The Top Seven Things to Do in Staten Island
Last but certainly not least we finish our series of the top things to do in each borough of New York City with Staten Island! Staten Island is full of hidden gems and we find that there are actually a lot of fun things to do. It is definitely worth the trip and it is especially a great place to visit for anyone who loves the outdoors or wants a break from the busy and fast-paced city life.
Ride the Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry is by far the best way to get to Staten Island. It is free and it offers great views of Manhattan’s skyline, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and more. You can get the ferry at the Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal at South Ferry/ Battery Park and it goes to the St George Ferry Terminal at Richmond Terrace.
Check Out the Staten Island Zoo
A trip to the Staten Island Zoo (614 Broadway) is fun for the whole family. It is open all year round and you just never know what cute animals you may see on your trip here!
Go to a Staten Island Yankees Game
Richmond County Bank Ballpark (75 Richmond Terrace) is home to the New York Yankee’s minor league team, the Staten Island Yankees. The Staten Island Yankees aka the Baby Bombers are one of the most popular minor league baseball teams in the United States. Going to a minor league baseball game can be a lot of fun and you never know who is going to be the next big star in the MLB.
Relax at the Chinese Scholar’s Garden
The New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden (1000 Richmond Terrace) in the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Staten Island Botanical Garden is a great place to relax. The gardens are breathtakingly beautiful and we especially love the koi fish ponds. This is an absolute must if you ever in the area.
Find a Museum That Interests You
New York City is only second to Washington DC for the most museums in a city in the United States. Staten Island is in fact home to a number of interesting museums like the Staten Island Museum (75 Stuyvesant Pl), Staten Island Children’s Museum (1000 Richmond Terrace), Alice Austen House Museum & Garden (2 Hylan Blvd), Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art (338 Lighthouse Ave) and the National Lighthouse Museum (200 The Promenade at Lighthouse Point) so there is something for everyone.
Have Fun at a Concert at the St George Theatre
St George Theatre (35 Hyatt St) is historic and it has been a treasure of Staten Island since it opened in 1929. The theater has excellent acoustics and there are huge concerts scheduled this year with bands like Tommy James and The Shondells and Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band.
Explore at the Parks in Staten Island
Staten Island is also renowned for its parks. In fact, it is known as the greenest borough. Fort Wadsworth is an absolute hidden gem. It was a military base that is now converted to a public park. Great Kills Park is where to go for boating in the area and it has a beautiful beach with lifeguards throughout the summer. Other parks of note include Franklin D Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach, Willowbrook Park and Clove Lakes Park but the list can go on and on.
Look Out for the New York Wheel
Finally an honorable mention goes to the New York Wheel in St George on the New York Harbor. It is currently under construction, scheduled to open late this year or early 2017. The Ferris wheel will be huge, 630-feet high and it will offer breathtaking views of the New York City. Also nearby will be the Empire Outlets which are almost complete.
Check out the other guides in this series: Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Chinatown and Little Italy.