A look at Staten Island's Snug Harbor

It’s certainly not a tropical island, but if your goal is to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, Staten Island’s Snug Harbor is the perfect retreat. Located on the north shore, it was built in 1801 as a haven for retired sailors and dubbed Sailors Snug Harbor.

Today, the 83-acre Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden campus (1000 Richmond Terr., snug-harbor.org) sees more than 250,000 visitors a year.
It’s home to a music hall, gardens and much more. There’s something for everyone at Snug Harbor.

Get lost in the Connie Gretz Secret Garden, a maze of paths and greenery inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic “The Secret Garden,” or stop and reflect at the Healing Garden, a living memorial to the 267 people from Staten Island who died on Sept. 11, 2001. Free, except for Chinese Scholar’s Garden, Tues.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Mondays, 718-425-3504

For a quick bite without leaving the grounds, stop by the Garden Grill. Or, venture into the nearby Randall Manor nabe. Grab a beer at the Nurnberger Bierhaus (817 Castleton Ave., 718-816-7461, nurnbergerbierhaus.com) or some German grub, like bratwurst, Wiener schnitzel and German pretzels. For American fare, indulge at Randall Manor Tavern (735 Castleton Ave., 347-855-2724, randallmanortavern.com), where you can sample buttermilk fried chicken, pulled pork sandwiches, burgers and ribs.