A Visit to New York City

New York City once founded by Dutch as their commercial centre has now become one of the most populous cities in the world. The City of New York is the most populous city in the United States and metropolitan area covered by New York is the largest urban area around the world. For some time, New York City was the Capital of United States too.

Now the Capital of United States has been shifted to Washington DC, even though New York has its own importance for United States. The most important benefit of New York City is that this place is situated at one of the best Natural Harbors, making it Ideal for Trade and Commerce. It is one of the most helping factors for NYC, because New York developed as the centre or trade in United States just due to this benefit. The city is also a major center for several international affairs. The headquarters of the United Nations is also situated here. New York City is also home to some tallest building establishments of world like Empire State Building and Rockefeller Centre along with several other skyscrapers. Once twin towers of World Trade Centre was also a part of this list. But now that is a matter of past.

New York City is also among hot favorite tourist destinations of world. It provides tourists with several hotspots with happening places to visit and various fun activities. The New York City comprises of five boroughs; The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island within five counties, respectively: Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, and Richmond.

Richmond County and specially Staten Island attracts tourists from all over the world due to collection of several cultural places to visit, along with unique natural diversity, never seen in any of the metropolitan cities of world. The Staten Island ferry between Manhattan to Staten Island is now among one of the World Heritage which provides a nice view of Ney York Harbor, Statue of Liberty and coastal New York surrounded by Pacific Ocean.

Staten Island is like a crown for New York City, it’s among must visit for every tourist visiting New York City. It is said that New York visit is incomplete, until you see Staten Island. Tourists can visit 9/11 memorial here, which is a place to pay homage to Staten Islanders who lost their live in World Trade Center tragedy.

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Cultural Places of Staten Island – II

Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences

The museum also known as Staten Island Museum was founded in 1881. This is the oldest cultural organization of Staten Island. You can see the live form of Staten Island at this museum through its exclusive collection related to arts, science, and history taken from millions of artifacts.

There is something for everyone at this museum, people from all ages and varied interests find the museum interesting and useful for them. On one hand the art collection at this museum illustrates the culture, history and life of people at Staten Island, and at the same time you can have glances of world civilization. The Natural Sciences collection attracts people who are passionate about nature. The historical section provides ample materials and inputs for historical research and studies. Along with that regular events organized by museum’s organizing committee is another attraction of this place.

Sandy Ground Historical Museum

Sandy Ground is a historically significant community situated on south shore if Staten Island. Sandy Ground Historical Museum was founded by freed slaves of New York, and currently run by Sandy Ground Historical Society. The museum demonstrates insight view of the life and history of freed black men from New York who settled here before Civil War. People can take benefits from the largest documentary collection of African-American culture. The Sandy Ground Historical Museum also provides educational research facility. The museum collection includes film, art, rare books, quilts, letters, photographs, and archaeological artifacts.

St. George Theatre

Undoubtedly the St. George Theatre is the central hub of theatre and performing arts enthusiasts. It’s among most important cultural and performance arts centre in Staten Island. Specialties of this theatre include musical concerts, dance performances, and regular comedy shows.

Staten Island Children’s Museum

The Staten Island children’s museum is a paradise for children, which is full of reasons to attract children. This is the place where children learn several things while playing. The museum provides answers to all questions raised by curiosity, creativity and imagination of a young mind. There are numerous innovative gaming facilities. The museum has lawns and gardens which are perfect for a family picnic and outings.

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Cultural Places of Staten Island

Staten Island is among the most famous places in whole United States with lots of cultural diversity present at one place. Being a part of New York City make it easily noticeable and reachable for people. Staten Island is full of places and monuments of cultural interests attracting inbound and outbound both kind of tourists.

Some most important places of cultural interests are:

