Everyone told me Staten Island County was just a ferry ride you take for the view and then turn around, not a place anyone actually visits on purpose. I ignored that advice a decade ago when a friend insisted I stay for lunch on Arthur Kill Road, and I’ve been finding reasons to come back ever since.

I’ve walked more of Staten Island NYC than most people who’ve lived in the other four boroughs their whole lives. I know which ferry departure avoids the worst of the tourist crowd, which stretch of the Greenbelt actually feels like wilderness, and which Italian restaurant on the South Shore beats anything you’d wait an hour for in Manhattan. Most visitors see one thing here: the ferry and the skyline view. That’s a real reason to come, but it’s a fraction of what Staten Island County actually offers.

What makes Staten Island NYC worth more than a round-trip ferry ride is the sheer amount of green space and history packed into “the forgotten borough” — colonial-era farmhouses, the largest cemetery of preserved 19th-century architecture most visitors never hear about, and a shoreline that still feels like a small town even though it’s technically inside New York City limits. I’ll walk you through it honestly, the way I actually experience it, without pretending every corner has been polished for a postcard.

Staten Island County NYC Overview & Getting There

Staten Island County is the southernmost and least populated of New York City’s five boroughs, technically known as the Borough of Richmond, sitting across New York Bay from Manhattan and separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and Kill Van Kull. It’s also the most suburban of the boroughs, with a genuinely different pace than anywhere else in the city.

The North Shore, around St. George and Tompkinsville, feels the most urban and walkable, with the ferry terminal, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, and a growing Staten Island restaurants scene. The South Shore, out toward Tottenville, is almost entirely residential and suburban, while the East Shore holds the FDR Boardwalk and South Beach. Mid-Island covers the Staten Island Greenbelt and much of the borough’s remaining open land. Getting around Staten Island NYC without a car is possible but slower than in Manhattan; budget more time between neighborhoods than you would elsewhere in the city.

Getting Here

Subway/Ferry: There’s no subway connection to Manhattan; the Staten Island Ferry is the classic route, a free 25-minute crossing between the St. George Terminal and Whitehall Street in Lower Manhattan, running 24 hours a day.
Driving & Parking: The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge connects Staten Island County to Brooklyn, with tolls charged only when leaving the island. The Goethals Bridge, Bayonne Bridge, and Outerbridge Crossing connect to New Jersey. Parking is generally easier here than in any other borough, with free lots at most major attractions.
Walking: Staten Island NYC’s neighborhoods are spread out, more like a suburb than a dense city grid, so plan on driving or bus connections between areas like St. George, the Greenbelt, and the South Shore rather than walking between them.
Best Times to Visit: Weekday mornings give you the ferry and North Shore attractions at their quietest. Spring and fall are ideal for the Greenbelt and Snug Harbor’s gardens; summer weekends bring real crowds to South Beach and the FDR Boardwalk.

Top 15 Things to Do in Staten Island County NYC

1. Ride the Staten Island Ferry for Harbor and Skyline Views

📍 Address: St. George Terminal, 1 Bay St, Staten Island, NY 10301
🚇 Nearest Subway: Whitehall Street terminal connects to 1, R, W, 4, 5 trains in Manhattan
⏰ Hours: 24 hours daily, departures every 15–30 minutes depending on time of day
💰 Cost: Free
⏱️ Time Needed: 25 minutes each way
🌐 Official Website: Staten Island Ferry
🕐 Best Time to Visit: Weekday late morning, or just before sunset for the skyline light

The Staten Island Ferry is the single most famous thing about Staten Island County, and it deserves every bit of its reputation. Free, running around the clock, and offering one of the best views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline anywhere in the city, it’s the rare tourist attraction that’s also genuine daily infrastructure for tens of thousands of commuters.

Stand on the right side heading toward Staten Island for the best Statue of Liberty views, and don’t rush to disembark at St. George — the outdoor deck gives you a longer look at the harbor before docking. Weekday off-peak hours mean you’ll share the boat mostly with commuters rather than tour groups.

Tourists sometimes treat the ferry as a there-and-back photo op without ever leaving the terminal. Locals know that staying on Staten Island NYC for even a few hours turns the ferry from a novelty into the start of an actual day trip.

