SOUTH STREET SEAPORT, A New York Place to be!!
Written: Jul 06 '03 (Updated Apr 12 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Open air or inside. Go with the weather.
Cons: Can get crowded in restaurants in the afternoon in spring and fall.
The Bottom Line: Shopping, strolling, boat cruising, learning history, enjoying entertainers, enjoy an ice cream, watch a show, have a quick bite, or enjoy a relaxed dinner. It's all here inside and out.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: South Street Seaport |
New York City has had many landmark places that are a must stop. The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, The Empire State Building, Times Square, a Broadway Play, are some of these stops. There is another one that has been getting better and better every year for the last thirty years. It is now a must stop for tourists and New Yorkers alike. The place is the South Street Seaport.
On lower Manhattan just south of the Brooklyn Bridge is the seaport. This was once part of a thriving boating business. Ships from all over the world docked along the piers of lower Manhattan.
IT'S BEEN RENOVATED
Yes it has been renovated but years ago. This area that abuts and is actually part of the Fulton Fish Market had a total make over about thirty years ago. Like much of the NY piers after the turn of the century sailing ships were no longer being used as much for transport. Larger facilities that could off load bigger ships were built elsewhere, taking business from this area.
What was remembered was the deep maritime traditions of this area and the potential of business being just a very short walk from NY's Business and Financial District.
So the construction began. Today as you walk the area just west of the FDR Drive, the pedestrian streets are all cobble stone. This is what NYC Streets were "paved" with in the early 1900's. The new buildings and many original buildings all have that old time look. The area is extremely well kept up. Many stores, restaurants, and open air street performers are here.
Once you cross over or rather under the elevated FDR Drive you are on the piers. Pier 17 is the main destination. All the walkways are planked. The area is very festive looking!
Remember, this South Street SeaPort Museum encompasses the streets you walk on, the buildings you enter, and the ships in the river. It is a living, and working museum.
TAKE A CRUISE
There are numerous booths beckoning you to them. The Circle Line and NY Waterways are two cruise lines that give many choices as to local trips in the NY harbors and rivers.
Last week we took a one hour cruise of lower Manhattan on NY Waterways. It was wonderful! Though we have done this area many times the views are still spectacular and the guides are always very informative. It cost $14.00 each for adults. It took us under the Brooklyn Bridge and then back out to the Harbor, right by the Statue of Liberty, and even up the Hudson River near Battery Park and the Financial area and the site of Ground Zero. The narrative was excellent!
Choices are plentiful of the different kinds of cruises too. There are dance and music cruises, sunset cruises, dinner cruises, and some that go completely around Manhattan.
Be sure to look for the BEAST. This is a "bad" looking, high speed, engines roaring, sleek racing machine with music blasting while giving a high energy tour of the NY waterways. Watch out for the teeth on the bow!
There are even cruises that will take you to and from Yankee and Met games too.
HISTORIC BOATS
If you enjoy old maritime information and boats there are a few tied up to the docks. There is a fee, about five dollars an adult to go aboard a few of these.
There is a booth in the middle of the open area where you can get tickets and much more information about the ships and some of the other museum buildings. There is a new one just being finished up.
One of the vessels is a three masted tall ship, the Peking. The men on board will be happy to answer any questions. Sometimes they have shows and demonstrations aboard. The Ambrose, and old lightship, is docked right nearby too. This ship was used from 1908 till 1968 in the New York Harbor, guiding ships.
You can also arrange walking tours of the area here. Many choices are available. There are some about and on the ships themselves. There is another one that takes you touring the waterfront. There is another still that is going on in July called the "WaveTree Hard Hat Tour". This is an ongoing, largest restoration of a tall ship information tour. The vessel is an 1885 square-rigger ship.
Ask about the daily programs. Something is happening with the museum almost everyday. The South Street Seaport Museum is world class. Do be sure to see it all!
SIT DOWN, EAT, and ENJOY the VIEW
There are many, many restaurants on the pier. You can get views sitting down looking at the Brooklyn Bridge or perhaps you would like the other side better. There you are overlooking the tall ships against the modern city skyline. This is a great picture opt place.
My wife and I have enjoyed sitting on the upper decks of the Sequoia Restaurant. Honestly, the food is ok, but the views are fantastic. If you like to "people watch" stay downstairs. If it's the ships and surrounding area you like go upstairs. It's quieter too.
