If you want some shopping mixed with historical structures, waterfront views and really big boats, go to the Southstreet Seaport, a 12-block area on New York's original port of entry.
I'm attracted to waterfronts. I love the smell of the water and long-legged birds that dip down to the water's surface looking to pluck away a little something to eat. But my goodness, the ships are awesome! Getting up close to these beautiful floating museums almost takes your breath away. They are a privately owned fleet of historic ships, the largest such fleet in the United States.
It was a cold day, and I didn't stay long, but I'll go back and explore more. I have heard there are ways to get rides on those ships.