2. See Wildlife at the Staten Island Zoo

📍 Address: 614 Broadway, Staten Island, NY 10310
🚇 Nearest Subway: No direct subway; take the S48 bus from the ferry terminal
⏰ Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 4:45 PM
💰 Cost: Free every Wednesday 2:00–4:45 PM; roughly $12–15 adult general admission otherwise
⏱️ Time Needed: 1.5–2 hours
🌐 Official Website: Staten Island Zoo
🕐 Best Time to Visit: Wednesday afternoons for free admission, or weekday mornings otherwise

The Staten Island Zoo sits inside Barrett Park and punches well above its modest eight acres, with one of the most complete rattlesnake collections in North America and America’s largest Amur leopard exhibit. It’s a manageable size for families, which locals appreciate compared to a full-day commitment at a larger zoo.

The Reptile Wing was the zoo’s original focus when it opened in 1936, and it remains the strongest exhibit; don’t skip it assuming it’s just snakes behind glass. Free parking is available directly on-site, a detail that’s easy to take for granted until you’ve dealt with parking anywhere else in New York City.

Visitors sometimes assume a small zoo means a rushed visit. Locals treat the Staten Island Zoo as a relaxed few hours rather than a box to check, especially with young kids who don’t need Bronx Zoo-scale crowds to have a good day.

3. Explore Gardens and History at Snug Harbor

📍 Address: 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301
🚇 Nearest Subway: No direct subway; take the S40 or S44 bus from the ferry terminal
⏰ Hours: Grounds open daily, 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM; individual buildings vary
💰 Cost: Free grounds access; individual museums and gardens charge separately, typically $3–8
⏱️ Time Needed: 2–3 hours
🌐 Official Website: Snug Harbor Cultural Center
🕐 Best Time to Visit: Weekday afternoons, before summer weekend crowds fill the parking lots

Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden is an 83-acre campus of Greek Revival buildings that once housed retired sailors, now home to the Staten Island Museum, the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden, and a series of themed gardens that rival anything in the other boroughs. It’s the cultural heart of Staten Island NYC’s North Shore.

The Connie Gretz Secret Garden is worth the small entrance fee if you’re with kids, and the Music Hall hosts touring performers in a genuinely beautiful 1890s auditorium. Free on-site parking fills fast on summer weekends, so arrive early or take the bus from the Staten Island Ferry.

Most first-time visitors to Staten Island County never make it here, assuming the island doesn’t have cultural attractions on this scale. Snug Harbor Cultural Center quietly proves them wrong every day it’s open.

4. tep Into Staten Island’s Past at Historic Richmond Town

📍 Address: 441 Clarke Ave, Staten Island, NY 10306
🚇 Nearest Subway: No direct subway; take the S74 bus from the ferry terminal
⏰ Hours: Free admission Thursdays 2:00–4:00 PM; check current seasonal hours for other days
💰 Cost: Free on Thursdays; modest admission other open days
⏱️ Time Needed: 2–3 hours
🌐 Official Website: Historic Richmond Town
🕐 Best Time to Visit: Spring and summer weekends, when period re-enactors staff the buildings

Historic Richmond Town preserves 28 buildings across 100 acres, dating from the late 1600s through the early 1900s, on and around the site of Staten Island’s original county seat. It’s the most immersive early-American history experience in any of the five boroughs, and it’s genuinely underrated.

Time your visit for a spring or summer weekend when the trade shops and farmhouses come alive with period demonstrations; the off-season visits are quieter but less atmospheric. The county courthouse and general store are highlights most visitors linger over longest.

Skip assuming this is a scaled-down version of Colonial Williamsburg. Historic Richmond Town has its own distinct Staten Island County character, shaped by the Dutch and French Huguenot settlers who worked this land centuries before the borough took its current form.

5. Discover Alice Austen’s Photography at Clear Comfort

📍 Address: 2 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10305
🚇 Nearest Subway: No direct subway; take the S78 bus from the ferry terminal
⏰ Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM; closed Monday
💰 Cost: Suggested donation
⏱️ Time Needed: 45 mins – 1 hour
🌐 Official Website: Alice Austen House
🕐 Best Time to Visit: A clear afternoon, for the harbor views alongside the Victorian Gothic cottage

The Alice Austen House, known as Clear Comfort, sits on the Rosebank shoreline with sweeping views toward the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and Brooklyn, preserving the home and legacy of one of America’s first female outdoor photographers. It’s a small museum with a genuinely significant story.

