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
A very impressive skyscraper with a green spire which was completed in 1930 and surpassed the height of the nearby Woolworth Building (see Manhattan/TriBeCa#See), making it the tallest building in the world until the Chrysler Building was completed just a month later (which in turn lost that title to the Empire State Building less than a year later). The building was leased by Donald Trump in 1995, hence its current name.
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.
A large and historically important Protestant church and center of progressive social activism. Also neo-Gothic.
Americana including Audubon’s watercolors of birds.
This pretty building was built as Brooklyn's city hall in 1851 and is still a very significant official building in very active use.
Built in 1802 (and physically shifted from its original location), this was the home of Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers and the first Secretary of Treasury.
Most well known as the Model Boat Pond, visitors can often see a racing regatta between members of the Model Yacht Club, or rent a model boat from a boathouse and cafe on the pond. Just to the north of the pond is the Alice in Wonderland sculpture depicting the Tea Party scene, and on the west side of the pond is the Hans Christian Andersen sculpture, which shows the writer seated on a bench reading a book to his Ugly Duckling character.
A famous Ivy League college that has existed since British colonial times, when it was called King's College.
Large garden and arboretum featuring a variety of plants, and also a Victorian-style wedding garden.
Exhibits on the history of highrise and skyscraper construction.
Built as a pavilion for the 1964 World's Fair, this science center is now full of hands-on exhibits for the public. Highlights include Sports Challenge, Rocket Park (featuring full sized Atlas and Titan tickets), and a science playground.
is considered a symbol of Queens. It is a 140-foot (43-meter) tall globe with a fountain below. It is beautiful to look at. In 1939 and 1964, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park was the location of the World's Fair, and the Unisphere was built for the 1964 World's Fair.
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.
At the center of Central Park, the Great Lawn is a large clearing with lawns and ballfields, perfect for ballgames, sunbathing, and picnicking. Just to the east of the Lawn is the Obelisk, a 71-foot tall structure which is the oldest man-made object in the park, having been erected in Heliopolis, Egypt, around 1500 BC.
The only US museum devoted to Puerto Rican culture.
The John Bowne House was built by John Bowne in 1661. It is the oldest building in Queens, and it is one of the oldest buildings in New York City. John Bowne was a Quaker who advocated religious freedom, which was later written into the Bill of Rights. John Bowne's great-grandson, Robert Bowne, strongly advocated for the end of slavery in America. The house was the home of several generations of the Bowne House until 1945, when it was donated and converted into a museum.
One of Brooklyn's most prized brownstone neighborhoods. It is predominantly residential, characterized by late 19th- and early 20th-century rowhouses with architectural significance. Street signs in the Historic District are brown rather than green.