Staten Island has a way of surprising people who think they already know New York City.
The ride to the island on the Staten Island Ferry is picturesque and a not-so-secret way to get a great view of the Statue of Liberty for free. But the borough itself has plenty to explore in its museums, gardens, shopping and dining, and also offers the chance to meet some Staten Island locals, who are more often than not born and raised New Yorkers. For this staff roundup, we asked our team to share their favorite spots in the borough; use these ideas or create your own Staten Island itinerary.
Courtesy, Alice Austen House
Alice Austen House
2 Hyland Blvd., Rosebank
What it is: The Alice Austen House Museum keeps alive the spirit of Elizabeth Alice Austen, one of America’s early female photographers. Austen lived and worked in the home for most of her life, and in 1985 it became a museum dedicated to her work. Today it presents rotating exhibitions of her pioneering photographs, including domestic scenes within her lesbian community in Staten Island. This intimate subject matter often broke the typical boundaries placed on women photographers of her era, particularly notions of gender and identity, with emphasis on depicting immigrant neighborhoods and working-class people.
Why I love it: This charming Victorian Gothic cottage, rumored to be haunted, dates to the late 1690s. Visitors get a sense of how Austen and her family lived by exploring her personal rooms, darkroom and even photographic equipment from that time. The museum also highlights photographic projects within the contemporary queer scene through their exhibitions and ongoing programming.
What's nearby: The Alice Austen House is in a park on the northeastern shore of Staten Island near the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge with views of Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan.
When to go: It’s open Tuesday to Friday from noon to 5pm, and Saturdays from 11am to 4pm. Take the Staten Island Ferry and then transfer to a city bus that stops minutes from the house. During the warmer months, pack a picnic, which can be enjoyed on the sweeping lawn. Check their website for upcoming events, workshops and openings. —Jen Davis
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden. Photo: Tagger Yancey IV
The New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden at Snug Harbor
1000 Richmond Terrace, Randall Manor, Staten Island
What it is: A surprise! I had no idea the Chinese Scholar’s Garden existed until I took a walking tour of Snug Harbor Cultural Center. The Snug Harbor campus is a National Historic Landmark that features botanical gardens, museums, galleries and performance spaces. (Did you know that David Bowie played the first leg of his 2002 New York City Marathon tour at Snug Harbor Music Hall?)
While the Chinese Scholar’s Garden is part of the botanic garden, you do need a separate ticket to go inside. It’s worth it. The garden is an authentic re-creation of a Ming Dynasty–era scholar’s garden, where one could ponder the connection between humanity and nature in a space designed for reflection. It’s very rare to see such an example in this part of the world.
Why I love it: By design, everything about the Chinese Scholar’s Garden is thoughtful and serene. The covered walkways aren’t just to shield from the elements but to allow you to ponder the sound of rain. The circular archway is more than an aesthetic choice; it frames the full moon. Lattice windows and zigzag bridges are designed to slowly reveal different “living” tableaus around the garden.
The entire structure was built without a single nail by master craftspeople using centuries-old techniques that rely on joinery to lock each piece into place. I had a tour guide when I visited, but even without the context, I still could have spent the whole day sitting by the koi pond and the moon gate.
What’s nearby: Snug Harbor has galleries, botanical gardens and historic Greek revival buildings, so you can, and should, make a whole afternoon of it.
When to go: The Chinese Scholar’s Garden closes during the winter months but opens again each Spring. The grounds are particularly beautiful during the autumn and when the cherry blossoms bloom. —Emma Diab
Courtesy, Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art
Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art
338 Lighthouse Ave., Lighthouse Hill
What it is: The home of one of the country's largest collections of Himalayan art features permanent and rotating exhibitions, plus a handsome physical plant designed to replicate Tibetan monasteries.
Why I love it: The museum is the definition of unexpected. Located in a residential area of Staten Island whose rolling landscape and pastoral environs recall Europe more than traditional NYC, the museum is a charmer. Also, its eponym, Jacques Marchais, had an interesting life: among other notable facets, she was a former child actor who never actually visited the Himalayas. For more on the museum, catch our video on the subject.
What’s nearby: Other semi-bucolic Staten Island attractions, like the Greenbelt and Historic Richmond Town (keep reading for more on that).
When to go: The museum is closed in the winter except for classes and special events. Open Thursday to Friday from 1 to 5pm, and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4pm. —Jonathan Durbin
Historic Richmond Town. Photo: Gabby Jones
Historic Richmond Town
441 Clark Ave., Richmond Town
What it is: At Historic Richmond Town, you can watch tradespeople demonstrate various crafts like tinsmithing, woodworking and cooking (old school) as if time had stopped almost 200 years ago. This living history museum is basically a small village that practically merges with an unassuming Staten Island neighborhood and a vast green space, housing some of the City’s oldest structures on its grounds. You may look around and ask yourself, “Is this really New York?” It was, and is.
Why I love it: Staten Island has a sense of being removed from the bustle of the City; Historic Richmond Town takes it further. It’s a refreshing combination of education, family fun and, best of all, quirkiness. Chatting with the knowledgeable practitioners on-site, seeing how a broom is made, purchasing a hand-crafted item—it’s all part of the experience.
What’s nearby: As noted above, Jacques Marchais and the Greenbelt. Or, if you’ve come by a car, I’d suggest hitting up a classic Staten Island spot to eat pizza, like Joe & Pat’s (classic slices) or Lee’s Tavern (bar pies), either about a 15-minute drive away; they’ve also been staples for 65 and 85 years, respectively.
When to go: Historic Richmond Town isopen Wednesday–Sunday most of the year, except in winter, when it’s Friday–Sunday. While it’s fun to visit on a quiet day to see the tradespeople at work and check out rotating exhibits, I’d suggest choosing a festive time, like Old Home Day (October) or the Richmond County Fair (Labor Day weekend), which feels like a small-town jamboree. —Andrew Rosenberg