Susan Lunny Keag

Best place to ride a unicornCarousel for All Children The Victorian-style merry-go-round, which opened in 1999, features 51 hand-carved, colorfully painted figures ranging from mythical creatures to familiar zoo animals such as zebras, giraffes and gorillas. It's also a perfect way to introduce kids to Staten Island history—images of borough landmarks like High Rock Park and the Conference House adorn the carousel's structure. The best part, though: At just $1.50 a ride, you can afford to let your tot ride again and again and again. Willowbrook Park, Eton Pl at Richmond Ave (718-667-2165, sigreenbelt.org). Open May through October. Best place to root for a minor league team that's not the Brooklyn CyclonesRichmond County Bank BallparkWatching the Staten Island Yanks play ball makes you feel like you're in small-town USA—even with the view of downtown Manhattan right behind you. Hot dogs are inexpensive, kids are invited onto the field to run the bases, and fireworks light up the sky after some games. Plus, pretty much every seat in the stadium is a good one, making it easy for little ones to see the Baby Bombers in action. 75 Richmond Terr at Wall St (718-720-9265, siyanks.com) Best place to meet a furry weathermanStaten Island ZooPunxsutawney Phil may be the country's best-known groundhog, but a critter closer to home also plays a role in figuring out whether we'll have six more weeks of winter or (please) an early spring each year. Staten Island Chuck's new wireless log ca