10 Nature & Parks in Staten Island That You Shouldn't Miss

January 20, 2022 Hector Krause

The most suburban of the five boroughs, Staten Island is often neglected as a tourist destination. Take a ride from Manhattan on the Staten Island Ferry and get some of the best views of New York City for free, then stick around and see what Staten Island has to offer. Check out the Himalayan monastery-style Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, or visit Historic Richmond Town for a recreation of colonial New York. The beautiful Hamilton Park neighborhood was the setting for "The Godfather."
Restaurants in Staten Island

1. Staten Island Greenbelt

700 Rockland Ave Gps: 40.6035763,-74.1204239, Staten Island, NY 10314-6410 +1 718-667-2165 http://sigreenbelt.org/
Excellent
78%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 9 reviews

Staten Island Greenbelt

Reviewed By samoht4samoht - New York City, United States

We really enjoy visiting the Greenbelt. It has something for everyone and many activities are free or low cost. There is a fitness center, regulation soccer field, hiking trails, beautiful streams and ponds, birds and wildlife, 18 hole golf course, a nature center, and much more. All ages are welcome.

2. New York Chinese Scholar's Garden

1000 Richmond Ter, Staten Island, NY 10301-1114 +1 718-425-3504 http://snug-harbor.org/botanical-garden/new-york-chinese-scholars-garden/
Excellent
59%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 129 reviews

New York Chinese Scholar's Garden

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.

3. The Narrows

Staten Island, NY
Excellent
68%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

The Narrows

Reviewed By jdroidd

If you are coming over th VZ bridge from Brooklyn heading anywhere west towards Jersey, make a quick stop at Ft. Wadsworth for a wonderful view of the bridge and NYC from a great vantage point. Use lower level and stay right to first exit and turn right again into Fort Wadsworth, just past the Visitor learning Center make left to parking area. Get out and admire the amazing view!

4. High Rock Park

Staten Island, NY http://sigreenbelt.org
Excellent
58%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 50 reviews

High Rock Park

5. Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach

Father Capodanno Boulevard Ft. Wadsworth To Miller Field, Staten Island, NY http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/R046/
Excellent
48%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 124 reviews

Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach

Reviewed By bundyc2015 - Staten Island, United States

One of the few great places left on SI where you can get fresh air and great views of the beach, Verrazano Bridge (you can even go right up close underneath the bridge - very surreal) you can see NYC skyline also. During the summer weekends there are festivals and live music. If you have kids there are different kinds of playgrounds for them along the whole boardwalk and pavement. Parking is plentiful. Bathrooms are open til 7pm during the summers. There is even fishing pier. At night things can get sketchy since some parts are not well lite up. There is even an ice cream/refreshment stand open during the summer near the South Fin Grill. You can also rent bicycles for 2 to 5 people.

6. Fort Wadsworth - Gateway National Recreation Area

210 New York Ave Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY 10305-5019 +1 718-354-4606 http://www.nps.gov/gate
Excellent
69%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
8%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 13 reviews

Fort Wadsworth - Gateway National Recreation Area

Reviewed By jennifer821 - Staten Island, United States

We had the opportunity to take a guided tour of Fort Wadsworth and the Gateway area at Great Kills. These were views and places that you would not believe were located within a city unless you see them for yourself. Beaches, grassy areas, forts, wildlife - and all with amazing insights and history from the Park Rangers who love it everyday. I highly recommend a tour of Fort Wadsworth!

7. Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve

83 Nielsen Ave, Staten Island, NY 10309-1407 +1 718-967-1976 https://parks.ny.gov/parks/166/details.aspx
Excellent
50%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6 reviews

Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve

8. Staten Island Zoo

614 Broadway, Staten Island, NY 10310-2896 +1 718-442-3101 http://statenislandzoo.org/
Excellent
46%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 512 reviews

Staten Island Zoo

A kid-friendly zoo in New York City.

Reviewed By R4960NKjustinw - Hasbrouck Heights, United States

I came out for the Groundhog's Festival again this year and it was a nice day. The ceremony was much quicker than last year as it was Super Bowl Sunday still it was a nice morning. It was much nicer this year as the weather was warmer and all the animal were out after the ceremony was over. I got to see most of the outdoor animals like the Eru's, Kangaroos and Ostriches this time around. Don't miss visiting the gift shop/snack shop when at the zoo. There is a nice selection of foods that are great for kids. I also got one of the stuffed Staten Island Chuck's from the gift shop and it was really cute. It is a nice way to spend the afternoon. Take time to see all the indoor displays as well. There is a interesting exhibition of snakes and monkeys to see and even a small aquarium. It is fun to walk around the zoo.

9. Freshkills Park

250 Wild Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314-4755 http://www.freshkillspark.org
Excellent
36%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
36%
Poor
9%
Terrible
19%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 11 reviews

Freshkills Park

10. Bloomingdale Park

Staten Island, NY 10309 http://www.visitstatenisland.com/parks/bloomingdale-park/
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5 reviews

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.