Sure 60,000 people ride the free Staten Island Ferry daily, but that doesn’t stop the world from labeling the island, which is separated from the rest of the city by New York Bay, the “Lost Borough”. Many think that, besides the free ferry ride that offers a spectacular view of sunset on the Manhattan skyline (if you time it right of course), there is nothing to do there. This couldn’t be farther from the truth! You don’t have to dig very deep to see that there are many fun attractions on Staten Island. Here are 3 suggestions to get you started:

1. The Greenbelt Conservancy

This lush, 2800-acre span of green land provides for a perfect escape from the monotonous concrete and urbanization that has taken over the rest of the city. The Conservancy includes trails for hiking, mature trees for escaping the summer heat, a wildlife refuge, summer camp, a recreation center and much more! The Greenbelt is good for one-time visits or membership deals for locals. Also, check out the Calendar of Upcoming Events for more specific interests! Make a day out of the Greenbelt Conservancy and see the “greener side” of New York.

2. Snug Harbor Culture Center

An affiliate of the Smithsonian,the Snug Harbor Culture Center is the perfect place to go to get your arts & entertainment fix. Situated right on old Snug Harbor, formerly known as the “haven for aged sailors”, the spot is one of the region’s most historical landmarks. Throughout history the center has remained the very heart of the Staten Island social scene. Within the center you will find a contemporary art museum, botanical garden, children’s museum and concert hall among many other things. Plan your visit today!

3. The Chinese Scholars Garden

The Chinese Scholar’s Garden is actually located within the Botanical Gardens of Snug Harbor, but it is definitely not your average botanical garden. The garden, which was constructed by 40 Chinese artists and artisans from Suzhou, opened in June 1999. The traditional Han Dynasty architecture of this magnificent achievement can be traced back 2,000 years. The garden is enclosed by tall walls so that only visitors of the garden can experience it’s surreal beauty. For more information on the Chinese Scholar Garden’s history click here.

So there you have it; 3 fun things to do in Staten Island besides riding the ferry. It  doesn’t seem so “lost” now does it?

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 at 7:28 am and is filed under City Happenings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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