//
Photo: DavisTW, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Staten Island Museum is Staten Island’s oldest cultural institution, and the only remaining general interest museum in New York City.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Snug Harbor
This is the largest collection of Greek revival, temple style buildings in America. A true architectural gem featuring the Staten Island Botanic Garden, which features an authentic Chinese Scholar's garden (created by actual Chinese scholars!). There is also an art museum, the John A. Noble Collection, on the grounds. This is one of the most beautiful places in New York, a place even the most jaded New Yorker will marvel at.
It's in West New Brighton, and is a fun destination for younger children as well as animal enthusiasts. The zoo used to have the most snake species of any zoo in the world. It no longer holds that title, but still has a substantial reptile wing.