As many times as I’ve been to New York, I’ve never been to Staten Island. Honestly, I never had a good reason to go. But, Pat has been wanting to do the Chinese Botanical Gardens on Staten Island, and after multiple visits to NYC, she finally convinced me to go. It helps that we had an awesome host in Carissa, a longtime Staten Island resident. After a free ferry ride from Manhattan, we arrived at Staten Island. Here’s our day in photos….

9/11 Memorial commemorating the Staten Island residents who died in the tragedy

The Chinese Botanical Gardens – Reminders of Suzhou in China…

Elsewhere in the Snug Harbor Gardens…

Verrazano Bridge at Night

Thanks Carissa for an awesome day!