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December 2023 by Irina D.
Really enjoyable little nature spot. We tried to go to the New York Chinese Scholar Garden, but I don't think it was open on the day we went. So that was slightly disappointing but it's still a really cool place to walk around and be in nature. Went this past summer and I forgot how cool and vibrant green the grass was! It was a hot July day, but the trees and greenery adds a bit of a cooling sensation. I would recommend (or just giving myself advice) visiting in the spring or fall, for sure.
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November 2023 by Angela Brown
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.
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November 2023 by Angela B.
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.
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October 2023 by Vadim Y
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden is an absolute gem tucked away on Staten Island, offering a captivating blend of art, history, and natural beauty. From the moment you step onto the grounds, you're transported into a world of tranquility and inspiration.The botanical garden is a true oasis, with meticulously manicured gardens that showcase a stunning variety of flora from around the world. As you meander through the winding paths, you'll be greeted by vibrant blooms, fragrant blossoms, and the soothing sound of trickling fountains. It's a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, offering a serene space to reconnect with nature.The cultural center is a treasure trove of artistic and historical wonders. The beautifully restored buildings, once home to retired sailors, now house a diverse range of art galleries, museums, and performance spaces. From contemporary art exhibitions to thought-provoking historical displays, there is something to captivate every visitor.One of the highlights of my visit was the friendly and knowledgeable staff. They were eager to share their passion for the center and its offerings, providing insightful information and making the experience even more enriching. Their dedication to preserving the history and promoting the arts is commendable.Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, theater performances, and festivals. These events add a vibrant energy to the already enchanting surroundings, making each visit a unique and memorable experience.Whether you're an art enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply seeking a peaceful retreat, Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden is a must-visit destination. It offers a harmonious blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and artistic expression. Prepare to be inspired, rejuvenated, and transported to a world of endless possibilities!
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September 2023 by J Droid Dennis
We are members and enjoy exploring the park even during the winter month to see what is there. Even though everything is there, it's still a nice walk and a nice way to get your exercise in and see what it looks like without all the beauty.Summer brings out the masses looking for relief from the heat. Today they had vendors selling items on Cottage Row. (July 15, '23). Chinese scholargarden is open for tours. Oh, and Egger's ice cream! Greenhouse in full bloom. There will be music on select Saturdays.
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August 2023 by Miguel López
So sad this place is so deteriorated, looks like they've never maintained this place. Water is dirty, dont believe in all what you see online. Thought it was going to be similar to Montreal's chineese garden.
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July 2023 by Chuen Chang
The gardens are one of the best in the city. Some buildings at the center are not fully utilized and abandoned is sad. There are varieties of flowers and carefully planned landscape. It offers much to visitors. Children museum are so welcoming. The Chinese garden is one of a kind. The heritage farm really demonstrates the sustainability of the community. There are a few eating stops offers nice options. Spending few hours in this center to absorb phytoncine offers relaxation!!
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July 2023 by Rezwana N.
All this time I didn't even know there is a 9/11 museum inside this park. So I had to let everyone know, it was very overwhelming for me. My first 9/11 museum visit after all this years! The museum is small but they have a lot of original pieces from 9/11. If you ever get a chance please do visit it, just ask someone when you there because it is kinda hard to find. I will post some pictures to show how it looks .
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June 2023 by Pedro Hernandez
These people do really valuable work in preserving historical artifacts! Their farm is also a great example of modern and innovative sustainability practices. All the guides were really nice too! Shoutout to Tate. Got some great photos here!
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June 2023 by Luba K
Multiple times visited this park on the weekends. It’s a free for public, has a clean and accessible bathrooms, a secret spots for meditation, incredible atmospheric views. There are multicultural and historical Museums, rental facilities for parties, romantic overlooks, bird watching, exploring plants at a local garden. There’s an ice cream shop and a cafe for snacks and drinks. Highly recommend for a weekend getaway and/ or special event.
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June 2023 by Edoardo Baldi
Damn, I was not expecting such a beautiful place in Staten Island compared to what we saw as soon as we arrived with the ferry.It feels like an old Greek/Roman garden full of white marble columns and a perfect curated garden.We went there to see a musical and theatre show called "Little Funerals" organized by "InScena!" an Italian organization that brings some of the best artist from Italy to NYC.There's a museum of the navy with old compasses, boats and cabins to realize and understand how it was sailing in the past. Even if you are not into navy stuff, like me, I can assure you that is really charming and interesting!Totally worth it if you will pass by Staten Island, it can be reached easily taking the BUS 40 from the landing spot of the ferry.
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May 2023 by Rehnuma K.
I've loved the botanical gardens in all of the other boroughs, but this one fell incredibly short even with tempered expectations. The grounds are small and the paths aren't well labeled so it's easy to get lost. My friend and I had to go on a Tuesday so we didn't get to check out the Chinese Scholar Garden. The grounds themselves are free admission, but honestly it wasn't even worth the trek out for the limited foliage and scenery. The Allée was nice, as were some of the cottages. Perhaps the experience would have been better had we gone to the Chinese Scholar Garden, but even then we didn't really enjoy Snug Harbor.
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May 2023 by Yii Huang
Good cultural views, just need to pay $5 per person to go inside the cottage , really love it . Especially when you have a good photographer with a portrait picture, will come back again.
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May 2023 by Ratna Payel80
Update:What a beautiful place, didn’t realize the garden is close on Tuesdays , so by the time I will be able to come back the blooms probably be gone !One of my favorite find in the Island ??❤️❤️Who knew this place existed ?Took my parents to show some fall colors but not much luck?But still we had a wonderful time.
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April 2023 by Mike Z
Enjoyable all-seasons experience visiting gardens and few museums. Chinese botanical garden was closed at the beginning of April.
