When I was in college, I worked as a computer lab assistant with my roommate and a few others. One of our bosses was this successful woman who was single and strong and brave. We thought to ourselves, will we be like that when we get to her age? It seems a lifetime ago. Through her, I heard about so many unique places locally. One of those places was Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden. To be exact, all she talked about was the Chinese Scholar’s Gardens. She showed us pictures and we were in awe that this was in New York.
So when a friend of mine found a MeetUp group that was doing walks there, I jumped on board. First, I would NEVER in go to Staten Island by myself and second, it’s Staten Island! I barely like going to Brooklyn. To take a ferry and then walk by myself? Nope, not looking to be deserted on an island I don’t know. If you’ve never been to the city, your first excursion, if you want a beautiful view of financial district and lower Manhattan, take the Staten Island (it’s free) and like other tourists, you’ll see them running across the gates to get back on the returning ferry. It’s rather comical to watch.
After losing the group in the first 15 minutes, we walked along the water where we saw the 9/11 sculptures. When I first saw it, I thought it looked like a whale’s tail. In actuality, it was a postcard holder.
9/11 Memorial on Staten Island
Through this walkway, you reach an industrial building, where you veer left on Jersey St to Richmond Terrace. Stay on this street and you’ll in 20 minutes, you’ll find yourself at the edge of Snug Harbor. If you keep going (which we didn’t know), you’ll find the entrance that takes you to the Visitor’s Center. Fortunately, the day we went, it was free admission! But normally, it’s only about $5, which is a great price!
Surrounding buildings around the Snug Harbor visitor’s center
After realizing we didn’t have to pay for admission, we made out way towards the group. Along the way, we saw the Governor’s House, which has its own Rose Garden. It’s a small but quaint garden, showcasing several unique flowers. Several brick “cottages” lined the aptly named street, Cottage Row before we realize that we spotted our group. Much of the surrounding area reminded me much of Governor’s Island, not too far off. The structure of the building, the layout, it seems like both islands grew up together from the same decade.
Governor’s House at Snug Harbor
Rose Garden over the wings of a swan
Rose
Cottages on Cottage Row
We eventually found our group bu instead of waiting around, we followed a sign, which turns out to be telling the truth “the hard to find New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden”. If I didn’t see this sign, I would have missed the turn into the garden completely. It’s gated as well normally. As we went down a small path, trees shaded us from the hot sun. If it weren’t for the sound of the cars driving in the distance, it would have been the perfect reclusive forest. At the end of the path, we are greeted by huge bamboos! They swayed just like the Ang Lee movie! (You know, that Crouching Tiger…) When we turned the corner again, you hear the sound of rushing water and there it is! The Chinese Scholar’s Garden.
These stones remind me of Go
Bamboo forest outside the Chinese Scholar’s Garden at Snug Harbor
Chinese Scholar’s Garden at Snug Harbor
Chinese Scholar’s Garden at Snug Harbor
View of a window frame, it looks like a painting.
After spending some time going through rooms, alcoves, walking through banana leaf doors, and moon shaped doors, and going down towards the koi (carp fish), we finally exited the garden. The garden was made by Chinese labor men with real imported items from China. From the rocks to the plants. It was awe inspiring and tranquil. What wind there was snuck through rooms with open windows without the aid of electronics. One could spend a weekend there, just enjoying the art of the landscape.
We broke off from the group again (I know…I have a hard time sticking around with large groups of people), we veered off to the Secret Garden. On the map, there was a labyrinth. But it was a bit disappointing that it was so small. But it would make for a cute path for little children. One girl said Rapunzel lived in the tower and she wanted to go up there. It was rather endearing.
The Secret Garden at Snug Harbor
The Secret Garden…it’s rather small
After the healing garden, we crossed the lawn and found the Tuscan Garden. Weddings are held here, as we saw remnants of a one that just occured. The orange tinted stones, the reflecting pools, and the urns surrounding the garden reminded me of what Italy could be like. Of course, my friend said the ones in Italy are even more beautiful. That’s an exciting thought for my trip at the end of this year.
Tuscan Garden at Snug Harbor
Tuscan Garden at Snug Harbor
After 3 hours of walking, we left the gardens, caught a bus and made it in time to catch a ferry back to the city. Going to places like this reminds me that there are beautiful gardens and museums in the city. It isn’t as impressive as Europe but it’s a cheap getaway and reminds me life isn’t all about work. There’s peace, quiet, tranquil, and time, which stands still for a brief moment when you lay down and listen to the sounds around you and really look and appreciate your surrounding.
View of Statue of Liberty on the way back to the city