Snug Harbor Cultural Center Reviews

Came back to visit the Chinese Garden after more than 20 years. It is still a beautiful and peaceful place. My wife and I walked through it and admired its tranquility. There are very places in New York City one is able to do this.

After years of coming to snug harbor, my kids, teenagers now, still enjoy visiting the center. Having fun and learning new things on every visit. They love the flower gardens, the art galleries. If they ask again to go this year, absolutely. Depending on their age, take their friends as well. i recommend all parents with kids to visit until they are no longer interested...

Take the Staten Island Ferry, then the S40 bus (less than a ten minute ride to the 'Sailors SH Gate stop', runs every 15 minutes - your metro card works). When you get off you will be across the street from the entrance. The buildings are old, some decrepit. My first take was it must have been an insane asylum! But, it wasn't. Rather, it was a retirement home for merchant sailors from the 1800s to 1976. Today some buildings are empty, a couple house art galleries (small admission fees), one the Staten Island Museum and a number are space for a variety of not-for-profits.

If you go up the path straight across from the bus stop, you will come to one of the galleries. Be sure to look up when you enter. It has a beautiful ceiling. Anyhow, you can pick up a map of the grounds there. Signage is a bit sparce throughout the property, so the map really helps you get your bearings.

Snug Harbor has 80+ acres of beautiful grounds. The gardens are lovely. Unfortunately the gardening staff is half of what it used to be, so all can no longer be as meticulously manicured as it was in the past. But, the bones are there. Almost all are free to enter. The Chinese Scholars Garden requires a $5 admission fee and is well worth it. Such a beautiful, tranquil place.

If you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the City, take the short jaunt to Snug Harbor and enjoy the tranquility.

We went to Snug Harbour after seeing it on a TV programme earlier in the year, getting there from Staten Island ferry was a bit of an epic journey despite their being a direct bus!! The park itself was not particularly spectacular, granted we did visit in spring. I would not make the journey from NYC as it is not worth the effort.

The Chinese Scholars Garden is beautiful! Koi ponds abound, waterfalls within pagodas, Everywhere you look there is something interested to see. You can do your own tour with hand held guides that can be returned after you use them. The Bambook Walk is lovely. Well worth going!

Snug harbor had something for everyone. They have a wonderful Children's Museum, Several Theatrical venues from small and intimate to medium sized. Some local some traveling productions and some of their performances feel like a Broadway production. I saw Les Miseribles and Shrek the musical. both were excellent. They have beautiful Gardens, a Tuscan Garden, a Japanese Scholars Garden and a French Garden, the have a 911 memorial where Firemen volunteer to tell visitors of their memories of the day. There is the Art Lab, where you can take classes or you can look at the art from local artist. You can have a wedding here in on of several venues and the wedding pictures in the gardens are beautiful. There is so much more.

This was a sailors retirement home taken over by the city. Lots of property and could be so much more but as is typical with the city of New York, they put money into it and then let it go to crap.
Nice place to go to be alone, a walk or some sightseeing but that's another review.

I love Greek and Chinese architecture and history so my friends and I decided to visit here on the fourth of July before going to a picnic later. General entrance is free but you pay about $8 to see a group of exhibitions or $4 to see each of them. It is also very close to the Staten Island ferry. NYC buses can take you there from the ferry directly for a fee. The ferry is free from downtown Manhattan. There is plenty of parking available.
The visit was disappointing for us. We had called days before and were told that the place was open, but only few buildings and exhibitions were open. This place and its gardens must have been beautiful at one time but it has not been maintained in recent years and it is very obvious. It is big and interesting. There is a lovely Greek fountain with the stature of Poseidon near the Greek buildings but the pool is dirty. The only saving grace was the Chinese Scholar garden. It is truly lovely and saved the day. All in all it was an okay visit and we still enjoyed visiting this center. We still have lovely pictures to show that this place can be a great gem if maintained.

This place has great potential. It's nice to have green space, and the gardens (or ruins of gardens) as well as the buildings look as if they were well-designed, back in their day. This would be a great location for a campus. Although the entire place is dilapidated, it's probably a worthwhile place to walk if you live close by. The best part is the "healing garden," which is basically a short nature trail. Avoid the "secret garden," which is a labryrinth full of overgrown hedges that could put you at risk of Lyme Disease. It's unfortunate that the place hasn't been kept up. All the buildings are basically ruins on the outside; I imagine the insides are worse if the outside is that bad. The gardens have some nice plants, although they're kind of weak compared to the gardens in our condo community.

Absolutely beautiful grounds. I take a lot of photos and this is one of my favorite spots to go in Staten Island. Very calming, peaceful and serene place to just relax.

It was beautiful but unorganized the signage was horrible and inadequate it was hot and we got frustrated so we left. It was hard to find someone that actually worked there.

Designed and built for retiring Seamen, Sailors and Mariners in the late 1800's. This is a complete facility for these men in that there are theater, chapel, dining hall, library, hospital and other ancillary buildings for power, water and sanitary.
During the early 70's, as the retired population dwindled one prime person [Jacqueline Kennedy] with a vision saw that this facility could be converted into a cultural center. Being from Staten Island I was able to be part of this creative conversion.
Snug Harbor now houses: Theaters, Art Labs, Galleries, Theatrical & Musical concerts as well as a hub for local organizations to present their art. Also part of this campus are several Botanical Gems. Your could spend several days enjoyed Snug Harbor, so plan ahead beacuse it is well worth the effort

Snug Harbir has a very relaxing atmosphere. The gardens have a variety of plants and flowers and the hot house is a very interesting place to walk through.

Aside from children's, staten island, naval and other museums, I just live roaming through the property. Takes you away from reality and drown in the sea of Serenity.
Highly recommend visiting Chinese garden and especially hedge maze which has intriguing history behind it that will give you goose bumps.

Bike there, jog through, drive, or bus from the ferry. My special treat is to sit and savor the Scholar's Garden in all seasons and weather. 83 landscaped acres include botanical, Tuscan, Chinese Scholar's gardens, and a seasonal opportunity to purchase fresh heirloom herbs & vegetables, plus a view of NY's waterfront from its restored Greek Revival buildings. Those amazing buildings house a theatre for performing arts, museum collections of contemporary & maritime & kid-friendly art and history, an artist residency program, an art school and great festivals. The website will tell you what's "on special" for the day but, to me, it's special every day.
Bring a picnic or walk to next door local restaurants. And have your type of great day.

I've attended a wedding at the Cultural Center, such a nice affair, parking availability, the ambiance, the service and the catering. Yes, an all around pleasurable experience. The grounds are also beautiful.

A visit to the Chinese Garden is just beautiful. The history of the Garden and how it was constructed and the materials used is extremely interesting

I bought it was good but if you've seen it multiple times it gets boring

Snug Harbor Cultural Center is located at 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY. This place has something for everyone and the whole family can spend the day nicely by watching history, agriculture, horticulture, performing arts, and visual arts.

This place provide breathtaking backdrop for special events like musical or theatrical performance, classroom instruction, conference location, outdoor concert, fesival, or film shoot.

It’s educational programs and workshops are designed as interdisciplinary, hands-on experiences that enable students to explore their creativity, discover their community and learn classroom subjects in new ways.

This place is a pride of Staten island and a nice visit for people who want to spend a day out.

Overgrown. There’s signs for a visitors center, but it doesn’t exist. On the map there is a healing garden. There is no healing garden. Can’t get into the glass house. Can’t get into the secret garden. There is no information anywhere about the history of this complex. I guess if you live in Staten Island, it’s a nice green space

Beautiful grounds to wander on. Pack a picnic and enjoy they day. Close to the ferry, bus ride away. Imagine life of a retired sailor and explore the grounds at your leisure. Best times to visit spring, summer and fall. In wintertime you'll need snow shoes to traverse the fields.

Snug Harbor was originally built to be a home for retired seamen, and its conversion into Staten Island's pre-eminent cultural center has been a long slow process.

Over the years, I have seen the results of the renovation efforts come to completion here and there, and the obvious pride and excitement on the part of the people responsible for this work is wonderful to see.

There is a tendency, being so close to Manhattan and the rest of New York City, to want to compete and be able to say that things on Staten Island are "just as good." Well, with Snug Harbor, Staten Island has something unique, something the rest of New York City does not have. And while they may not draw the same big names that Manhattan can, there are some people for whom Snug Harbor's country atmosphere and appreciative audiences are just the right fit.

And it is important to remember that, as a true cultural center, Snug Harbor is not just one thing. It is the Newhouse Gallery, and the various music performance venues (small - Veteran's Memorial Hall - and large - the Music Hall), and the many gardens, etc.

Not too much going on, but a great place for a picnic and nice walk. The grounds a beautiful and kept up so well.

Snug Harbour has some really nice gardens. It's a great spot to walk around and see all kinds of unique plants and flowers. It is mostly free (only the Chinese gardens required admission). I do not suggest walking from the ferry terminal. It is long and they neighbourhood is a bit down in its luck. Either drive or take the S40 bus from the ferry terminal. With that said, I still recommend making the trip if you like to explore the hidden gems.

Snug Harbor is an excellent gem on Staten Island. Filled with history and beauty, it's a great place for a stroll and a sample of historical atmosphere on the SI. Nothing beats walking around on a great fall or spring day! It's great in the winter and summer, but I prefer the other months for its beauty.

The grounds here are worth a visit. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the gardens. My brother got married outside in the scholar garden - gorgeous. After which we had an outside reception. The food was good. Everything is covered in case of rain. I really enjoyed this venue.

This is an unusual place and well wortht the trip. It houses several museums and is improving every year we go there. It is also near the Chinese Scholars Garden, so a nice day trip. To make the day complete, find a great Italian restaurant.

This was one of the most beautiful events I have ever attended. The lanterns depicting various mostly oriental themes were absolutely gorgeous. It is on a path to follow around, while Christmas music is played. What a wonderful experience. I did not expect it to be so enchanting. As I am not a big fan of the NJ drive through light displays, I was hoping it would not be alot of Santa, sleighs, reindeer, elves. Well It was nothing like that. Temples, flowers, animated animals, underwater scenes in the most gorgeous of colors. I highly recommend this event. I will be back next year for sure.

went there for a festival - amazingly well kept gardens and friendly staff around the park. The secret garden made me laugh.

The Snug Harbor Center is a must see for visitors and locals on Staten Island. The grounds are well laid out and a beautiful combination of well landscaped and a more wild feel around. The historic buildings are spectacular both outside and in (which is good at the moment with limited indoor access due to Covid). The Chinese Scholars Garden is unique, the Tuscan Garden is cute, and the rose, herb, white, and other gardens are constantly changing and worth repeated visits. And it's almost never crowded so you can really enjoy yourselves. The SI Museum on the grounds has a variety of circulating shows, that (like any museum) can vary in quality but the buildings themselves are worth seeing.

Sailor's Snug Harbor started out as a resting home for sailors around the turn of the century, but, when the resting home moved to N.C., it quickly became a meacon of art and all things cultural for not just Staten Island, but, NYC.

Snug Harbor is now part of the Smithsonian. It boasts a Botanical Garden, a Chinese Scholar's Garden, several galleries, and theaters, a Children's Museum, and also a taste of history as you'll find upon exploring the original buildings from the turn of the Century.

Snug Harbor also has played home to many concert's from the Philharmonic to this years inagural "Rock The Harbor" .

Don't take my word for it, come explore for yourself.

Tried to visit gallery and scholar's garden but couldn't find the ticket office even after checked visiting hours and followed the sign.

It is a great place to visit for a walk and see those buildings, if you are lucky you'll find a festival, musical or something going on here every weekend so you can visit it and enjoy. It is well maintained and nice attraction for Staten Island.

