New York City Guide: How to Spend a Day in New York’s Seaport District

Heather Chin
South Street Seaport

EAT

When it comes to eating in this neighborhood, you wonโ€™t go hungry for long. The Seaport District offers NYC Seaport Food Lab, which rotates chefs the likes of Dale Talde, Alon Shaya and Jessica Koslow in two-week residencies, while the vast Clinton Hall gastropub features arcade games, 20 types of burgers and more. Fresh seafood abounds at quaint Dorlanโ€™s Tavern & Oyster Bar.

(Courtesy Clinton Hall)
(Courtesy Clinton Hall)

SHOP

Browse distinct brands while walking centuries-old cobblestone streets: Bowne & Co. Stationers transports visitors back to an 18th-century print shop. Find stylish apparel at Urban Outfitters. If you’re looking for the freshest produce, catches, and artisanal goods, head to Fulton Stall Market.

Fulton Stall Market (ยฉEmma G Yelp)
Fulton Stall Market (ยฉEmma G Yelp)

DRINK

For bars, both quaint and modern, you will find that it is easy to drink like a sailor on the waterfront.ย The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog anchors one end of Water Street with a no-nonsense Irish bar full of memorable whiskeys, cocktails, beers and people. Farther down the street, the Seaportโ€™s newย Garden Bar pairs romantic elegance and hip local DJs.ย For a drink and a view by the water, tryย Watermark.

The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog (ยฉJane E Yelp)
The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog (ยฉJane E Yelp)

PLAY

Enjoy some downtime at Pier 15, East River Esplanade, with a picnic and some fantastic views. Get a better look at the skyline from Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises. And finally, if you are looking for historical and cultural programs, the South Street Seaport Museum, the museumโ€™s permanent collection of artifacts from the cityโ€™s rise as a major port, is a must-see.

(Courtesy South Street Seaport Museum)
(Courtesy South Street Seaport Museum)