Fodor's Expert Review The Seaport

Financial District Free Fodor's Choice
South Street Seaport, Financial District, New York City, New York, USA, North America

Had this charming cobblestone corner of the city not been declared a historic district in 1977, the city's largest concentration of early 19th-century commercial buildings would have been destroyed. Thankfully they survived, and in recent years have come to enjoy new life. The landmarked "South Street Seaport Historic District" has undergone a thorough makeover as a culinary and diverse shopping destination, with seasonal markets, art installations, IPIC Theater (a luxury cinema with dining), and live entertainment—plus a simplified moniker as the Seaport.

At the intersection of Fulton and Water Streets, the gateway to the seaport, is the Titanic Memorial Lighthouse, a small white lighthouse that commemorates the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Beyond the lighthouse, Fulton Street turns into a cobblestone pedestrian mall. On the south side of Fulton is the seaport's architectural centerpiece, Schermerhorn Row, a redbrick terrace of Georgian- and Federal-style warehouses... READ MORE

Had this charming cobblestone corner of the city not been declared a historic district in 1977, the city's largest concentration of early 19th-century commercial buildings would have been destroyed. Thankfully they survived, and in recent years have come to enjoy new life. The landmarked "South Street Seaport Historic District" has undergone a thorough makeover as a culinary and diverse shopping destination, with seasonal markets, art installations, IPIC Theater (a luxury cinema with dining), and live entertainment—plus a simplified moniker as the Seaport.

At the intersection of Fulton and Water Streets, the gateway to the seaport, is the Titanic Memorial Lighthouse, a small white lighthouse that commemorates the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Beyond the lighthouse, Fulton Street turns into a cobblestone pedestrian mall. On the south side of Fulton is the seaport's architectural centerpiece, Schermerhorn Row, a redbrick terrace of Georgian- and Federal-style warehouses and countinghouses built from 1810 to 1812. Cross South Street to Pier 16, where historic 19th- and 20th-century ships are docked. Pier 16 also is the departure point for various seasonal cruises. (Ship tours are included in the admission to the South Street Seaport Museum).

Across South Street along the East River are Pier 17 and the renovated Tin Building. Previously the longtime site of the Fulton Fish Market, in 2022, the latter reopened as the Tin Building by Jean-Georges, a high-end food hall and marketplace ( tinbuilding.com). In 2018, the Pier 17 building became a multilevel office complex with several restaurants and bars at street level, and a 60,000-square-foot rooftop that's programmed with live summer concerts ( rooftopatpier17.com). But the real highlight is the wraparound public wharf that's open year-round, with seating and stunning views of the harbor and Brooklyn Bridge.

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Free Fodor's Choice Historic District

Quick Facts

New York, New York  10038, USA

212-732–8257

www.seaportdistrict.nyc

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