One thing I would highly recommend if you have time when visiting NYC, is a trip out to Staten Island on the free ferry & then get a Taxi for $10 out to Snug Harbour , it truly is beautiful & so relaxing, there is lovely walk ways, music hall, Japanese Gardens, Lake with Wildlife including small turtles, Ducks, Geese.
also a toy museum & Oh and I have to mention the NYC FD Museum, this truly is amazing & its free, Lots of photos & memorabilia from Ground Zero, the whole park is so relaxing and would be a great day out for a family. It was quite when we were there as it was early April & a week day, if you want to get a break away from Manhattan & shopping & recharge your batteries this is the place to go, you get the free Statin Island Ferry over, Hop in a taxi For $10 & go to the most peaceful relaxing day, You also get the best view of the Statue of Liberty & Brooklyn Bridge on you way out on the ferry, We went on the Ellis Island ferry before, trust me the view of Lady Liberty much better from Statin Island Ferry. You can also get a bus to Snug harbour when you get off the ferry but at time of writing this it would have been $7.50 for 3 of us where as the Taxi was $10.

The buildings need a lot of work, but they have really good programs and the grounds are massive. They also have a wonderful garden were they grown organic veggies and beautiful flowering gradens as well.

I highly recommend the children’s museum it was a great place years ago when my children were little and still is to this day. My nieces and nephews live the place.

Beat many botanival gardens, beautiful grounda, very impressive, if you enjoy thr nature, it is a must

Snug is one of those best kept secrets on Staten Island. We walk through almost weekly, as we live nearby. The grounds are beautifully kept and there are several museums and things to do on the site. We love it to much, we got married there in 2011!

It is a bit of a trek to get to this Centre from Manhattan- the Staten Island Ferry and then the S40 bus. However, we were keen to see the Chinese Lantern Festival which is on until the 6 January 2019 and we weren’t disappointed. It was brilliant! An amazing variety of Chinese Lanterns ranging from animals to Chinese Zodiac signs, dragons and beautiful flowers. If you have kids they will love it! We didn’t realise that there is a free shuttle bus from the Ferry Terminal which is very handy. Can’t comment on what this place is like other times of the year.

I had some time to kill before a meeting so I stopped in. I enjoyed myself and was able to get in a quick walk.

I've been to New York many times and always stay in State Island with my relatives but this is the first time I visited Snug Harbor. It's beautiful out there. There's all sorts of thing - Children's museum, a pretty duck pond, various interesting building that house exhibits and other cultural activities. If I'm short on time, I'd rather spend all my time in Manhattan. However, since we have time in our hands and this is an easy stop, we explored the area.

Snug Harbor is a delight during any season. The Chinese Lantern Festival was just one way to take advantage of beautiful Snug Harbor.

The area is full of things to do. You can easily spend a day here and not be bored. The grounds are relaxing and kept well tended. The various fountains are a joy to sit next to and be entertained by the magical sounds of the cool waters There are plenty of shady trees and places to sit and enjoy one of natures beautiful sites If you take the kids be sure to check out the amazing summer sprinkles or visit the museum for a day of fun. Nature at its best..

Since my grandfather was once a board member of Sailor's Snug Harbor, I had to visit! This icon of early New York social services, now being renovated bit by bit into community and arts centers and museum space, remains with its four or five classic marble-columned buildings facing New York harbor. In two visits now, I've seen an exhibit of how the retired sailors lived here (not a bad life at all), an exquisite exhibit of sailing and busy harbor life, and a wonderful garden with a variety of aspects to investigate. Free parking, and close to the free Staten Island Ferry. I hope they find the ongoing funding they need.

The grounds are very lovely. The Chinese scholar garden is very nice, but it needs some maintenance, probably because of the funding cuts made to the park's budget. The sailor's retirement buildings are impressive, but there is little to see by paying the entrance fee.

The gardens are the high point. Also, the little cafe in the gardens serves very good food that is cooked to order and result in a lovely lunch sitting at the outdoor tables next to the gardens.

I hope that the NY government funding sources will increase the budget, so that others can continue to enjoy this sweet place.

This facility was a self contained home for aged sailors. The original name was Sailor Snug Harbor. In the early 1970's the last of the sailors were moved out of state to another facility. It was later purchased by the city and has undgergone major renovations to all of the various style buildings. It houses a music hall, a grand hall for parties, the Children's museum, an Art Lab, Botanical Garden, the Chinese Scholar's Garden and various other attractions.

Good place to spend a Saturday Afternoon. The gardens are small but worth the visit. Look for summer concerts. Small sandwich shop always busy, bring a picnic.

Went to Snug Harbor with my grandchildren...They absolutely loved it...They enjoyed all the different sights at the center...Had fun participating and touching the exhibits...We loved the restaurant there...it certainly made for a joyful day.

I took my children there to see the garden and it was so pretty. We also visited the children's museum and walked the grounds. We had a great time.

Amazing display covering a large amount of the grounds. 60,000 people passed through the magnificently lit displays. Hope it comes back to Staten Island. If it comes to a venue near you, don't miss it.

Haven’t been back in years. Came here for a wedding and was pleasantly surprised. Grounds are well kept and the venues for the wedding were very nice. Food was wonderful as well. The roast pork was very tender and juicy. Skin was melt in the mouth delicious. Staff attentive and friendly.

I used to bring my son to ART classes there (one of the many offered classes ranging from children- adults), over the summer... I used to walk around aimlessly enjoying the quiet beauty of this place! Such History and art all in one place... the grounds are so well kept, greenhouses, flowers, gardens, replica of a Japanese mansion, too much to list.... If you want to loose yourself on a nice summer, Fall, Winter or Spring day... go and enjoy the clean air and beauty which is hard to find anywhere in the city! ;)

THERE ARE MANY BUILDINGS HOUSING CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, EXHIBITIONS noble maritime collections. Chinese Gardens. Herbal garden and many more things to see.
Beautiful flower garden. Just take a long walk and enjoy each and every buildings and gardens and exhibits in the area.

We limited our excursion to the Chinese Garden, Staten Island Museum and the Maritime Art Gallery. Was it worth traveling on the subway, ferry and taxi from Midtown? YES! The walled Chinese garden had an unusual style that was not lessened by the improperly cleaned and damaged etched light fixtures. The nooks, crannies, waterfalls and goldfish are a delight to the eye. The Maritime Gallery was the highlight. Many of the paintings expressed the sea's fury so well that the corridor seemed to heave and sink. I enjoyed looking at the restored room of the Snug Harbor inmates as well as the artists studio that was located in the pilot house of a ship. The gift shop had some classy prints. Please note if you go on weekdays during the school year a dozen or more buses of children may share the 83 acres of grounds with you. Also keep in mind the buses to the ferries run every twenty minutes

Snug Harbor is absolutely LOVELY. Staten Island has many hidden gems but this is one of the finest. It has the charm of Central Park but without all of the people. You feel like you're in a different world there.

My husband and I were fortunate enough to be able to take some of our wedding photos there. I believed that to utilize the grounds you had to use the venue located onsite but you do not. There are permits required but nothing compared to paying for a permit for photos in Manhattan.

For a day out, check their website (http://snug-harbor.org/) see what's in bloom and GO! it's so worth it. It's a wonderful (free) day out.

Great place to stop by if your visiting or living in staten island.did my daughters party here amazing atmosphere great people awesome service.they have amazing gardens,museums and great fountains.
Its great for children's and perfect for couples so romantic and pleasant.definitely a must do in the island.

I attended the Snug Harbor Bug Picinic on 6/16/18. Had a great time. Went to the farm and picked up organic vegetables. Plan to go back to get more and visit the Staten Island Museum and China Scholar Garden

The lantern festival was nice. A lot to see and many shows to watch at the stage. Took about 45 minutes to walk the whole exhibit and see the different designs

If you or your kids like sailing ships then you will enjoy a trip out to this place which was once a retirement home for sailors. Lovely old colonial style buildings one of which is a museum on the theme of sailing. Be warned it closes early (around 5pm) so be sure to check out the times before going. This will give you something to do once you have taken the staten Island ferry (FREE) to get great photos of the manhatten skyline. You will need to take a bus from the ferry port ( the 45 if I remember rightly). The bus ride takes about 15 minutes.There is a small entry fee to get in.

Very beautiful and large "park"... ideal for escaping the hustle and bustle of the city. It's a bit of a walk from the Star Island Ferry, but if you take the side streets you can see beautiful, typical American houses and gardens.
Unfortunately the Asian section of the botanical garden was closed. 😔

What a hidden treasure. The Japanese garden filled with bamboo and streams and sounds. So peaceful. Went with an adult school trip. We didn't want to leave. If you are in SI and weather is nice ....go.

This is such an important asset that hopefully will continue to reflect its wonderful heritage. How amazing this facility was to provide an retirement home sailors. Today these wonderful facilities have some amazing museums and incredible gardens to picnic and enjoy.

You have to see it to believe it. It's like going back in time!!! Make sure you go to the Japanese garden and see a show!!!!

A short bus ride from the Staten Island Ferry if traveling from the other boroughs of NYC.
Bring a light blanket for snack/ lunch.There are benches as well to just relax after walking around the garden (different flowers depending on the season) Of coarse spring and summer the best bloom. Forgot food,no problem,there is a basic food stand,hot dog,salad,maybe even a burger, so much to see,spend half a day or more depending if there are free events to watch. ENJOY.

Attended outdoor venue for VH 1 Big Ang Memorial. Spacious grounds, portable restrooms, food and beverage vendors present.

On a Saturday with good weather it is actually not a bad idea to visit this place, with its many gardens. Going there by public transportation takes a longer time obviously, but still possible. I enjoyed the Chinese Scholar's Garden a lot.

There are a few gems on otherwise pedestrian Staten Island, and this may be the best of them. The beautiful Greek Revival buildings are enough of an attraction in themselves, but they also house several first rate small museums. The Noble Collection is unique, dedicated to a mid-Twentieth Century artist who roamed New York on a floating studio to paint and draw harbor life. The studio was lovingly restored and is housed inside the museum. There is a lo more to see and do. Don't miss the small but beautiful botanical garden or the Chinese Scholars' Garden.

Some of the buildings on the large campus date from the early 19th century and were designed by renowned architect Minard LaFever, truly amazing Greek Revival structures. When one walks the campus one is transported out of metropolitan NYC into another world of peace and tranquility. Facing New York Harbor, the one-time home for aged seamen is the cultural center of Staten Island with the second-oldest music hall in NYC, being one year newer than Carnegie Hall.
Truly an amazing place to spend the afternoon walking, sitting and day dreaming.

One of my trip pearl which I discovered by accident was this noble maritime collection. Amazing free exhibition of ships, sailor's life and all so beautiful and peaceful.

Mostly walked around and looked at the flowers, but we loved the Chinese Scholar's garden. It looked timeless, as if it had been there for hundreds of years, although it's fairly new, and it's gorgeous.
An odd and interesting place to visit, would be great for families, lots of lawn for kids to run around in.

This place is very big more shcool kids love this place for it art and shows/games it more of a local history then a world history but over all nice place to bring a class.

Grounds are not well kept and the administration is downright RUDE!!!! You're better off having your day at a city dump

Snug Harbor hosted the annual Staten Island PrideFest on July 12 2014 and it was a historic and record breaking day. The grounds were beautiful and were the perfect setting for the 5k run and the Interfaith service as well as the festival. Thank You so much Snug Harbor and your team for doing this!

Alice austin house and many more buildings to visit there great historical place of staten Island. Beautiful Architecture.

Fun park to see a minor league game . Weekend games are always the best time to go. Family activities for everyone to enjoy at a reasonable price.

Beautiful and tranquil gardens for walking and exploring. We will definitely return during warmer weather

The grounds are rather large and very pretty and well worth the walk from the Staten Island Ferry. The walk took about 20 minutes but it would be just as east to get a bus there if necessary. In the summer there are often events for families.

