Visit the Ellis Island Museum to see if any of your ancestors can be found on the "Wall of Honor," a partial list of the immigrants who entered the country through the island. Other exhibits include: Hearing Room, Peak Immigration Years, the Peopling of America, Restoring a Landmark, Silent Voices, Treasures from Home and Ellis Island Chronicles.
Feast your eyes on a little piece of history at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden. This attraction is a collection of architecturally significant buildings from the 19th century and was once a home for sailors. The 83-acre Snug Harbor is comprised of 26 buildings, built in the styles of Greek Revival, Beaux Arts, Italianate and Victorian. This National Historic Landmark District is considered to be the "crown jewel" of Staten Island.
Take an underwater adventure as a family as you explore the attractions at the New York Aquarium. The seaside aquarium is the oldest in the nation and is home to over 350 species, including animals like sharks, sea otters, penguins, sea turtles, sea lions, and octopuses. Some of the exhibitions you'll see are Explore the Shore, Sea Cliffs, Conservation Hall, and Alien Stingers.
Have some out-of-this-world family fun at the Rose Center for Earth and Space. The planetarium uses current data to depict accurate formations of space for audiences to see up close. Explore the Center as a family and check out exhibits like the Helibrun Cosmic Pathway, a time-line that illustrates the history of the universe.