We know that New York is one of the oldest cities in the nation, and that includes all five boroughs. As it turns out, Staten Island has plenty of quaint, historic towns that you take for granted. Tottenville is just one of the historic towns that you can visit from your Perth Amboy NJ apartment, only a short distance away.

Staten Island, as history buffs know, was originally settled by Belgians, who retreated to New Amsterdam after battles with the Algonquin Indians. The Dutch settlers arrived in the 1630s, and they colonized the island, with the Algonquin Indians leaving the island in the 1670s, after the British had taken control in the early 1660s. One of the original houses from that era, now known as the Conference House, still stands today.

Conference House Park in Tottenville is just one of the parks you can visit while on Staten Island. Not only does it feature the historic homes (including the Conference House itself, once known as Bentley Manor), it also has a colonial-era herb garden, open spaces to fly kites or toss a Frisbee around, walking and biking trails, as well as a new playground. Some spots in the park have a great view of Raritan Bay if you just want to relax by the water. You’ll also find the “South Pole” of New York state, which marks the southernmost part of New York.

There are other parks in Tottenville where you can get close to nature — where else can that happen easily in New York City near your Perth Amboy NJ apartment? Long Pond Park features both wetlands and woodlands. It also has the area’s only naturally-formed pond. Long pond itself is fed entirely from natural springs. It’s also the only place in the whole city where the pickerel frog has been observed in its natural habitat. Long Pond Park is a designated Forever Wild site within the five boroughs.  Clay Pit Ponds State Park is also in the Tottenville area of Staten Island. This park has developed a plethora of programs dedicated to nature education — for school children and adults alike. In addition to Clay Pit Ponds hiking trails, you can go horseback riding on the park’s five miles of bridle trails.

So if you feel the need to get out of your Perth Amboy, NJ, apartment, and both get back to nature, and visit The City, your first stop should be Tottenville in Staten Island.