15 Staten Island Museums and Cultural Centers That Are Great for Families
Museums are fantastic spots for informal learning, perfect for both kids and adults, and Staten Island has plenty of museums that your family will love! Not only are they a great educational experience, but they’re also a lot of fun. With a variety ranging from history museums to nature centers and more, you’re sure to find a place that every member of your family will enjoy. Check out our guide to art museums, history museums, cultural museums, and beyond!
Pssttt… Check Out: LULILY Designs: A Staten Island Business Celebrating Their Daughters’ Creativity
Snug Harbor’s Staten Island Museums Have Something for Everyone
1. Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden
1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island
718-448-2500
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Hours: Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden’s main outdoor grounds and gardens are free of charge to the public, open 7 days a week from dawn to dusk, and do not require advance registration or ticketing.
Two of our attractions – the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art and the Chinese Scholar’s Garden require admission fees and have different hours of operation.
Admission: Outdoor grounds are free; museum admissions vary
From scenic walks through beautiful gardens to outdoor activities for children to a museum dedicated to maritime culture, there’s something for everyone at this cultural hotspot. Snug Harbor’s sprawling grounds are home to 28 buildings, 14 botanical gardens, a 2-acre urban farm, wetlands, and a park. Snug Harbor is home to other museums, including:
2. The Staten Island Children’s Museum
718-273-2060
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Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Admission: $8
A fun place for children to learn and play, the museum has 12 indoor and outdoor exhibits and offers many programs, events, school breaks, and summer camps.
3. The Staten Island Museum
718-727-1135
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Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm
Admission (suggested): Adults $8.00, Students and Seniors $5.00, Children 2-12 $2.00, and Museum Members free.
Founded in 1881, the Staten Island Museum engages visitors with interdisciplinary exhibitions, public programs, and educational activities for all ages. See Staten Island like never before!
It is the mission of the Staten Island Museum to spark curiosity and generate meaningful shared experiences through natural science, art, and history, thereby deepening our understanding of our environment, ourselves, and each other.
4. The Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art
718-425-3560
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Hours: Friday – Saturday, 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Sunday, 11:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Admission: $5; $4 students and seniors
A place for contemporary art lovers, the museum recently celebrated its grand re-opening with several new exhibits after being closed due to the pandemic.
5. Noble Maritime Collection
718-447-6490
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Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 12 pm to 5 pm
Admission: Pay what you wish/donation
Named after artist John A. Noble, the museum displays maritime-themed exhibits.
History Museums on Staten Island
1. Alice Austen House
2 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island
718-816-4506
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Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 12 pm–5 pm, Saturday: 11 am–5 pm
Admission: $5 suggested
This museum was once the home of Alice Austen (1866-1952), one of America’s most prolific woman photographers. Austen took approximately 8,000 images throughout her lifetime. At this photographic museum, visitors can view photos of Austen, learn about her work, and explore the intersections of Austen’s work with contemporary themes in art and journalistic photography. The museum offers a variety of public events throughout the year.
2. Conference House
7455 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island
718-984-6046
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Hours: Check the website for updated times
Admission: Check the website for varying events and prices, Tours: Saturdays and Sundays 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm $10 per person
This national and city landmark is the site of the Staten Island Peace Conference, a failed attempt to negotiate an end to the American Revolution. Many visitors enjoy the beautiful view of the water and the opportunity to walk through the park. Tours are available but must be booked in advance.
3. Fort Wadsworth
210 New York Ave., Staten Island
718-354-4606
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Hours: Fort Wadsworth is open daily from 6 am to 9 pm. The Fort Wadsworth visitor center is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm
Admission: Free
A 226-acre national park, Fort Wadsworth is one of the oldest military installations in the country. Visitors can observe a part of history here, take in views of New York Harbor (including those mini islands off of Staten Island: Swinburne and Hoffman Islands), and walk, run, or bike through the fort.
4. Historic Richmond Town
441 Clarke Ave., Staten Island
718-351-1611
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Hours: Fall hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm
Admission: Please check the website for specific event details.
Step back in time to this living history village, which spans the colonial period to the present. The museum’s collection has 60,000 artifacts that tell the stories of American life over the centuries. The village is home to the Voorlezer’s house, believed to be one of the oldest schoolhouses in the country, dating back to the 1690s.
5. National Lighthouse Museum
200 The Promenade at Lighthouse Point
718-390-0040
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Hours: Thursday-Sunday: 11 am to 4 pm
Admission: Adults: $7, Seniors (65+): $5, Military: $5, Students (12+): $5, Children under 12: Free
It’s all things maritime at the National Lighthouse Museum, which has a scenic view of New York Harbor. Exhibits include the Wall of Lights, which features more than 180 lighthouse models from 29 states, and a Lighthouse Timeline that showcases the history of lighthouses. The museum offers periodic boat tours of New York Harbor for an additional fee. Check the website for details.
6. Sandy Ground Historical Society
1538 Woodrow Road, Staten Island
929-314-4395
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Hours: Check the website for specific hours
Admission: Check the website for specific events
Located on Staten Island’s South Shore, Sandy Ground is the site of the oldest continuously inhabited free Black settlement in the U.S. The museum has a variety of exhibits on view and educates the public on the history of Sandy Ground through its on-site collections, guided tours, art programs for children, film, ethnic foods, and lectures.
Cultural Museums on Staten Island
1. Garibaldi-Meucci Museum
420 Tompkins Ave., Staten Island
718-442-1608
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Hours: Wednesday-Saturday: 1 pm to 5 pm
Admission: $10 for ages 12 and older
The museum spotlights Giuseppe Garibaldi, an Italian general and patriot, and Antonio Meucci, an Italian inventor, engineer, and practical chemist who developed a form of voice communication apparatus in 1857. Many say he should be credited with the invention of the telephone. The museum promotes Italian-American heritage through a variety of cultural and educational programs and classes.
2. Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art
338 Lighthouse Ave., Staten Island
718-987-3500
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Hours: Thursday- Sunday, 1 pm to 5 pm
Admission: $10, $7: Students and Seniors
The museum works to preserve the art and culture of Tibet. The museum’s collection includes many artifacts, including a donation of Himalayan artifacts from U.S. Ambassador to Nepal from 1980 to 1981, Phillip R. Trimble. This collection includes two black death masks from Bhutan, a Vajra, a bell, and a ritual skull cup from Nepal, two Tamang masks (male and female), and Bhutanese silver bracelets. Rugs from the 19th century and a Tibetan saddle blanket are also part of the collection.
3. Museum of Maritime Navigation and Communication
1208 Bay St., Staten Island
718-594-1717
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Hours: Monday-Friday: 10 am to 5 pm
Admission: Free
Set sail for fun and learning at this museum! It focuses on maritime culture and has exhibits showcasing the evolution of marine electronics.