Austen documented decades of Staten Island NYC life through more than 7,500 photographs, many now displayed in rotating exhibitions inside the cottage. The house is also recognized as an LGBTQ historic site, honoring her 53-year partnership with Gertrude Tate.

Most tourists skip this entirely in favor of the ferry view alone, without realizing the house sits close enough to walk to from a Fort Wadsworth visit. Pairing the two makes for an easy, history-rich afternoon on the East Shore.

6. Explore Fort Wadsworth Beneath the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge

📍 Address: 210 New York Ave, Staten Island, NY 10305
🚇 Nearest Subway: No direct subway; take the S51 or S81 bus from the ferry terminal
⏰ Hours: Grounds open daily, 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM; visitor center hours vary
💰 Cost: Free
⏱️ Time Needed: 1–2 hours
🌐 Official Website: Fort Wadsworth – Gateway National Recreation Area
🕐 Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon, for the light on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge overlook

Fort Wadsworth is one of the oldest continuously operated military installations in the country, occupying 226 acres directly beneath the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge with commanding views over the Narrows. The National Park Service now runs the site, with walking trails, an overlook, and a small visitor center.

Check ahead before visiting, since the visitor center and Battery Weed keep more limited hours than the grounds themselves; more than one visitor has shown up expecting a full museum experience and found the buildings closed. The shoreline walk alone is worth the trip regardless of building hours.

Locals treat Fort Wadsworth as a quiet decompression spot rather than a full day out, easily paired with the Alice Austen House nearby. Don’t expect a bustling tourist site; the relative quiet is the whole appeal.

7. Admire the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge from Fort Wadsworth

📍 Address: Best viewed from Fort Wadsworth, 210 New York Ave, Staten Island, NY 10305
🚇 Nearest Subway: No direct subway; take the S51 or S81 bus from the ferry terminal
⏰ Hours: Always visible; Fort Wadsworth grounds open 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
💰 Cost: Free
⏱️ Time Needed: 30 mins
🌐 Official Website: MTA Bridges and Tunnels
🕐 Best Time to Visit: Sunset, when the towers catch the last light over the Narrows

The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge connects Staten Island NYC to Brooklyn across the entrance to New York Harbor, and it’s one of the most photographed structures on the East Coast without most visitors realizing they can get remarkably close to its base for free.

Fort Wadsworth’s overlook gives you the best angle without needing a car parked precariously on a shoulder somewhere. If you’re a runner, the bridge closes to traffic annually for the New York City Marathon start, a detail locals bring up with a mix of pride and mild annual traffic complaints.

Skip trying to walk across it; unlike other New York City bridges, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge has no pedestrian path. The view from below is the real draw, not a crossing on foot.

8. Walk or Bike the FDR Boardwalk at South Beach

📍 Address: Father Capodanno Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10305
🚇 Nearest Subway: No direct subway; take the S51 bus from the ferry terminal
⏰ Hours: Always open; beach season lifeguards typically Memorial Day through Labor Day
💰 Cost: Free
⏱️ Time Needed: 1–3 hours
🌐 Official Website: NYC Parks – FDR Boardwalk and Beach
🕐 Best Time to Visit: Early evening in summer, when the boardwalk crowd thins but it’s still warm

The FDR Boardwalk stretches 2.5 miles along the East Shore from Fort Wadsworth to Miller Field, making it one of the longest boardwalks in the world and one of Staten Island NYC’s most underrated summer destinations. Built in 1937, it’s held up better than most infrastructure its age.

Rent a bike from Wheel Fun Rentals at Sand Lane if you want to cover the full length without walking it round-trip. The Fountain of the Dolphins near South Beach makes a good midpoint landmark if you’re pacing yourself.

Most visitors to New York City default to Coney Island or the Rockaways for a beach day and never consider Staten Island County has its own genuine boardwalk. It’s less crowded than either on a typical summer weekend, which locals consider a feature, not a drawback.

