district was designated by Congress, forming America’s National Maritime Museum. This designation protects the area in perpetuity, making the South Street Seaport one of New York City’s great treasures.
The precinct now houses museums, libraries, craft centres, and dozens of galleries, boutiques, and dining options, including bakeries, breweries, and marketplaces. The centrepiece of the seaport is Pier 17, a massive shopping and entertainment complex featuring tourist-oriented shopping, river-view dining, and a large festival food court offering a great selection of cuisines.
Around Pier 17 is a wonderful collection of historic ships. This collection is the largest privately owned historic fleet in the USA, with its centrepiece being the Peking, a four-masted barque built in 1911. Other notable vessels include the Wavetree, a rigged cargo ship dating back to 1885, the Ambrose, a 1908 lightship, and the Helen McAllister, a tugboat built in 1900.
