Is Staten Island worth visiting?
If you’re planning a trip to New York City, you’ll probably be spending most of your time in Manhattan, the city’s most popular borough. But there are four other NYC boroughs: Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, all of which have their own unique attractions.
However, Staten Island is by far the least-visited borough of New York City, and it has even been nicknamed “The Forgotten Borough.”
But, is it actually worth the effort to visit Staten Island?
As a native New Yorker, I’ve spent plenty of time in all five boroughs of NYC. And I’m here to answer the question of whether or not you should visit Staten Island.
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Is Staten Island Worth Visiting?
I’ll go ahead and get straight to the point — Staten Island is worth visiting in some situations.
I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone, though. If it’s your first trip to NYC or you only have a few days there, I don’t think it’s worth going to Staten Island.
There are very few tourist attractions on Staten Island compared to Manhattan or the other boroughs, and getting around Staten Island can be a challenge.
But if you’ve been to New York before and want to see something new, or you want to get off the beaten path and discover a less touristy part of the city, you should definitely go to Staten Island.
What Is Staten Island Known For?
Staten Island may live in the shadow of NYC’s more popular boroughs like Manhattan and Brooklyn, but it can stand on its own with several claims to fame.
Many famous musical artists are from Staten Island, including Christina Aguilera, Gene Simmons, and Wu-Tang Clan, as well as famous comedian Pete Davidson. There’s plenty of diversity in Staten Island’s music and culture scene.
Funny enough, several cast members of Jersey Shore are actually from Staten Island, not New Jersey. And Staten Island has a large Italian-American population, so there are plenty of delicious Italian restaurants to check out, like my personal favorite Enoteca Maria, as well as other cuisines.
Staten Island is also known for being a quieter borough filled with parks and residential streets — a contrast to the “concrete jungle” reputation of NYC.
An icon of Staten Island is the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, which connects Staten Island to Brooklyn. This bridge is the only road connection Staten Island has with the rest of New York City.
So why should you visit Staten Island? Let’s get into it!
Dittrich on Unsplash6 Reasons Staten Island Is Worth Visiting
Let’s start by discussing why you might consider visiting Staten Island during your time in New York City:
1. It’s free to get there
Getting from Manhattan to Staten Island is free thanks to the Staten Island Ferry.
This ferry departs regularly from Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan’s Financial District and it’s a scenic 25-minute journey through New York Harbor to reach Staten Island. You’ll even get great views of the Statue of Liberty from the ferry!
You’ll arrive at St. George Terminal, which is located in the northern part of Staten Island. Ferries run regularly back to Manhattan until late at night.
2. Snug Harbor Cultural Center is worth a visit
One of the best places to go on Staten Island is Snug Harbor Cultural Center, one of the island’s top tourist attractions.
Here, you can check out several museums, art exhibitions, and gardens, including the picturesque Chinese Scholar’s Garden.
You can get to Snug Harbor Cultural Center in just 10 minutes from the ferry terminal by taking the S40 bus, which runs frequently.
3. Historic Richmond Town takes you back in time
If you want to explore more of Staten Island, another cool spot to check out is Historic Richmond Town. One thing most people don’t know about Staten Island is how historic it is.
Historic Richmond Town is an open-air museum consisting of more than 30 historic buildings dating back as far as the 17th century. For history buffs, this is a must-visit as you can learn fascinating Staten Island history and get a glimpse into what life was like centuries ago.
There are also numerous seasonal events and special activities happening at Historic Richmond Town, like English country dances, art exhibitions, and seasonal pumpkin picking.
Tickets are available for $10, and it’s a 50-minute bus ride from the St. George ferry terminal.
4. There are some excellent restaurants
Whether you’re looking for unique NYC restaurants or a fun boozy brunch, Staten Island is home to some excellent dining options.
As mentioned above, my favorite Staten Island restaurant is Enoteca Maria, which features grandmas from around the world cooking recipes from their home countries.
If you’re craving an old-school New York experience, Lorenzo’s Restaurant and Cabaret serves up delicious Italian eats paired with cabaret-style entertainment in a classic setting.
At Campania, you can eat delicious coal-fired pizza as well as mains like chicken parm and shrimp scampi. This is also where Pete Davidson famously took Kim Kardashian to dine when they were dating.