9. Hike the Trails of the Staten Island Greenbelt

📍 Address: Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314
🚇 Nearest Subway: No direct subway; take the S54 or S57 bus
⏰ Hours: Trails open dawn to dusk; Nature Center hours vary seasonally
💰 Cost: Free
⏱️ Time Needed: 1–3 hours
🌐 Official Website: Staten Island Greenbelt Conservancy
🕐 Best Time to Visit: Fall for foliage, or early morning for birdwatching

The Staten Island Greenbelt protects nearly 3,000 acres of forest, wetlands, and trails across the island’s Mid-Island section, including Latourette Park and High Rock Park, making it one of the largest continuous stretches of undeveloped land inside New York City limits. It genuinely feels like leaving the city entirely.

The Blue and White Trail Loop is an easy entry point if you’re new to the Greenbelt’s trail system, while the La Tourette Red, Yellow, and Blue Trail offers a longer, more varied 3.7-mile route. The Greenbelt Nature Center provides trail maps and seasonal programming worth checking before you head out.

Skip assuming Staten Island NYC is entirely suburban sprawl. The Greenbelt’s scale rivals far more celebrated urban wilderness areas, and it stays genuinely quiet even on nice weekends compared to Manhattan’s more famous parks.

10. Explore Revolutionary History at Conference House

📍 Address: 7455 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10307
🚇 Nearest Subway: No direct subway; take the S78 bus toward Tottenville
⏰ Hours: Seasonal; typically Friday–Sunday afternoons, check ahead for current schedule
💰 Cost: Suggested donation
⏱️ Time Needed: 45 mins – 1 hour
🌐 Official Website: Conference House
🕐 Best Time to Visit: A crisp fall afternoon, paired with the surrounding waterfront park

The Conference House sits at the southernmost tip of Staten Island County , and by extension the southernmost point in New York State, on the site of a failed 1776 peace conference between American and British representatives during the Revolutionary War. It’s a genuinely significant, underappreciated historic site.

The stone manor house dates to the 1680s, making it one of the oldest surviving buildings in the city, and the surrounding park offers water views toward New Jersey that feel far removed from anything resembling Manhattan’s skyline.

Most visitors never travel this far south on the island, which is exactly why it stays peaceful. If you’re already exploring the South Shore, it’s worth the extra drive.

11. Discover Staten Island History at Snug Harbor Museum

📍 Address: 1000 Richmond Terrace, Building A, Staten Island, NY 10301
🚇 Nearest Subway: No direct subway; take the S40 or S44 bus from the Staten Island Ferry terminal
⏰ Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM; closed Monday and Tuesday
💰 Cost: Suggested admission, typically under $10
⏱️ Time Needed: 1–1.5 hours
🌐 Official Website: Staten Island Museum
🕐 Best Time to Visit: Paired with a broader Snug Harbor visit on a weekday afternoon

New York City’s only general-interest museum combining natural science, art, and history under one roof, the Staten Island Museum traces its origins to 1881, when a group of young naturalists began cataloging the island’s disappearing plant and animal species. That founding mission still shapes its collection today.

Its location inside Snug Harbor Cultural Center makes it an easy add-on rather than a separate trip; budget an hour and a half if you want to see the natural history and art wings both. The museum rotates focused exhibitions more often than its size might suggest.

Skip assuming a small museum means limited depth. The Staten Island Museum’s founding purpose — preserving a record before it’s lost — gives it a genuine sense of mission most larger institutions lack.

12. Explore Tibetan Art at the Jacques Marchais Museum

📍 Address: 338 Lighthouse Ave, Staten Island, NY 10306
🚇 Nearest Subway: No direct subway; take the S74 bus toward Historic Richmond Town
⏰ Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, typically 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM; check ahead for seasonal changes
💰 Cost: Modest admission, typically under $10
⏱️ Time Needed: 45 mins – 1 hour
🌐 Official Website: Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art
🕐 Best Time to Visit: A quiet weekday afternoon

This small museum, built to resemble a Tibetan monastery on a hillside near Historic Richmond Town, houses one of the largest collections of Tibetan art outside of Tibet itself, assembled by collector and gallery owner Jacques Marchais in the 1940s. It’s one of the more genuinely surprising stops in Staten Island County.

The terraced gardens outside are as much a draw as the collection inside, especially in spring. Pair a visit here with Historic Richmond Town, a short drive away, for a South Shore afternoon that covers wildly different chapters of world and local history.