The gardens are beautiful. The Chinese Scholars garden is a special treat. The visitors center was not open the day we went, but we had a great time exploring the gardens.

Wonderful place in Staten Island to bring the family especially on the weekends the gardens are gorgeous in the summer the spring on the fall... Children's Museum is excellent I recommend anyone young and old to visit here

Visited the day after Christmas right at opening and had a good time. The lanterns were impressive and very different from anything I’ve seen before. Tickets purchased via Groupon made the outing a good deal.

Our favorites here include the profoundly beautiful Chinese Scholar's Garden and the Staten Island Botanical Garden. You can also frequently find interesting art exhibits here as well as musical concerts. It's a shame that Cafe Botanica no longer has a presence here: it was a great place to have a sandwich or salad after working up an appetite from roaming around this extensive facility. There are several beautiful old buildings left over from the days when these were the grounds of Sailors' Snug Harbor, a retirement facility for old sailors. There is a lot of potential here and we're looking forward to future developments including a new location for the Staten Island Museum of Arts and Sciences.

The number one place to visit on Staten Island! This is truly a Staten Island's secret gem of a place. There is actually quite a bit to do and see here! The Chinese Scholar's garden and Botanical Gardens, The S,I. Museum, Noble Maritime collection, Newhouse Gallery, Music Hall, Staten Island Children's Museum and more, can all be found on the grounds here.

Kudos to the horticultural staff at Snug Harbor. Both the formal and less formal plantings were spectacular. Really enjoyed the Chinese Garden in particular, but quite impressed with the plantings around most of the grounds. Although I visited on a weekend, there weren't a lot of people around, which made for a serene city getaway.

If you go, I would recommend bringing food and finding a quiet spot for lunch. Perfect location for some fresh air and quiet reading.

Snug harbor is a nice day trip with greek revial buildings, chinese gardens,art lab,childrens museum
Around halloween they have ghost tours ,it use to be a home for retired saliors so there is a lot of history behind the buildings, its free to enter and walk around but the art lab,museums have a few. Its a easy bus trip from the SI ferry the #40 bus,

The Snug Harbor Cultural Center in Staten Island has been in existence for a number of years, but still has not come to the point where it should be in my opinion.

The Botanical Gardens, while it is a lovely stroll and free addmission are maintained, but could be nicer. The day we visited they were advertised to be open until 5pm, but they were locking up at 4pm upon our departure. The Japanese Gardens are a great attraction, however do require a fee and are often over crowded and don't allow you to enjoy the true solace you are supposed to achieve in this type of environment.

The Performing Arts Venues do not advertise well and I feel that their performances often are not sold out. The few performances I did attend in past years were all well choreographed and very pleasing.

It has been a number of years since I attended the Children's Museum as my children are grown now, but I remember it fondly. The Staten Island Museum is scheduled to open at the end of September 2015. There is also the Noble and Newhouse Museums on the campus.

All in all a nice place to take a stroll and enjoy nature for a while. Given the size and scope of the property I feel that it should be so much more.

Loved this museum!! Adorable!! Kids loved it... was so cute (and clean) hands on and perfect for little explorers!

Attended a family members wedding. It was the same day as a festival and the parking was a nightmare. Closed the parking to wedding guests and they had to walk from outside the gates all the way to the ceremony area. Grounds were nice and groomed. The way finding needs a lot of work. From the ceremony you had to walk behind buildings to get to the reception hall - the path could have been more clearly defined as well as a nicer scenery along the walk. Food was good nothing great or taste bud blowing. A lot of events going on at once - alot of people everywhere. The reception hall was long and narrow but had very big windows to let alot of light in. The grounds have a lot of history worth seeing on your personal time.

The Chinese Scholar's Garden is very unique - it was well worth the trip from northern New Jersey. If you are an avid gardener, you'll be disappointed by the plantings that have been heavily invaded by weeds. However, the Chinese buildings, the small planted vistas within the buildings, and the pools and rocks more than make up for this.
Be certain to make a sharp left turn after the ticket house gate and go past the stage area. Otherwise, if you follow the path that leads straight ahead after the gate, you'll have a mountain-goat, up and down climb to the garden - an enjoyable trek if you are in good shape.

If I was a tourist I would be very disappointed . The pond is disgusting green slime water. The Neptune fountain is in dire need of an overhaul. Half the time the water isn't even on. The buildings are in the midst of being overhauled. Beautiful massive structures that must have been something else in their heyday. The museum which is new is very nice. The rose garden is so so. The volunteers work very very hard to try to keep this place in shape. I walk through it three days a week On my lunch hour. It's sad. The poor turtles, fish, and birds by that slimy pond is disgraceful.
The botanical gardens are the saddest I've ever seen in my travels.
This is a good place to grab a bite to eat on the way to the scholars garden. Grab a bite , put down a blanket and feel the peace. I love this place for my lunch hour but again , as a tourist point of view-- it's a no.

This is a beautiful & interesting area and a "must see" if you are visit Staten Island. We thoroughly enjoyed walking around the whole area.

Large area filled with many old building and gardens for exploring. You can spend the day here and not see all it has to offer. They have museums, concerts, art exhibits and much more. Bring a lunch and have a picture in one of its many outdoor gardens.

Snug has so much to offer. Whether it's a stroll through a beautifully appointed garden or a trip to a museum, Snug is one of Staten Island's best kept secrets. While some locals use it as a park, many take advantage of the many art-inspired organizations on the campus.

The grounds were old and beautiful. Very well maintained grounds, and people buzzing about. There is a huge greenhouse that looks amazing inside. They should consider a small bistro or bar onsite. I would like to check out the theater playhouse next time. Security guard was helpful and friendly.
A cool spot.

A large grounds of various attractions, including museums & gardens...
Nice for a relaxing day or part of a day...
Visits prior to January 2016

This place is easy to get to from the Staten Island ferry. One bus ride ,about10 minutes or so.There are several buildings to walk around and look at. The grounds are huge, full of gardens,fountains ,a greenhouse and even a castle.In the back area,there is a farm. It’s a very relaxing place to go.

Clearly work is still underway here and some areas need a little TLC but we visited on a beautiful day and spent several hours just enjoying the lovely buildings and beautiful grounds. It was so peaceful and relaxing. Popular with locals for dog walking and has a great little cafe

I go here mainly to take my Grandkids to the Childrens Museum which they love. They have art classes that the kids always seem to enjoy and a stage with a camers and TV screen where they can act out and see themselves on screen. I have also been to shows in the main theater. I've seen shows from Norah Jones to Rent and all were good. It's a nice place to just walk around the grounds and gardens too. There are some beautiful building there also. It's worth a trip but I'm lucky I'm only 5 minutes away.

Who knew something like this existed on Staten Island? Great place to channel the Bard and spend a summer afternoon. All of Snug Harbor is nice, but the Shakespeare Garden is definitely the spot to take your break.

We were there in the summer of 2017 with family for the Sprinkler fest. Our two nieces a four-year-old and her sister eight-month-old had a blast.

This summer has seen a big improvement in the upkeep and programs presented at Snug Harbor. The other night, 8/25 a free concert was offered and it was excellent. These are the kind of events which are perfect for the Center. Free music under the stars. I am very happy to see Snug Harbor thriving and applaud the good work of the new team running the place.

I loved the gardens. Lots to see. The old history was intriguing. They have a children's museum & they also have concerts too. I was kind of bored there. It's a day out to walk around but not my cup of tea. Overall if you have young kids it would be a fun day for you.

I feel very fortunate to live within walking distance to this little patch of heaven. My husband and I frequently enjoy its verdant 83 acres and are thankful Jackie O. found saving this historic property worth her attention.

Growing up in Staten Island a long time ago, this was a very enjoyable day. It brought back memories. The museum had just opened and we were lucky to be there for that week. They did a wonderful job of showcasing the History of Staten Island and the other exhibits were just as great . We were there for quite some time. A great addition for Staten Island.
We enjoyed the walk on the property also. There is an outdoor café with great knishes and food. That was a plus for Snug harbor.
Thank you for putting this Cultural Center at Snug Harbor. We will return on our next visit back to our roots.....

I come here specially on Spring, Autumn ( Summer for some small picnic) or just walk around whenever I can. It does have a Chinese art building to visit for only $5. This place have nice spot to take pictures specially on spring, summer and autum

Snug harbor cultural center is very historic and interactive! I took my 6 year old daughter and we had a blast!
First we started at the children's museum and spent 3 hours there! THe we wandered around the grounds for another 2 bourse through the noble maritime museum and the botanical gardens. Something you can definitely spend your whole day doing!

Long walk from the Staten Is ferry terminal (about 45 mins) and then nothing much of interest. Yes ok there are some old buildings, but no interpretation boards. Yes there are lots of trees but again no information. Only go if you really have to.

If I meet another tourist who thinks they are cool because they took the staten island ferry and then the next one back - think I will scream. Ferrry - great especially at night in the back. BUT if you are coming out in the day - especially a nice day for God's sake do not be a sheep and go straight back. Hop a cab to Snug Harbor, bring a picnic lunch and wander the grounds. It was originally set up as a place for women to wait for thier husbands at sea and then artists were granted cottages. Go online to see what perfomances are offered. Then make a day of it go to a AAA ball game much nicer atmosphere than Yankee stadium and you can see future stars before they get called up. A cab ride away there is a buddist center and I think the oldest commune in the US. Anyway you get the pic.

Their website led me to have high hopes. My first clue that all that glitters might not be gold was the pedestrian entrance where the bus dropped us off. There was a large map and directory, but otherwise we were left standing and trying to figure out our way around this massive building in front of us.

Then we found the information booth that anyone who drives themselves will easily discover.

There is great outdoor cafe Harbor Eats. Good food, fun staff.

Snug Harbor is free to wander, but there are exceptions.

The Chinese Scholar Garden charges. And while it could be great, we found the map very lacking in accuracy and detail. So, it was nice to walk around...but.

The same can be said for the Staten Island Museum. Before paying I inquired if they specifically had an exhibit on the history of a Staten Island. I was told yes. So, we paid the suggested admission and went downstairs. We found the auditorium which had about seven large displays spotlighting/highlighting moments in history. Not bad, but I definitely was looking for more in depth coverage. There was a television mounted on the wall that seemed to be there to show a video, but we could not see a way to turn it on. The other rooms had various art and exhibit materials related to Mastadons. They did have great bathrooms on every floor. And the staff at the admissions desk were quite helpful with bus route information.

Plan on 1-3 hours.

It's been 4 years since my last review. Whether it's a plant sale, a tour, or the Lantern Festival, they are constantly offering new opportunities to plan a visit. Want to entertain the kids, no better place than the children's museum. Picnic on the grounds, take a walk through the healing garden or the Chinese Scholar's Garden. So much to see and do here. Highly recommend.

Beautiful place, get groupon gor discouted prices... parking is horrific , suggest to take public trqnsportation, dress up warm and enjoy.. the place is not big but very very cute... worth a visit but perhaps by ferry or train...also too many people and walking paths are small and people are stopping to take pictures so maybe weekday visit is a better bet...

Visited here when my daughter was very little and again recently with our now 16 year old. It was a little too hot to walk to see everything, but there is plenty to see on the grounds. We didn't go into the Children's museum this time, but I do remember it being nice many years ago. They could use a little better signage on their out buildings (as in where are the bathrooms??). Over all, a nice place to visit if you're in the area.

I have lived on Staten Island for almost 7 years now and never took the time out to go to the Botanical Gardens at Snug Harbor. Boy! Was I missing out! The gardens are so beautiful, peaceful and serene. The landscaping is amazing! I have never seen anything more beautiful. It would be a great place to go with your significant other. There are tons of benches all over the place and lots of them are tucked neatly into little secluded areas where you can sit, relax and enjoy the view. Personally, I love to take nature pics and this was a bonanza! I kept thanking my lucky stars that I finally came here. It's a slice of heaven tucked away in plain sight (but somehow I still managed to miss it). Definitely my new favorite place to go.