1. Staten Island Borough Hall – This architectural marvel was built in early 19^th century. The construction work completed in 1906. This Borough Hall houses Borough Presidents office along with other government offices. One can have some glimpses of rare art work and paintings by Frederick Charles inside the grand marble lobby, illustrating events in Staten Island history. Second Floor of Borough Hall has carved wood panels, plastic ceiling and heritage furniture which is rare of its kind.
2. CSI Center for Arts – This place is really a unique, wonderful and perfect platform for people with cultural talents. The CSI Centre for the Arts is situated inside huge campus of College of Staten Island. CSI Centre for the arts is the ideal destination of performance for music, dance, and drama & theatre artists. This cultural centre is divided into several subsections called, “The Concert Hall for Music performances”, “The Williamson Theatre – for plays, dance and theatre”, “The Recital hall”, “The Lecture Hall”, and “The Lab Theatre”. The CSI Center for the Arts provides arts and cultural programming to the Staten Island community on a nonprofit basis.
3. Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art – The Museum of Tibetan Arts was founded by Jacques Marchais, an extraordinary American woman who has keen interest in Tibetan Arts and culture. The museum provides insights of Tibetan and Himalayan arts and culture. Tibetan-style fieldstone buildings resembling Himalayan Monasteries present looks of Tibet in Staten Island. Terraced meditation gardens along with lotus and fish pond create beautiful and serene atmosphere. Visitors can see vast collection of rare Asian Arts. The rare objects in this museum include sculptures, thangkas, ritual objects, furniture, textiles, and historic photographs all of Tibetan Buddhist in nature that were used in monasteries of Tibet and neighboring countries within the influence of Tibetan cultural.

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Heritage Monuments of Staten Island [Part – II]

Staten Island has several heritage monuments, and historical places. This article is second in its category describing Heritage Monuments of Staten Islands. Till now you read about :

1) Conference House Park,

2) Fort Wadsworth

3) Garibaldi-Meucci Museum

4) Historic Richmond Town

Other famous heritage places are as follows:

5. Snug Harbor Cultural Center - Snug Harbor Cultural Centre was originally a maritime residence and hospital for retired seaman. This cultural centre is spread over an 83 acres National Historic Landmark District with old style English architecture buildings housing Snug Harbor Cultural Center and other cultural organizations. This cultural centre is now home for several museums, including an art museum, a children museum, botanical garden, and even a music hall. Snug Harbor Cultural Centre organizes several events throughout the year making it a favorite spot for arts and music lovers, kids, and tourists visiting New York City.

6. September 11 Memorial – September 11, 2001 is a black spot on world history, when the whole world witnessed one of the most tragic criminal attacks causing loss of thousands of lives along with huge economic loses. This memorial was dedicated to the public on September 11, 2004 as homage to all Staten Islander’s who lost their lives in attack over World Trade Centre. This memorial appears as outstretched wings of a bird or a blooming flower. There are names of all people engraved on separate granite blocks who lost their lives in the attack. The place situated at North Shore Waterfront Esplanade adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal and the Richmond County Ballpark at St. George provides a calm and soothing place to remember those victims and pray for peace of their souls.

Staten Island September 11 Memorial

7. Alice Austen House - Alice Austen House is like a gem among Heritage Monuments of Staten Island. This 16^th century house was home of noted women photographer Alice Austen. She was one of earliest and most accomplished women photographers in U.S. This is now a Museum where people can get into insights of Alice Austen and her work. This house which is located at Entrance of New York harbor provides best illustration of picturesque suburban cottages of 19^th Century Staten Island.

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Staten Island is capable of competing with any popular city or suburbs of United States. The cultural heritage and diversity found here is really unique. Once again we are providing a little details of all the places as listed on various websites dedicated to Staten Island. Heritage Monuments as well as Modern establishments make this borough of New York City really worth seeing.

We will categorize all popular landmarks according to

1. Heritage Monuments,

2. Cultural Places,

3. Places with Natural Beauty, and

4. Fun Places

Heritage Monuments of Staten Island

1. Conference House Park - This is symbol of a Peace Conference held on Sept. 11, 1776 between delegates of the Continental Congress and the Commander of British Forces during the Revolutionary War. The place has seen several owners in its lifespan. The Manor House First built in 1680, is the only pre-Revolutionary manor house still surviving in New York City. Currently managed by Conference House Association, the place illustrates history of Staten Island. It has a public waterfront park that overlooks Raritan Bay and the New Jersey coast.

2. Fort Wadsworth - Fort Wadsworth is one of the oldest military sites in the United States, that lies underneath the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, the entrance to New York Harbor. Once it was one of the most important military bases in the country that protected New York Harbor for centuries, and now this fort is a part of the Gateway National Recreation Area.

3. Garibaldi-Meucci Museum - This museum was sometimes home of Antonio Meucci, the true inventor of the telephone, and Giuseppe Garibaldi, legendary hero who unified Italy. This historical home was built in year 1840 in Gothic-revival style. The house was opened to the public and dedicated as The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum in 1956. The museum is a National Landmark owned and operated by the Order Sons of Italy in America.

4. Historic Richmond Town - Richmond Town is a unique place of United States illustrating living in New York City for nearly 300 years. This place was once the center for business and government on Staten Island. The town is spread over 25 acres on a 100-acre site consisting 15 restored buildings (homes and commercial and civic buildings) as well as a museum. A trip to this historic place is an opportunity to experience the domestic, commercial and civic activities that characterized life on Staten Island.