Almost no one outside Staten Island NYC knows this museum exists, which keeps it genuinely peaceful even during peak tourist season elsewhere in the city.

13. Enjoy the Beach and Trails at Great Kills Park

📍 Address: 601 Buffalo St, Staten Island, NY 10306
🚇 Nearest Subway: No direct subway; take the S78 bus
⏰ Hours: Dawn to dusk daily
💰 Cost: Free
⏱️ Time Needed: 1–3 hours
🌐 Official Website: NYC Parks – Great Kills Park
🕐 Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings for fishing, weekends for the beach and marina

Great Kills Park combines a marina, a swimming beach, and miles of trails along Staten Island County’s South Shore, part of the larger Gateway National Recreation Area that spans multiple boroughs. It’s a genuine local favorite that rarely appears on visitor itineraries.

The fishing piers here draw a dedicated local crowd year-round, and the trails through the park’s dune and beach ecosystems offer a different landscape than the Greenbelt’s forest interior. Bring your own gear; rentals are limited.

Most first-time visitors never make it this far south, assuming Staten Island NYC’s outdoor options end with the FDR Boardwalk. Great Kills Park rewards the extra drive with genuine quiet.

14. Reflect at the Staten Island September 11 Memorial

📍 Address: Cedar Grove Ave and Father Capodanno Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306
🚇 Nearest Subway: No direct subway; take the S51 bus
⏰ Hours: Always accessible, outdoor memorial
💰 Cost: Free
⏱️ Time Needed: 20–30 mins
🌐 Official Website: NYC Parks – Staten Island 9/11 Memorial
🕐 Best Time to Visit: A quiet morning, for a reflective visit without crowds

Known locally as “Postcards,” this memorial honors the 274 Staten Island County residents lost on September 11, 2001, with two large postcard-shaped sculptures facing Manhattan across the water, silhouettes of victims etched into the stone.

Staten Island NYC lost residents disproportionately relative to its population that day, a fact that shapes how seriously the memorial is treated locally. It sits directly on the FDR Boardwalk, easy to combine with a beach walk.

This isn’t a stop to rush through for a photo. Give it the quiet respect locals extend to it, and consider the broader context of the loss it represents before moving on to lighter parts of your day.

15. Watch a Game at Richmond County Bank Ballpark

📍 Address: 75 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301
🚇 Nearest Subway: Directly adjacent to the St. George Ferry Terminal
⏰ Hours: Game days vary by schedule
💰 Cost: Tickets typically $15–30
⏱️ Time Needed: 2–3 hours
🌐 Official Website: Staten Island FerryHawks
🕐 Best Time to Visit: A summer evening game, for the skyline view beyond the outfield

This waterfront ballpark sits steps from the St. George Ferry Terminal, with a view of the Manhattan skyline over the outfield wall that rivals any sightline in professional sports. It’s home to the Staten Island FerryHawks, and it’s one of the most scenic, least expensive nights out anywhere in New York City.

Arrive early enough to watch the ferry dock behind the outfield before first pitch; the timing of it happening mid-game never stops being a little surreal. Tickets rarely require advance planning outside of marquee promotional nights.

Visitors sometimes skip minor league baseball assuming it’s a lesser experience than a major league game. Locals know the view alone here beats most seats at Yankee Stadium, at a fraction of the price.

Top Staten Island Restaurants & Dining Options

Dining in Staten Island County means Italian food first and foremost, a reputation built over generations of Italian-American families who settled across the South Shore and North Shore alike.

Best Restaurants & Dining in Staten Island NYC

Fine Dining & Special Occasions Staten Island Restaurants

Bocelli (1250 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10305) has held a Michelin recognition for its refined Southern Italian cooking, a genuine special-occasion destination for locals marking anniversaries and milestones. Expect $60–85 per person with wine.
Basilio Inn (5432 Amboy Rd, Staten Island, NY 10312) pairs an elegant dining room with consistently praised Italian classics and gluten-free options rare for a restaurant this polished. Budget $50–70 per person.

