SOUTH STREET SEAPORT

Previously unknown to tourists, New York's old harbor is an attraction that has gained in popularity in recent years. It has to be said that the neighborhood has grown a lot... Just a few minutes' walk from Wall Street, this neighborhood nestled under the Brooklyn Bridge is magnificent and unlike any other in New York. The architecture of the old buildings, the cobblestone streets and the harbor promenade are well worth a visit. What's more, large ships are constantly docked just off Fulton Street. These include the Wavertree, a cargo ship dating from 1885, and the Ambrose lightship, built in 1907 to guide ocean liners into New York Bay. Guided tours of these two ships are available through the South Street Seaport Museum (tours are included in the ticket price), which we recommend you take the time to visit. It looks back at New York's maritime history and its role as a major port, with collections of photos, objects and paintings dating from the ^19th and ^20th centuries, including beautiful works by Thomas Birch and James Buttersworth. In fine weather, the museum also offers two-hour trips into New York Bay aboard the Pioneer, an 1885 sailing ship that will take you past Governor's Island, with sublime views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.

The port is also full of history. Forgotten in the late ^19th century, it was rehabilitated by greedy developers, helped by its proximity to Wall Street. Today, the docks have been transformed into a living museum of the past: boutiques line the cobblestone streets of the Fulton Market, one of the historic strongholds of the New York Mafia. On weekends, numerous fairs and festivals are often organized. During Hurricane Sandy, water levels rose by over 1.50 m, severely damaging seaside shops and restaurants. After a long period of renovation, the establishments have reopened and the district has regained its former dynamism. The plethora of boutiques, bars and restaurants that have opened in recent years has only served to underline the revitalization of South Street Seaport, as has the Tin Building, a large covered market dedicated to gastronomy imagined by French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Finally, all summer long, Pier 17 hosts open-air concerts and performances, while in winter, the area is transformed into an ice rink.