Explore The Staten Island Museum and Staten Island Institute of Arts & Sciences, By Melody Schubert

Staten Island; once a refuge for retired seamen is now a unique destination filled with activities and sites for everyone. Also check out Snug Harbor, which has numerous art galleries to explore, special musical and entertainment to enjoy.

Visitors can discover the history behind one of New York's claims to fame at the The Staten Island Museum of the Staten Island Institute of Arts & Sciences. Adding to a fascinating collection of New York history already found at the Staten Island Museum is a new permanent exhibit dedicated to the ferry centennial. The exhibit, Staten Island Ferry: The First 100 Years of Municipal Service, features an amazing series of photographs, art works, ship models and artifacts from past ferries. The museum is located at 75 Stuyvesant Pl., only two blocks west of the Staten Island Ferry Terminal.

One of the island's popular sites is the Snug Harbor Cultural Center, located at 1000 Richmond Ave. which features one of the finest examples of Greek Revival buildings in the nation. What was once a refuge for retired merchant seamen is now a unique destination filled with activities and sites for everyone. Snug Harbor has numerous art galleries to explore, special musical and entertainment scheduled throughout the year, plus amazing museums set amongst natural wetlands, woods, and beautiful botanical gardens.

Among our favorite sites to see are the Noble Maritime Collection. This museum focuses on the history of Snug Harbor and Staten Island maritime artist John A. Noble. Those who love gardening and the outdoors will enjoy strolling through the Staten Island Botanical Garden. The garden is the site of the internationally renowned Chinese Scholars Garden. Children will love the Connie Gretz Secret Garden, modeled after the one in children's classic book; and the Staten Island Children's Museum, which features interactive hands on fun for the whole family.

Staten Island's historic beauty and charm has attracted Travelers from around the world. For those who have not visited yet, you can capture the feel of this suburban-like Island in movies like Working Girl and The Godfather. Imagine yourself on the set while strolling among the hilly streets of the Hamilton Park neighborhood, (look for Longfellow St.) with its rows of gingerbread-trimmed Victorian mansions and shingle-style homes, many dating back to the Civil War era. Here you'll find two huge, famous Tudor-esque homes which made their Hollywood debut as Casa Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola's 1971 classic, The Godfather.