Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden

Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden Review

Once part of a sprawling farm, this 83-acre community is now a popular spot to see maritime art, frolic in the Children's Museum, or take a stroll through lush gardens.

Made up of 26 mostly restored historic buildings, Snug Harbor's center is a row of mid-19th-century Greek Revival temples. Main Hall—the oldest building on the property—is home to the Eleanor Proske Visitors Center ($3, including Newhouse Center), which has exhibits on art and Snug Harbor's history. The adjacent Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art (718/425-3524 $3, including visitor center) shows multidisciplinary videos, mixed media, and performances. Next door at the Noble Maritime Collection (718/447-6490 www.noblemaritime.org $5) an old seamen's dormitory is now a museum of ocean-inspired artwork.

From the Staten Island Ferry terminal, take the S40 bus 2 mi (about seven minutes) to the Snug Harbor Road stop. Or grab a car service at the ferry terminal. (The ride should cost you about $5.)

Spread over the cultural center grounds is the Staten Island Botanical Garden, which includes an orchid collection, 9/11 memorial, 20-acre wetland, Chinese Scholar's Garden, and a sensory garden with fragrant, touchable flowers and a tinkling waterfall. Children love the Connie Gretz Secret Garden with its castle and maze among the flowers. 718/448-2500. www.snug-harbor.org. Free; $5 for Chinese Garden and Secret Garden. Daily dawn-dusk; Chinese Garden and Secret Garden Apr.-Sept., Tues.-Sun. 10-5; Oct.-Mar., Tues.-Sun. noon-4.