Views from the Porthole: A Walk to the South Street Seaport
Update March 2013. Much of this are was profoundly affected by Superstorm Sandy in late October 2012. Read this post from March 3, 2013 assessing the storm's impact on the South Street Seaport.
For anyone who regularly walks down to the South Street Seaport and the East River, it's obvious that the entire area has experienced a rejuvenation over the past few years, especially on the weekends. After the closing of the Fulton Street Market a few years ago, the seaside neighborhood looked rough around the edges, but now, thanks to the New Amsterdam Market (Sundays) and the artisan stalls that have opened up across the street on South Street, weekend strolls can include lots of entertainment and food shopping.
The Trapeze School has also set up shop on wires above Pier 16, making an excursion abroad the lightship Ambrose even that more fun. Several new restaurants have taken up residence in the neighborhood. The upgrading of the East River Waterfront Esplanade, including the two-level modernist pier at Pier 15, contributes to the overall vitality of the seaport.
The South Street Seaport Museum at 12 Fulton Street, revitalized under the management of the Museum of the City of New York, boats some sixteen galleries on Schermerhorn Row. The museum's exhibitions encompass a myriad of media - folk art, moving images, fashion, and still photography - to tell the story of New York at sea. The venerable Bowne & Co. Stationers on Water Street, also under the aegis of the museum, is keeping the craft of letter-printing alive with a weekly workshop series. Stop into Bowne & Co. and ask master printer Robert Warner for more information on the workshops.
Access to the lightship Ambrose is included with museum admission. Learn about the history of the Ambrose channel and how this ship functioned as a floating lighthouse for boats entering New York Harbor. The ship's portholes provide intriguing glimpses into the revitalized seaport. Image yourself a stowaway from a previous time and these sights would be your first impressions of the New World.
While the seaport no longer functions as a premiere port for merchant ships, boats do go a-sailing from here for your recreational pleasure, like Circle Line's Zephyr speedboat and Manhattan by Sail's large masted Clipper City. Cruises of 90 minutes or so to distant islands - well, Liberty Island, for example - can requite those with a longing for the sea but who quickly change their minds and wish for dry land again.
Resources:
• South Street Seaport Museum
12 Fulton Street
Open 7 days a week 10:00am–6:00pm
General admission: $10
• The South Street Seaport
• Circle Line's Zephyr Express
• New Amsterdam Market
• Trapeze School
View South Street Seaport in a larger map
Event note: At the South Street Seaport Museum, Friday, September 28, a book talk with John Maxtone-Graham, author of Titanic Tragedy: A New Look at the Lost Liner. 6:30-8:30 pm, 12 Fulton Street, $20, $15 for museum members. Reservations required.
Images by Walking Off the Big Apple. View the whole set on Flickr WOTBA.
For anyone who regularly walks down to the South Street Seaport and the East River, it's obvious that the entire area has experienced a rejuvenation over the past few years, especially on the weekends. After the closing of the Fulton Street Market a few years ago, the seaside neighborhood looked rough around the edges, but now, thanks to the New Amsterdam Market (Sundays) and the artisan stalls that have opened up across the street on South Street, weekend strolls can include lots of entertainment and food shopping.
From the deck of the lightship Ambrose, a view of Lower Manhattan (plus students of Trapeze School) |
fresh food from local food merchants at the New Amsterdam Market |
Trapeze School in action |
The Trapeze School has also set up shop on wires above Pier 16, making an excursion abroad the lightship Ambrose even that more fun. Several new restaurants have taken up residence in the neighborhood. The upgrading of the East River Waterfront Esplanade, including the two-level modernist pier at Pier 15, contributes to the overall vitality of the seaport.
Pier 15 and the East River Waterfront Esplanade |
The South Street Seaport Museum at 12 Fulton Street, revitalized under the management of the Museum of the City of New York, boats some sixteen galleries on Schermerhorn Row. The museum's exhibitions encompass a myriad of media - folk art, moving images, fashion, and still photography - to tell the story of New York at sea. The venerable Bowne & Co. Stationers on Water Street, also under the aegis of the museum, is keeping the craft of letter-printing alive with a weekly workshop series. Stop into Bowne & Co. and ask master printer Robert Warner for more information on the workshops.
entrance, South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton Street |
Bowne & Co. Stationers, 211 Water Street |
Access to the lightship Ambrose is included with museum admission. Learn about the history of the Ambrose channel and how this ship functioned as a floating lighthouse for boats entering New York Harbor. The ship's portholes provide intriguing glimpses into the revitalized seaport. Image yourself a stowaway from a previous time and these sights would be your first impressions of the New World.
The red-hulled ship is the Lightship Ambrose. |
From a porthole on the Ambrose on Pier 16 |
From a porthole on the Ambrose on Pier 16 |
From a porthole on the Ambrose on Pier 16 |
From a porthole on the Ambrose on Pier 16 |
While the seaport no longer functions as a premiere port for merchant ships, boats do go a-sailing from here for your recreational pleasure, like Circle Line's Zephyr speedboat and Manhattan by Sail's large masted Clipper City. Cruises of 90 minutes or so to distant islands - well, Liberty Island, for example - can requite those with a longing for the sea but who quickly change their minds and wish for dry land again.
The Circle Line's Zephyr Statue of Liberty Express |
Resources:
• South Street Seaport Museum
12 Fulton Street
Open 7 days a week 10:00am–6:00pm
General admission: $10
• The South Street Seaport
• Circle Line's Zephyr Express
• New Amsterdam Market
• Trapeze School
View South Street Seaport in a larger map
Event note: At the South Street Seaport Museum, Friday, September 28, a book talk with John Maxtone-Graham, author of Titanic Tragedy: A New Look at the Lost Liner. 6:30-8:30 pm, 12 Fulton Street, $20, $15 for museum members. Reservations required.
Images by Walking Off the Big Apple. View the whole set on Flickr WOTBA.
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