Staten Island

Is Staten Island worth visiting?

For a quick ferry selfie, pack just 45 minutes. For an actual visit, give it 5-6 hours minimum, because the island is spread out and transit is slow. Take the ferry, ride an express bus, or drive, because most people find the subway-to-local-bus connection tedious. Spend the morning at Snug Harbor, the afternoon in St. George or the South Shore salt marshes at Blue Heron Park, and the evening back on the ferry for sunset. The island is not a theme park, it's a working borough with some genuine surprises. Lower your expectations for Manhattan-style polish and you'll be rewarded.

What to see

• Staten Island FerryStaten Island FerryThe free 24-hour ferry between Lower Manhattan and Staten Island, sailing past the Statue of Liberty. (free), this is the main event for many. Allow 45-60 minutes round trip, plus 15 minutes for security. It's a commuter ferry, not a cruise, but the views of the Statue of LibertyStatue of LibertyThe 1886 copper colossus on Liberty Island, reachable only by the official Statue City Cruises ferry from Battery Park. and Lower Manhattan are unbeatable. Skip the posted hours and 5-posted hours weekday runs if you don't like rush-hour crowds.
• Snug Harbor Cultural Center, a mostly free, 83-acre former sailors' home with Greek Revival buildings, the New York Chinese Scholar's Garden (small entrance fee), the Staten Island Museum, and a Tuscan Garden. Budget 2 hours to wander, or 3 if you stop in the garden. It's on the north shore, a 10-minute bus ride from the ferry terminal.
• Fort Wadsworth, free, under the Verrazzano Bridge. Old military fortifications, with a short path and views of the Narrows. 30-45 minutes, near the S51 bus.
• St. George neighborhood, look at the historic St. George Theatre's exterior, the post office murals, and the long Esplanade. 45 minutes, free, right off the ferry. Keep expectations reasonable, the neighborhood is not a charming historic district.
• Historic Richmond Town, a restored 17th-century village, a living museum with a fee. 2 hours if you like colonial history, skip if you've seen enough old houses. It's a 20-30 minute bus ride or drive from the ferry.
• South Shore beaches, Great Kills Park and Wolfe's Pond Park have actual sand, but the water is not always clean after rain. 1-2 hours, free. Drive or take the S78 express bus (not the local), roughly 45-60 minutes from St. George.
• High Rock Park, 90 acres of forest, a hidden green escape, free, but you'll need a car or a long bus ride. Skip if you're short on time.

Book ahead for nothing except the Chinese Scholar's Garden in summer weekends, and even that can be bought on arrival. The ferry and all parks are free.

3-day itinerary

Day 1, The ferry and the north shore.

1. posted hours: Take the ferry from Whitehall Terminal (Manhattan) to St. George. Sit on the right side for the Liberty view.
2. posted hours: Walk the Esplanade and see the St. George Theatre exterior.
3. posted hours: Take the S40 bus or a short Uber to Fort Wadsworth, spend 1 hour.
4. posted hours: Lunch in the St. George area or grab a slice from a local pizzeria near the terminal.
5. posted hours: Start Snug Harbor at the visitor center, spend 2 hours.
6. posted hours: Catch the S40 or S51 back to the ferry, and ride the posted hours ferry back to Manhattan for sunset from the left side.

Day 2, Farms, history, and the south shore.

1. posted hours: Rent a car if you can, or take the S74 bus to Historic Richmond Town. Arrive at posted hours.
2. posted hours: Richmond Town, 2 hours.
3. posted hours: Lunch at a nearby deli or the museum cafe.
4. posted hours: Continue south to Great Kills Park, 1.5 hours on the beach or trails.
5. posted hours: Head to Tottenville for a quiet walk at Conference House Park.
6. posted hours: Take the express bus back to the ferry, or reverse driving.

Day 3, Nature and neighborhoods.

1. posted hours: Take the S53 or S48 bus to Clove Lakes Park, a 1-2 hour walk around the lake.
2. posted hours: See the Alice Austen House (limited hours, check the site) and the entrance to the North Shore waterfront.
3. posted hours: Lunch in Rosebank or Grant City.
4. posted hours: Head back to St. George, spend an hour in the Staten Island Museum if you skipped it.
5. posted hours: Ferry back to Manhattan.

That's a realistic three days, but you can also compress Days 2 and 3 into one if you only want the highlights.