Mid-Range Staten Island restaurants

Enoteca Maria (27 Hyatt St, Staten Island, NY 10301) rotates a different immigrant grandmother into its kitchen nightly, each cooking her own culture’s menu alongside owner Maria’s Italian dishes — a genuinely unique concept a short walk from the ferry terminal. Dinner runs $35–50 per person, and reservations matter.
Patrizia’s of Staten Island (2669 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306) has built a loyal following for Sicilian and Southern Italian dishes in a warm, family-run dining room. Expect $35–50 per person.
Trattoria Romana covers classic Roman-style Italian cooking with a following that spans generations of the same Staten Island County families. Budget $30–45 per person.

Casual & Quick Bites

Lee’s Tavern has served thin-crust bar pizza and fried calamari to the same neighborhood regulars for nearly 80 years, a cash-only institution locals defend fiercely against any comparison to newer pizza spots. Expect $15–25 per person.
Denino’s Pizzeria & Tavern anchors Port Richmond Avenue with a similarly loyal following and a slightly different pie style, sparking one of the island’s more good-natured ongoing debates. Budget $15–25 per person.

Coffee Culture in Staten Island

Royal Crown Bakery has supplied Staten Island NYC with Italian pastries and bread for generations, the kind of neighborhood bakery locals build entire Sunday mornings around. Most items run under $10.

Staten Island Restaurants	Cuisine	Price Per Person	Best For	Location
Bocelli	Italian, Michelin-recognized	$60–85	Special occasions	1250 Hylan Blvd
Basilio Inn	Italian	$50–70	Elegant dinner	5432 Amboy Rd
Enoteca Maria	International/Italian	$35–50	Unique concept dining	27 Hyatt St
Patrizia’s of Staten Island	Sicilian/Italian	$35–50	Family dinner	2669 Hylan Blvd
Lee’s Tavern	Bar pizza	$15–25	Casual classic	Dongan Hills area
Denino’s Pizzeria & Tavern	Pizza	$15–25	Casual classic	Port Richmond Ave

Staten Island NYC Shopping & Local Businesses

Shopping in Staten Island County skews toward practical, suburban-style retail with pockets of genuinely distinctive local businesses.

Staten Island Mall Corridor

The island’s main enclosed mall anchors New Springville’s retail scene, offering a straightforward mix of national chains for anyone staying in the area who needs the basics without a ferry trip back to Manhattan.

North Shore Antiques & Vintage

Small antique shops around St. George and Tompkinsville reflect the North Shore’s older housing stock and the estate sales that come with it, worth a browse if you’re already near the ferry terminal.

Snug Harbor Craft & Garden Shops

The gift shop inside Snug Harbor Cultural Center carries locally made crafts and garden-themed items tied to the botanical collections on-site, a better souvenir option than anything near the ferry terminal itself.

Bay Street Corridor Businesses

A growing corridor of small, independent shops and cafes along Bay Street near St. George reflects the North Shore’s gradual revitalization over the past decade, worth exploring on foot if you’re spending a full day in the area.

Staten Island Nightlife & Entertainment Options

Nightlife in Staten Island NYC centers on neighborhood bars and a handful of destination spots rather than a concentrated club scene.

Bars & Taverns

Lee’s Tavern and similar cash-only neighborhood spots double as informal social hubs well beyond their food menus.
Bay Street’s newer bars near St. George have brought a slightly more polished cocktail scene to the North Shore in recent years.

Live Entertainment

Snug Harbor’s Music Hall hosts touring performers in a historic 1890s auditorium, a genuinely special setting compared to most concert venues.
Richmond County Bank Ballpark occasionally hosts concerts alongside FerryHawks games during the summer season.

Late-night options are limited compared to the other boroughs, and locals generally see that as consistent with Staten Island NYC’s more residential character rather than a gap to fill. This isn’t a borough built around bar crawls.

Safety in Staten Island County is generally good by New York City standards; it’s consistently among the lower-crime boroughs overall. That said, ordinary city awareness still applies, particularly around the ferry terminal late at night and in less populated stretches of the Greenbelt after dark. Most residential neighborhoods, from the North Shore to the South Shore, are genuinely safe and quiet at most hours.

Parks & Outdoor Spaces in Staten Island NYC

Staten Island County holds more parkland per capita than any other borough, and its outdoor spaces range from manicured botanical gardens to genuine forest wilderness.

Staten Island Greenbelt

Address: Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314

Nearly 3,000 acres of connected forest and wetland make the Greenbelt one of the largest undeveloped tracts inside any American city, spanning Latourette Park, High Rock Park, and several other named sections.

