Once part of a sprawling farm, then a home for "aged, decrepit, and worn-out sailors," this 83-acre property is based around a row of five columned Greek Revival temples, built between 1831 and 1880, and consists of 28 mostly restored historic buildings. The Main Hall -- the oldest building on the property, dating from 1833 -- is home to the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art (PHONE: 718/448-2500 Ext. 260; COST: $3; OPEN: Wed.-Sun. 11-5), exhibiting contemporary work, normally within a historical context. Thus, older works often sit beside multidisciplinary pieces -- in costume, video, mixed-media, and performance, among others -- in the expansive space. Next door is the John A. Noble Collection (PHONE: 718/447-6490; COST: $3; OPEN: Thurs.-Sun. 1-5), where an old seaman's dormitory has been transformed into classrooms; a library and archive; a printmaking studio; and galleries displaying maritime-inspired photography, lithographs, and artwork.

The cultural center grounds are graced by the Staten Island Botanical Gardens, which include a perennial garden, a greenhouse, a vineyard, 10 acres of natural marsh habitat, a rose garden, and a sensory garden with fragrant, touchable flowers and tinkling waterfalls intended for people with vision and hearing impairments. An authentic Chinese Scholars' Garden -- hand-created by artisans from China and one of only two in the United States -- has reflecting ponds, waterfalls, pavilions, and a teahouse. The Carl Grillo Glass House keeps tropical, desert, and temperate plant environments, and the Connie Gretz Secret Garden is wonderfully child-friendly in design, with castles and moats among the flowers. Call for special programs, held throughout the year. PHONE: 718/273-8200; www.sibg.org; COST: Free; $5 for Chinese Garden and Secret Garden; OPEN: Dawn-dusk; Chinese Garden, Glass House, and Secret Garden Tues.-Sun. 10-5; Subway: Staten Island Ferry; S40 bus to Snug Harbor.

The Staten Island Children's Museum, also on the grounds, has five galleries with hands-on exhibitions introducing such topics as nature's food chains, storytelling, and insects. Portia's Playhouse, an interactive children's theater, invites youngsters to step up to the stage and try on costumes. PHONE: 718/273-2060; COST: $5; OPEN: Tues.-Sun. noon-5.

The second-oldest hall in the city (after Carnegie, built in 1892) is Snug Harbor's Music Hall (PHONE: 718/815-7684), which has frequent performances, including an annual music festival. The former chapel houses the 210-seat Veterans Memorial Hall (PHONE: 718/815-7684), site of many indoor concerts and gatherings. The complex has a gift shop and a cafeteria. COST: Cultural Center grounds free. Subway: S40 bus to Snug Harbor.