Where to stay

Getting around

• The Staten Island Ferry is free, runs 24/7, and is the fastest connection to Manhattan. It's not a subway ride.
• The S40/S51/S74/S78 buses can get you to key sites, but they are slow, often 10-15 minutes off schedule in traffic. Use the MTA's Trip Planner or the MTA app for real-time, and expect local buses every 15-30 minutes.
• The SIR (Staten Island Railway) runs north-south along the east shore, fast but limited: it doesn't reach Snug Harbor, Fort Wadsworth, or most south shore beaches. It's good for the South Shore if you're near a station, but you still need a bus for the beach.
• Ride-hailing apps are your best friend if you don't want to wait. A ride from the ferry to Snug Harbor costs roughly 10-the current price, to Fort Wadsworth 12-the current price, to Great Kills 25-the current price. In rush hour, Uber or Lyft from St. George to mid-island can be 20% more expensive due to demand.
• Driving is actually viable for a full day, but parking in St. George can be scarce. The island has generous metered parking near the ferry on weekends, less so on weekdays.
• Avoid the local bus for cross-island trips, they are interminable. If you're going from St. George to Great Kills, take the SIR or an express bus with limited stops.
• Check the current fares on the MTA site, because bus fares and the MetroCardMetroCardThe yellow swipe card that ruled New York transit from 1993 until sales ended December 31, 2025./OMNYOMNYThe MTA's tap-to-pay fare system on all subways and buses, which took over from the MetroCard when card sales ended on December 31, 2025. system may change. Exact fare is still accepted on buses.

Budget

• What drives cost up: eating sit-down Italian at a popular destination restaurant in St. George or the South Shore costs like Manhattan, 25-the current price for a meal. Hotels on the north shore are surprisingly expensive for what you get, because they cater to business travelers using the ferry to Manhattan. Also, ride-hailing adds up fast if you avoid buses.
• What drives cost down: the ferry is free, most top sights are free, and the bus is the current price for a single ride or the current price for a weekly MetroCard, though OMNY pay-per-ride caps at daily maxima. Lunch at a deli or a nathan's hot dog at the beach is a shockingly good deal. Also, staying in a south shore Airbnb or a modest motel near the airport saves big vs. north shore hotels.
• Where the money goes: transport is the biggest variable, because you could spend 40-the current price on ride-hailing or less than the current price on buses for the whole day. Second is food: a touristy seafood dinner clocks in at the current price, but a local panzerotti and a slice of pizza each stay under the current price. Third is paid attractions: mostly the Chinese Scholar's Garden, Richmond Town, and the Alice Austen House, which together total under the current price per person.

Mistakes to avoid

• Taking the ferry at the wrong time: weekday rush hour means you're packed with commuters, and weekend evening ferries can be jammed with tourists. Take it midday or late morning, or just before sunset.
• Renting a car just for a day and getting snarled in bridge traffic: the Verrazzano and the SIE are brutal at weekday rush. If you must drive, do reverse commute: leave Manhattan after posted hours, leave Staten Island before posted hours or after posted hours.
• Using the local bus to the South Shore: that S78 can take 90 minutes from the ferry. Use the SIR or an express bus if you can, or just take an Uber from the St. George station.
• Expecting a quaint Italian village: real Staten Island has strip malls and highways, and that's okay. The charm is in you finding a hidden grocery, a small park, or a quiet marsh.
• Missing the ferry back: it runs all night, but after midnight it's every 30-60 minutes. If you stay out late, check the MTA schedule or you'll wait in a cold terminal.
• Treating it like a theme park: if you go with a checklist, you'll be bored. Go for a walk, eat a panzarotti, watch the bridge lights at night.
• Forgetting the water view: the Staten Island side of the Upper Bay at sunset, from the Esplanade or from Snug Harbor, is a moment. Don't just take the ferry and leave.

FAQ

How long does the Staten Island Ferry take? The ride between Manhattan Battery Park and St. George is about 25 minutes each way, so a round trip with no stops is under an hour. Add 15 minutes for security and waiting if you don't want to rush.

Is the Staten Island Ferry free? Yes, it still is, and has been for decades. No ticket, no fare, just walk on. You only pay if you want to bring a car, which requires reservations and a fee.

What's the best way to get to Snug Harbor without a car? From the Staten Island Ferry terminal, take the S40 bus direction toward Mariners Harbor, which drops you at Snug Harbor in about 10-15 minutes. Ubers from the ferry are around 10-the current price if you prefer to not wait.

Is Staten Island safe for tourists? Generally yes, especially the areas tourists visit: St. George, Snug Harbor, Fort Wadsworth, and the South Shore beaches. Some quiet residential blocks are dark at night, so stick to well-lit roads and use common sense.

What should I eat on Staten Island? Try a panzarotti (a filled fried dough pastry) at a local bakery, a thin-crust pizza at a family pizzeria, or an Italian hero from a deli. This is not Manhattan's foodie scene, it's comfort food, and it's much cheaper.

Can I combine Staten Island with a trip to the Statue of Liberty? You can, but be strategic. The Statue of Liberty ferry leaves from Battery Park, not the Staten Island Ferry, and it requires a separate ticket and security line. Do the Statue in the morning, then take the free Staten Island Ferry from the same area midafternoon.