Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden in Staten Island
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Staten Island, Richmond County, New York, US
I’m here for the NYC Winter Lantern Festival which opened on October 29. There are concession stands and vendors selling their merchandise. Live DJ playing awesome music.
Cute light display but much smaller and less engaging than prior years. Overpriced for what it offered but we enjoyed it.
Not worth the $30 at all, maybe $15 the most! Do not waste your money or time, it got so much smaller than past years, maybe 1/3 of what it was before, plus they had show on the stage in the past years, not anymore. Will not return next year, unless they change the price or make it as big as it was before!
We drove from Brooklyn to see the Scholar garden only to find it closed for a private event. We checked the website first. Really annoying! But we made the best of it. Botanical garden was pretty! A bunch of old houses in disrepair were interesting.
Used to love this place the few times Ive visited. Really loved the beautiful chinese garden but unfortunately online openings were not accurate. Took my visiting auntie there as I thought it was opened and they said its only opened Wed - Friday. All the attractions were closed off and was not much to see besides the two small, circular gardens. At least I got to see my homeland flowers (the hibiscus). 🌺
It was amazing 👏🏽 I definitely recommend everyone to go to Sung Harbor at least once. Its a nice beautiful garden, park like place. And you must go to the Traditional Chinese Garden its AMAZING and worth the $5. You will feel as though youre on vacation cause its divine. You know if you dont belive me go see for yourself.
Absolutely magical display for the winter lantern festival. Would highly recommend it for a date night or a family outing.
Its not a bad little botanical garden/walking area. They have some pretty plants and coming here in the morning its quiet and peaceful. Its just a little rundown and it could use better maintenance but other than that its free theres also the staten island children museum on the grounds. Its a nice place to kill some time definitely worth a visit if youre in the area
Its very unfortunate that the grounds and garden isnt kept up better. Its a great place for a walk, but I was expecting a bit more from this garden. The plants were beautiful, but sections of the garden were overgrown. There were weeds growing throughout the park. The fountains throughout the park werent on.If you live locally, its a nice place to check out. As this was a stop on my way home the Philadelphia, it wasnt really worth the detour.
We had no idea that everything was closed except on weekends. At first we thought oh well, not a huge issue, we can just enjoy the gardens.Except there are no public toilets. The only restrooms are inside the buildings which are locked except for those specific opening days.Would it be so difficult to provide a toilet that is open every day?Also I was looking forward to the Sensory Garden but it has been completely abandoned. The paths were all overgrown, the waterfall was bone dry, and it just looked awful.Not worth making the trip over. Just go to Central Park.
This place is lovely and worth a visit. Sad to see the lack of upkeep in some areas, but Im sure that proper funding is the issue. May I suggest better signage? Particularly on the roads that barely accommodate cars, Amazon trucks, fire trucks, police cars, and pedestrians!
I love this park for the botanical garden because it’s very quiet and peaceful. I went to the Staten Island Museum and it was very informative. I will spend more time during the Spring to Autumn to hangout longer as longest you want.
Excellent spot to spend a Sunday, great stuff to look at and experience. Very kid friendly and relaxing. Definitely support the folks that keep this place open.
Very nice little garden. And it was free to enter. Many pretty flowers 💐
Unlimited potential to be a major attraction just passed over again and again. Desperately needs an indoor food court and parking garage. Should be a destination for Manhattan tourists (ferry stop?) but languishes as is. Needs leadership with vision. Beautiful grounds and old buildings.
Awesome place with beautiful Chinese Gardens a must visit in Staten Island !
A large complex of museums, botanical gardens and parks, with representation from many different cultures. No matter the age, the entire family will be able to have a great time here.
An interesting complex with historic buildings, various museums and galleries, botanic gardens, and green space.I enjoyed a contemporary art gallery opening, the maritime museum, and the springtime flowers in the gardens.Being so close to the ferry, Snug Harbor makes for a fantastic day trip to Staten Island. Stop by one of the many great restaurants on your way back!
I had so much fun. Cant wait to go back.
Maintenance has clearly been very, very deferred here. The upkeep is lacking, weeds crowding out the healing garden for examples, but in a charming way mostly; you feel like you have stumbled on a secret. We enjoyed our time and will be back but I am not sure why the maintenance has been so poor. Lack of funding, probably.
A very nice park, with small sections, suitable for hanging out, taking pictures. Many kinds of flowers, and some ponds.They are have options for holding weddings here tooI hope it was a little better maintained, because the roads get muddy after rain and some fountains didnt work
Discovered the secret garden today so many blooms!! Also made a squirrel bestie. Definitely will be coming back here on my next off day🌺 I love how well taken care of the property is.
What a oasis in staten island you have to visit the Chinese Scholars garden very beautiful. If u have a toddler the childrens museum is a most it isnt to big but it is very entertaining for the little ones.
Snug Harbor is a magical place where the history of Statenisland is taught in so many ways. The staff of the Statenisland Museum were so professional and they welcomed my brother in law and I with open arms. My experience was warm relaxing and full of positive vibes from everyone I came in contact with. I highly recommend this wonderful place you wont be disappointed.Michael Huston
Great way to spend 1 hour walking around with friends or family or the kids. This place is fun for all folks of all ages. Its not religious but very diverse. The lights, figures, houses and pathways are all very well made. They offer snacks and refreshments so come hungry. And watch the show and cheer loudly as the performers are young adults and did a great job!
I love Snug harbor for so many reasons. But most of all the peace I feel when I am visiting. I enjoy long walks and the beautiful grounds. So much opportunity💚
I remember it being a lot better kept a few years ago. I went and I felt like theyre slacking. Its still a popular spot however as many can be seen enjoying the calming views.
Such a beautiful space, nothing more can be said.
Kids will love running around the grass. Adults will love sitting under the sun for picnics. This place is such a beautiful and tranquil haven.
We love this park! It’s huge with many interesting places and historic corners.
It was nice overall, walkway was not well set up or maintained. Also walkway passes right through the lines for the food vendors, very hard to get around with a stroller as the area is small. Parking is nightmarish so be prepared. The walk is pretty and short so not bad if you are bringing the kids.
Staten island is so close to Manhatten. But I went to island from New Jersey side. And found this wonderful park without hesitation. Gardens, museums, outdoor places are took my attention the rest of day. Take your kids and get a clear air at this time if you are living close to NYC. Ok
Beautiful outdoor gardens! We went on Saturday and there was the PopsUp music event where different musicians/artists would perform during the day. All free!! Just bring a blanket and enjoy. There’s a cut little eatery that sales burgers and funnel cakes for the kids!
Absolutely beautiful grounds and gardens to visit and enjoy. Be sure to check the activity schedule before you go to avoid localized traffic and parking within the garden centers grounds.
Came here for the NYC Lantern Festival and it was a great venue. It was very well put together and had more than enough exhibits and areas to keep everyone entertained. There are also food stations with different varieties of food and drinks for all ages. Please note that the snug harbor entrance includes a loooong walk so if youre not prepared, it may tire you out initially. Once you get closer to the entrance you start to see many of the beautiful exhibits. After they scan your ticket note that there are a few benches available for those who might need a break. After that its a long winding walk with so many great things to see. Once you reach the food stations, note that youre close to the exit. The food is priced fairly, everything was prepared well and tasted great. If youre not sure about the hot apple cider... get it! Tastes like youre drinking an apple pie. At this point, theres also a heated tent so you can go inside to warm up and have your snacks. When youre ready to go back outside, the stage has a beautiful cultural show that happens every hour. Then, there are a few more exhibits before the main light tunnel / exit. This part will get crowded so be prepared to wait or walk around everyone thats stopped for a selfie or posing for photos. I recommend stopping for photos too because it really is iconic and a beautiful sight to see. Overall this was a wonderful event that everyone should visit at least once. Its worth the drive to staten island and depending on what time you go, traffic isnt even that bad. Enjoy! 🤩
Nice place to visit if youre interested in Chinese culture and ancient buildings! The views in the garden are very beautiful and the entire tour took me about half an hour.
The place was beautiful but they locked the side gate while we were still inside and we couldnt get to our car parked on the street just outside the gate, even though our friends asked them to wait a minute for people still exiting through that gate. We had to walk to the opposite side of the park and all the way back around on a busy street with very heavy equipment.
The Chinese Lantern Festival was beautiful! It was wonderful to see the all the brightly colored displays. Be prepared to wait for a while before you get to enter. The entire exhibit took us about 2 hours to go through (we took a ton of pictures).
Went there for the NYC Lantern Festival. It was a nice colorful exhibit. Dress warmly as it can get a bit chilly in the evenings. Certain exhibits are a bit more popular so exercise patience if you want a good picture. Parking lot was full when we arrived but there is plenty of street parking within a couple of blocks from the park.
Lovely place to visit, especially between April and May when the place comes to life with the colors of spring. No admission fees but some indoor attractions, such as museums, do charge a fee. There are historical buildings of notable architecture, manicured gardens, scenic trails, a 9/11 memorial, and lots of green spaces. We spent an entire afternoon during our recent visit.For those taking public transportation, the place is a bus ride away from the Staten Island Ferry terminal. Bus S-40 takes you directly in front of the main gate. We walked on the way back to the terminal, which took half an hour.
Really beautiful! Definitely recommend but leave the small kids at home if its really cold. It was brutally cold this winter, and taking a small child is not the best idea, dont want to expose them to the cold for too long and you really want to take your time and enjoy this beauty!! I would say spend a few minutes are each section and dont just walk through it, take your time! Stop and appreciate the work. Take pics. And just breathe it in. Enjoy the hot cocoa they have!! The tents should be bigger with more seating please!!!!! There are no other activities like corn maze etc theres small skating rink but not really worth... hope they add more stuff next year since place is huge. The price is too high for just the view....other festivals have much more included in similar price.. however i cant wait for next year to see what they have in store.
Short trip to get away from downtown to feel different.though not as elaborate of other gardens. It is free and has great potential.
I was here recently for the NYC Winter Lantern Festival and it was awesome. The staff is really nice ans the lantern ans lights were amazing. My family had a fun time. The food trucks were way overpriced though!
The lantern festival was beautiful and delightful. I loved all the displays. They were colorful and whimsical. Great for family to do a outing. The show was also very entertaining and cultural educating. Since its an outdoor event it gets cold very easily. Theres a few food trucks and portable potties. If you cant walked or Staind for a long time, then this is not for you.
Beautiful lights show. Very relaxing experience. Definitely bring your kids. I think the best time to go after 8:30 pm and you get a good deal on Groupon.
Winter Lantern Festival 2019 was cool. Even decent food booths. Good for dates, family, and friends. Bring kids if you have them theyre sure to enjoy.
I really enjoyed the Snug Harbor Center. The Chinese Scholars Garden and the Staten island Museum were great. The Treasure Box Exhibit at the Museum was very interesting and diverse
I came here for the Winter Lantern Festival. The attraction itself was amazing. That being said, the event was completely unorganized & understaffed. They didnt have any lines set up, everyone was standing together waiting to get tickets, people who bought tickets at the event were getting in before the people who had purchased their tickets online, people started screaming & shouting, kids were being pushed, security had no control. They finally started letting people in once they realized the crowd was getting rowdy. Once we got in the experience was much better. Do not wear nice shoes, they will get muddy if you step off the walking path for pictures. The walking path also got slippery from the mud. Glad I got to experience it, but hopefully they work the kinks out.
Impressive 2019 Winter Lantern Festival morning🥰🥰🥰🥰Great for all ages!! Lanterns warm up the winter, feeling holidays in the air ~~Foods, performance on stage at 6/7/8/9 pm.
I would say one of the best parks on the island. Its a must visit place during cherry blossom seasons and chinese lantern festivals in winter.
Went here with family but was disappointed. Theres nothing much to do here and it isnt well kept. We went to the Chinese garden and it was not open nor was there anyone working to let us know.
NYC winter lantern festival was a very nice experience. We parked in the VIP parking lot which was pretty close to the entrance, however when leaving there werent any signs leading back to the parking lot which led us to walk a few blocks out of the way back to the lot.
Was absolutely beautiful. We had some great weather. It was also quite busy as they were filming an episode of Madam Secretary. The grounds were well kept. Quite a nice nature walk.
Great place to go for a walk or a picnic, with museums, beautiful gardens, and a lot of things to discover.
We went to the Winter Lantern Festival today. We enjoyed the bright colorful lights. My daughter was so happy when we got there and asked me to take a picture and a video of her while walking around the garden. Some of our favorite lanterns are the Pandas, Chinese Temple and the Dragon.If you are planning to go, make sure to check the weather forecast before going. It might be too cold for you or your little ones.The ground at the garden was a little muddy so... also make sure to wear waterproof or anti slip shoes. If you or your group needs to use the restroom, dont you worry because there are more than enough portalets at the exit. They also have 2 or 3 I think at the entrance.Food and souvenir shops are available also at the exit. Parking... is available outside the garden but when it gets full, you will need to look for one outside which are street side parkings.The cultural show was very interesting and entertaining. Nice to watch the performers do their traditional dances.Overall rating for the event and venue is 4.5 :)
Truly wonderful place to visit. It has a farm, a Chinese garden, children museum, large field where you can have picnic, small botanical garden, Staten Island Museum, and free parking space.
An amazing place to visit. We took the free ferry over from Manhattan and then and the S40 that drops you right outside. I would thoroughly recommend visiting the Chinese gardens. Great place for a picnic too!
Special place reset, reflect, refresh, restore, relax not feel like in big city. Super nice still able enjoy the way time was back in the day. Can spend the entire day here having best moments shared with love ones. Big thumbs up to the people of Staten Island keep this Snug Harbor tip top shape!!
The lanterns were great! But the marketing, as great as it is, is not truthful. Its really just a small patch of land. NOT acres. And the live DJ that was supposed to be there did not come. There were only 2 food vendors. Kinda disappointed because we travelled from an hour away but was met with less than expectations. I would recommend but with caution
Lantern festival at Snug Harbor. Great night event for the family on the weekends of course. Winter event
I loved it. Great place to go with kids or on a date. I enjoyed the light scenery it was spectacular. I was expecting to have asian fried rice. The food was American food no complaints. I order a Chicken Teriyaki Bun it was something different to try. I would go again.
Beautiful lanterns, but expensive tickets. Very large crowds. Difficult to take pictures. Not sure if they ticket time slots are helping much.
So beautiful and such a great space. We had a little picnic and all played in the grass. So much to do and see all in walking distance
Was there for NYC Lateran Festival an enchanting holiday light show. Located in the botanical gardens. Logistical notes; this is outdoors in the winter so plan accordingly. There is no where to sit and path is on unlevel ground. They put some interlocking plastic grids down to create the pathway. If you have mobility issues could be problematic. There is extremely limited on site parking and offsite at nearby mall with shuttle bus. Limited street parking if you get lucky (we did). Again not a dealbreaker but if you mobility issues its another layer of challenges. It can get really crowded if your schedule allows going during the week makes for a better experience. Fair type food stand area and port-o-san facilities. With that in mind highly recommend.
Easy to get to. Has a lot of things to do, but walking around the peaceful gardens is a highlight.
As a photographer, this place is heaven to come with one of your clients for a quick walk-through.There are about 10 different areas that you can shoot amazing photos at just while taking a stroll across the grounds.Many of them are seasonal, like the botanical garden, for example, but much of it is good all year around.Besides that, it’s just a great place to spend the day. The lantern festival that they have during the winter is a great place to take kids.I have hosted an event called PIZZA PARTY here and it went great. They gave us an amazing space to utilize.
Nov 2021The Snug Harbor Center is a must see for visitors and locals on Staten Island. The grounds are well laid out and a beautiful combination of well landscaped and a more wild feel around. The historic buildings are spectacular both outside and in (which is good at the moment with limited indoor access due to Covid). The Chinese Scholars Garden is unique, the Tuscan Garden is cute, and the rose, herb, white, and other gardens are constantly changing and worth repeated visits. And its almost never crowded so you can really enjoy yourselves. The SI Museum on the grounds has a variety of circulating shows, that (like any museum) can vary in quality but the buildings themselves are worth seeing.
Love this place whether you want to stroll through it for the scenery or immerse yourself in the arts its a beautifully wonderful place to be. Recently (yesterday) attended the NYC Winter Latern Festival!
Its a great place! NYC needs more places like this, just walk around nature, and feel human. Honestly though the grass/historical buildings needs a little love and maintance, but if more people visit maybe they will have more funds to fix up the landscape. Also I got lost a lot. Its big! Would recommend to nature lovers or if you are looking for fun things to do with kids.
Great installations; very pretty and interactive. Dj and snack booths.
The park is peaceful and filled with lots of turkeys. Ideal to take your kids to the park and the childrens corner.
Went to the NYC winter lantern festival at night...it was Great..Had rain earlier in the day so it was kind of damp and cold at night but all in all it was beautiful then afterwards as we were exiting they had the lobster food cart a little pricey but it was delicious...
Will mos def come back great vibes
This place is full of great activities. You can go to the botanical garden, a Museum, take a look at a kiosk, and just rest in the garden. It has some sort of magic even in cloudy days.
Its a smarvelous place with amazin architecture. The 83 acres are also beautiful since they keep it all so clean.
It is good to have something christmasy in Staten Island. Good place to experience once. Especially, if you have kids. They will enjoy it a lot.It takes almost an hour if you enjoy every spot in there.Lighting falls on average side. What is unique though a laser show with music hidden in corner.Food court at the end is good. If youre there with your date, wife or girlfriend. It gives you chance of enjoying warm winter snack.You can grab a snack and sit on chairs and table provided on side and enjoy the DJ.
A little Staten Island gem...my daughter loved the Halloween sci Fi activities!
Ive been to this place a couple of times now. I went in the summer go in the garden. It is a very nice place, a little bit on the small side, but then again I live in Connecticut and this is something in Staten Island! It was pretty easy to find parking. I would definitely recommend the Japanese garden which cost a couple of extra dollars to get in but its definitely worth it.
NYC winter lantern festival is really beautiful but not worth $26 per person. Get the tickets on Groupon it way cheaper
Big beautiful old buildings - museums, gardens, parks and many more.
This place is huge! Very nice experience, one of the best parks Ive been to.
The most beautiful and adorable place in Staten Island! So lovely, so cozy. Feels like you are in Asia! Amazing park! Highly recommend it!
Lovely Park but not enough donations to fix the two beautiful fountains they have friendly staff but a bit of a mosquito problem I know it cant be helped.
Had a wonderful time at the later festival. I was my first time attending am event at snug harbor and enjoyed it. I was happy that it wasnt filled with crowds of people & we were able to move around freely and comfortably.
Lovely place with winter festival. It just occured few days before. The atmosphere was really cutural and creative for culture event. I am waiting for next year with winter festival
This was a great evening. If you have kids bring them here they will definitely enjoy the moment. This is a great family trip, but also you could make it in a date.
Beautiful experience! If you’re in Staten Island you visit Snug Harbor!
I participated as a Vendor at the Fall Festival on Cottage Row and it was phenomenal! Thank you Amoy Barnes and Jenny Kelly!
The lights were nice but the oriental show was a joke. The young fellow kept making mistakes with the hats he was juggling with the tea dance was nothing special and the mb ake part was ok but you can see them touching the switch under the clothes.They also tell you to visit the market place..2 tents ONLYNot worth the ticket price and very hard to find parking.
It was a great experience for kids and for myself. The event for Wednesday was Russian dance. The singers sang beautifully and the dancer named Alice was so graceful... All children were so excited and dancing along. The singer was teaching Russian words too. It was really great.
Beautiful display of lanterns and great place for kids to run free and engage!Huge crowds so be aware but otherwise great experience!
Went for the Chinese Lantern Festival and omg it was amazing! Such a nice area with a lot of parking room and little stands to get hot chocolate or something to eat were so cute! This was an event for the holidays but hopefully they’ll bring it back next year!
Family and I went there for the NYC Winter Lantern Festival. We got there 20 minutes before opening and the parking lot was almost filled up. People were already going into the festival as well. As the night went on, the event got very crowded. Due to the recent rain, the area was very muddy and difficult for younger children to walk safely. We satyed to watch the cultural show, but the stage was so short that it was impossible to see anything. The stage needed to be higher or seats should have been available to people in front so that people in back could see while standing.The lit artworks were very well done and Im sure the performances were too (if I was able to see it). However, the infrastructure was not ready to handle large crowds. There was very little to eat as well. I think there were four food trucks (lobster rolls, Greek, dumplings, and baos). A lot of people were complaining about the lack of choices and there was hardly any sitting area.The area around the food trucks were wet and a member of my party slipped and fell. It was difficult to get the medic. It took a long time for medical to arrive. While we were waiting for the medic, there was a lot of confusion within the staff and we were witness to some internal power struggle and la k of understanding of roles.Overall, the art was great, but the event space was.not ready for the large crowds.
Went to see the Festival of Lanterns a few days ago on a whim.It was a much.larger display of lighted fabric creations than we expected. It stretched across a large outdoor space and included dinosaurs, dragons, a giant alligator, turtle, mushroom trees and alot more. It also had interactive stepping pads that the kids enjoyed jumping on. Food and snack areas as well and a stage with entertainment including dancers and magic. Highly recommend catching this event and plan to go again next year.
Great place to spend a day with family and friends. Reasonable ticket Price. Good place for kids and adults. Museums, gardens, parks....
Came here and theres nothing to do. There is almost no one and everything is closed. We couldnt even get a coffee or get into the greenhiuse. Such a disappointment since we waited for the S40 bus for like half an hour.
Its a public park and you can enter for free but if you want to visit Cheese garden and pound your supposed to pay $5 per person.
Beautiful grounds. There are places to throw parties and weddings as well. Also great to go to the botanical gardens or have a nice walk through Snug Harbor. The Childrens Museum is also located in Snug Harbor as well. Webt to Halloween Harbor and was a great event for children in the day and adults at night.
I like this place, but it could really use some up keep. The lawn and the weeds could be dealt with better. Someone should be working the lawn 5 days a week. The pond is also terrible. I dont see any ducks in there anymore. Very green and over grown plants. The walk ways were over run with dirt. Place needs volunteers or someone to do there job.
NYC Winter Lantern Festival 2018A beautiful walk-through display of lighted lantern creations. Dragons, animals, buildings,sharks and dinosaurs. There was live stage entertainment, but the last show ended too early if you werent local enough to get there in time.The on-site food was a small snack stand called Harbor Eats. Be aware that the promised food trucks are outside the venue and you must exit the park to patronize them. There was easy access from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal and the NYPD presence made for a safe atmosphere. Obviously a lot of hard work and effort went into this display, however, the $26 per adult ticket price is too steep and will keep us from returning in future years.
Its closed on Monday. The grounds and botanical gardens are nice to walk through.Its the end of the growing season. The childrens museum looked great.
Winter Lantern was extravagant! The only thing i missed was the chinese performance, but on a whole it was great! It was like being in the amusement park, without the rides. 😀😁😂😝
Came here for the NYC lantern festival with my boyfriends family and it was fun to see. It does get chilly so dress for the occasion but otherwise it is extremely nice to see. There are a lot of people taking photos so be mindful of where youre standing or walking. It wont be easy to take a photo of some exhibits but it is possible. Watch out for the mud since it does make it slippery. There are some food trucks at the exit and believe theres a place to eat at near the entrance.
Great place for a day out! Cant wait to visit during summer and fall!
Winter lantern festival is fine! Its a bit too expansive, but the lights and performance were both good!
One of New Yorks hidden gems. Take the ferry and bike over along Richmond Terrace. Pay the Xtra $5 for the Chinese Scholars Garden and add a little philosophy to your day 😀
This is a beautiful place to visit and enjoy the nature relaxing
Very pretty. It was SUPER cold, make sure you wear WARM SOCKS and BOOTS..They need more parking for the amount of people that show up, and there isnt much parking in the neighborhood.
The lantern festival was magical. Cant wait to go in the daytime to visit the historical houses and gardens
We went to Botanical Garden with kids. Some places were closed. We had to pay extra to get into Chinese Garden. The atmosphere was nice. Nothing crazy about this place. You cannot even compare to Brooklyn Botanical Garden. I will not go again.
Beautiful Gardens. We were lookinf forward to visiting the buildings but they were closed due to pandemic.
Went for the lantern festival and couldnt have been more impressed! So beautiful!
I went to see the Winter Lanterns Festival. It was amazing. Everything was illuminated with lights in varried colors.
The winter lantern festival was really beautiful and well organized. The show wasnt too long which was fine ad the performers were really good at what they did and were really fun to watch. The food vendors were really good as well, with many options to choose from. Overall a great place to visit.
Spectacular Winter Lantern Festival! Was able to walk around at my our pace and was able to take plenty of pics.
Good place to bring kids and take nice photos. There is a shuttle bus from three ferry terminal. Be sure to buy tickets with a promo or discount
Didnt know anything about this place before and it was amazing visiting today.
Its a great place just to enjoy the plants and flowers. The architecture is interesting as well. Take a walk around the grounds see the farm and the deer. Enjoy!
We had the most beautiful wedding at Snug Harbor. From the moment we booked Snug until even after our wedding we have had a wonderful experience. We can’t thank Erin, Emily, and the Celebrate team enough for making our day so special. Erin was the most amazing wedding coordinator to work with from day one. Even through the craziness of planning during the pandemic, Erin was so flexible, understanding, and compassionate. On the day of our wedding, Erin and Emily crushed it! Erin truly made sure every detail of our vision was in place and made everything perfect. Emily was the greatest bridal attendant, she truly went above and beyond to help make our day feel so seamless. THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE CELEBRATE TEAM!
If you have the opportunity to enjoy the winter lantern festival there, youll live a great experience!!
Thank you for such a beautiful place to just be a Tourist in your own town. Epic place to visit...
What a hidden gem! The maritime museum is very educational and devoted to ships, the lives of sailors, and the early forms of welfare provided for retired sailors. The botanic gardens were beautiful. You could easily spend a full day here!
Nice place to relax and enjoy the nature.
The lantern festival was very fun. Lots of the lights are very insta-worthy. The dance show was authentic and fun. I wish there were more food truck options but overall a very fun night.
Such a cool place to wander around and get away from the noise of the city.
Winter lantern festival - must see event. Beautiful colors and lots of fun with the show.
There are so many things to do on a nice day. Go to the scholar garden, have lunch at the cafe, go to the childrens museum with the kids, look at the botanical garden. Just roam around. Enjoy a picnic on the grass. Look at all the different gardens and ponds. Or theres so much wildlife and nature, its a relaxing getaway. And theres so much else to do beside that... Theres the natural history museum, the gardens, the kids activities... So wonderful for the family. But I have to say the highlight for me is the Chinese scholar garden. I could go there and just relax every week for a couple hours with a book. Be sure to take the camera and your curiosity
Beautiful place. Lovely scenery. Great place for picture taking.
This was our first time experiencing a light show and we are very excited. We were able to find parking very easily but the GPS was very confused. It made us take several laps around the park. Theres no parking on site unless you pay for VIP parking otherwise you would need to use street parking.We got on the line to pay for tickets and there was only one person on staff. I would suggest buying tickets in advance as you do pay service charges when buying tickets on site. Then we went to check in and theres two people. Upon entry of the park we noticed there was barely any personnel on site except by the Holiday market.The lights were very beautiful and well done. Some were moving and/or changing color! And there was many opportunities for photos. There werent many benches available to sit down. The entire show can be viewed in an hour. Come when its dark because then you can see the lights better.Wear comfortable shoes and clothes that you wouldnt mind get dirty as its outside. They have porta potties but no hand washing station. The food was okay and most of the items are sitting under a heat lamp. We got churros, fried Oreos, and hot cider. Cash is preferred as they charge a $1 - $2 service fee. They have a live DJ and a dance floor, if are feeling the beats.Overall, a great experience for adults and children alike.
For the middle of Aug it seemed like maybe May would be the time to visit not many flowers or exhibits bldgs open. Enjoyable and very pleasant peaceful place
Truly one of the cultural gems of NYC! Snug Harbor is filled with lush grounds, museums, theaters, and plenty to see. There is always something going on at this fantastic site so you can visit it multiple times a year and always get a new experience. Whether you experience the Chinese Scholars Garden, enjoy one of the many festivals on its grounds, or spectate a show you cant go wrong. Theres something for everyone, family outings, romantic dates, or just a slow pleasant stroll. One of the best places to visit in Staten Island and NYC!
Hidden gem of Staten Island. Beautiful grounds. I went for the NYC Lantern Festival. Beautiful displays, and a very interesting Dance/show on the main stage. Keep your eyes on the calendar for events/concert/shows, and if the Lantern Festival comes back around, you dont want to miss it.
Visited during winter lantern festival. The parking was sold out so we parked at the mall and took a shuttle. Long lines on a cold day made waiting for a bus rather unpleasant. The festival itself was nice. Not sure if its worth $100 for a family of 4.
Visited for the NYC Winter Lantern Festival. Very nice festival however, I suggest you wearing very comfy shoes AND be sure you dont really care about those shoes. Most of the walk, is through grassy areas which, due of the amount of foot traffic from different events I assume, has no grass so you are walking through a lot of muddy paths.
Came for the lantern festival. The website makes it look like you can get a lantern to release on to some pond, but alas there is no pond and the lanterns are just souvenirs. There are plenty of portapotties on the site but there is no toilet paper and there is no lighting in the portapotty. so good luck trying to fumble around in the dark trying not to touch anything in there while also holding your phone in one hand with the flashlight on. The lanterns themselves are very nice and instagram worthy, but for the admission price I expected more things to see.
The grounds are beautiful and its easy to get to by bus from the ferry. Many of the places we closed the day we went.
Went for lantern event. Was really nice but packed and layout wasnt great. It was crowded at the entrance. Also food trucks were at end of event after exiting.
My review is based on the NYC Winter Lantern Festival, their entrance and lack of organization. This is my first time leaving a bad review. I went there with a ValPak coupon offering $15 adult admission. When we got to the ticket window, the lady said they are not honoring the coupon because they didnt publish the coupon. Ive never seen a fake coupon through ValPak and Ive been receiving and using them for years. Since we were already there, we went ahead and purchased the $26 adult tickets. We would NOT have gone if we knew we were going to spend $71.50 (2 adults and 1 youth + service fee). In addition to that, after getting tickets, you had to walk back through the sea of people to line up to get in. It was a pain for 3 people...I cant imagine with a group of younger kids. The lights were nice but still a bit pricey. No one could see the performances other than the front row. It would have been better if there was a large screen to the side. Instead we had to try and watch the show from someone elses cell phone who was videotaping.
It was way too cold but the displays was good. Would’ve enjoyed it more if was in the spring.
Loved the event and short performance they had. Everything was placed accordingly and great for pictures! I hope they have a similar event again next year!
Its a good place to visit during December. You can see different chinese lanterns and a lot of lights :)
Best $5 you will spend to visit the exclusive chinese garden Inside.
Went with the family to see the lights and was a bit disappointed, it was a small exhibit the pathways were very dark at the egress and parking lot. The area was not to friendly for wheelchairs and I didnt see much in the way of security.
Great place to go for a family walk and bring kids. Lots of activities including the Children Museum.
Great place to take the family. The Winter Lantern Festival was amazing!
If youre a Staten island resident and visit on the first Saturday of the month its free entry! Plus children 5 and under are also free of charge.
Came for the winter lantern festival and it was great! Loved it.
Personally, I just love it at snug harbor. Its close to home and yet, its a great nature spot......
Snug harbor is a beautiful place for family and friends
Beautiful. Confusing because there are few signs and they Reference building numbers. Very few restroom facilities which are nearly impossible to find without info desk directions. When we came, the Chinese Garden bathroom was closed for a private event. Had to walk a half mile to find another bathroom hidden in a back building down a long hall. Bizarre. The grounds are beautiful and the outdoor Cafe near the glass house has good food.
What a beautiful place - it was nice to stay on Staten Island! Wish there wasnt a charge to enter different parts of the park - at least not for SI residents.
You know i was expecting more that just these lights and lanterns on the first day of the openning...they missing out the food....on the first day.....and for the price i think 20 for an adult is good enough
The place is absolutely magnificent. I wish they would have a study space for graduate and doctoral students.
Beautiful place and beautiful cultural programs .they have 4-5 small snack shops too
Lovely park with trees and flowers! An amazing piece of nature and tranquility in Staten Island!
Large park with free parking. Pay as you see different exhibition. Free ground access. Restroom is clean.
Visited the NYC Winter Lantern festival. What an amazing, creative and true to life display of lanterns. Also liked the travel arrangements from Staten Island. A must watch for everyone.
We attended the Winter Lantern Festival here. It was absolutely EPIC! We all loved it... especially the kids!
Beautiful spot with lots of activities and event space. Very much enjoyed the Lantern Festival, and recent graduation party in one of the event halls.
NYC winter festival is amazing. All the lanterns are so beautiful.
Beautiful park. When events are happening there is more to see since more gates are opened. Chinese festival pics. Beautiful show.
Unexpected beauty of a park. Serving a tuberculosis respite vibe and lots of handsome brickwork
Greatest banquet room by Relish
Winter Lantern Festival 2018!! MAKE SURE TO BUNDLE UP BECAUSE THE WIND MAKES IT FEEL LIKE LESS THAN 20
Good pricing if you arw student and military . Cute garden beautiful entrances
This beautiful park and cultural center situated in Staten Island is a wonderful experience. The Chinese Scholar Garden was by far my favorite section to visit. It was like being transported to another world. The gardens and architecture are worth coming here to visit.
The outdoor venues are lovely, but if you have a party they will ask certain members to leave. Not very tolerant at all.New York was once welcoming to the tired, the poor, and the masses yearning to breath free. But now a new mindset has infused its way into this city. Sadly those who once stood proud now with open arms, have now bent their knee and embraced their new tyranny.
We were there on Monday and most gardens and the childrens museum are both closed Mondays. So that we disappointing. I was involved in building two gardens there and to see the sensory garden grown over was the real disappointment. It was good to see the Music Hall getting around to phase 2 of its improvements. I was also involved with phase 1 there and it deserves to return to its original glory.
Beautiful chinese garden. It feels like going to China for $5 entrance fee.
I stopped at this historical site on my way to visit a friend on the other side of Staten Island and it was so storybook beautiful. So much incredible architecture and beautiful plant specimens everywhere. I was so bummed that I could only afford to spend an hour, but the next time I visit Ill take advantage of the entire grounds.With so much art everywhere I was wondering if the Snug Harbor Cultural Center ever hosted outdoor sculptural exhibits, or had the thought of installing poetry based artworks among the grounds? Definitely a place I will come to again and again.
A nice family friendly place to walk around and enjoy the many plants.
Very nice place. The Chinese garden pleasant
Always a wonderful experience! My grandson absolutely loves coming to Snug Harbor and now even more exciting for him with the lantern festival!
Amazing time. Came for a wedding. Plan was for outdoor but when the the afternoon sun disappeared and they noticed the dark clouds was moving in the start setting up the chairs in a more close area to not get wet. The change over didnt affect time schedule. Dinner area was spacious and the bar was adequate. My only negative and not to any affect on rating was I order my dinner medium raw and it arrive well which they correct. Prior to the event we arrived early and was able to take some photos of the place.
It was nice to see the lights but it was VERY muddy and dirty because it rained that day. Very beautiful to dre and they performance was nice too.
What a cool place!! Had a great time and lots of cool things to see !
Great place to take pictures
Twas very nice and romantic place for a newly bystanders and visitors but its worth the night light and ambience of people and sorroundings.. try to visit..
Weve discovered a new favorite park here! Staten Island is truly the forgotten borough & has so many beautiful places like this one. Combined with the ferry, its a wonderful, free way to spend the day!
Such a beautiful place. The Winter Lantern Festival was fantastic.
I visited the Staten Island Museums Impractical Jokers Homecoming exhibit and absolutely LOVED it!!!
Well worth a visit if youre interested in venturing off the beaten track on Staten Island. Great view back across to Manhattan too.
Very nice place to visit and walk around. Well thought out displays with friendly and knowledgeable staff. Plan to come back again.
Only been to the lantern festival at night. Bet the views of NY Harbor are great during the day.
My first time in Staten island Snug Harbor cultural event. The annual winter Lantern event is worth the visit.
The fall colours are amazing!
Lovely area with multiple points of interest including a Botanical Garden and a Maritime Collection.
Great arts cultural centre. On Statten Island, a bus ride from the ferry.
Great place to learn some historical facts about Staten Island. And its mostly free!
Total reviews rating 4.5
199 Reviews for Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden 2023:
Review №1
2022-06-22It is amazing what a team of landscapers can do given the time and tools necessary to make it a tourist attraction once again. Many buildings on site with rich history dating back to the 1800s. Childrens museum and several botanical gardens but it’s Mid June and the duration of neglect is starting to show . Empty a trash can or two …..
Review №2
2021-12-30The Lantern Festival was bright lighted forms jumbled together in a very small section of Snug Harbors many areas.If this had been planned inside the botanical gardens, perhaps with some more thought, it would have been worth the $30 admission.Be prepared for 20 or more of the exact same flower, duck, cat, fish displayed en masse but in their respective “groups” just heaped onto the south meadow.Super disappointing…
Review №3
2022-04-26New Yorkers and tourists must visit Snug Harbor. I grew up on Staten Island and Snug Harbor was a staple of my childhood. Coming back to S.I after i moved to the city , I had forgotten how calm, seren, and peaceful it is there. Its quite, secluded, and beautiful. Everyone should visit at least once.
Review №4
2022-06-10Big, beautiful, and has tons of things to see and do. From the ballpark, the gardens, the childrens museum to the farm stand and concert spaces theres fun to be had here.
Review №5
2021-09-15Beautiful historic grounds, youre likely to walk past a few blushing brides here! Wonderful place for a picnic, a stroll or even just to sit and admire the glorious atmosphere and beautiful gardens. The Heritage Farm has a produce stand every Thursday and Saturday. Theres occasionally public and paid events in various sections of the park. A beautiful place full of history and always with things to do!
Review №6
2022-06-25Got there early they opened and told us they open at 11 they got us the staff was very friendly they helped my friend thru the disabled entrance saw the museum the gardens a lot to see will be back soon its kid friendlyTheres a story at night its haunted well I believe in ghosts staff said they saw ghosts late at night but overall its a great place they have a refreshment bar moderate priced andthe garden is beautiful didnt get to see everything but I will be going back
Review №7
2022-05-02If you own this place, get yourself some ice cream today! SOOOOOOOO MUCH RESPECT FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS A PART IN RUNNING THIS PLACE AND KEEPING IT CLEAN, DIGNIFIED AND ORGANIZED! Best place on the entire island, I felt like I entered an entire new world👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Naturally beautiful!! *I wish I could go into the greenhouse but maybe its closed due to covid*(Update: Ive been here now a lot of times and each time I find some place new and beautiful)
Review №8
2022-01-04This is a really nice place. Save money and park on the street. Went to the festival of lights and proposed to my girlfriend here.
Review №9
2021-08-15Quiet and beautiful place. We moved to SI from Brooklyn so imagine Prospect Park on Saturday: no words can describe how tired of it I was. Snug Harbor is a true gem! Well maintained plants, beautiful blossoms almost year round, birds singing, turtles in the pond. Lovely place for a walk or picnic.
Review №10
2022-01-03The best light display in NYC! It is soooooo cute! I love it so much. It is my 2nd year going. It is so worth it!