Adventures in Staten Island

Staten Island is the fifth and southernmost borough of New York City. It has over 9,300 acres of parkland and has been nicknamed the greenest borough.

Both residents of New York City and visitors can get to Staten Island on the orange-colored three-tiered vessel known as the ferry. For those living in the borough, this is a free commuter ride. For visitors, the free ride gets them up close to the Statue of Liberty, Governor's Island, and Ellis Island. The best views are from the top deck. Onboard, you can purchase beverages and food. You have to disembark from the ferry before you can begin a return journey, but there is plenty to do and see on Staten Island.

The Smithsonian-affiliated Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden is a cultural and natural oasis. The cultural center features such highlights as the 19th-century Greek Revival Buildings on Temple Row, Staten Island Children's Museum, Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art, Botanical Garden, and the Staten Island Museum.

On the grounds are a chapel and one of the oldest concert halls in the country. You can enjoy walking in the gardens.

For those who are interested in the supernatural there are tours of the haunted buildings like the Butcher's Cottage, Matron's House, and the former Surgeon's House.

The Chinese Scholar's Garden is a popular attraction, where you can have a nice walk among several peaceful garden paths and koi-filled pools. It is one of two authentic outdoor Chinese gardens built in the country.

The Ming Dynasty garden designs date from the 15th century. In the central courtyard, the upper pavilion features a mosaic of broken rice bowls and pieces of beer bottles representing both China and America.

You can find one of the longest running military forts in the nation at the foot of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge overlooking New York Bay. After guarding New York City for more than 200 years the base was closed in 1994 and turned into a public park. It is now part of the Gateway National Recreational Area.

Fort Wadsworth attracts visitors with its historical significance and picturesque vistas of Manhattan and Brooklyn. You can also see Fort Tompkins. Both structures were built in the 19th century.

Fort Wadsworth offers a great camping experience, and you can find grazing goats hired by the National Park Service to clear out the thick weeds surrounding the fort. 

Historic Richmond Town is a living history museum that lets visitors see life in the late 1600s during colonial times when the Dutch settled the island. There is an on-site museum with exhibits about life in America over the past 300 years. You can tour 15 restored buildings, among them a courthouse and a general store.

Nature lovers enjoy hiking in the surrounding parkland which is part of the Staten Island Greenbelt.

Conference House is located in the Tottenville neighborhood. It was built in the late 17th century by Captain Christopher Billopp and was the site of an unsuccessful attempt to end the American Revolutionary War. At this site, a meeting was held known as the Staten Island Peace Conference, in 1776. Taking part were loyalist Colonel Christopher Billopp, Lord Howe of the British forces, and members of the Continental Congress, among them Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Edward Rutledge. Since the meeting was unsuccessful, the American Revolution continued for seven more years. Today this house is a National Historic Landmark and hosts a series of exhibitions.

Staten Island Zoo has been nicknamed the “biggest little zoo”. It is renowned for its Serpentarium, housing an extensive collection of reptiles and the largest collection of rattlesnakes. There are over 800 species in an eight-acre space.

It is famous for its weatherman, Chuck, the groundhog. The zoo also features a new aquarium with “walls of water” showcasing various marine habitats, such as the Pacific kelp forests, tropical coral reefs, and Caribbean sea life.

The Seaside Wildlife Nature Park is one of the most creative nature spaces in New York City. The park is nautically-themed. There are pathways to take you through marshy landscape.

Families enjoy the pirate-themed playground with a ship and a jungle-gym shark. There is also a small beachfront.

Museums

Staten Island Museum has found its home in the former dormitory for retired seamen on the grounds of the Snug Harbor Cultural Center. The museum was founded in 1881 and focuses on arts, natural sciences, and the history of the region. There are permanent exhibits like “Cabinet of Curiosities” and “Remember the Mastodon”. Visitors can also find out about the Lenape Tribe, who were the first people living on the island.

The National Lighthouse Museum has a collection of over 180 lighthouse models and exhibits. The museum is dedicated to preserving the history of lighthouse keepers and the history of lighthouses in the country. It overlooks one of the busiest harbors in the world, New York City Harbor. There are many interesting exhibits like "Life at the Light: Lighthouse Keepers," "Supplying the Nation's Light Stations: The General Depot," and "Beacons Through Time." Visitors have the opportunity to take boat tours to nearby lighthouses.

Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art exhibits the art and culture of Tibet and the Himalayas. The buildings of the art complex resemble a Tibetan mountain monastery. The museum was founded in 1945 by American art collector and Tibetan art expert, Jacques Marchais. Visitors can see replicas of Tibetan monasteries, ritual artifacts, scroll paintings, musical instruments, and more reflecting the cultural heritage of this Eastern region. Tai Chi and meditation classes are offered on the ground and there are on-site events, lectures, film screenings, and musical performances. Located near Historic Richmond Town there are also picnic facilities and a gift shop.

Things to do and see in Manhattan

Things to do and see in Brooklyn

Things to do and see in The Bronx

Things to do and see in Queens