Sailors' Snug Harbor was built in 1833 as a retirement home for merchant seamen and endowed so richly that they put up a row of Greek Revival temples to house sailors in — five of them, still standing, still the finest such row in the country. The tour goes inside for the painted ceilings and the details you cannot see from the lawn, with guides who know what each building was for. If you have taken the ferry for the view and turned around, this is the reason to keep going.
What to expect
A guide leads you along the Greek Revival row and into interiors where access allows, covering the site's founding, its architecture and the artwork inside. The route runs across the Snug Harbor campus on mostly level ground. Under an hour and a half, departing from the Visitor Info Booth.
Good to know
- Free ferry from Whitehall, then the S40 bus to the Snug Harbor gates
- Ten dollars or under, booked at the Visitor Info Booth
- Mostly level walking across the campus with some steps into buildings
- Interior access depends on what is open that day
- Good for architecture and history interest; suits families with older children
- Leave time for the free art installations and gardens on the same grounds
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Common questions
What was Sailors' Snug Harbor?
A home for retired merchant seamen founded in 1833, whose Greek Revival buildings now form Staten Island's cultural campus.
How much does the tour cost?
Under ten dollars, booked at the Snug Harbor Visitor Info Booth.
Do you go inside the buildings?
Where access allows on the day, yes — including interiors and surviving artwork.
More at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
