5. New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden

Snug Harbor is home to a piece of Chinese culture known as the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden. In 1999, the garden was created as an addition to the larger Staten Island Botanical Garden and used materials shipped from China the year before. It was designed by 40 artists and artisans from Suzhou, led by chief project designer Zou Gongwu. According to the garden’s website, it is a compilation of different gardens and inspired by traditional Chinese Gardens of the Ming Dynasty. The garden’s highlights include eight pavilions, waterfalls, a Koi pond, Chinese calligraphy and Ghongshi scholar’s rocks.