9. The Lilac

The floating library aboard the Lilac

Did we mention history yet? Sitting in Hudson River Park’s Pier 25 is the Lilac, the last surviving steam-powered lighthouse tender. The Lilac was a ship formerly responsible for carrying supplies to lighthouses and buoys. The Lilac hosts a floating library and its own arts series. The ship will reopen for the season on World Oceans Day, June 8th. Admission is free, so climb aboard the Lilac and dive into a living 20th century archive.