For a morning meal, Violette’s Cellar is worth visiting for the cookie butter flapjacks alone!
5. There are many parks and green spaces
If you’re looking for more fun things on Staten Island, you can check out some of the island’s many parks and green spaces.
Right when you get off the ferry, you can walk through the North Shore Waterfront Esplanade Park, a new park that features Staten Island’s own 9/11 Memorial.
Clove Lakes Park is a picturesque park in Staten Island that reminds me of Manhattan’s Central Park and is popular for picnics. It’s a 25-minute bus ride from the St. George ferry terminal.
One of the coolest places in Staten Island is Freshkills Park, a new park built over a former landfill. At 2,200 acres, it’s the largest park to be developed in NYC in over 100 years, and is triple the size of Central Park!
6. It’s easy to get off the beaten path
Finally, one reason you might want to visit Staten Island is because you want to get off the beaten path and explore a more local, authentic part of NYC.
Maybe you’ve already done all the typical tourist attractions in New York and you want to get away from the crowds. Or perhaps you just enjoy exploring lesser-known destinations. Either way, Staten Island is a hidden gem in that regard.
Another perk of Staten Island being much less touristy than other parts of New York? Prices are lower! You can go out to eat on Staten Island for a lot less than what a comparable meal would cost in Manhattan.
Want beautiful photos taken of you in scenic New York spots? Book a Private Photo Journey, a walking tour that includes photos of your group to keep. Or get a styled, custom shoot that tells your unique story through an NYC Influencer Shoot or Professional New York City Shoot. Email info@nycphotojourneys.com with inquiries.
3 Reasons Why Staten Island Isn’t Worth Visiting
Now let’s go over why Staten Island may not be worth adding to your NYC itinerary:
1. It’s out of the way
One of the main reasons you shouldn’t visit Staten Island is because of its out-of-the-way location. Since it’s geographically isolated from the rest of the city, you have to go out of your way to visit.
If you have just a few days in NYC, it makes more sense to spend most of your time in Manhattan and maybe one day in Brooklyn. You just won’t have time to explore all five boroughs on a short trip to NYC.
2. It’s harder to get around
Another reason I wouldn’t recommend visiting Staten Island is because it’s harder to get around here than in other parts of New York City.
Staten Island does not have a subway system like the rest of NYC, so your only option for public transportation is the bus or taxis/Uber.
And with an area of 57.5 square miles, which is more than double the size of Manhattan, Staten Island is actually quite large so getting around can take a while.
3. There’s just not that much to do for tourists
While Staten Island is a lovely place to live, it’s more residential than much of NYC and it just doesn’t have many activities for tourists.
Aside from checking out attractions like Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Historic Richmond Town, and maybe spending some time in the parks, Staten Island doesn’t have that much to offer to tourists compared to other parts of NYC.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Staten Island
Now that we’ve gone over whether Staten Island is worth visiting or not, let me answer some frequently asked questions:
Q) Why do people go to Staten Island?
People visit Staten Island to experience its quieter atmosphere, local culture, and attractions like Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Historic Richmond Town, which offer a different perspective of New York City away from the typical tourist spots.
Q) How do I spend a day on Staten Island?
To make the most of your time on Staten Island, start with a scenic ride on the Staten Island Ferry, snapping a few photos of the Statue of Liberty along the way. Once on Staten Island, explore attractions like Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Historic Richmond Town, enjoy the parks, and eat at one of the many local restaurants.
Q) Is Staten Island cheap or expensive?
Staten Island is generally considered cheaper than other boroughs of New York City, with lower dining and entertainment costs, making it an affordable option for visitors.
Q) Can you eat on the Staten Island Ferry?
Yes, there is a concession stand on the ferry serving food as well as non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks.
Final Thoughts On Visiting Staten Island
In conclusion, whether Staten Island is worth visiting really depends on your travel style and interests.
If you’re seeking a unique experience away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, the borough offers a worthwhile blend of culture, history, and local charm; however, if your time in New York City is limited, you might prefer to focus on the more tourist-centric areas.
Ultimately, Staten Island can be a worthy addition to your NYC adventure, especially for those eager to uncover a lesser-known side of the city.
