Staten Island » Discover Staten Island
Discover Staten Island
Staten Island, with over 9,400 acres of lush park land, is known as the Borough of Parks. It is said that the Indian name for Staten Island is Monacnong, or Enchanted Woods. First inhabited by the Algonquin Indians of the Lenape culture, it was in 1524 that the explorer Giovanni de Verrazano, while looking for the Pacific Ocean, first set sight upon this beautiful Island.
| A British officer wrote in 1776 about Staten Island: "Surely this country is the Paradise of the World...the inhabitants of this Island are tall, thin, narrow shouldered people, very simple in their manners, know neither Poverty nor Riches, each house has a good farm, and every man a trade, they know no distinction of Persons, and I am sure must have lived very happily till these troubles." (The Revolution) Click here for more history of Staten Island |
Over four hundred years later this not so tiny Borough is BIG on parks, beaches, museums and gardens. We, who call Staten Island home, know that our community offers many cultural, recreational and historical attractions.
Now we invite you to Discover Our Staten Island.
a. Staten Island Attractions:
Alice Austen House Former home of Alice Austen, one of America's earliest and most accomplished female photographers.
Borough Hall A designated New York City landmark that is home to the Staten Island Borough President's Office. Its lobby murals depict the history of Staten Island.
CSI Center for the Arts - College of Staten Island The ideal performance venue for Staten Island and neighboring communities features five theatres under one roof.
Conference House Park located at 7455 Hylan Blvd., Tottenville. Site of a 1776 peace conference between representatives of the Continental Congress and the Commander of British Forces during the Revolutionary War. This National Historic Landmark was build in 1680. It was here, in 1776, that Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Lord Howe met for a revolutionary war era peach conference. (718.984.6046 call for further information).
Fish Tanks at the St. George Ferry Terminal in St. George is home to two peaceful and elegant saltwater fish tanks.
Fort Wadsworth - Gateway National Recreation Area Located at the end of Bay Street, next to the Verazano Bridge Ft. Wadsworth is one of the oldest military installation sites in the United States. Guarding New York City for almost 200 years it is now a National Park. The visitor center will provide you with all kinds of information regarding the site's history. Call 718.354.4500 call for further information.
Garibaldi Meucci Museum The historic home of Antonio Meucci, the true inventor of the telephone and Giuseppe Garibaldi, who championed the unification of the Italian state.
Historic Richmond Town Site of the original seat of the Richmond County Government, Historic Richmond Town is New York City’s living history and museum village complex. Located in the heart of Staten Island, historic Richmondtown features special programs that will interest visitors of all ages. (718.351.1611).
Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art Located on Lighthouse Hill, the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art offers visitors exposure to Tibetan Culture, complete with a realistic replication of a Buddhist Temple.
National Lighthouse Museum On the St. George waterfront, adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, is the future site of the National Lighthouse Center and Museum.
New York Chinese Scholar's Garden The first Chinese Scholar's Garden in the United States.
Noble Maritime Collection The Noble Maritime Collection features the art and writings of John A. Noble.
Richmond County Bank Ballpark Home of the Staten Island Yankees. Also click here.
St. George Theatre Beautifully restored historic theater located in "downtown" Staten Island. A major cultural & performance arts center for Staten Island, the St. George Theatre, provides national tours, musical concerts, dance performances, the best in comedy, and children's' productions.
Sandy Ground Historical Museum Founded in the early 19th century by freed black men from New York, Sandy Ground is the oldest community established by freed slaves in North America.
Snug Harbor Cultural Center Originally a housing residence for retired seaman, Snug Harbor is an 83-acre National Historic Landmark District whose grand 19th century buildings house Snug Harbor Cultural Center and many other Cultural Organizations.
Staten Island Botanical Garden Within the grounds of the Snug Harbor Cultural Center, The Staten Island Botanical Garden is a 53 acre natural woodland with over 20 specimen gardens.
Staten Island Children's Museum located at 1000 Richmond Terrace, at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center. Here you can enjoy the hands on exhibitions for children from preschool to junior high school age. From events and exhibits to workshops there is something for everyone to do. (718) 273.2060
Staten Island Museum (SIIAS) The Staten Island Museum - SIIAS (the Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences) is devoted to the history of Staten Island and its people.
Staten Island September 11 Memorial Dedicated to the Staten Island victims of terrorist attacks.
Staten Island Zoo . located at 614 Broadway in West Brighton. From the children's farm yard to the African Savannah there is much to see and do. New York City’s biggest little zoo is a place where kids can learn by actively doing, not just passively watching. It also features an internationally acclaimed reptile collection. (718.442.3101 call for further information)
b. Parks
South Beach & Midland Beach Staten Island's revived beach and boardwalk areas offer tons of summer fun.
Clove Lakes Park & Silver Lake Park North Shore parks offer ball fields, golf and a model yacht pond.
Gateway National Recreation Area With three sites on Staten Island, the Gateway National Recreation Area offers a variety of recreational opportunities.
The Greenbelt Covering over 2,500 acres, the Greenbelt is Staten Island's largest park.
Fishing Piers Three new fishing piers on Staten Island offer plenty of opportunities for fishing.
Blue Heron Pond Park This 147-acre park is home to the blue heron bird, which the park is named for.
Lemon Creek Park A 105-acre park with a marina is also the site of New York City's only purple martin colony.
Wolfe's Pond Park A 170 acre wooded parkland, with 20 acres set aside for swimming, row boating, and daytime freshwater fishing.
Bloomingdale Park Staten Island's newest park includes new ball fields and scenic waterways.
Mt. Loretto State Preserve A spectacular waterfront property featuring important wildlife habitats and stunning vistas from the highest natural bluffs in New York City.
Clay Pit Ponds State Park The 260-plus-acre park holds a mixture of swamps, bogs, ponds, sand barrens, mature woodlands and spring fed streams.
Golf - Swimming Pools - Tennis Three public golf courses, four public pools, and a number of tennis courts are available to Staten Islanders and visitors.
Now, we've just scratched the surface of what Staten Island has to offer. We didn't even get a chance to mention we have three golf courses or our restaurants! For further information about what Staten Island has to offer be sure to check out the following websites:
Staten Island Borough President's Office; Staten Island Chamber of Commerce;
The Staten Island Historian; List of Staten Island Restaurants
ADDITIONAL HELPFUL LINKS:
(1) New York School Links
Inside Schools (Independent guide to NYC public schools)
NYC Dept. of Education DOE Mapping (School & Zone Finder); School Matters;
New York State Education Department; Elementary, Middle, Secondary & Continuing Education - NYSED
American School Directory; National Center for Education Statistics; White House 101 (Facts & fun for all ages)
Great Schools; Exploratorium (The Museum of Science, Art & Human Perception);
(2) Enjoying New York State
New York, NY Metro; New York State Parks, Recreation; New York State; I Love New York;
(3) Helpful New York State Links
Staten Island Advance (Local Newspaper)
EZ Pass; Department of Motor Vehicles;
NYS Enviromental Conservation ; List Of All NY Government Agencies
All information provided by the listing agent/broker is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed