New York City Attractions

    Staten Island Ferry

  Bay Street - Staten Island, NY            
Operating since 1905, the Staten Island Ferry is one of the oldest continuously operating ferry systems in the United States. The ferries operating on this route are equipped with services such as refreshment points, rest areas and toilets. The journey from one terminal to the other takes about 25 minutes. The ferry is also an alternative to the car as it offers a convenient and reliable way to travel between the two parts of the city without traffic jams. Additionally, the ferry is an important part of New York City's transportation infrastructure and helps reduce congestion on the area's freeways.
The Staten Island Ferry is a unique and distinctive feature of New York City that continues to play an important role in the city's transportation network.
    Rockefeller Center - Top of the Rock
  30 Rockefeller Plaza - Manhattan - New York, NY             
<iframe id='palyer2' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/?listType=user_uploads&list=TopOfTheRockNYC'></iframe id='palyer2'>
Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 commercial buildings covering 22 acres in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The development was was conceived on the verge of the Great Depression, and Rockefeller financed the center personally, making it the largest private building project in modern history at the time.
The complex was designed by a team of architects and artists, who created a collection of buildings with a strong Art Deco aesthetic. The buildings are adorned with sculptures, mosaics, and murals that reflect the cultural and social influences of the time. The centerpiece of the complex is the 70-story Rockefeller Plaza, which was the world's tallest building when it was completed in 1933.
Today, Rockefeller Center is one of the world's most famous tourist destinations and a vibrant commercial hub. It is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, as well as the famous ice rink and Christmas tree that are on display during the holiday season. The complex also includes the NBC Studios, where many popular television shows are filmed, and the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, which offers panoramic views of the city.
Rockefeller Center is a true representation of the people, and it is an architectural and cultural treasure of New York City. It is a symbol of the city's resilience, determination, and innovation, and it continues to be a vital part of the city's economy and cultural fabric.
    Governors Island, Brooklyn
  800 yards from Lower Manhattan - New York, NY             
<iframe id='palyer3' title="Governors Island - YouTube video player" width="250" height="190" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-NuQvXDPNZQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe id='palyer3'>
Governors Island is a 172-acre island located in New York Harbor, just a short ferry ride from Manhattan and Brooklyn. The island has a rich history, having been used as a military base, a quarantine station, and a Coast Guard station over the centuries. In recent years, it has been transformed into a public park and recreational destination. The island features several notable attractions, including the Governors Island National Monument, which includes the historic Castle Williams and Fort Jay, both of which date back to the early 19th century and offer a glimpse into the island's military past. The island also has a number of outdoor sculptures and art installations, including "The Hills," a series of man-made hills that offer panoramic views of the harbor and the city skyline. Governors Island is also home to several parks and green spaces, including Hammock Grove, which features over 50 hammocks for visitors to relax in, and the Island's 14 acres of public parkland. It also has several playgrounds, sports fields, and courts for basketball, soccer, and handball. Governors Island is also home to several cultural institutions such as the Figment Festival, an annual arts festival, and the Figment Art Park. It also hosts various events throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and outdoor movie screenings.
Governors Island is easily accessible by ferry, with a ferry terminal located at the Battery Maritime Building in Manhattan and at Brooklyn Bridge Park. The island is open to the public from May to September, with free ferry service from Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Governors Island is a unique destination that offers a mix of history, culture and recreation, making it a great place to spend a day with family and friends. Its location in New York harbor makes it an ideal spot to take in the panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty.
    HBO Shop, Manhattan
  1100 Avenue of the Americas - Time Square - New York City, NY             
The HBO Shop is an exciting extension of the HBO® brand, offering new products from HBO’s line of award-winning programming, including Entourage®, The Sopranos®, Sex and the City®, The Pacific® the hit HBO series True Blood and more. Selling items range from a variety of commemorative T-shirts and Hoodie Sweatshirts, collectible items like Sopranos Coasters; Game of Thrones paper-weights, laptop skins, pint glasses; Boardwalk Empire cigarette case, Nucky Thompson hat, playing cards; Entourage cap, King Ari mug; Eastbound & Down baseball hat, water bottle, to the entire collection of the HBO shows and series.
Now you can deepen your experience with your favorite show by taking an actual bus tour of the Sopranos locations and following in the foot steps of Tony & Family, or by following in the footsteps of Carrie & Co as they conquer New York City! Drink where they drink, shop where they shop, and gossip where they gossip. Both tours visit more than 40 locations where the series where filmed and are organized and operated by On Location Tours, with a final stop at the HBO Shop in NYC at 42nd Street and 6th Avenue. Tour visitors will receive 10% off all purchases at the NYC Shop. Subway Stop: Times Square, 42nd Street. TRAINS: N-R-Q-S-1-2-3-7.
    Hayden Planetarium, Manhattan
  Central Park West at 79th Street - New York, NY             
<iframe id='palyer5' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/?listType=user_uploads&list=AMNHorg'></iframe id='palyer5'>
Hayden Planetarium captivates upon your initial approach. The visually stimulating Manhattan attraction, constructed from glass and steel, features a large spherical dome where the universe comes to life in front of your very eyes. The department of Astrophysics, located in the Rose Center for Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural History, conducts research focusing on the formation and evolution of stars, star clusters, the effects of their radiation, and much more. The planetarium offers ongoing monthly lectures. Children and adults alike will love the vast amount of knowledge and beauty while exploring the stars in this awesome environment. 3-D models and vivid colors are not in short abundance here. School field trips are welcome; planning in advance is required. A wealth of educational knowledge is available through the website for teachers, parents and children. With a special section of interactive activities for children, you can’t go wrong learning about all that this Manhattan planetarium has to offer. A virtual joy ride through the universe with stops along the way to learn about the wonders of the Galaxies, a few hours can easily be spent just walking around the floors. In addition to the star/sky show, the exhibits are a joy to behold. From real meteorites, to scales that bring home the effect of gravity on other planets, to historic photos, all will enjoy.
    Times Square, Manhattan
  Broadway & 7th Avenue 42nd-47th Street - Midtown - New York, NY             
<iframe id='palyer6' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/?listType=user_uploads&list=TimesSquareTSq'></iframe id='palyer6'>
Times Square is one of the most iconic and visited tourist destinations in New York City. It is located in the heart of Manhattan, at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue. It is a major commercial and entertainment center, known for its billboards, bright lights, and bustling crowds.
The area was originally known as Longacre Square and was renamed Times Square in 1904 after The New York Times moved its headquarters to the newly built Times Building. The first New Year's Eve Ball Drop was held in 1907 and has been an annual tradition ever since.
The square is home to many of New York's most famous theaters, including the Broadway Theater, the Palace Theater, and the Majestic Theater. It is also home to a variety of restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. The square has many billboards and digital signs, making it one of the most heavily advertised places in the world..
Times Square is also known for its New Year's Eve celebration, where it is estimated that over a million people gather to watch the ball drop and celebrate the new year..
Times Square is a popular tourist destination, drawing over 50 million visitors annually. It is easily accessible by subway and bus, and is open 24/7. It is a must-see destination for anyone visiting New York City.
    Queens Botanical Gardens
  43-50 Main Street - Flushing - Queens, NY             
<iframe id='palyer7' width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hhiMH-JliX8?si=PO9lHUZjHkTkUgxa" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe id='palyer7'>
Experience the beauty of Queens Botanical Garden (QBG), the place where people, plants, and cultures meet. Set on 39 acres in theheart of New York City's largest borough, the Garden is an oasis of green space serving our nations's most ethnically diverse county. More then 60 years after its birth as an exhibit at the 1939 New York World's Fair, QBG continues to welcome an international audience with rose, bee, herb, and perennial gardens, changing displays, and public programs accessible to all. QBG is just steps away from some of the finest ethnic restaurants in New York City and the cultural attractions of Flushing Meadows Corona Park, home of the 1939 and 1964 New York World's Fairs
    Apollo Theater, Manhattan
  253 West 125th Street - Harlem - New York, NY             
<iframe id='palyer8' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/?listType=user_uploads&list=apollotheater'></iframe id='palyer8'>
Yesterday…A place where thousands of young artists have stepped out into the spotlight and launched their careers. A place "where stars are born and legends are made." The legendary Apollo Theater is so much more than an historic landmark - it is a source of pride and a symbol of the brilliance of American artistic achievement. From 1934 when the Apollo first introduced its world-famous Amateur Night which launched the careers of legendary artists like Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, Michael Jackson, D'Angelo and Lauryn Hill, the Apollo has maintained its position as the nation's most popular arena for emerging and established black and Latino performers.
    Ellis Island, Manhattan
  17 Battery Place #210 - New York, NY             
<iframe id='palyer9' width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M3wJpIRRaxk" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe id='palyer9'>
In 1982, President Ronald Reagan asked Lee Iacocca, then Chairman of Chrysler Corporation, to head a private sector effort to raise funds for the restoration and preservation of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation (SOLEIF) was founded.
The Foundation's fundraising drive sparked a dramatic response. The American people contributed more than $500 million (and counting!) to the repair, restoration, and maintenance of these two great monuments to freedom. All funds for the Foundation’s projects have come from the American people – no government funds have been used.
    Clove Lakes Park
  Clove Road & Victory Blvd - Staten Island, NY            
<iframe id='palyer10' width="280" height="160" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ipBM7Bhi1GE?controls=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe id='palyer10'>
The particular cleft is the valley and brook between Emerson and Grymes Hills. This valley was deepened by the glacier 20,000 years ago. The brook which ran through the valley originated in Clove Swamp and ran to the Kill Van Kull. The damming of this brook over the years created the different lakes and ponds in the area.
    Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
  2900 Campus Road - Brooklyn, NY           
From its inception over 50 years ago, a cornerstone of Brooklyn Center's mission has been a proactive community out-reach, bringing the Brooklyn Community into the Brooklyn College environment....letting the public experience a part of our campus. What better way than to open the Center's doors to the public with a standing invitation to experience the many hundreds of performances offered every season, but also, as a good neighbor, making the facilities of a great Performing Arts Center available to the Brooklyn community at large.
    Queens Zoo
  53-51 111th Street - Flushing - Queens, NY            
<iframe id='palyer12' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/?listType=user_uploads&list=wcsmedia'></iframe id='palyer12'>
The Queens Zoo, also known as the New York City Wildlife Conservation Center, is a wildlife park in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, New York. It was inaugurated in 1992 and covers an area of ​​18 hectares. Dedicated to showcasing the animals and habitats of the Americas, Queens Zoo features species native to the Americas, including Andean bears, moose, cougars, and emerald tree boas, among others. The zoo is the Chilean flamingo exhibit, home to a large flock of these distinctive birds. In addition to exhibiting a variety of animals, Queens Zoo is also dedicated to educating visitors about wildlife conservation and animal behavior. The zoo offers a variety of educational programs, including animal encounters and behind-the-scenes tours, as well as interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. Overall, the Queens Zoo is a unique and educational destination that offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about America's animals and habitats. It's a great place for families and visitors of all ages to explore and discover the wonders of wildlife.
    Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse
  334 Furman Street - Brooklyn - New York, NY            
The purpose of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse, a 501c3 non-profit, is to promote human-powered boating and safe public access to the Brooklyn waterfront, to provide opportunities for people to learn about and participate in human-powered boating, and to promote environmentally sound policies that provide for and sustain human-powered boating in New York harbor.
    The Bronx County Historical Society
  3309 Bainbridge Avenue - Bronx, NY             
<iframe id='palyer14' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/?listType=user_uploads&list=bronck1639'></iframe id='palyer14'>
The Bronx is a microcosm of the story of America. The only one of New York City's five boroughs that is actually part of the mainland. The Bronx is home to 1.2 million people with a rich diversity of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Since colonial days, The Bronx has stood at the crossroads of American History.
The Bronx County Historical Society was founded in 1955 to preserve the heritage of this thriving community. The Society administers the colonial era Valentine-Varian House, which serves as the Museum of Bronx History; The Bronx County Archives; an extensive Research Library; and Poe Cottage, the final home of America's great 19th century poet and author, Edgar Allan Poe. Both historic houses are listed in the National Register of Historic Places
    Historic Richmond Town
  441 Clarke Avenue - Staten Island, NY             
<iframe id='palyer15' title="Historic Richmond Town - YouTube video player" width="250" height="190" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nwFtjNcYDjU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe id='palyer15'>
Historic Richmond Town is a living history museum located in Staten Island, New York. It is a complex of buildings and structures that have been carefully preserved to give visitors a glimpse into the past and a better understanding of the history and culture of Staten Island and New York City. The museum features over 30 historical structures, including a colonial-era courthouse, a one-room schoolhouse, and a variety of homes and businesses that were once located throughout Staten Island. Visitors can experience what life was like in the past through interactive exhibits, tours, and living history demonstrations. The museum is also home to the Staten Island Historical Society, which is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Staten Island and its residents. The society's collections include artifacts, documents, and photographs that provide a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived on Staten Island throughout history.
The museum is open to visitors throughout the year and offers a variety of programs, events, and activities for visitors of all ages. Visitors can take a tour of the museum's buildings and structures, participate in hands-on activities, attend lectures and workshops, and explore the museum's gardens and grounds. The Decker Farm is also part of the museum's property, where visitors can enjoy the bountiful harvests of produce from its well-maintained and beautiful organic fields, and learn about the farming practices used in the past.
In Historic Richmond Town, visitors can live vicariously through history and really gain a feel for the true American experience. It's a great place to bring friends and family to create memories that will last a lifetime. With its rich history, beautiful architecture, and engaging programs, it's easy to see why visitors keep coming back to this unique and historic museum.
    Yankee Stadium
  1 E 161st Street - Bronx, NY             
<iframe id='palyer16' width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FV7XnosmyaU" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe id='palyer16'>
At the beginning of the 2009 Major League Baseball season the new Yankee Stadium opened its doors when the Yankees hosted a workout day in front of fans from the Bronx community. The first game at this brand new ballpark was a pre-season exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs, played on April 3, 2009, which the Yankees won 7-4. The new Yankee Stadium is located in the Bronx, across the street from the original Yankee Stadium. It is built on a 24 acre area and has a price tag of $1.5 billion, which makes it not only the most expensive baseball stadium ever built but also the third-most expensive stadium of any kind.
Have the time of your life when you participate on the Yankee Inside Experience program, where fans are treated to a game day like never before. Guests attending the program are provided with an opportunity to meet with a player on the Yankees current roster followed by a guided stadium tour and buffet lunch.
    Prospect Park
  Prospect Park Alliance - 95 Prospect Park West - Brooklyn, NY             
<iframe id='palyer17' width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/if9MTqUAAjk" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe id='palyer17'>
Prospect Park is a public park located in Brooklyn, New York. The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who also designed Central Park in Manhattan. Prospect Park covers 526 acres and offers a wide range of recreational opportunities for visitors. The park features several notable attractions, including the Long Meadow, a 90-acre meadow that is popular for picnics and sunbathing; the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, a 52-acre garden that features a variety of plants, flowers, and trees; and the Prospect Park Zoo, which is home to over 300 species of animals. The park also has several lakes and ponds, including the Lullwater, which is popular for boating and fishing. Prospect Park also offers a variety of recreational activities for visitors, including bike and boat rentals, horse-drawn carriage rides, and ice skating in the winter. The park is also home to several playgrounds, sports fields, and courts for basketball, soccer, and handball. The park is also home to several cultural institutions such as the Lefferts Historic House, the Prospect Park Carousel and the Brooklyn Museum, which is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the country. The park also hosts various events throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and outdoor movie screenings.
Prospect Park is easily accessible by public transportation, with several subway and bus lines stopping at the Prospect Park station, which is located at the park's main entrance. The park also has several parking lots for those who choose to drive.
Prospect Park is a great place to spend a day with family and friends, with something for everyone to enjoy, and is considered as one of Brooklyn's most popular and important public spaces.
    Brooklyn Botanic Garden
  900 Washington Avenue - Brooklyn, NY            
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, called “the premier horticultural attraction in the region” by The New York Times, is New York City’s natural wonder, where no matter what the season, something is always in bloom. Stroll the many gardens within the Garden. Enjoy the serenity of the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, tour the fragrant Cranford Rose Garden, bring the family to explore the children’s Discovery Garden, or visit the Steinhardt Conservatory, containing the world famous C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum. Visit the Terrace Café and Garden Gift Shop.
    Coney Island
  1208 Surf Avenue - Brooklyn, NY             
<iframe id='palyer19' width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cBF7RJdkPDc?si=NlScBSDj4iZywUCC" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe id='palyer19'>
Coney Island is a New York City neighborhood that features an amusement area that includes 35 or more separate rides and attractions; it's not a centrally managed amusement park like Disneyland or Six Flags. As a result, specific questions about rides, filming privileges, etc., should be directed to individual businesses. This website is maintained by Coney Island USA, the not for profit arts organization that runs the Mermaid Parade, the Sideshow and the Coney Island Museum, among other programs.
    New York Botanical Garden
  200th Street and Kazimiroff Boulevard - Bronx, NY              
<iframe id='palyer20' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/?listType=user_uploads&list=tskoda'></iframe id='palyer20'>
The New York Botanical Gardens is a premier educational institution. Located just a brisk 25 minute bicycle ride from Sound View Park via Dr. Theodore Kazimiroff Blvd, this NYC attraction is surprisingly bicycle accessible and encourages travel as such. The Gardens offers many educational programs including the opportunity to graduate with certificates in botany, floral design and horticulture, just to name a few. Ongoing hands-on gardening activities for the whole family are also available, so check their schedule online, or just give them a call. The Everett Children’s Adventure Garden is a year-round world of its own, boasting mazes, larger than life flowers, and many real time activities for your curious explorer. A prize bloom in the collection of Bronx attractions, it also actively participates in community outreach programs that expand nutritional education. Make sure you check out the Green Market, which carries a variety of produce available for purchase. Health-related screenings offered the 2nd Wednesday of every month by staff from both Montefiore Medical Center and St. Barnabas Hospital are another of the services that demonstrates their involvement in the surrounding communities. Their dedication to the conservation of the plants and fungi of the world through various scientific research associations places them on the world map.
    USTA National Tennis Center
  Flushing Meadows-Corona Park - Queens, NY           
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is located in Flushing, in the New York City borough of Queens and has been the home of the US Open Grand Slam tennis tournament played every year in August and September. According to the United States Tennis Association, the center is the largest public tennis facility in the world with 22 courts inside the facility and 11 more in the adjoining park. All 33 courts have used the DecoTurf cushioned acrylic surface since the facility was built in 1978. Source: en.wikipedia.org
    Socrates Sculpture Park, Queens
  32-01 Vernon Blvd. - Long Island City, NY           
Socrates Sculpture Park was an abandoned riverside landfill and illegal dumpsite until 1986 when a coalition of artists and community members, under the leadership of artist Mark di Suvero, transformed it into an open studio and exhibition space for artists and a neighborhood park for local residents. Today it is an internationally renowned outdoor museum and artist residency program that also serves as a vital New York City park offering a wide variety of public services.
    Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens
  131-04 Meridian Road - Corona, NY           
Flushing Meadow Corona Park is one of the greatest places in New York City. It has become the keystone park of Queens and a recreation and cultural hub for the region; yet, it was once just a dusty wasteland, "a valley of ashes" as F. Scott Fitzgerald dubbed it in the Great Gatsby. Its poetic, phoenix-like transformation from ash dump to oasis was driven by Queens' residents, the City and 1939 and 1965 World's Fair held in this park. These fairs put this park on the world's stage, and it has stayed there, hosting the United Nations General Assembly for five years, three baseball World Seres at Shea Stadium, and the U.S. Open.
    Aqueduct Race Track
  11000 Rockaway Blvd. - Queens, NY             
<iframe id='palyer24' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/?listType=user_uploads&list=NYRAvideo'></iframe id='palyer24'>
Aqueduct Race Track, also known as Aqueduct Racetrack or simply Aqueduct, is a horse racing track located in Queens, New York. The track is part of the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and is open for live racing throughout the year. The track has three separate tracks: a main dirt track, an inner turf course and an outer turf course. Aqueduct is home to several major horse racing events throughout the year, including the Wood Memorial Stakes, the Gotham Stakes, and the Cigar Mile Handicap. These events attract some of the top horses and jockeys in the sport and offer significant purse money to the winners. The track also hosts the New York Racing Festival, which features several graded stakes races.
The track was originally opened in 1894, and has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years. In 2011, Aqueduct opened the Resorts World Casino New York City, which is now the largest casino in New York City and the only one in the five boroughs of New York City. The casino offers electronic slot machines and table games, and has a wide variety of dining and entertainment options.
Aqueduct Race Track is easily accessible by public transportation, with the A train subway line stopping at the Aqueduct-North Conduit Avenue station, which is a short walk from the track. The track also has a large parking lot for those who choose to drive.
