The 1885 tall ship Wavertree becomes a puzzle deck for the day, with rebuses to crack on board while stations on shore teach historic printing and sun-powered cyanotype prints. Kids collect stamps on a bingo card for prizes, and the museum's Promise of Liberty exhibition is free to see on its final weekend. If you have been meaning to get the family aboard a real 19th-century ship, this free day is the easiest way to do it.
What to expect
Pick up a bingo card and move between activity stations across the museum's buildings and historic ships, collecting a stamp at each. Activities include printing demos, cyanotypes, Lenape games, a Maritime City scavenger hunt and food-themed stations tied to Taste of the Seaport.
Good to know
- General admission is free for Family Day, but the museum suggests registering online.
- The 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, J and Z trains all stop at Fulton Street, a short walk east.
- Wear shoes with grip for climbing aboard the ships.
- The Promise of Liberty exhibition closes at the end of this weekend.
- Plan on the full circuit taking a couple of hours with younger kids.
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Common questions
Is Family Day free?
Yes, general admission is free during Family Day; the museum suggests registering in advance.
Can we go aboard the ships?
Yes, activities include solving rebuses aboard the 1885 tall ship Wavertree.
Is the Promise of Liberty exhibition included?
Yes, it is included free during Family Day, just before it closes.