Remember there are many choice of restaurants. Most have inside or outside dining. Upstairs in Pier 17 there is also a food court. You pick the kind of food and there you will find it. It does sometimes get crowded and hard to find a table a peek times. The Fulton Market Building has some fine restaurants too.
A VERY HELPFUL HINT
Here is a friendly and sometimes very helpful hint. Out on the river side of pier 17, I believe on the second or third floor, are lounge chairs overlooking the river. Generally they open up after a couple of minutes. People are always getting up and sitting down. My wife and I have relaxed there in the cool breezes with a magazine or book many times after a wonderful lunch or dinner. Sometimes we will get a dessert at the food court and enjoy it there. Ha, we have also picked up a cocktail at the bar and sat outside on a lounge. Whatever you have in hand, the experience is relaxation at perfection.
SHOPPING
Oh yes, my friends, there is plenty of it. My two favorite stores are right across from each other. I enjoy the gadgets and massage chairs in the Sharper Image. I also enjoy Victoria's Secret. There are over 100 shops in the seaport! Some are on the piers ans some off the cobble stone streets. You will find Abercrombie & Fitch, the Gap, J.Crew, Structure, Steps, Ann Taylor, Footlocker, Brookstone, Sam Goody, Bath and Body Works, and even the Museum Store that just opened up a month ago.
There are plenty of ATM's to refresh your wallets.
SHOWS
While down at the pier you will see the stage and it's also a good chance, at least in the Spring, Summer and Fall that you will see some kind of show. They have many ethnic, cultural, Jazz, Blues, and contemporary musicians featured here for free! This is all in the Main Stagearea.
At any given moment there are street entertainers performing while trying to bring in a few bucks. Most are very good.
TKTS FOR HALF PRICE BROADWAY SHOWS
TKTS is a business that offers same day half price tickets for Broadway and off Broadway shows. It has to outlets. One is uptown and very popular and busy. It's right on Broadway at about 47th Street. There is a TKTS Booth right in the South Street Seaport. This one has better hours and much smaller lines. See the review for further information. My wife and I use TKTS when ever we can.
SOME FAST FACTS
If you are coming in by car there are many parking garages in the area. It will cost you about thirty dollars for the day.
By subway you can take the 2,3,4,5,J,Z,or M lines to Broadway-Nassau.
There are plenty of restrooms around. Most are clean.
The hours are 10AM till 9PM most days. Sundays take away an hour on each end. IMPORTANT NOTICE. Though the stores may close, the restaurants and bars are open later.
EVEN MORE IN THE AREA
The wonderful part about the South Street Seaport is that if you want to do more in one day there is so much more to do in the downtown area.
A fifteen minute walk south takes you through the financial district and Wall Street. This takes you right to Battery Park, and Castle Clinton. This historic fort is where you purchase tickets for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island excursions. Nearby is the Jewish Heritage Museum and also Federal Hall where George Washington was inaugurated the first President of the United States.
We have stayed on numerous occasions at the Millenium Hilton Hotel. It is right across the street from ground zero. It is a ten minute walk to the seaport from there.
Sequoia Seafood Restaurant At the South Street Seaport
Other downtown Manhattan reviews by Popsrocks
The New WORLD TRADE CENTER Construction has begun on the Freedom Tower
The Statue of Liberty
Ellis Island
Castle Clinton National Memorial
Battery Park Home of the temporary 9/11 memorial.
SOUTH STREET SEAPORT
NY WATERWAY Tour NYC by boat.
Federal Hall National Historic SiteDowntown across from Wall Street, our first Capitol Building was there.
Jewish Heritage Museum
St Paul's ChapelA living Memorial to 9/11
Greenwich VillageIt's Hip and Happening
Millenium Hilton., directly across from ground zero. They have reopened!A great location to all that is downtown
Fraunce's Tavern George Washington ate here. You can too! Downtown NYC
More NYC reviews
New York City The Greatest City in the World
The Empire State Building
Radio City Music Hall A Spectacular place to see a show!
The INTREPID Sea-Air-Space MUSEUM It's a good one!
Museum of Natural History
TKTS half price tickets to Broadway
Aida, the Broadway Play Great show at half price
Central Park
Stardust DinerA great place for before a show in Times Square. Aspiring actors are here.
Sylvia's, a southern soul restaurant in Harlem
Something is Missing A Tribute to the good people and the twin towers that were lost on 9/11 http://www.epinions.com/content_3161628804
Freeport's SOUTH STREET MUSEUM a small outlet museum in a seaside village on Long Island
Mystic Seaport Connecticut's 17 acre Maritime Museum
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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