New York City is a place with a history as rich as any in America. Its location on the water made it a prime spot for trading and harboring for European explorers. Long before that, it was the site of settlements by different groups of Native Americans. New York City’s location made it one of the first places to be settled en masse by European settlers, and before long, it was a booming town that eventually became a global attraction.
There are many different neighborhoods in New York with a long colonial history, but one of New York City’s areas with a past that can be traced back the furthest is the Seaport. Seaport is located in lower Manhattan along the East River. In the 17th century, the Dutch West India Company made Seaport one of their primary bases of operation for the business they conducted in the so-called new world.
Seaport rapidly became a hub for commerce and culture in New York City as the city’s growth continued. While Seaport has transformed from a port on an undeveloped island to a cultured, bustling neighborhood in one of the world’s biggest cities, remnants of its colonial legacy are scattered throughout.
If you ever find yourself in this part of Manhattan, there is much to do in this diverse and exciting area. Let’s look at some of the best ways to spend your time in one of New York City’s most historic spots, the Seaport.
Enjoy Incredible Eats
One of the driving appeals to New York City is the top-notch food scene. There are very few places on the planet that offer the diversity and quality of New York City’s food. Seaport is no different. They have a wide variety of delicious and unique restaurants that bring in tourists and locals alike.
For some incredible Indian cuisine created by renowned chef Surbhi Sahni, head to Tagmo. It offers plant-forward cuisine in a cozy and aesthetic location, complete with a sweets shop and a bar. For a nice post-meal drink with a view of the city and neighborhood, The Greens Rooftop Bar is the place to go. This luxurious and relaxed bar has small food plates but come mainly for hand-crafted cocktails. These are only two of the numerous delicious food and drink options in the Seaport neighborhood.
Explore Pier 17
Pier 17 is an original part of the Seaport neighborhood. Formerly a docking pier, the area has undergone major changes and been converted into a concert venue, hub for food and drinks, and the overall center of the Seaport neighborhood. There are seven different restaurants and bars located on the pier, including the previously mentioned Greens Rooftop and snacking staples such as Malibu Farm and Mister Dips. But while within the pier, there are tons of great places to explore, Pier 17 is quickly becoming known for its rooftop venue.
The Pier 17 rooftop is now a large location for live concerts, with an unparalleled city view. It is a one-of-a-kind New York City experience to watch a concert at Pier 17, as this open-air venue became a must-visit spot due to their summer series. Pier 17 is also a spot for neighborhood activities such as the Pumpkin Arch. The Pumpkin Arch is a fall decoration that makes for the perfect waterfront backdrop to an iconic Instagram post.
South Street Seaport Museum
Located very near to Pier 17 is the South Street Seaport Museum. There are many different galleries and installations around Seaport, but arguably the best known is the South Street Seaport Museum. The South Street Seaport Museum is a standing monument to the neighborhood’s incredible past. Some of the sights in the museum include the Street of Ships exhibition, which allows you to see artifacts and pictures from the city’s days as a docking hub. There’s also the Millions Exhibit, which shows what it would have been like aboard a sea vessel at the start of the 20th century.
The most famous component of the museum is the Wavertree. The Wavertree is a permanently moored tall ship that has been around since 1885. It is a living reminder of the Seaport’s past and is fresh off maintenance and upkeep. Visitors can walk around the ship and see authentic proof of Seaport’s past as one of the areas that spawned the rise of New York City as we now know it.
