Must-Visit Staten Island Spots
Published 06/16/2021
New York City isn’t all bright lights and skyscrapers. We’ve also got wildlife refuges, botanical gardens, parks and miles of beaches—all of which you can see on Staten Island, the City’s greenest borough. The island’s other sights include one of America’s longest-operating military forts, a living colonial village and a Chinese sculpture garden. Intrigued? Use our guide to plan your one-day getaway.
1
Staten Island Ferry
1
St. George Terminal
Though the borough is accessible by car, the ferry is the most budget-friendly and certainly the most scenic way to reach Staten Island. It’s free and runs 24 hours a day. The ride offers excellent photo ops of the Lower Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty, and will land you on the other side of the New York Harbor in under 30 minutes.
2
September 11 Memorial
2
St. George Esplanade
Once you’ve disembarked at the St. George Ferry Terminal, take a short walk along the Staten Island coast to the North Shore Waterfront Esplanade. There you’ll encounter architect Masayuki Sono’s sleek, winglike structure that honors the victims of 9/11 from Staten Island, bearing the names, birthdays, job titles and silhouettes of each.
3
National Lighthouse Museum
3
200 The Promenade at Lighthouse Point
On the other side of the terminal, explore the history of the nation’s lighthouses. The permanent collection at this self-guided museum includes the Wall of Lights, a lighthouse-shaped display of over 180 lighthouse models, and the Lighthouse Timeline, tracing the structures’ history back to ancient Egypt.
4
Hypno-Tronic Comics
4
156 Stuyvesant Pl.
Find intriguing toys, games, jewelry and memorabilia in this locally owned shop. True geeks should be on the lookout for collectible editions of vintage comics, plus regularly added new releases.
5
Fort Wadsworth
5
210 New York Ave.
A short bus ride along the northeastern shore will bring you to this former military base, now a 226-acre public park. Wind through the catacomb-like tunnels of the fort, take in views of the harbor and Verrazzano Bridge from the overlook tower and—in summer and early fall—get acquainted with the park’s taciturn landscaping crew: a herd of grazing goats.
6
Alice Austen House
6
2 Hylan Blvd.
This charming Victorian cottage and former Austen family home houses a collection of Alice Austen’s documentary photography as well as rotating exhibits by contemporary artists. Stop by to get a glimpse of New York City life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
7
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
7
1000 Richmond Terr.
Snug Harbor once served as a refuge for retired sailors, but today it’s a cultural hub for Staten Island, encompassing museums, historic buildings and acres of landscaped gardens. One such space, the Chinese Scholar’s Garden, contains bamboo-lined paths, waterfalls and a koi pond that recreate a tranquil essence of Ming Dynasty–era China right in NYC.
8
Pier 76
8
76 Bay St.
Pizza is kind of a big deal in New York City, and Staten Island is no exception. For dinner, try a pie at this St. George pizza joint, an offshoot of the illustrious Joe & Pat’s. The long menu includes casual-food favorites like buffalo wings and pasta primavera—but the crispy, customizable thin-crust pizza is the must-order.
9
St. George Theatre
9
35 Hyatt St.
Around the corner from Pier 76, find post-pizza entertainment at this historic theater. It first raised its curtain in 1929 and maintains a calendar of comedy shows, concerts, movie screenings or and family-friendly theater performances.