From the SI Children's Museum, the SI Museum, the Noble Collection, the incredible history of the site and the fantastic architecture, walking trails, Botanical Gardens, Chinese Scholar's Garen, combined with great theatrical productions, the sustainable garden, --- simply something for everyone.

Visited here for the Winter Festival of Lights. It was much more than I had expected. Using GPS, had no problem finding the cultural center. There is limited parking inside, but enough parking outside. There were plenty of festive light displays, but it was very busy. There were also a good selection of food vendors. The cultural center looks like a great place to visit in the spring when the flowers are in bloom and the summer months.

It is very difficult to walk because the walkway is broken and uneven. I had great difficulty getting around .

As a Staten Island resident, I truly appreciate having the Snug Harbor Cultural Center here. I have two sons (9&6) and they love the Children's museum. Also the Chinese Scholar's Garden is a real gem, as well as the other gardens on display. The buildings are classically beautiful, and contain museums, art galleries and art schools. It is also one of our favorite places to have a picnic or just take a walk. The grounds are very beautiful, although currently there is some renovations going on. Overall a great place for families and lovers of culture.

I really enjoyed the Nautical Museum, Gardens and Art Museum. Here's a note, if you are military, the Museums are free. This is a great place for kids to run free and family afternoon getaway. The Nautical museum has the most amazing Schooners encased in glass cases that I have ever seen.

Great day took ferry from manhattan and then a fast bus ride that left from the terminal.Was really surprised by the space and attractions the gallery the Chinese scholar's garden,and Tuscan garden.Will go back and next time will pack a lunch. Felt like a day in the country.

Well worth a visit! Steeped in history and the arts now. Captain Randall, the benefactor that started this facility for "aged, decrepit seamen" was a friend of Alexander Hamilton. That is only one of the tidbits you will discover. Just drive in during opening hours and breathe in the history. I lived there for a year 1955-1956. My Dad retired as Executive Director of "The Harbor!"

We wandered about the grounds enjoying the privacy of this little visited gem. The purpose of our visit was to visit the botanical garden and it was wonderful. Although not the Chinese Garden was closed, we found much to see. Best of all, the 100 + year old garden had a delightful unkept quality that made finding little nooks something of an adventure. The staff was very helpful in answering our questions and taking us to special sites like the tower. This is a great break to the hectic pace of Manhattan.

Snug Harbor is a hidden gem on Staten Island. It is a great place to take children as well as yourself. You can bicycle visit botanical gardens museums and explore Chinese architecture as well as visit a small little castle.

What an incredible place this is!!!!
Spend a day here you will always remember!!!
Come on a Spring day and bring a sketch pad, a camera and a friend!!!
On the grounds you will find A Phenomenal Children's Museum, and the Staten Island Museum, A Chinese Scholars Garden, a Working Garden and Compost Center, a Botanical Garden, The Secret Garden Maze, an Outdoor Cafe, The Art Lab,and luscious landscaping, notable sculptures, A Beautiful Park, and Wonderful Seasonal Family Friendly programming... concerts, fence shows, dance, even a First Night Celebration!
Relaxing and Wonderful!!!!

Snug Harbor is the cultural center of Staten Island. Once you get off the ferry, it is a short bus ride away. The grounds was originally a retirement home for sailors. It now houses museums, a Chinese Scholar Garden, small botanical center. It is a serene relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. There is no fee to just meander around the grounds,which are quite lovely. Take the ferry, and then visit Snug Harbor.I am sure, you will enjoy your time there.

Not only is this a great venue for weddings and cultural events, it has the New York Chinese Scholar's Garden, and an organic farm. Our tour group got a tour of the main building where the "aged and decrepit" sailors once lived, including "shin bone alley". The Scholar's Garden is not like anything you would expect to see at this location and well worth the fee for entrance.

The organic farm is impressive, and offers their produce for sale on Tuesdays. They also donate unsold produce to a local food bank.

They also host several festivals at various times during the year.

My cousin was married in the garden so beautiful the reception hall amazing. Every English style garden. When she walked between the large fountains it was like watching a movie. So beautiful

Close to ferry and NYC. Love to.be at snug. Best kids museum. Lovely grounds. Arbor trellis is amazing. historical and fun. Great for picnicking too. Have to make a concert there one day. Try to visit every year

Gorgeous botanical gardens, art galleries, live concerts, great history of sailors... definitely an experience not to be missed!!

There are many free artistic and musical activities for all ages at Snug Harbor. There are always art and music activities for modest fees. Drama and even sometimes comedy is not lost here for basic prices..even when there are Broadway and/or equity actors involved. If you are bored don't be hesitant to check out the Harbor might just find the remedy!

We drove 3 hours to see the N.Y.C. Chinese Winter Lantern Festival. The lanterns
Were great but The police were not cooperative and the place is not taken care of.
We love Longwood Gardens! The gardens needed Trim! We could not get our questions answered. If you want to see the Chinese lanterns go someplace else!
They were great!,,,,

Visited the NYC Winter Lantern Festival in Staten Island on Christmas day. Didn’t realize that the ferry is actually free.

To see the colorful lanterns, we followed a boardwalk path and went along with the pace of the holiday crowd. So when people ahead stopped for photos, we had to pause for a while too.

The lanterns had themed sections like gardens, animals, sea animals, dinosaur world, etc. We covered the entire exhibit in less than the time we traveled to get there (1 hour vs 1.5+ hours travel time each way). They also had some scheduled performances such as folk dances and acrobatic stunts but our toes were frozen that we opted to skip it.

If you’re up for seeing some pretty impressive handcrafted decorative lights before Jan. 12, 2020, it may be worth the trek from Manhattan.

I recently attended a pond and Water Garden Show held at The Snug Harbor cultural center and Gardens.

This was their first year holding an event at Snug Harbor. It turned out to be a fantastic choice of a location to hold the show at.

I did not get time to explore all of the gardens, but what I saw was very nice.

The facilities are older and not pristine, but still nice.

The show held a banquet on site Saturday night. The food was excellent and the staff was quite accommodating. They did not rush to close the food or make you feel hurried in any way.

Snug Harbor has lovely grounds: a small Botanical Garden, the Chinese Scholar's Garden, and the Children's Museum. It's lovely Spring, Summer and Autumn. Children will love the Grounds. There's also a lovely fountain.

We loved the botanicals with many flowers not native to here. The children's museum was a big hit with 3 year old Harry. He loved the fire engine, which they allow kids to climb up on. The artists rooms were interesting but not too much to see there. In all, there's a lot of untapped potential here and I hope they expand on it.

Snug Harbor is a great place to visit. It holds historical value pertaining to our culture and shipping. The place was founded to be a resting place for old seamen who could no longer work. The buildings and grounds are beautiful.

The surroundings of this museum are creepy but once arrived you discover the beauty of nature surrounded by ancient houses and monuments. The result is striking. You can visit a few museums or gape at the different gardens. Many wedding parties were taking great pictures. Definitely a very nice place to enjoy botanic or culture.

Snug Harbor is the home of many institutions that are worth visiting and then visiting again. Chinese Scholars Garden, Botanical gardens, children's museum (with various events), Staten Island Museum (including Science events ).
Wonderful place to spend time. Check scheduling for events in advance of visit.

Snugharbor is an awesome,popular,wonderful place to visit.The museums will amazed you,the gardens,everything.After seen the noble museum we decided to walk around,and explore the suroundings.The area Its pretty big,confortable shoes is a must.
Theres
Lots to see.A great place for familys and friends.Come relax and enjoy it all.The gardens,museums.the children activies,the nice pond,and the interesting history behind this wonderplace!!

Enjoyed the flower gardens; children's museum play center (admission); art showcases; can serve as a venue by the gardens; occupies a large expanse of land to enjoy walking through & exploring; buildings of former military baracks remain on grounds and now converted for providing educational workshops/classes e.g. music courses, varieties of fine arts and showcases cultural events i.e. plays, jazz/orchestra events, the Chinese Lunar year festival & Sarkura Japanese festival, to name a few. Recommend going at least once, as it is a cultural/historical & natural attraction on the island.

Snug Harbor used to be a home for retired sailors ("snugs"); tastefully converted to a museum containing some of the model boats they made, as well as prominent marine painters john Noble & John Stobart. The history of shipping in Staten Island & NYC is also shown. There is also a scale model of a towboat in the musuem. So if you don't already appreciate marine art, you may develop one by visiting here.

Snug Harbor is a cultural jewel on Staten Island. Some of the many venues are the botanical garden, the Chinese Scohlar's Garden, the Art lab, the Staten Island Museum, The John Noble Museum, the Newhouse Gallery, Veteran's Hall for theater, and beautiful grounds for relaxing and walking.

We took the Staten Island ferry to Snug Harbour and then walked approx.45 minutes to the Chinese lantern festival, beside the Cultural Centre. We hadn't realised there was a free shuttle bus from the ferry terminal so we took advantage of this on the way back.
The lanterns were lovely, bright, colourful and much nicer than I'd expected. Great for kids and adults alike! Once you've seen all the wonderful displays there's not much else to do. There was a small refreshment stand and a stage area where they have entertainment. I can't comment on that as we didn't hang around that long.
Well worth a visit if you happen to be in NYC in December/January!

Snug Harbor is full of activities, places and wild birds. I was so moved by the Firefighters Memorial to the heroes of 9/11.
Amazed by the nice sized labyrinth for parents and children, a castle for children. This only mentions the many things this amazing place offers its visitors!! They offer much more, classes, theater and gardens.

Spending a day at this park makes you feel as if you aren't in a borough of NYC at all.

The grounds are beautiful, perfect for strolling around in on a summer day.

When we went, the Chinese Garden was closed ( Monday), as were some other exhibits. However, we did go into the 9/11 exhibit, walked through the Secret Garden maze, and enjoyed the Tuscan Garden.

Definitely, we plan to go back to see the other exhibits, when they're open. A very nice way to spend the day, just strolling in the park, and also offers other cultural experiences. There is a concession stand there, where you can buy food, but they were also closed when we went.

Attractions include Chinese Scholars' Garden. Staten Island Museum and Botanic Gardens in a beautiful setting.

I attended a wedding here and it was awful. The property is nice but it’s a giant maze. The gps sent us in circles and then we finally found the entrance and drove on 1 lane “road” to get close to the wedding ceremony spot. The gardens are nice but the service for cocktail hour was awful. We walked far to get to the reception which was decorated nicely but again received horrible service. We were crammed in like sardines. It took HOURS to get food because they were short staffed. We literally begged for bread. When we finally got food it was the smallest portion and not very good. I spoke with the bride after the fact and she was embarrassed by all the venue screwups and said they double booked which caused the issues. I do not recommend.

When my girls were younger I used to visit here for the children's museum, to picnic on the grounds or just go to feed the ducks in the pond. I took a walk with my spouse the other day to areas I had not traveled before like the healing garden. It is amazing how large, serene and beautiful the plants and flowers are. If you get hungry you can catch a quick bite at Harbor Eats. Not great food, but you can grab a sandwich, snack and a drink. We really enjoyed our time there. The grounds are enjoyable for all ages.

Snug harbor is a collection of victorian era building build to house retired merchant seamen. They no longer perform that function but have been turned into a center for concerts, museums and function facilities of all description. It is a surprisingly serene atmosphere once you go thru the entrance gate. They have beautiful gardens and just wandering around to see the building is a nice way to spend an afternoon.

Loved it!! Museum and gardens very educational and relaxing 😎...Really liked scholars garden too...

