The Greenbelt is a vast expanse of woodlands and parks, spanning an impressive 2,800 acres. It's an unexpected natural haven amidst the bustling cityscape of New York, offering a refreshing escape right within the metropolis. Covering much of Mid-Island, the Greenbelt invites visitors to explore its diverse landscapes, but planning ahead is key to making the most of this outdoor adventure.
A perfect starting point for any visit is the Greenbelt Nature Center. This educational facility is conveniently located at the heart of the Greenbelt and serves as a gateway to the park's wonders. Here, visitors can learn about the rich flora and fauna that inhabit the area and gather useful information to enhance their exploration.
The Greenbelt is a paradise for hikers, offering numerous trails that wind through its lush woodlands. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a casual walker, there is a path to suit your pace and interest. To make the most of the hiking experience, visitors can access a detailed map of the trails, ensuring they can navigate the park's vast terrain effectively.
Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staten_Island_Greenbelt
Opened on November 15, 2022, this interactive museum utilizes technology to convey the history of Broadway, complete with props from past shows, costumes, and other artifacts. You can learn about how a Broadway show is made, and there is a gift shop selling not only their own merch, but also products from current Broadway shows and Broadway in general.
Near Grand Army Plaza, the Pond offers a tranquil setting just within the boundaries of the park. A rustic wood structure, "Cop Cot," overlooks the pond from an outcrop near the Sixth Avenue entrance.
This park was operated as a United States Army airfield from 1919-1969. Now, it is a large, mostly grass park with baseball fields, soccer fields, and a children's playground.
Established in 1867 and laid out by Olmsted and Vaux, the designers of Manhattan's Central Park.
One of the foremost conservatories of those disciplines in the United States.
This is historic home that was built by local businessman James Bouton in 1891. Eight years later, Conrad Voelcker bought the house, and the Voelcker family lived in the house for three generations. Today, it is a museum, and there is a Victorian garden and a bird sanctuary outside.
On a triangular city block between Broadway, Park Row and Chambers Street sits City Hall, a gorgeous gleaming white building completed in 1812, which still hosts the mayor's office and the New York City Council chambers. The building itself is fenced off and only accessible by tour, but there is a lovely park surrounding the building, with plenty of shady trees and a pleasant fountain just to the south of the building. Just north of City Hall and on the same block is the 40.71337-74.005552 Tweed Courthouse, a gorgeous government structure and the legacy of Tammany Hall boss William M. Tweed, who used the courthouse project to embezzle large sums of money from the city budget and was convicted in a courtroom in this building.
A branch of the Smithsonian Institution, the Cooper Hewitt is devoted to over 240 years of contemporary and historic design, with changing exhibits.
This 11 acre lake is one of Central Park's finest spots; surrounded by flowering trees and inhabited by several fish and turtle species.
Collection of more than 200 paintings of the artist, exhibited on three floors of a classic townhouse.
A visual arts center featuring the Panorama of the City of New York, a large architectural scale model of New York City. Originally built for the 1964 World’s Fair, the 9,335 ft² (867.2 m2) display depicts all 895,000 of the city's buildings (excluding Far Rockaway due to space limitations). It was last fully updated in 1992 and select newer buildings are added on an ongoing basis. The Twin Towers of the original World Trade Center remain in place. In addition to the Panorama, the museum has several other exhibits, including items related to the 1939 and 1964 World's Fairs, Tiffany glass, and various 20th-century artworks.
None of Central Park is actual virgin forest, but this is the closest any part of the park gets to feeling like genuine forest. It is beautiful and cool in hot weather. However, like a real forest, it is a mosquito habitat, so make sure to use insect repellent before walking through this part of the park.
On the site of the former World Trade Center towers, the memorial consists of two enormous waterfalls and reflecting pools set within the footprints of the twin towers, lined with bronze panels with the names of the nearly 3,000 victims of that fateful day inscribed. The surrounding plaza holds a grove of trees. The museum, which sits underground right next to the memorial, contains exhibits which explain the events of 9/11 and their aftermath, with remnants of the original towers and artifacts from that day. If you see a white rose on one of the names, it's because today is that victim's birthday.
Ellis Island was home to the nation's primary federal immigration station, with over 12 million immigrant steamship passengers passing through from its opening in 1892 to its closing in 1954. Today, over 40 percent of America's population can trace their ancestry through Ellis Island. The island is home to the American Family Immigration History Center, which contains manifests of 25 million immigrants, passengers, and crew members who entered New York Harbor. The Immigration museum at Ellis Islands has details about "Peopling of America" and if you are an avid history lover, this museum will need at least 3-4 hrs of your time. Since the ferry ride takes you to both Ellis Island as well as the Liberty Island, you will have to plan your day well.
The only US museum devoted to Puerto Rican culture.