I’ve hiked more of the Greenbelt’s trail network than I ever expected to when I first visited, and it never feels like the same walk twice depending on season. Fall foliage here rivals anything you’d drive out of the city to see.

FDR Boardwalk and Beach

Address: Father Capodanno Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10305

This 2.5-mile stretch gives Staten Island NYC its own legitimate beach day, running from Fort Wadsworth to Miller Field along the East Shore, with far less crowding than Coney Island on a comparable summer Saturday.

Bike rentals at Sand Lane make covering the full length manageable without committing to a long walk in the heat.

Great Kills Park

Address: 601 Buffalo St, Staten Island, NY 10306

Part of the larger Gateway National Recreation Area, Great Kills Park combines a marina, swimming beach, and trails through dune ecosystems that feel distinct from anywhere else on the island.

Fishing here is a genuine local tradition rather than a tourist activity, and the piers stay active well into the evening during warmer months.

Staten Island NYC Local Culture & Community

Staten Island County carries a distinct identity within New York City, shaped by geography, immigration patterns, and a reputation that doesn’t always match reality.

Staten Island Architecture & History

Historic Richmond Town’s 28 preserved buildings offer the most complete physical record of pre-20th-century life anywhere in the five boroughs, a legacy of Dutch and French Huguenot settlement patterns that predate the borough’s incorporation into New York City in 1898. Before European settlement, the Lenape lived across this land for centuries, a history that predates every colonial-era building still standing.

The North Shore’s St. George Historic District and St. Paul’s Avenue-Stapleton Heights Historic District preserve Victorian-era architecture that reflects Staten Island NYC’s brief period as a fashionable resort destination in the late 1800s, before the borough’s character shifted toward its current suburban identity.

“The Forgotten Borough” Reputation

Staten Island County has carried the “forgotten borough” nickname for decades, a reflection of its physical separation from the rest of the city and its historically limited transit connections. Politically and culturally, it has often felt distinct from the other four boroughs, a tension that occasionally surfaces in local elections and borough-wide sentiment.

Immigration & Community

Waves of Italian immigration through the 20th century shaped Staten Island NYC’s food culture and neighborhood identity more than any other single influence, particularly across the South Shore. More recent decades have brought growing Sri Lankan, Liberian, and Mexican communities, adding new layers to a borough that outsiders often assume is culturally homogeneous.

I won’t pretend Staten Island County doesn’t wrestle with its identity within the larger city. The borough has voted and felt differently from the rest of New York City on plenty of issues over the decades, and that tension is part of what makes it feel distinct rather than just a quieter version of the other boroughs.

Arts & Cultural Events in Staten Island

Snug Harbor Cultural Center hosts a year-round calendar of performances, gallery shows, and garden events across its 83-acre campus.
Historic Richmond Town’s period demonstrations bring 18th- and 19th-century trades to life on select weekends.
The Staten Island Museum runs rotating exhibitions spanning natural science, art, and local history.
Richmond County Bank Ballpark occasionally hosts community events and concerts alongside the FerryHawks’ regular season.

Where to Stay in Staten Island County? Staten Island Hotels

Staying in Staten Island NYC puts you close to the ferry, Snug Harbor, and the Greenbelt, generally at meaningfully lower rates than a comparable Manhattan hotel.

Luxury Staten Island Hotels

Hilton Garden Inn New York/Staten Island (1100 South Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314) — from $180/night; a reliable upscale chain option convenient to the Staten Island Mall and Greenbelt.

Boutique Properties

Smaller bed-and-breakfast style properties near St. George offer more character than chain hotels, though options are limited compared to other boroughs.

Mid-Range Staten Island Hotels

Hampton Inn & Suites Staten Island — from $150/night; a straightforward, well-reviewed option near major highways.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott New York Staten Island — from $140/night; convenient for South Shore attractions like Historic Richmond Town.

Budget-Friendly Staten Island Hotels

Holiday Inn Express Staten Island West — from $110/night; basic but functional, close to the West Shore bridges.
Ramada by Wyndham Staten Island — from $100/night; one of the more affordable options on the island.