The Chinese Scholar’s Garden is a must see. So very peaceful and serine. A truly amazing place and worth the trip.

stay well away from this place anywhere near dusk or nightfall. Its totally haunted and scary. during the day its a mediocre place with lots of pretty Victorian buildings and a second rate "botanical" garden if you want to call it that: which they do. nothing much to do here. Skip it.

There are quite few old buildings with interesting architecture. Many of them are open to the public. Today I saw the building that houses art by John Noble and others. Another day, I will return to see some of the other things on the site.

It's not too far a bus ride from the ferry. It was pleasant not a lot in the way of food and easy to get lost but very pretty.

The Winter Lantern Festival is bright, fun, and a treat for kids. However, parking on. Saturday was a nightmare, you can wind up on the street many blocks away. Crowd control is badly handled with ticket buyers and holders all squashed together at the entrance. Dress warmly and wear shoes you can afford to lose: wooden walkways slippery an grounds can get muddy.

Snug Harbor has it all. Museums, Gardens, Great Lawns, Meditative Spaces. It’s not just for school bus kids.

Many things to do and see! You can stroll around on the grounds and take in all the beauty, or go into the many buildings and see the numerous exhibits. The Chinese Garden and the 9-11 Exhibit were awesome!

Not much but worth the trip. The need to spend some maintenance dollars. Spent the day and was relaxing

The gorgeous grounds of this historic estate, then home for retired sailors is worth the visit. An oasis with Botanic Gardena, a tuscan garden, a working farm, 3 museums, 2 concert halls and a Chinese Garden is an underutilized gem. Simply walk the grounds to take advantage of all its beauty. The best thing about Staten Island.

Snug Harbor is one of the best attractions in Staten Island but like most other attractions in the area, it suffers from a lack of recognition by visitors (and even locals) and a somewhat inconvenient location. Getting there from Manhattan takes time, requiring at least a ferry ride and a bus transfer. The good thing is the bus stops right by Snug Harbor’s gate.

The magnificent buildings have been around since the 1800s and have a proud legacy of ensuring the security and well-being of the retired sailors that called it home. The place looks reasonably tidy and hosts museums, gardens, and historical monuments. Admission is free, except for some of the museums. I spent an entire afternoon in the area, which was enough to wander the grounds and see all buildings, but not visit a museum.

They have a lot to do at Snug Harbor but one of my favorite things is the plays! The art their is also fabulous1

I always love to visit Snug Harbor. The grounds are well kept with seasonal plants and flowers from spring to fall. When the flowers are in full bloom, it is a spectacular sight! The beautiful pale cherry blossoms all in a row are currently in bloom. There are several gardens to name a few: The Chinese Scholar Garden, Rose Garden (blooms in June), the Tuscan Garden, White Garden and the Healing Garden. The air is just so nice and fresh and is a relaxing place to be. The buildings are from the the 1800's and used to be a complex housing retired sailors. Many have been refurbished.

We first went to the museum for an interesting history of SI, artifacts from around the world, fossil and mastadon exhibits. Then we went thru the Chinese Scholar's Garden. A beautiful day.

great outbuildings, but most closed to public.
gardens need a lot of weeding and care.
still nice to wander around during daylight hours.
toilets are at a premium

Both located at Snug Harbor, the new Staten Island Museum and always-worth-visiting John Noble Institute are the 2 proudest achievements in my 34 years on this Island. Each has exhibits and activities as exciting & educational for adults as for kids. GET OFF THE FERRY AND GO THERE BY LOCAL BUS OR LONG WALK: they're worth the visit.

Just saw the Harbor Lights Theater Company production of a radio show of "It's a Wonderful Life" and it was excellent. Bravo!!

Snug harbor is a jewel in Staten Island they have many events going on all year . Most are just terrific .plus as spring is now here the gardens are just a lovely place to sit and just relax in. We enjoyed the spectacular blow up art presented by the Chinese government this winter . The Christmas art sale that offered original hand made gifts . Just visiting the terrific Nautical items and art in the permanent collection .
Check the site for on going events I garentee you will enjoy them all .

A stinking hot day in NYC, so we decided to take the Staten Island ferry to Snug Harbour - which was, indeed, snug. In fact, it was so quiet and peaceful we thought it was the beginning of a zombie apocalypse film! The gardens were looking remarkably good for a midsummer day at noon. The Chinese Scholar's Garden was a haven of cool, with chubby koi following us in search of food. The volunteers were exceptionally friendly and helpful, as were the concession stand staff.
A hidden gem, perfect for finding the summer cool. I want to go back in every season!

Sailors museum was a great experience how sailors lived after the retirement. Great educational trip. Grounds are perfect for a picnic or walk.

This report is about Snug Harbor, not just the Cultural Center. It's a cute Long Island North shore community with a number of small shops, a Fire Engine Museum, a nice park, and a convenient place to park as you wander through the small town.

The Fire Engine Museum is particularly neat, since the trucks on display are ALL original Snug Harbor vehicles, and the curator is both passionate and knowledgeable about his tiny free museum.. Great place for kids, but it closes at 5 PM, so be sure to get there in time for the kids (and adults) can take advantage.

Our kids enjoyed palying at the kids museum and runing in the park. They have secret garden place that they liked as well.

This is so beautiful in the fall and spring
It's right off the water and you can almost feel like you stepped into a different time
So relaxing quiet go enjoy what nature has to offer

Snug Harbor takes a bit of time to get to depending on where you are in the city, but the connections are easy. Take the Staten Island ferry, always fun and free; then a short bus ride gets you to the center. The history of the place is interesting and well-documented in various buildings. The paths and garden areas are wonderful, and the Japanese garden is fantastic. The place could use a little more TLC. Also, while there is no charge to walk around, there is a separate charge for the museum, the Japanese Garden, and some other buildings.

Great place to just walk around and look at the old buildings. It has a great preforming arts department. I have seen numerous productions of Broadway blockbusters and they were all done in a very professional manner. I would recommend checking out one of the Shows. They have a great Art program and a lot of activities for children.

History, history, history. Culture, artists, classes, beautiful grounds. Passionate people preserving this center and making it the best it can be. Lawn concerts and special events.
I lived right across the street from this wonderful place on earth for sixteen years.
Take a day and enjoy all the beauty.

Staten Island's hidden gem. Although most know it exists, very few enjoy it here.... Don't skip the gardens :)

Snug Harbor encompases numerous historical buildings once used as retirement home for sailors. Within the grounds there are several interesting venues: The Noble Collection Museum,
the Childrens Museum, Botanical Gardens, Galleries and workshops. In all the area is very serene.

Enjoyed the hour we spent here walking through the gardens. Picked up discounted tickets through Groupon. Arrived a few minutes before opening time on a Thursday night and no problems with parking on the exterior at the rear entrance. I found the entrance and exit to the festival was closer to the main entrance of Snug Harbor. They have food and beverage and a few items for sale available during the walk, but no tables. We opted not to stay for the show, as we had 2 year old children with us. They were able to walk at leisure and had no problems. If your taking pictures, watch where your walking, as some of the rubber mats could be sticking up a little. As you exit, they have a pop up ice skating rink, and other food and beverages for sale along with picnic tables to sit out. Give yourself an hour or two here, depending on if you stay for the entertainment, get a snack, etc.. Would recommend, although I don't think I would go again.

Who needs Manhattan when we have a great cultural center on Staten Island. Beautiful buildings, great Chineese Garden, and a lovely place to hang out.

This is an undiscovered wonder. A must see for any architectural enthusiast. The staff are welcoming and informed about what they are protecting. There is a formal Japanese garden that is a quiet lovely place to relax and enjoy the scenery. Go before you can't.

So glad we went. Walked from ferry - about 30 minutes easy walk - or take the bus S44). Unfortunately everything was closed as we went on a Monday that was also July 4. History, gardens, interest, nature and more, this place is well worth the visit. Recommend for tourists and locals.

You would not even know your on Staten Island ! So many historical things to see so many beautiful trees flowers
Just a beautiful relaxing day out

A hidden gem in Staten Island a time to c the past beautiful ground and thing for all to learn and see

Arrived at 10:00 with NO access to Museums even though sign states otherwise. Be sure to use bathroom before making trip out.
Great place to get your 10,000 steps.
Some buildings look great others need help.
The botanical garden paths are beautiful.
A lot of students walking aimlessly around probably waiting for doors to unlock.

What an amazing festival of lights!
I had my friend visiting from Texas, visiting NY for the very first time and wanted to show her the best this city offers.
I found this Festival online and hoped for the best and we got it!
Perfection!
Beautiful!
Magic!

And here something we didn’t know: we took the ferry which is free. Once there, walked out to the street to a taxi Kiosk, asked for a taxi mentioning that we were going to the Lantern Festival, and waited for it. Guess what!!! The “taxi” was a bus that takes you FOR FREE to the venue, ROUND TRIP! Isn’t that wonderful!!? Just ask for their
Hours of operations so you don’t miss the last one.

Hats off to the originators of the idea and bringing this event to Staten Island. We made a night of it taking the Staten Island ferry - seeing the Statue of Liberty at night- and taking our time to soak in the atmosphere. Dressing warmly is advisable; there are places to warm up but you will be out of doors the majority of the time.

The lanterns are amazing considering the size and work that must go into making them. They are not scaled so you may have a turtle the size of a whale, which is breaching beside it. Some interesting ‘fact’ signs punctuated the walk, appealing to those who want a learning experience There are showtimes for a magic and acrobatic show that will give you good fodder for a conversation about your visit; it is best to consult the website before you enter to time your participation - attendance at a show will enhance your experience. We bought our meal at the dumpling stall and were pleased with our choice - there was a functional tent lacking in atmosphere to stand and dine on your food purchase.

Children seemed to enjoy the colors and the shapes. People of all ages were taking photos/selfies of the colorful exhibits that make a memorable backdrop.

We walked the route in just over an hour and a quarter (including snack). Would I go again? Probably not for the price:satisfaction ratio. I do not regret going - we had a good time. I would recommend as a good evening activity for children or adults looking for a nighttime walk.

We wanted to see more of Staten island than just a ferry ride over. Used our Metro card to catch the bus from the ferry. A pleasant, relaxing stroll on a wonderful sunny day.

SH is easily accessible from the SI Ferry and buses. There is plenty of parking in the surrounding neighborhood and inside SH.

Reasons I love SH:
-Pretty row of cottages
-Nature to photograph
-Flowers
-Wildlife
-Maze
-Chinese Garden is my favorite part!
-Quiet & relaxing
-Explore hidden gems/areas
-Bodies of water
-Photo ops
-Pretty surrounding neighborhood with nice old houses and lots of trees
-Free

What can be improved:
-Need food vendors
-More can be done with such a nice piece of land

As a resident of Staten Island's wonderfully diverse North Shore, I am a regular visitor to this cultural treasure. It has it all - museums, Art Lab classes, botanical gardens, broad pastures, vine-covered walkway, Chinese Scholar's Garden, Meditative Garden, wild areas, quaint, smaller brick buildings, majestic music hall, etc. Go to the website to plan your day. A snack bar was recently opened, but save your appetite for the great restaurants located along Richmond Terrace down to Bay Street. Don't miss Rudy and Dean's for the steaks on the island!

What a total dump. The place looks closed. And its in a really lousy area! Do NOT make the trip here. Take the ferry for the view and take it right back.

Heard about this place and the overall maintenance of the location left little to be desired. The best part was the NY Chinese Scholar's Garden (extra fee) and even that was in disrepair. The gardens themselves seems to be unmaintained with overgrowth or dead plants everywhere and it was a bit confusing on what to look at.

It was an easy walk around the garden but confusing as there weren't clear paths in most areas and again, not well maintained so some areas we weren't sure if they were indeed part of the garden or not. The few flowers we did see were beautiful and loved the covered archway.

I had my 50th birthday party here at the catering hall, excellent job we were upstairs. I wish my out of town guests had the opportunity to see the rest of this Cultural center.