    Conference House
  7455 Hylan Boulevard - Staten Island, NY             
<iframe id='palyer25' width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Lp_r4GQ_Sg8?si=rJIglkivDC1TY1Hw" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe id='palyer25'>
Known for being the first house museum on Staten Island, this New York City museum is rich in history on many levels. Its name lies in honor for the peace conference of 1776, a commemoration. Constructed circa 1680 by Captain Christopher Billopp, this 2 story rubble-stone masonry masterpiece has been restored over the years, as needed for structural integrity. Its steep gable roof gives the essence of the period. By 1934, much work had been completed including the Colonial Rose Garden and planting 13 trees to represent the original colonies. House tours are offered Friday-Sunday at 1 pm. In the midst of a collection of artifacts from the era, it is almost like stepping back to the time when our great country was still forming. The beauty and serenity overpower you while walking the grounds. Spring and summer bring the vivid colors of the trees to life. Why not stop for a minute to quite literally “smell the roses”? When the sun is descending, gaze over to the waterfront to enjoy the unparalleled sunset that exudes tangerine hues amid a backdrop of amber with scattered tones of violet entice you to just stand in awe of the beauty that is happening right before your eyes.
    Kayak Staten Island
  South Beach, Franklin D Roosevelt Boardwalk - Parking Lot #1 - Staten Island, NY            
<iframe id='palyer26' width="280 height="160" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D7209RzAiUI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe id='palyer26'>
Kayak Staten Island is an all-volunteer organization providing free kayaking for the public at the shoreline on South Beach in Staten Island.
Depending on attendance, there may be a wait for a boat to become available. Try-outs are limited to 15 minutes; it is first-come-first-served but paddlers are allowed to get back in line for another spin.
    Snug Harbor Botanical Garden
  1000 Richmond Terrace - Staten Island, NY
          
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden will kick off its roster of 2013 events on January 12 with a concert by the Vincent Ruggieri Jazz Quartet and an exhibition of the work of two unique artists from the Snug Harbor Artist Residency Program (SHARP). The jazz concert, the first in the Island Sounds Music Mash-Up series will be from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Main Hall, Building C. The SHARP exhibition will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art in Building G. Refreshments will be served. Admission to both events is free. The Snug Harbor campus is at 1000 Richmond Terrace in Staten Island.
A short ferry ride away from Manhattan's powerful downtown financial district sits one of New York City's best kept secrets, The Staten Island Botanical Garden. Nestled within the grounds of the Snug Harbor Cultural Center, The Staten Island Botanical Garden with its Victorian charm and stately elegance is a "must visit" that should be on every tourists' list.
    Wave Hill
  675 West 252 Street - Bronx, NY             
<iframe id='palyer28' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/?listType=user_uploads&list=wavehillvideo'></iframe id='palyer28'>
In 1960, the Perkins-Freeman family deeded Wave Hill to the City of New York; Wave Hill, Inc., was formed in 1965 as a non-profit corporation. Today, as one of 33 City-owned cultural institutions, Wave Hill provides an oasis of serenity and offers programs in Horticulture, Environmental Education, Woodland Management and the Visual and Performing Arts. Through the arts and sciences, Wave Hill seeks to foster connections between people and nature.
    Bronx Zoo
  Bronx River Parkway- Fordham Road - Bronx, NY             
<iframe id='palyer29' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/?listType=user_uploads&list=wcsmedia'></iframe id='palyer29'>
The best way to connect to nature in New York City is by visiting the Bronx Zoo, the world’s largest urban zoo. With world-class exhibits such as the Wild Asian Monorail, the Tiger Mountain, the Congo Gorilla Forest and the newest exhibit, Madagascar, the Bronx Zoo features more than 600 different species, including mammals, birds, reptiles & amphibians and insects. Check the daily schedule of feedings and enrichment demonstrations and then customize your trip with their interactive trip planner. Find your inner animal on the Animal Activity Trail; watch amazing aerial tricks at the World of Birds; experience a very unique form of New York City transit when you ride a camel around Wild Asia Plaza; feed and watch Magellanic penguins come out of their dens and bob for fish; watch one of the most popular attractions, the Sea Lion feeding and training demonstration; visit the Butterfly Garden, a wild meadow and spacious greenhouse where you can identify different butterflies, smell the flowers and learn how to plant a nectar-rich garden. No matter how you plan your trip to the Bronx Zoo.
    Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink
  Broadway and 242nd St - (at the tennis courts) - Bronx, NY            
A new ice rink offering public skating 7 days/week and skating classes for all ages and levels throughout the winter season!