STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The kids are home from school, the vacation requests have been granted. With the warm weather here and mostly reruns on TV, summer is the perfect opportunity to get out with the family and make new memories.

With “staycations” still a popular trend, consider taking a family excursion without leaving Staten Island.

“There are a lot of things you can do [here] that are inexpensive,” said Larry Ambrosino, executive director of SINY, which promotes local attractions and events.

He suggests taking a drive up Grymes, Todt or Lighthouse hills to take in the spectacular views.

Extend the trip by visiting attractions along Hylan Boulevard. Start in Rosebank at the Alice Austen House to learn about the prominent Victorian photographer or for free story times offered certain days of the month. Make a stop for Italian pastries at one of the many local bakeries and go bowling at Rab’s Country Lanes.

If you follow Forest Avenue, stop for a game of tennis at Silver Lake Park, enjoy a scoop at the old-fashioned Egger’s Ice Cream Parlor or head to Clove Lakes Park and rent a paddleboat.

Livingston’s Snug Harbor Cultural Center (

) has plenty of family-friendly exhibits and events on tap this summer. At its “Movies Under the Stars,” you can catch “Jaws” (July 9), “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (July 16) and “Madagascar” (July 23). Local bands will perform before each movie at 7 p.m.

Thinking of attending a Staten Island Yankees game this season? Go on a night when the ballpark has its post-game fireworks show, usually on Thursdays and Fridays. Before the game, take the kids to see the view of Manhattan from the Postcards memorial dedicated to victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Ambrosino suggests visiting the Staten Island Zoo, West Brighton, which has an extensive reptile collection, a tropical forest and African exhibit. This summer will be a great time to go, as the Zoo will be welcoming special animals from Australia for its Down Under Summer exhibit. Also check out Breakfast with the Beasts July 24 and Serpent Day Aug. 28.

THE SOUTH SHORE

Looking to reconnect with nature? The South Shore has an abundance of parks. (For a full list, go to

.)

At Tottenville’s Conference House Park, you can visit the southern-most tip of New York State, located on the beach and marked with a red South Pole, or attend one of several free concerts.

To cool off, take a dip in Tottenville’s public pool, on the corner of Hylan Boulevard and Joline Avenue.

Or, make a stop at the 260-acre Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve in Charleston to learn about local wildlife at its Interpretive Center or enlist in one of its many summer programs, including guided nature hikes — where you’re likely to see deer, groundhogs and birds — ecosystem workshops and evening wildlife walks.

At Lemon Creek Park in Prince’s Bay, you’ll discover a rock sculpture garden created by local resident Doug Schwartz.

End your adventure with a treat from Ralph’s Ices in Pleasant Plains or a skate at RollerJam USA, Richmond Valley.



TOURING THE ISLAND

For activities with more guidance, Ambrosino suggests taking the SINY Pizza Tour, with stops at four well-known Island pizzerias.

Amanda Straniere, tourism and cultural affairs liaison for the Staten Island Borough President’s Office, recommends taking a free bus tour of the future Fresh Kills Park, led by Urban Park Rangers, to learn about the site’s history, engineering and landscape design. Tours are filling up; visit

to sign up.

To learn more about the borough, Ms. Straniere suggests visiting the Staten Island Museum’s History Archives and Library on the grounds of Snug Harbor, where you can study local maps, newspapers, books and historic photographs.

Visit Woodrow’s Sandy Ground Historical Society, which now is exhibiting “Faces of the Underground Railroad.”

Or check out Arthur von Briesen Park — named after the prominent German immigrant who lived there — to get a panoramic view of the Verrazano Bridge.

Consider devising your own cultural tour by visiting local attractions that fall within the same theme. Plan an “Italian Day” including a visit to the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum in Rosebank, which celebrates Italian heritage, a ride to South Beach for a game of bocce on the public court and a bite to eat at one of the area’s many Italian restaurants.

A TASTE OF CULTURE

For a summer filled with cultural lessons, visit a different ethnic restaurant each week. On the Island, you can try Sri Lankan, Moroccan, Caribbean, Russian, Mexican, Spanish, Turkish, German, Indian and Greek. The options are endless.

Immerse yourself in Asian culture by visiting the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, now displaying “Tibetan Portrait: The Power of Compassion.” The Lighthouse Hill museum also offers meditation and tai chi classes.

Nearby is another bucolic setting, the Greenbelt, encompassing High Rock Park, Willowbrook Park and a nature center where visitors can sign up for lessons on local flora and fauna and guided hikes.

Ms. Straniere suggests heading to Richmond Town on Wednesday nights for the Staten Island Region Antique Automobile Club of America’s classic car showcase.

Another special event going on this summer is the free Starlight Concerts offered on Thursdays at different local parks. Check

for details.

"There’s a lot to do on Staten Island,” Ambrosino concluded. “People just have to look.”

.