We took the bus from the Staten Island Ferry to visit Snug Harbor. It was very disappointing since the Chinese Scholar’s garden was closed. Grass high on many of the walking paths. It seems like money isn’t being kept for upkeep.

We went at 5:00 pm, FIRST showing. NO traffic. We left 2-hours earlier, in the event that we got lost. You have to order your tickets on-line, and also your parking. The $20.00 parking was SOLD OUT, so thankfully, we took the $10.00 Parking. We parked in Empire Mall Parking Lot - Then took the elevator, up to where the FREE bus was waiting. Show was at 5:00 pm, and the bus leaves EXACTLY 4:45 pm. Everything was made out of lanterns. GREAT for Adults and kids. I REALLY recommend, going there. You walk thru the place, they had little odds and ends to purchase to eat or drink, and have out houses.

Have been here for weddings, art classes, cultural events and just to enjoy the grounds. Best to visit for outdoor events like fence art show and the Chinese cultural fairs. The Chinese botanical garden is an American treasure nobody knows is here and place I love to take friends to see. Walk the greater grounds for botanical gardens, mini castle with hedge maze fun for kids, and other sunny day fun. Would come here more often if wasn't so out of the way :( yet we make the effort for all the above and more

I'm a native Staten Islander and I regret not going to Snug Harbor sooner. It was a real treat looking at all of the history and art work.

A special island for the arts and culture on Staten Island that not only attracts visitors from around the globe, but also for people who live in this unique location. It is a treasure that brings us back again and again, from season to season, to enjoy the gifts of nature and man.

I found Snug Harbor when looking for a Botanical Garden to have my wedding. This place is just beautiful! The many gardens, old sailor homes, the ponds and greenery is just a wonderful way to relax for an afternoon. I ended up getting married here in May 2012 in the Tuscan Garden and had the reception onsite at the Grand Hall. Best time ever...guests were really impressed. I live in New Jersey about 35-40 mins away so I don't get to go often but its definitely a treat and worth a visit. Depending on the way you go...the neighborhood is pretty industrial then this place just appears tucked away from it all.

this is one of the fabulous places in NYC that even a lot of locals don't know about. History, Gardens, Art, grounds to stroll, concerts....Snug Harbor has so much to offer just a stone's throw from the ferry. I'm a local and hadn't been there in a long time. I'm glad to see the Scholars Garden is getting a refurbishing. It is definitely a beautiful, peaceful place. The exquisite detail of the stone work alone is enough to capture lots of attention. The heritage garden is impressive as is the arbor trellis. Great place for a picnic or for attending one of the many events held there. Lots of history to be found in the buildings or at the museum.
Check it out!

Snug Harbor is a must go to place during Spring or Fall. The gardens are stunning and it's so relaxing. My boyfriend and I frequent picnic there and take nice long walks. The landscapes are so well kept and it's hard to resist taking a couple of pictures. There's also a couple of buildings that showcase artwork from local or traveling artists. In the summertime, they host several festivals. If you're visiting Staten Island or even live in the NYC area, it's well worth the trip.

Lots going on. Especially recommend Children's Museum. Grounds are lovely to walk around. Convenient parking and accessibility.

Started with the Noble Museum which was refreshingly different combining artifacts and exhibits pertaining to the old Seaman's Retirement home with an artist's house boat and studios and paintings and model ships. Spent the remainder of our time in the gardens visiting the Tuscan garden, the Chinese Scholars Garden and the Secret Garden. The Scholars garden is a must-see with its meandering water and pools which are home to Koi and bamboo and Chinese architectural details.

This is a collection of buildings that include museums, a theater and the botanical garden. You can walk from one to another very easily. Its a good place to go with the family, as it is beautiful and educational. The ferry is the best way to get there from out of Staten Island. Some are free and others have a low cost.

We had nothing to do one day and it was beautiful out so we decided to take a trip here and it was wonderful. So nice to walk the grounds and check out very interesting sites both inside and outside.

This is a great spot for long walks through beautiful gardens and nature. Nice botanical garden, scenic views and benches throughout.

We had a pleasant evening walking the grounds viewing the images and figures of the Lantern Festival. It was well designed and better than last year.

Lush greenery outside of Manhattan? Why, yes there is! Snug Harbor is not only a cultural center, but they also have museums and botanical gardens. I recently came here to attend a wedding, and though I didn't get a chance to cover much of the grounds, what I did see were a bountiful array of gardens and small museums scattered around a large area. This place is BIG, and without much signage, anybody can get lost. Thankfully, my cousin posted signs that directed the guests to the parking and also the venue site.

The Tuscan Garden was a nice intimate garden that was great for a small wedding ceremony. In the background, there was an old brick building that had great architecture; reminiscent of the 50s. Plenty of great photo ops and the surrounding gates anchored the relatively big space.

After the ceremony was complete, cocktail hour and reception were in the main building. I didn't catch the name, but it was quite a hike from the garden. Some weren't thrilled with the distance, especially the women who were walking in their high heels, but it didn't bother me too much. Once inside the main hall, the area where the cocktail hour was had low ceilings, so it felt a little claustrophobic. The decor of the space was rustic but outdated, so I wasn't a huge fan of it. Seating was very limited, and not very comfortable. Same goes for the reception hall, with the exception that the ceilings were super high and had nice exposed vaulted wood beams. Definitely a more European Tudor style, and the flooring was the standard grid hardwood.

Now, the wedding was a 200+ person wedding, so spacing of the tables were a little bit on the tighter side, and unfortunately, the dance floor wasn't big enough to accommodate half of the people. Fun times were still had, but I think if the space was a little more squarish versus rectangular, this would have eliminated this problem.

Overall, the space is a great place to visit or have a special event. I'd like to visit another time to explore more of the center, but if you're looking to have a wedding here, I think it functions better on a smaller scale (if you want indoors). For bigger weddings, an outdoor ceremony and reception with an enclosed tent would be lovely. :)

we take our 3 greyhounds here everyday. Everyday we make a different walk. love the grounds as I have grown up here. They use the grounds for many shows/movie shoots. The museums on the grounds are quite interesting. I find it wonderful that the buildings have been kept up and are being utilized instead of going to decay. Just wish there was a dog run so our dogs could run loose.

I had the pleasure of visiting this art gallery today and meeting 2 of the artists whose works are currently showing. While the exhibitions were very different - one a mix of paint and poetry, the other photography- it was a treat to be able to speak to the artists about their work and end enjoy the experience. The gallery is quite large with 3 exhibition spaces and the staff is very friendly. It's open wed to Sunday so plan accordingly.

This place shouldn't be missed. Lots of gardens, especially the secret garden by the castle turret with a maze!

I live on SI. Had some family come to visit recently from Ireland and brought them here. I was so disappointed and embarrassed. It's been a couple of years since I'd been there but the place looked awful. The garden's were unkept and looked awful. The Chinese Garden was closed but I have been there in the past and loved it. Don't know it's current condition.They used to have a lovely lunch place but that's gone too. The children's museum on the grounds IS great and if you can go to one of the plays it is WELL worth it. (The last few years they've had a very professional theatre company putting them on). Like another reviewer said, the place has so much potential but like many other things on Staten Island funding and leadership waxes and wanes.

What a beautiful festival.
Notes: bring selfie stick lots of great photo ops.
Dress warm. Wear comfortable shoes. Lots of mud, so be advised.
Hold on to kids hands, very crowded and easy to lose people.
But a very enjoyable night.
Parking is tough, get there early.
But it's worth the trip!

Snug H arbor is the best attractin on Staten Island. From the resotred buildings each one beautiful, to the gorgeous gardens and Neptune Fountain. The Chinese Schloras Garden as well as the new SI Museum. The free outdoor concerts, the Gazebo, Botanical Gardens. This is the place to come to, walk around, look around, experience the beauty of nature. You will leve here with a sense of peace that is not easy to find. I love this place, sometimes come here and just park my car facing the water and watch the boats go by. I never leave here feeling anythhing but happy.

There is so much happening at Snug Harbor you won't be disappointed. And during quiet times grab a book, pick your favorite garden and just enjoy the sheer beauty of the garden.

With the new CEO taking over, the grounds are being cared for, bloom beautifully and are a great day out, walking around, exploring the different buildings and exhibits.

Snug Harbor is a park with so much to do. The site is home to the Snug museum, the Chinese Scholars Garden, the Newhouse gallery, the Noble Maritime collection and the beautiful Tuscan Garden plus the Childrens Museum. The site also hosts many events, including community theatre.

A nice place for tourists to visit. It's a short bus ride from the Staten Island Ferry. The grounds are beautiful.

Some stuff was in bloom but not everything. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it was. If you go, I would either wait until after April which is when I went or try calling the place and asking what the grounds look like. It was a nice place though. They had a 9/11 Memorial there. An actual FDNY firefighter was there who saw the second plane hit the World Trade Center. Nice guy to talk to. May we never forget.

Trade your city experience for an excursion to Snug Harbor (free) and linger around for a leisurely afternoon picnic at the gorgeous sites. I recommend taking a stroll in 'The Healing Garden' dedicated to the 267 Staten Islanders who lost their lives on 9/11, indeed a healing walk through nature. Perhaps you might want to explore the unique Chinese Scholar Garden as well - a must on my list every time I visit Snug Harbor ($5 entrance fee). Continue to the secret garden for a fun maze run - perfect for kids or those who are still young at heart. Complete your visit with the Tuscan Garden and if you're lucky, you might get to enjoy a free concert as well. I recommend taking your bike on the Staten Island Ferry and it's a short ride from the landing to the Snug Harbor Cultural Gardens. For those using public transportation, after landing in Staten Island take the S40 bus at Gate D to travel along Richmond Terrace, less than a 10-minute ride. ENJOY your adventure!

Beautiful Greek revival architecture, flowers, trees and history. Easy to spend an afternoon there. You can walk from ferry or easier 4 minute bus ride

In the Wings and Harbor Lights Theater put on performances that are Broadway quality at Staten Island prices! Families can enjoy live plays at affordable prices. The gardens and museums are wonderful!

Butifull Japanese garden.I have been in Japan and this was very close to the original gardens in Japan.

Snug Harbor is a place of discovery - Open green lawns - a Children's Museum - a Chinese Scholar Garden - an active theater group and so much more - oh and don't forget the 2 acre farm and botanical garden - Great place to just walk around and take in the beautiful grounds - and a bit of history - July 1976: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis generates publicity for Sailors’ Snug Harbor when she visits as a representative of the Municipal Art Society - This helped preserve Snug Harbor from outside development -

Snug Harbor is a beautiful place to visit with a lot of history. It is very easy to spend the day walking the grounds and exploring the three museums, gardens and two theaters. At one point, a lot of the buildings were going to be destroyed but thankfully a handful were saved. The bus stop is in front of Snug Harbor and there are a few restaurants within walking distances.

I hope New York City continues to invest in Snug Harbor for future generations to enjoy this lovely cultural center.

snug harbor has alot of things going on you can see a show in the theater ,you could see an outside lawn event , or you could just take a stroll on the grounds.

Beautiful gardens. Chinese scholar garden is a must visit. All the gardens are free except for Chinese scholar garden but its fee is nominal only $5. Plenty of parking. Great place for picnics, walk, dates.

Snug Harbor began as a home for retired and indigent sailors set in magnificent buildings and a botanical garden. A great place to while away an hour or two in a relaxing and beautiful setting. Now a community resource with a children's museum, art lab, and theatrical and musical performances, it is a hidden gem of NYC.

