Staten Island has a quieter but genuinely rewarding weekend on tap for May 2 and 3. From a maritime history exhibit celebrating the South Shore’s seafaring heritage to spring volunteer gardening events and the borough’s beautiful trails coming alive with new growth, this is a great weekend to discover what makes Staten Island one of New York City’s most underrated destinations. Here is what is happening.

South Shore Maritime History Exhibit

NYC Parks and the Tottenville Historical Society are presenting a special exhibit celebrating the South Shore of Staten Island’s maritime history and heritage, running Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Staten Island’s South Shore has a rich seafaring past — the area around Tottenville and the Arthur Kill was home to oystermen, ferrymen, and boat builders for generations before the borough became what it is today.

The exhibit draws on the Tottenville Historical Society’s archive of photographs, maps, and artifacts to tell the story of communities that lived and worked on the water. It is the kind of deeply local history that rarely gets told outside the borough itself, and a wonderful reason to make the trip to the South Shore. Check with NYC Parks or the Tottenville Historical Society for the specific exhibit location in Tottenville.

Spring Clean-Up and Garden Volunteer Days

This weekend is a great time to get your hands dirty for a good cause. Spring Prep Clean-Up Days run through Saturday, May 2, at community gardens across the borough. These are free volunteer events where residents come together to prepare garden beds for the growing season — clearing winter debris, amending soil, and planting seedlings that will feed the community all summer. No experience is required, just a willingness to dig in.

Community garden volunteer events are also one of the best ways to meet neighbors and get connected to local organizations doing meaningful work. Check the NYC Parks greenthumb program website or the Staten Island Advance events calendar for specific garden locations participating this weekend.

Staten Island Greenbelt: Spring Hiking Season

May is prime hiking season in the Staten Island Greenbelt, the 3,000-acre nature preserve that winds through the center of the borough. The Greenbelt’s network of trails offers everything from easy paved walks to more challenging ridge hikes, all within city limits. In early May, the forest floor is carpeted with wildflowers, migrating birds are passing through, and the canopy is just opening up — creating dappled light conditions that make the woods feel genuinely magical.

The main Greenbelt trailhead and nature center is located at 700 Rockland Avenue in the center of Staten Island, accessible by car or by taking the S62 or S66 bus from the St. George Ferry Terminal. Trail maps are available at the nature center and downloadable from the NYC Parks website. Dogs are welcome on most trails on a leash.

Snug Harbor Cultural Center: Weekend Programming

Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden (1000 Richmond Terrace, Livingston) is one of Staten Island’s crown jewels — a sprawling 83-acre campus of Greek Revival architecture, formal gardens, and cultural programming that is perpetually undervisited by the rest of the city. This weekend, Snug Harbor’s gardens are in full spring bloom, and the grounds are free to walk on weekends. Check snug-harbor.org for any special weekend exhibitions or events in the galleries on site.

Snug Harbor is a 10-minute ride from the St. George Ferry Terminal on the S40 bus, making it one of the most accessible day trips in the entire city — and one of the best free outdoor spaces in the five boroughs.

Getting to Staten Island This Weekend

Do not forget: the Staten Island Ferry from Whitehall Terminal in lower Manhattan is free, runs 24 hours a day, and offers some of the best views of New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty you will find anywhere. The ferry is a destination in itself — and it is the gateway to a borough that rewards visitors who make the trip. For transit updates and schedules, check our recent NYC Bus and Ferry Update.

What You Need to Know

• South Shore Maritime History Exhibit: Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — NYC Parks and Tottenville Historical Society. Check for specific location in Tottenville.
• Spring Garden Clean-Up Days: Through Saturday, May 2 — free volunteer events at community gardens across the borough. Check NYC Parks Greenthumb for locations.
• Staten Island Greenbelt: Prime hiking season. Main trailhead at 700 Rockland Ave. Dogs welcome on leash. Free.
• Snug Harbor Cultural Center: 1000 Richmond Terrace, Livingston — free grounds access, spring gardens in bloom. Take the S40 bus from St. George Ferry Terminal.
• Staten Island Ferry: Free, 24/7 from Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan. Best harbor views in the city — and the gateway to the weekend.

Staten Island is at its best in spring, and this weekend is a perfect excuse to explore a borough that most New Yorkers have never fully discovered. Take the ferry. You will not regret it.