Airbnb Considerations

Short-term rental registration rules apply the same across Staten Island NYC as the rest of New York City, so verify any listing is properly registered before booking. The North Shore near St. George offers the most walkable option if you don’t plan to rent a car.

Sample Staten Island NYC Itineraries

However much time you have, here’s how I’d spend it in Staten Island County if I were showing you around myself.

Half-Day Morning Exploration (4 hours)

9:00 AM: Staten Island Ferry from Manhattan, enjoying the harbor views.
9:30 AM: Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, focusing on the gardens.
11:00 AM: A short stop at the Staten Island Zoo if traveling with kids.
1:00 PM: Lunch at Enoteca Maria near the ferry terminal.

Full-Day Deep Dive (8 hours)

9:00 AM: Staten Island Ferry, then Snug Harbor Cultural Center.
11:30 AM: Alice Austen House and Fort Wadsworth on the East Shore.
1:30 PM: Lunch near South Beach.
2:30 PM: FDR Boardwalk walk or bike ride.
4:00 PM: Historic Richmond Town.
6:00 PM: Rest before dinner.
7:00 PM: Dinner at Basilio Inn or Patrizia’s of Staten Island.

Evening & Nightlife Focus (5 hours)

5:00 PM: Richmond County Bank Ballpark for a FerryHawks game.
8:00 PM: Post-game bites near St. George.
9:30 PM: A quiet drink at a Bay Street bar.
10:30 PM: Ferry back to Manhattan for the night skyline view.

Rainy Day Alternative

10:00 AM: Staten Island Museum at Snug Harbor.
12:00 PM: Lunch at Enoteca Maria.
1:30 PM: Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art.
3:00 PM: Alice Austen House, a short, dry stop.

Local Tips & Insider Knowledge for Staten Island NYC Visitors

A decade of visiting Staten Island NYC has taught me a few things worth passing on before your first trip.

Timing Is Everything

Weekday visits beat weekend afternoons across nearly every attraction here — Snug Harbor, Historic Richmond Town, the Staten Island Zoo, and the Greenbelt all fill their parking lots noticeably faster on Saturdays.

Transportation Secrets

The S40 and S44 buses: Both connect the ferry terminal directly to Snug Harbor, faster than assuming you’ll need a car for the North Shore. The Staten Island Railway: Runs the length of the island’s East Shore, a useful alternative to buses for reaching South Shore attractions from St. George.

Avoiding Tourist Traps

Skip any tour promising “Staten Island County in two hours” via the ferry alone; the borough’s real character requires actually stepping off the boat, not just riding it round-trip for photos.

Local Etiquette

Lee’s Tavern: Cash only, and locals expect you to know that before ordering. Ferry deck etiquette: Locals commuting daily generally give tourists space for photos but appreciate not being blocked from their usual spot.

Staten Island Hidden Gems Locals Actually Visit

The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, which most Staten Island NYC residents themselves have never visited.
Great Kills Park over the more crowded FDR Boardwalk on a summer weekend.
The Conference House, for anyone willing to make the drive to the island’s southern tip.
Richmond County Bank Ballpark for the skyline view alone, regardless of the game’s outcome.

Local Tips & Insider Knowledge for Staten Island NYC Visitors

Conclusion: Your Staten Island County County Experience

Staten Island County carries a reputation it hasn’t entirely earned. “The forgotten borough” nickname captures something true about how the rest of the city treats it, but spending real time here reveals a place with more parkland, more preserved history, and a more distinct identity than most visitors, or even most longtime New Yorkers, ever bother to discover.

I won’t pretend it doesn’t feel different from the rest of New York City in ways that occasionally show up as friction — politically, culturally, even in how residents talk about their relationship to Manhattan. That’s part of what makes Staten Island NYC worth understanding on its own terms rather than as an afterthought to the other four boroughs.

I’m still finding new corners of Staten Island County after a decade of showing up — a trail in the Greenbelt I hadn’t walked, a family-run bakery on the South Shore I’d somehow missed. That’s the argument for treating it as a real destination instead of a ferry ride you take once for the view and never repeat.

Take this guide as a starting point, not a script. Ride the ferry both ways, walk further into the Greenbelt than feels necessary, and let Staten County NYC show you what it actually is rather than what its reputation suggests. I’ll be somewhere on the FDR Boardwalk most weekend mornings, if you want to compare notes.