For most visitors to NYC, Staten Island does not really inspire a desire to take the time to visit, but if/when you are sick of the gritty, crowded vibe of Manhattan and need some R&R, head over to Staten Island on the FREE ferry near Battery Park and take a short bus ride to Snug Harbor! This museum and botanical garden complex was a home for old sailors in the past, and has a variety of gallery space, a huge maritime museum, a beautiful and relaxing Chinese Scholars Garden, and more. On a nice day, you can stroll around the grounds, sit on bench, and just hang out. A maritime history buff could easily spend a couple of hours of a rainy day in the maritime museum, which contains a large collection of art, information on the sailor's home, ship models, and a reconstructed studio of an arists (two, actually, one on a boat they have reconstructed inside a large room!). There will be even more to see and do there when they open the new Staten Island Museum in a couple of the large buildings.

My wife and I have been visiting Snug Harbor for many years now and always enjoy the get away. It's relaxing and great place to escape the city to. It could use a little better grooming though. It was on a Monday so the food shops were closed. The rose garden was not in bloom and overall the area was not as well groomed as it could be. Perhaps budget plays a roll here. Still always a nice place to visit. Make sure to visit the maritime museum.

It is a pretty area. The childrens museum is near the area. I love that they do events there. I highly recommend it!

From the enchanting Chinese Scholars Garden to the Children's Museum to the Victorian era architecture, to the maze, concerts and classes, Snug Harbor Cultural Center is a world unto itself. It can be enjoyed by old and young alike, and there is beauty everywhere you look. There is a nominal cost for some of the experiences, but many are free of charge.

If you live in NYC, and need a brief escape from the commotion, I'd take the adventure down to Snug Harbor. Even though it will probably take you a few transfers, you can take MTA buses all the way there (I believe the S44 stops right out front). The healing garden is a small but tranquil area dedicated to the Staten Islanders who lost their lives on 9/11. It also served as a place for those affected by the tragedy to seek out the healing power of trees (according to the signage). With a few benches and a nice little path, it's a tranquil place to sit and rest for a while, especially after a long bus ride. But the big highlight of the cultural center is the Chinese Scholar's Garden. The $5 entrance fee seems a little high, since the garden is so tiny, but it's worth it. Find a place to sit amidst the koi ponds, bamboo reeds, and stone paths, and you'll feel rejuvenated when you leave. The cultural center also has a snack bar with tacos and burgers and such (beware - vegetarian options are limited to salad and snacks). Snug Harbor is also home to the State Island museum. Entrance fee is $8 suggested donation. They have three floors with some small exhibits - when I was there, they were showing off some decorative artifacts from around the world and landscape paintings of Staten Island. They also have a cool stuffed Mastadon in one room. Anyway - I'd recommend planning to spend anywhere from 2 to 5 Hours in the Snug Harbor area. It's a nice, simple day trip for city folk. NOTE - the Chinese Garden appears to be closed on Mondays, so you should probably visit on a different day.

Definitely a place to visit. Kids have a place of their own to learn and be educated in a fun way. It is beautiful and definitely a place to take pictures.

The Snug Harbor Cultural Center is a must see in Staten Island. It's loated close to the Staten Island Ferry and upon entering the grounds you don't feel that you are in New York City any longer. The beautifully landscaped grounds occupies your mind while you walk from one exhibit to the next. The works of art on dispaly is always interesting but you must see the Chinese Scholars garden and the Children's museum

This is so removed from the rest of Staten Island (except for Richmondtown perhaps.) One strolls along the gardens and expansive grounds, checks out the galleries, takes tours, and enjoys the many historical structures, all the time feeling as if one is transported far from little Staten Island, to a place that is also akin to traveling back in time as well.
Everything from a one of a kind, Chinese Scholar garden, to sustainable farms, are all part of the varied experience. The art galleries and stately buildings all add to the charm of this very special find!

Easily accessable by bus from the SI Ferry terminal, Snug Harbour is a collection of changing displays, together with Chinese Scholar Garden and other attractions.

There is no entry fee as such to Snug Harbour and on Tuesday mornings the usual entry fee of $5 to the Chinese Garden is waived. The garden is the main attraction and well worth spending a hour or so wandering round and relaxing - time away from mental manhatten!!

The only cafe open was at the Childrens museum, so a bit noisy and chaotic, so we decided to have a late lunch at RH Tugs - a 5 minute walk down the road - worth doing!!

Well worth taking time out to chill, if spending a few days in the NY area.

Really interesting place and quite spread out on extensive grounds - variety of things to see and do, including a good children's activity museum. Awkward to get to by public transit or car. By PT, which we used yesterday from Manhattan - subway to Staten Island Ferry (if you miss it you can have a wait of up to 1/h hour, then bus that runs every 20 minutes. On the street near the bus stop there is no food. So you would think there would be some food service, if only sandwiches and beverages. But almost none - a stand in the Childrens Museum that closes at 2:00. If you find the right people to ask, they'll tell you that if you go out the back gate (which you may not be close to and which is not where the bus lets you off) and walk 2 blocks, you can find food. At least the website should say in bold letters that you need to bring your own food. I can't think of another place of this type and size that has such a poor food arrangement.

Whether you're looking to take a quit afternoon walk amongst the spring flowers or seeking some culture you can find it here at Snug Harbor. You can visit a working farm and farmers market, take art classes or learn to play a musical instrument. Don't forget to see the Mastadon exhibit at the Staten Island Museum; or take the kids to the children's museum on a rainy afternoon. When you get hungry there's a small snack stand/cafe where you can sit outside and have a bite to eat while the kids run and play. Don't forget to check out the Chinese Scholars Garden and castle with a hedge maze as well.

We visited Snug Harbor botanical gardens. The layout was perfect. However, we visited on a Tuesday and the museums were closed. Most of the flowers and trees were labeled. The bamboo tunnel was amazing.
Many of the flowers were in bloom, we just missed the cherry blossoms.

Went to Staten Island on the ferry from Manhattan and found this place. Lovely collection of 19th century building, once a sailors home but is now a cultural centre. It has museums and art galleries, workshops and a botanical garden. Even the surrounding streets look nice. I went in November so perhaps I did not see it at its best - it must be wonderful in summer and autumn.

A friend of my wife had their wedding there. The venue was beautiful and full of charm.
The service that was offered during the ceremony and reception was great. We had a blast.

We walked the 1.5 miles from the Ferry Terminal to Snug Harbor, and didn't quite know what to expect. It turned out to be a huge cultural center with everything from a history museum to a Chinese garden, to a fabulous children's museum. Lots of places to picnic. You can also take a bus from the ferry terminal.

Snug Harbor Cultural Center is a wonderful place where you can see a play, walk through a wonderful Chinese rock garden, visit local artists' studios, or just walk through the grounds on a nice sunny day. There are also frequent special events which are listed online.

Snug Harbor one place you should not miss. Weather you live on Staten Island or just visitng from the ferry. Take the bus and stop by for a visit. Its great for young and old.

If you're on Staten Island, you should go see Snug Harbor. If you have any interest in Eastern culture/spirituality (or just beauty) and are going to be in the NYC area, make it a point to go to Snug Harbor and visit the Chinese Garden. It's incredible.

Through the year, Snug Harbor has something going on. Between the museum, to the botanical gardens to the Chinese Scholar Garden there is a beauty throughout the grounds. Check their website for special events and the hours of their different areas

Snug Harbor is my favorite place on Staten Island. I could spend all day roaming around the gardens. The healing garden is my favorite spot.

We find Snug Harbor a great place to walk for exercise during the pandemic. The buildings, gardens, and grounds are beautiful and peaceful.

We visited one day for a few hours with our 4-year-old (did not go to the Children's museum, the farm, etc.), with the intent of just exploring the grounds, gardens and the inside of the historic buildings. All buildings were closed to the public that day, which was disappointing, and some seem to be closed all the time unless there is an event in them. We did get to see a small part of the grand hallway where the visitor center is located, but that's it. Definitely a nice place to escape the surrounding city for a couple/few hours, but I would hesitate to say one should drive any great distance to see the place - unless you're a fan of Chinese gardens.
The Chinese garden ($5 admission I think) is wonderful and such a relaxing place to sit and take it all in. The rest of the grounds are kind of like any other park, but with some nice old buildings that remind me of those you see on some Ivy League college campuses.
If you're not too far a drive away and want a break from urban life/noise, go for a couple of hours with a lunch and stroll about and if you have kids build in time for the children's museum, which looked good when we poked our heads in.

Last night in The Great Hall members of the NY Philharmonic performed Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" & 2 other pieces. We sat upstairs in the balcony & loved having the space almost to ourselves. The main level was packed. The musicians gave a flawless performance & the acoustics in the hall are very good.

The grounds are so nice to walk around outside & there is The Noble Maritime Museum, a Children's Museum, a Japanese garden & other buildings which have events & arts programs.
It's a delightful place to visit - especially for concerts & shows.

Snug harbor is the most beautiful historical
places on Staten Island.
Botanical Gardens is beautiful in spring summer and autumn.
John Noble museum, stainglass astronomical corners of ceiling in building that housed transient Mariners going back over 200 years.
Much moreculural things to see.
Must see if you are a tourist or an Islander.

We went there on Mothers Day weekend. with the kids & grandkids. The place was very nice & clean, the staff was very Friendly & knowledgeable.

So much to offer on this hidden, off the beaten path, location on Staten Island's shore. I highly recommend spending the day.

Snug Harbor in Staten Island offers so many cultural features in one location with easy access to the Staten Island Ferry. On its grounds you have a music hall, the Chinese Scholar's Garden, The ArtLab, (an art school) The Staten Island Museum, The Noble Maritime Collection and a botanical garden amongst other features. In spring, with everything in bloom and with the birds chirping it really is a peaceful and rejuvenating place to be.

Nice if you like plants and gardens. Very relaxing plan on walking because there is parking only at entrance and you have to walk to the exhibits. There is a small historical museum about Staten Island and a larger marine musese with 3 floors with a very nice gift shop

Despite living in Manhattan for decades, I had never been here.

We took the 4 or 5 to Bowling Green ( but the 1 to South Ferry is also good) and boarded the free Staten Island Ferry. Don’t be alarmed if it looks like 1,000 people are waiting to board. The boats are enormous. The ride took 25 minutes and offers great views. There are restrooms and snack bars at the terminals on both ends and aboard.

It was unclear where to wait for a ride share. But I’d say the taxi stand is best. The ride to/from Snug Harbor was about $12 before tip and took less than ten minutes. (We did not bother with Empire Outlets next to the terminal on SI because I had read bad reviews here. Empire Outlets does have a Shake Shack.)

Snug Harbor is underpopulated, even on a gorgeous Saturday. It needs more signs as well as volunteers/staff to direct visitors. It is free to enter so I guess it lacks funds for those amenities. There is a children’s museum ($8). There is a Chinese Scholar Garden ($5) which is pretty nice. Do not visit that garden with a baby stroller, Walker or wheelchair.

I would say the ferry ride is the best part. Snug Harbor was not a reason for a tourist to leave the 4 other boroughs of NYC.

Winter time this place is not so interesting (expect Chinese winter Lantern Festival, it is great for children at dark time)

My daughter had her clarinet lessons there. Although we weren’t particularly thrilled with the lessons, we loved the gardens and walking around there- a beautiful area to relax and unwind..

This place has so much potential! But most of it just lays fallow. And I am not talking about the dirt. As for the flowers and gardens, they are beautiful and well kept, but then you walk by all these empty buildings. You can't even get a bottle of water anywhere. There should be cafes, trinket stores, art galleries, etc. Snug Harbor should be raking in the dough with tourists and attractions, shopping and dinning.

Until they get their heads on straight, just go to the Scholar's Garden and the farmer's stand on the weekends. Everything at the farmer's stand they grow there. Can't get much more local than that!

The scholars garden is a wonderful reproduction of a Chinese scholars garden. The childrens museum is a fun place to children to learn and play.

This is the furthest thing from a botanical garden, the signs are non existant and the grounds look like they have not been tended in months .

