Best Things to Do in Staten Island, NYC

Often overlooked, Staten Island offers a surprising mix of history, nature, culture, and skyline views—all accessible via the iconic free ferry.

Top Attractions

History & Culture

• Historic Richmond Town — Living history village with 30+ restored structures (17th–19th century)
• St. George Theatre — 1929 palace theater hosting concerts, comedy, film
• Conference House Park — 1776 peace conference site (Franklin, Adams, Rutledge vs. Lord Howe)
• Alice Austen House — Victorian home of pioneering photographer; LGBTQ+ history site
• Staten Island Museum — Natural science, art, history at Snug Harbor
• National Lighthouse Museum — US lighthouse history at St. George ferry terminal

Nature & Outdoors

• Greenbelt Nature Center — 2,800+ acres of forest, wetlands, trails in the island's heart
• Wolfe's Pond Park — Beach, trails, fishing, seasonal ice skating
• South Beach & FDR Boardwalks — 2.5 miles of oceanfront promenade, dining, Verrazzano views
• Clove Lakes Park — Lakes, trails, 300-year-old tulip tree, rowboats
• Freshkills Park — Former landfill transforming into 2,200-acre park (phased opening)

Family-Friendly

• Staten Island Zoo — "Biggest little zoo"; famous groundhog Chuck
• Staten Island Children's Museum — Interactive exhibits at Snug Harbor
• Historic Carousel & Museum — 1913 carousel at Willowbrook Park

Arts & Gardens

• Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden — 83 acres: gardens, galleries, theaters, Music Hall
• Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art — Rotating exhibitions

Getting There

Staten Island Ferry (free) — 25 minutes from Whitehall Terminal (Manhattan) to St. George. Best NYC views: Statue of Liberty, harbor, skyline. Runs 24/7.

Staten Island rewards visitors with a slower pace, genuine neighborhoods, and perspectives on NYC most tourists never see.