Jamaica Bay Book Club

Come join us for our book club! We will be reading selections of nature-themed literature, and together think critically about nature literature and our place in the natural world. This will be an outlet for open and respectful discussion, and a space to jointly enjoy t......More

Come join us for our book club! We will be reading selections of nature-themed literature, and together think critically about nature literature and our place in the natural world. This will be an outlet for open and respectful discussion, and a space to jointly enjoy the works that we will be reading! Please bring your thoughts and questions.

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

9th Annual Raptorama at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

Join the National Park Service and our park partners Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, American Littoral Society, New York City Bird Alliance and New York City Plover Project for the 9th Annual Raptorama at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge!Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildl......More

Join the National Park Service and our park partners Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, American Littoral Society, New York City Bird Alliance and New York City Plover Project for the 9th Annual Raptorama at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge!Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center to learn all about the birds of prey of Jamaica Bay. See some amazing raptors up close during two live demonstrations led by the Wildlife Center of Long Island and go on walks with park rangers and partners to look at the raptors that traveling through Jamaica Bay on their fall migration. Park partners and other organizations will have family-friendly activities available at tables. Program Schedule10 AM - 11 AM: Birding For Beginners Hawk Walk with NYC Bird Alliance10:15 AM - 10:45 AM: Junior Ranger Program with National Park Service rangers11 AM - 11:30 AM: Raptor Education Demostration with Wildlife Center of Long Island12 PM - 1 PM: Guided Raptor Walk with National Park Service rangers12 PM - 12:30 PM: Raptor Education Demostration with Wildlife Center of Long Island1 PM - 1:30 PM: Raptor Education Demostration with Wildlife Center of Long Island1:30 PM - 2 PM: Raptor Slideshow Presentation with American Littoral Society1:30 PM - 2 PM: Junior Ranger program with National Park Service rangers  

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

Fort Tompkins Tour

Join us for a tour around Fort Tompkins as we explore the fort and surrounding areas. Inclement weather will cancel this program. Dress appropriately for the weather and bring water. Call 718-354-4500 to make a reservation

Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center

Nike Missile Radar Site Tour at Sandy Hook

Take a guided tour of this once top-secret missile site and enjoy the opportunity to meet and talk with veterans who worked with Cold War-era Nike Air Defense Systems. 

Horseshoe Cove, Parking Lot L

Sandy Hook History House

Built in 1898 and designated a lieutenant’s quarters on Officers Row, History House is furnished to the WWII era, the busiest time in the fort’s history. Enjoy this unique experience at your own pace with a self-guided tour. 

Sandy Hook History House, Building 1

Spiritualism in the 19th Century

Spiritualism, a belief that departed souls could communicate with the living, exploded in popularity during the late 19th century.  Parlors across America hosted seances lead by mediums who offered a glimpse into the afterlife. Far from a fringe movement, respected figu......More

Spiritualism, a belief that departed souls could communicate with the living, exploded in popularity during the late 19th century.  Parlors across America hosted seances lead by mediums who offered a glimpse into the afterlife. Far from a fringe movement, respected figures like Arthur Conan Doyle, Mary Todd Lincoln, Thomas Edison and Mark Twain made attempts to contact the spirit world.  Join us in the historic Mont Sec house to revisit this unique phenomenon in a period accurate setting. This program will explore many aspects of Spiritualism and mediumship, including how the belief grew from the shadows of the Civil War, the advances in technology and mass media that helped it to spread, and the role that it played in the Suffrage movement. For details call 718 354-4500. 

112 A Mont Sec Avenue, Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island

"Ranger's Choice" Guided Walk at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

Join us for a park ranger-led program highlighting the nature and history of Jamaica Bay. For more information about a week's tour, call the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center at 718-318-4340.     

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

Fort Tompkins Tour

Join us for a tour around Fort Tompkins as we explore the fort and surrounding areas. Inclement weather will cancel this program. Dress appropriately for the weather and bring water. Call 718-354-4500 to make a reservation

Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center

Sandy Hook History House

Built in 1898 and designated a lieutenant’s quarters on Officers Row, History House is furnished to the WWII era, the busiest time in the fort’s history. Enjoy this unique experience at your own pace with a self-guided tour. 

Sandy Hook History House, Building 1

Jamaica Bay Sunset Walk

Embrace the golden evening light and the changing autumn landscape on a ranger-guided sunset walk at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

Gather & Stitch at Fort Wadsworth

Opportunity for quilters of all skill levels to sew socially, learn new skills or get advice on projects you are currently working on. Contact 718 815-6155 for questions

Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center

Fort Tilden Hawk Watch

Join a park ranger for the chance to see birds of prey like Osprey, Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles and more as they fly over the dunes during fall migration. Learn to identify them and join a community of other hawk watchers as we appreciate the magic of raptors in flig......More

Join a park ranger for the chance to see birds of prey like Osprey, Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles and more as they fly over the dunes during fall migration. Learn to identify them and join a community of other hawk watchers as we appreciate the magic of raptors in flight! Meet at Battery Harris at Fort Tilden, and be prepared to be on your feet, or feel free to bring a folding chair with you. We will have to hike up a narrow sandy trail with a short uphill to reach our viewpoint, or up a long staircase, and from there enjoy the rest of the show.  

Battery Harris East, Fort Tilden

Fort Tompkins Tour

Join us for a tour around Fort Tompkins as we explore the fort and surrounding areas. Inclement weather will cancel this program. Dress appropriately for the weather and bring water. Call 718-354-4500 to make a reservation

Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center

Hangar B Ranger Tour

Join a park ranger for an informal tour and exploration of Hangar B and the aircraft inside, which are part of Floyd Bennett Field’s aviation history. Guided tour is at 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 

Hangar B, Floyd Bennett Field

Sandy Hook History House

Built in 1898 and designated a lieutenant’s quarters on Officers Row, History House is furnished to the WWII era, the busiest time in the fort’s history. Enjoy this unique experience at your own pace with a self-guided tour. 

Sandy Hook History House, Building 1

Soldier Life at Fort Hancock 1898 - 1941

Step into soldier life at Fort Hancock from the time that the U.S. Army Artillery soldiers arrived to man Fort Hancock gun batteries and other defenses in early 1898 up to 1941 when Pearl Harbor was attacked and plunged the United States into World War Two. Discover the......More

Step into soldier life at Fort Hancock from the time that the U.S. Army Artillery soldiers arrived to man Fort Hancock gun batteries and other defenses in early 1898 up to 1941 when Pearl Harbor was attacked and plunged the United States into World War Two. Discover the daily routine of soldiers serving at the fort, how their uniforms changed over 43 years, as did their harbor defense weapons designed to destroy enemy warships and warplanes. 

Fort Hancock Museum, Building 28