South Street Seaport Museum

Opened in 1967, this museum offers a glimpse of the seaport’s history and a survey of the world’s great ocean liners, with permanent exhibits and various other sites dotted around the 11-block area. Included in the museum are three galleries, an antique printing shop, a children’s center, a maritime crafts center and historic ships: just south of Pier 17 stands a group of tall-masted sailing ships – the Peking, Wavertree, Pioneer, Ambrose and HelenMcAllister, among others – and the admission price to the museum includes access to their windswept decks and intimate interiors. For a really special treat, join a sailing tour aboard the gorgeous, iron-hulled Pioneer, built in 1885 to carry mined sand but today just perfect for holding happy humans transfixed by the views. The two-hour journeys run from late May through mid-September from Tuesday to Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday beginning at 1pm; passengers are encouraged to bring snacks and even a bottle of wine for this relaxing, stellar sail. Reservations are essential.