What to do and see in Staten Island, New York (NY): The Best Things to do

The New York Chinese Scholar's Garden is truly unique attraction that adds new dimension to our understanding of life in ancient China and serves as the perfect setting for a host of multi-cultural events. It features magnificent rockery that resemble mountains that inspired the poetry and paintings of Confucian, Buddhist and Taoist monks and other scholars. Visitors can explore eight pavilions, a bamboo forest path, waterfalls, a Koi-filled pond, Chinese calligraphy, and a variety of Ghongshi scholar's rocks including a 15-foot formation that towers over the central courtyard. The Garden is a compilation of different gardens in China. It is based on Ming Dynasty Gardens (1368-1644). The New York Scholar's garden is the one of two authentic scholar's gardens in the United States. A team of 40 Chinese artists and craftsmen spent a year in China creating the Garden's components and another six months in Staten Island as craftsmen-in-residence at Snug Harbor to complete the construction. The Chinese Scholar's Garden at Snug Harbor is one of only two authentic scholar's gardens in the United States.

The Staten Island Children’s Museum features 10 indoor and 2 outdoor exhibits, a dedicated art workshop and a performance space. Visitors can explore different climates, examine bugs and other arthropods, learn about construction, build with blocks, hop on board a fire truck and play games throughout the interactive exhibits. The 4-acre East Meadow offers a perfect outdoor setting to run, play and picnic. The Children's Museum is engaging, affordable and focused on STEAM learning. In addition to the exhibits, it hosts a variety of programs throughout the year, including cultural performances & celebrations, summertime "Boogie Woogie Wednesday" dance performances, as well as mini-camps during the summer and during NYC public school breaks.

Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, a distinguished Smithsonian Affiliate, is Staten Island's premier destination for culture and entertainment. Set within a stunning 83-acre park-like setting, Snug Harbor presents a unique blend of gardens, museums, theaters, educational opportunities, and seasonal festivals. Snug Harbor's historic grounds and Greek Revival buildings house arts organizations with the area's most vibrant and intriguing activities, providing numerous ways for visitors of all ages and backgrounds to explore. The richness of this captivating environment truly makes Snug Harbor the heart of Staten Island's social life and a must-see destination in the region. Entrance to Snug Harbor's campus is free. Entrance to the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art and the Chinese Scholar's Garden is $5. The Snug Harbor grounds are open daily, dawn to dusk. The Chinese Scholar's Garden is open from Tuesday - Sunday, 10am-5pm (last admission at 4:30pm). The Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art is open Wednesday - Sunday, 10am-5pm. Check our Facebook page for current happenings and upcoming events!

This fort played an important role in U.S. history starting during the Revolutionary War.

As Staten Island's largest and oldest cultural institution, Historic Richmond Town possesses some of the most celebrated and storied historical items of American history. There are more than 130,000 artifacts, photographs, and archival collections dating back to the 17th century. The total number of individual objects or bits and pieces of history in our care is close to a million! At the center of our collections are original historic structures dating back as far as the 1660s. There is no other place like it in New York City. While many museums use structures to showcase their artifacts, our structures are among our most significant artifacts. This provides an authentic platform to share the stories of individuals - ordinary people who've built an extraordinary country.

A kid-friendly zoo in New York City.

WELCOME TO NEW YORK’S ONLY OUTLET SHOPPING DESTINATION Empire Outlets is New York City’s premier outdoor shopping and dining center. With its picture-perfect views of lower Manhattan, a lush landscaped plaza with tranquil fountains, and access to some of the best deals, Empire Outlets is unlike any other shopping destination in the city. We’re just steps from the Staten Island Ferry, which means you’re just steps away from pure joy.