Although Staten Island is easier to access by car, it’s worth taking the free ferry crossing. The 25-minute crossing not only guarantees a breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline, but also of the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor.
In the immediate vicinity of the St. George Ferry Terminal are some of the most interesting sights – such as the Staten Island Museum and the historic St. George Theatre. Minor league Staten Island Yankees also play baseball here during the spring and summer. A little further, meerkats, lemurs and other animals give the Staten Island Zoo a friendly face. The approximately 3.2 hectare zoo houses, among other things, the largest collection of rattlesnakes in the USA.
Another destination for all ages is the Snug Harbor Cultural Center, home of the Noble Maritime Collection, the Staten Island Botanical Gardens and the Children’s Museum. A little further inland, the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art displays an impressive collection of sculptures, paintings and artefacts in a tranquil setting. Also in the immediate vicinity, Historic Richmond Town invites you to take a journey into the island’s past. With over 170 parks throughout the borough, there’s always a good reason to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors.
Incidentally, Francis Ford Coppola filmed the two-part film The Godfather, starring Marlon Brando, in Staten Island. “Big” Paul Castellano, head of the Gambino Gang and most powerful New York mafia boss, had his headquarters here before he was shot in 1985. Incidentally, one of the most impressive technical highlights is the 1,298 m long Verrazano Narrows Bridge, which connects Brooklyn with Staten Island. The bridge is regarded as an esthetically particularly successful building.
Information about Staten Island
Location and size
According to usprivateschoolsfinder, Staten Island is one of the five boroughs of New York City, located southwest of Manhattan Island and west of Brooklyn on Long Island. The district covers a land area of 265 km² and a water area of 114 km².
Population
Approx. 482,000 people live in Staten Island.
Getting there
The subway ride from Times Square in Manhattan is approximately 30 minutes.
The free Staten Island Ferry runs from the South Street Terminal (at the foot of Whitehall St.) in Lower Manhattan to the St. George Ferry Terminal on Staten Island. The ferry offers excellent views of the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbour.
Things to do on Staten Island
Historic Richmond Town: Historic Richmond Town is New York’s living history and museum complex. Visitors can experience the richness of American history through the lives of ordinary people in their struggle to survive from colonial times to the present day.
Historic Richmond Town spans over 100 acres and four locations including New York City’s oldest working farm. The property is located in the heart of Staten Island, 15 minutes drive from the bridges and 30 minutes drive from the Staten Island Ferry (bus route S74). Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10306;
Alice Austen House Museum: Alice Austen (1866 – 1952) was one of America’s first female photographers. In the course of her life she has shot around 8,000 photos. Although she is primarily known for her documentary work, Austen was also an artist with a strong aesthetic sensibility. She also worked as a landscape architect and was an excellent tennis player. Austen was the first woman on Staten Island to own a car. Austen never married and lived with dance teacher and kindergarten teacher Gertrude Amelia Tate for 50 years. The Alice Austen House now operates as a historic home and museum with changing exhibitions.
The Austen House is located at 2 Hylan Blvd at Edgewater Street, Staten Island. It is 2 miles south of the Staten Island Ferry Terminal and 1 mile north of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge.
Staten Island Yankees: Staten Island is home to the Staten Island Yankees baseball team, nicknamed the “Baby Bombers.” Their home baseball stadium is Richmond County Bank Ballpark in St. George (RCB Ballpark) on the northeastern tip of Staten Island. 75 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, New York 10301;
Staten Island Museum: Founded by local art collectors and natural historians, this museum opened in 1881 as a place to explore dynamic connections between science, art and history. The museum offers innovative exhibitions as well as multidisciplinary collections. 75 Stuyvesant Place, Staten Island, New York 10301;
Staten Island Zoo: The famous zoo, which opened its doors in 1936, is home to about 350 different species with more than 1,500 animals. The zoological collection originally focused on reptiles, especially snakes. The rattlesnake collection is still considered the most extensive in the USA. The zoo is also home to Staten Island Chuck, the groundhog who celebrates Groundhog Day every February 2nd. On this day, Staten Island Chuck delivers the prediction that winter will continue.