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Staten Island Ferry - Not Less than Wonders

Staten Island is the most rich in cultural heritage than other boroughs of New York City. There are several attractions here, and no doubt the most important attraction is the Staten Island Ferry, which is in the list of favorites for people in all age groups as well as in the list of must see and experience of travelers to New York City. The crowd visible on Staten Island ferry is the best proof of its popularity and charm among people. This is also the lifeline of people commuting Daily from Staten Island to Manhattan.

The Ferry operating between St. George on Staten Island and Whitehall Street in lower Manhattan carries 20 million people a year that means 60,000 passengers a day. This number does not include people travelling on weekends. The Staten Island ferry is operated by NY-DOT (New York City’s, Department of Tourism). This is only non-vehicular mode of transportation between Staten Island and Manhattan. This 5 mile, 25 minute ride provides a wonderful, unforgettable view of New York Harbor, skylines of Lower Manhattan, as well as the best possible view of Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) ensures everything to make this ferry ride more comfortable, safe and memorable for daily commuters as well as tourists. Smoking or any type of hard alcohol intake is strictly prohibited, only beer is permitted. The Staten Island Ferry is completely disables friendly, people with physical disability can also enjoy the ferry ride. There is a separate entrance and other facilities for disabled.

One more thing which is most important to know for people, The Ferry ride is absolutely free. There was a charge of 5 cents for the journey; it increased to 50 cents later bit by bit. But after a decision of NYC DOT the Ferry ride has been declared free, that means all excitement and pleasure of this exclusive and marvelous journey comes for free without any burden on your pocket.

There is no wrong saying that Staten Island Ferry is “One of the world’s greatest (and shortest) water voyages.” You’ll accept it, when you come to New York City and experience the pleasure of travelling to Staten Island from Manhattan via this heritage ferry ride.

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Bird Watching at Staten Island - II

Staten Island is having rich botanical as well as zoological heritage. Previous article discussed some popular bird watching spots of Staten Island, rest popular spots are described here:

Miller Field - This is among one of the best places on Staten Island to look and listen for migrating bobolink and common nighthawk. Migrating shorebirds are visible on the widespread sport fields during fall. Savannah sparrows are easily available along the field edges in all seasons. Other popular species of birds available here are American golden plover, buff-breasted sandpiper, and whimbrel. The Miller Field beach offers a great access point to scan Raritan Bay for waterfowl, and northern gannets. During winter check the jetty at the end of New Dorp Lane for purple sandpipers, dunlin and black-bellied plovers.

Great Kills Park - The Great Kills Park is a part of Gateway National Recreation Area. The place is wonderful to visit any time in any season. Bird lovers can find great diversity of waterfowl and gulls in Great Kills Harbor, and on the Raritan Bay during Winters. The best way to get a good sample of both the waterfowl, and land birds present here is to a walk to Crooke’s Point. Snow bunting and horned lark spend most of the winter in the mowed grass area near the play grounds. The number of waterfowls increase in the bay and harbor area during early spring. By late spring, the waterfowl have left, but the land bird numbers peak. The best way to find song bird migrants is a walk along the blue-dot trail that parallels Hylan Blvd. Summer slows down, but most of the nesting species are still easy to find. As fall sets in, Great Kills Park becomes a trap for south bound sparrows, thrushes, and warbler.

Blue Heron Pond Park - Birding Blue Heron at any time of year can be very rewarding for bird watchers. Resident birds are easy to find along the extensive trail system. Spring and fall migration bring the usual suite of neo-tropical migrants to the young forest of the park. Make sure to check out the most interesting point that is feeding station, which can be viewed from inside the Nature Center. Many common woodland birds visit the station year round.

Conference House Park - Birding lovers can visit the Conference House park any time of year. During Summer season you can see, the white-throated sparrow, dark-eyed juncos and raptors can be seen in the woods, and American wigeon, 2 species of loons, horned grebe, and other waterfowl can be found in the Raritan Bay.

During spring the park becomes alive with songs, and sights of migrations. Rare bird species like hooded warbler, and summer tanager can be seen here each year, you need to keep your eyes and ears open to get the pleasure of watching. Most of the islands woodland, and edge habitat breeds can be found within the park during setting summer. Even, fall migration is not less exciting than spring migration at the Conference House Park. This Park is perhaps the premier spot in all of New York City for Connecticut Warblers.

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