The musical hall in building J or R is absolutely gorgeous. The food was delicious , delicious , delicious !! I would recommend this establishment to newly engaged couples as well. When doing further research I found out they have a bridal suite and so many other options they offer.

As a lifelong SHCC visitor,I was anxious to visit the new SI historical center. This large, beautiful bldg is wasted. Too much is spent on items not really associated with SI,& the space is so underused. Very disappointed. SI has a wonderful , colorful history which aches to be told.

I'm annoyed I didn't know about this place when everything was still in bloom, since I can only imagine that would've made the experience of this place even more impressive. A place definitely worth visiting if you are in the area!

How lucky are we that Snug Harbor has been restored and made into a cultural center on the beautiful grounds overlooking the water. Art galleries and museum, musical venues, beautiful gardens, children's museum, theater, classes, farmers market, special events, good food...some thing for everyone. Or just stroll the grounds or just sit and relax. An easy commute from the ferry. Worth a visit even if you are out of borough.

Had a FABULOUS time here! I had no idea it was easy to get to - Staten Island Ferry and then a 10 minute bus ride west drops you right in front of the main gate. I CANNOT believe that it's free to go in and roam the main grounds! It reminded me of NYBG which is $20 admission. I had heard about the Chinese Scholar Garden (which is a $5 ticket although it seems like a bargain) which is the main reason we decided to go, and it seemed like a film set, I kept waiting for people in Asian costumes to walk down the path and start to occupy the scene. We then explores the rest of the grounds, and especially enjoyed the Italian Garden. I had no idea that such a gem awaited us. Will definitely be back to explore more.

The grounds are gorgeous! I love the old buildings, the Chinese Scholar's Garden etc. I have taken jewelry classes at the Art Lab and have sold my work at the Fence Art Show-and my sister had her wedding reception at The Great Hall here! Have also attended the adorable Children's Museum , the Staten Island Museum as well as many outdoor concerts and other outdoor functions here-so much to do in one place, and so much fun!

Beautiful grounds, nice dining nearby. So much work has been done on this very historical destination. There is always a wonderful exhibit to visit. Easily accessible by public transportation from the ferry.

A beautiful Historic campus with Museums, Music, Dance, Art, a Chinese Garden, a farm and More. Check their calendar for wonderful events in the Arts including a Silent Disco, concerts, shows and more.

I love to go there and stroll through the grounds with my camera. It is so beautiful and relaxing. I recently went to the new art museum. It was so fascinating to see how Staten Island progressed through the centuries. I also like to stop at the On Your Mark café at the children's museum for a quick bite of lunch.

My family member had thier Wedding their, and this place is filled with History.
The grounds feel like it's stuck back in time.
The Wedding hall was beautiful, and all orignal wood.
There is just so much history to see here.

Learn about Staten Island, flora and fauna. All year round there are exhibits that will interest the kids and adults.

It is usually quiet; If you get to spend some time there, you can hardly believe you are in NY. It is haunting. There is a massive bamboo garden, koi pond, simple simple rooms and courtyards.

Sailors' Snug Harbor, also known as Sailors Snug Harbor or Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden or, informally, Snug Harbor, is a collection of architecturally significant 19th-century buildings set in an 83-acre park along the Kill Van Kull on the north shore of Staten Island in New York City. It was once a home for aged sailors. Some of the buildings and the grounds are used by arts organizations under the umbrella of the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden. Sailors' Snug Harbor includes 26 Greek Revival, Beaux Arts, Italianate and Victorian style buildings. The site is considered Staten Island's "crown jewel" and "an incomparable remnant of New York's 19th-century seafaring past." Although this is off the beaten path it offers up some beautiful settings and an overwhelming amount of history of New York harbor and it's islands. The grounds are quite large so allow a full day to explore all that the Snug Harbor Cultural Center has to offer.

This place has so much potential but it needs a serious cash injection. It is worth a visit if you have a couple of hours to kill (we visited after taking the Staten Island Ferry and it made a pleasant change from the bustle of Manhattan), but don't make a special trip.

Sailors' Snug Harbor has some great Greek-Revival architecture - bring a copy of the architectural guidebook AIA GUIDE TO NEW YORK CITY! Unfortunately the 5 main buildings (1833-84) face north, meaning pictures taken in sunny weather won't turn out the best. On Richmond Terrace by the eastbound bus stop, there is an interesting old entry gate (1873). In one of the buildings is the small John Noble Maritime Museum (free entry), with a world-class collection of model ships, & some interesting old maps - not worth making an outing of, but if you're already here ...
Getting there is fairly easy: From the St. James ferry terminal, take the # SI 40 bus, & it's but a short ride. The Staten Island Railway (SIR) doesn't reach here.

We got the free ferry over from Manhattan and then walked towards Snug Harbor. It's about a 30 minute walk so we'd reccommend getting a bus! The only reason we didn't is because we didn't realise how long the walk would be at first. Once you get there it's an amazing place and free to walk around! We spent the day exploring the gardens and relaxing by the cafe under an oak tree listening to jazz music. A perfect antidote to a busy and hot Manhattan day!

A trip back in time is the feel whenever I have the pleasure of visiting Snug Harbor Cultural Center. A snapshot of Staten Island history and culture along with a gorgeous land scape makes this a must see destination for Staten Island visitors and residence alike. Highly recommended!

Absolutely beautiful lantern display. Far exceeded expectations. The time and creativity that went into this is incredible. Highly recommend. It’s an easy trip from Manhattan - the free Staten Island ferry and then look for signs for the free shuttle at the terminal that will take you to Snug Harbor.

Nice place to visit on a cool but sunny day. I singed up for a watercolor class which starts next week. It will be my first at the Art Lab at Snug Harbor, hoping it will be fun. Review to follow

We were surprised at how much has been developed on the property - SI Museum, Botanical Gardens and more. We’ll be back to wander and explore this site.

Snug Harbor is a beautiful green space with gardens including our destination - the New York Chinese Scholar's Garden of which we had read prior to our trip. We only had a couple of hours so headed directly to the Scholar's Garden but Snug Harbor is a vast complex which includes facilities for the performing and visual arts as well. Those buildings (many being renovated) lent a grandeur to the place and were a delight to walk by. The Scholar's garden is a serene setting designed to escape the frenetic activity of Manhattan. We happened to visit on September 11, the day the New York Fire Department held a gathering to commemorate the sacrifices made on 9/11. It was profoundly moving and sad to witness the firefighters and their families dealing with their significant loses. In my view, they chose the perfect place for such reflection.

I LOVE Snug harbor! Perfect date spot, family day trip,lots of events for children. The park is beautiful and perfect for just strolling or taking pictures.

My out-of-town visitor said he had never been to Staten Island and I suggested we take the free ferry over, a true NYC experience. I wanted to see if there was anything near the terminal we could do, instead of just turning right around and coming back to Manhattan. I found, on TA, a few notes about the Chinese Scholar's Garden in Snug Harbor Cultural Center, and I am so glad those people wrote. It was wonderful. There is a city bus right from the terminal which takes you to the front gate of Snug Harbor in about 10 minutes. I have been to the gardens in Suzhou, China a number of times, and many others throughout China. This is a beautiful example of this style of garden. The fact that they cannot keep every spot manicured all the time actually added to the authenticity for me. The characteristic garden elements are all there, and it's a treat for the eye and spirit. Next time I go, I will explore more of the other offerings of the Cultural Center.

Lovely quiet place to sit, relax, or ponder. There's a nice pond with turtles and swans. Also a Zen garden. It also has a cool artist vibe. Snug harbor often has weddings, shows, fairs, and plays. You can even take classes like photography.

We were there for the NYC Lantern Festival, its a nice little park. They really set up the festival nice with the pathways and people guiding you along. It was super crowded in some areas though, may be the only downside, and everyone is taking photos or videos of everything. But it was a great evening spent there.

Large center with many things to do. Museums, gardens, memorials,fountains. Great walking around. Great for photography.

I was looking for a new place to visit on the drive back to Baltimore from NYC. This wonderful local park fit the bill perfectly. It is a quiet "sleeper" of a park, with acres of history, architecture, art and gardens. Although not well funded, it manages to present numerous historic buildings and gardens with dignity and enthusiasm. The site is amazing when you think of the history, and you can easily spend several pleasant hours here. The crown jewel is the spectacular Chinese Scholars Garden, which deserves at least an hour of meditative contemplation of its splendid charms. But the original sailor's rest home buildings are a trip in themselves, and the associated art and history galleries are worth another couple of hours. Add to that the wonderful grounds with lovely gardens and walks, and you have a full day of enjoyment if you explore it all. Thumbs up to the Staten Island community who have preserved this gem.

It's so sad that this 40 oops I meant 20 years old young lady didn't even know about this beautiful cultural center just a ferry ride away. Staten Island doesn't get its due credit with their cool and interesting sites they have to offer. The Snug Harbor Cultural Center truly is a cultural center with several museums and gardens. The grounds are gorgeous, clean and well maintained. The day we were visiting, the sun was out and it wasn't crowded in the early afternoon.

We stopped by the visitor's center and the young lady explained things we could see for free and what we had to pay for throughout the day. I visited the New York Chinese Scholar's Garden, Noble Maritime Collection and used the bathroom in the Children's museum. LOL I walked through this secret maze and got a little dizzy. Thank God there were some little children in front of me and I cheated and followed them towards the exit. I didn't get through the entire park and will definitely return to check out more of its beauty. Like other yelpers reported, I am shocked there was no fee to get in.

There were a few people getting professional pictures done on the grounds. We saw a huge kid's party and was tempted to crash it because they looked like they were having a ball. LOL. What I didn't see was an area where you could sit somewhere and eat. We didn't see anyone sitting on the grass. I will definitely return to this cultural center and finished checking out some of the other museums and gardens I missed.

Until we meet again Snug Harbor Cultural Center.

A great day to spend a summer day at. Lots to do, much history and a beautiful garden. Staff is very helpful and accommodating

I walk my dog here every day. OK, I'm a local! So every day I walk from Henderson Avenue is the rear (parallel to Richmond Terrace in the front, where the buses are) and go thru the allee and take a left down into the 911 Memorial meditation garden. Look for the small fountain (not the one in the front with a large round pool and a sculpture of Neptune) and descend into the garden. Joyful, with a big meadow, pool and stream at the bottom....If you're coming from Richmond Terrace, veer toward the right and pass the gorgeous greenhouse, then the Chinese Scholar's Garden, which is worth its own look on the way back. The meditation garden is just past the entrance to that Garden. This is not the New York Botanical Garden....it isn't Longwood Gardens...it's a quiet space within NYC for a couple of hours of woods, lawns and flowers. Please visit the Noble Collection, as well as the snack bar, where the food is nice. You'll love this during your visit to NYC!

A lovely place to spend the day exploring the Tuscany gardens, the Chinese scholar garden and others points of interest!

I cannot say enough good things about Snug Harbor for weddings! The atmosphere only embellished the beauty of the wedding! Saturdays weather was beautiful and a perfect time for the outdoors.

I wish we had known this lovely park existed as we would have allowed time to stop. What a cool place it looked when we walked through after visiting the Children’s Museum. Only given 4* as the lantern display tickets seemed expensive.

Snug Harbor is a hidden gem in Staten Island. I enjoyed their gardens very much. The cost was great-it’s free. A wonderful getaway and place to go to connect with nature.

Snug Harbor Cultural Center is a mix of maritime history, art exhibits, Staten Island History, Chinese Scholar Garden, Botanical Exhibits and a wonderful Children's Museum. Located in the former home for retired sailors, the grounds are beautiful, the Museums full of interesting exhibits and so much to see and do. Don't miss it on your next trip to Staten Island.

This is not a ver large place but there is plenty to see arround. We just saw tge gardens and the Chinese scholars garden.
We liked it a lot. Check out the different patterns in the floors all made with tge same materials