Sunken Suppers & Coastal Secrets: NYC’s Maritime Food History Walking Tour

Take a maritime journey through time. Starting at Tall Ship Wavertree docked at NYC's South Street Seaport and ending at a historic tavern where revolutionary meals were shared, you’ll trace a route once paved with millions of oyster shells that now serves as a vital defense against rising tides. Explore the history of ghost ships buried beneath the Financial District and learn how the changing shoreline has impacted the city’s culinary heritage over centuries.

This walk highlights the intersection of food history and environmental change in Lower Manhattan. Attendees will learn to spot hidden markers of history in the Seaport neighborhood while uncovering the forgotten stories of the city’s maritime past.

Wear comfortable shoes for this 1-mile loop through the historic South Street Seaport. It takes approx. 75 mins. Appropriate for all ages. We'll be ending the tour at a historic tavern with great food and drinks by 7:30pm. There are also lots of others wonderful restaurants on this street, too, so you'll have plenty of options to grab dinner right after the tour if you'd like. Drinks and food are at your own expense and not included in this tour.

Christa Avampato—a sustainability leader and writer, licensed NYC tour guide, public historian, and producer of NYC's Secrets & Lies—created this walk and will be leading it. We will meet right at the benches in front of Tall Ship Wavertree to start the tour.