STATEN ISLAND EXPLORER
Your Guide to New York City’s Borough of Parks
Staten Island is nicknamed the “Borough of Parks” for good reason – it has over 170 parks to discover, including beautiful beaches along the eastern shore overlooking New York Harbor and Raritan Bay. No matter if you love the outdoors, cultural sites, or community events, Staten Island offers activities and attractions for every interest. Explore all this unique borough has to offer!
EXPERIENCE THE CHARM AND SPIRIT OF STATEN ISLAND
Nature
Staten Island, the greenest borough in NYC, has over a third of its land covered by parks. Discover the Greenbelt, a 2,800-acre sanctuary with a wide range of wildlife. High Rock Park is a great place to experience serenity, thanks to its beautiful ponds and streams. Visit the Staten Island Botanical Garden or Clove Lakes Park for boating, fishing, birdwatching, and history. Enjoy stunning views from the free Staten Island Ferry ride.
Culture
Staten Island’s rich history and culture span centuries, offering a fascinating journey through time. Visit Historic Richmond Town, a museum complex with 28 historic buildings. Tour Snug Harbor Cultural Center’s elegant 1800s buildings, showcasing diverse architectural styles and featuring various museums, theaters, galleries, and learning opportunities. Dive into the captivating history at the Staten Island Museum.
Community
Staten Island’s vibrant community spirit, reflecting its diversity, offers year-round events. Join the Fence Show and Biergarten at Snug Harbor, the St. George Day Festival at Tompkinsville Park, or the Richmond County Fair at Historic Richmond Town. Explore the island’s small-town charm through historic landmarks, rural neighborhoods, and tight-knit communities. Discover the best community events and attractions on the island.
PLAN YOUR VISIT TO STATEN ISLAND
Did You Know?
- 1524 Discovery: Staten Island was discovered by Giovanni da Verrazzano.
- Bridge Connections: One bridge links Staten Island to Brooklyn and three to New Jersey.
- Dutch Naming: Named after the Staten-Generaal by Dutch settlers after purchasing it from the Unami Indians in 1630.
- Population: Approximately 500,000 residents.
- Size: Third-largest borough, 13.9 miles long and 7.3 miles wide.
- South Beach Boardwalk: One of the world’s longest at 2.5 miles.
- Historical Sites: Home to the Conference House and Sandy Ground, the oldest inhabited free Black community.
- NFL History: Staten Island used to have an NFL team, the Stapletons.
- Staten Island Ferry: Free since 1997.
- Cultural Spots: Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art.
- Pop Culture: The Westeros map from Game of Thrones is modeled after Staten Island.
- Sports History: Bobby Thomson, who hit “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World,” was a Staten Islander.
- Famous Inventions: Chewing gum was invented here.
- Creepy Landmark: There’s a creepy abandoned farm colony in Staten Island’s Greenbelt.
- Film Shoots: Hosted 100 film shoots in 2017, including Gotham and Orange is the New Black.
- Comic Book History: The original headquarters in the G.I. Joe comic book was set in Fort Tompkins at Fort Wadsworth.
- Wu-Tang Clan: The iconic rap group calls Staten Island home.
- Southernmost Point: The southernmost point in New York State is at Staten Island’s Conference House Park.
Ready to explore Staten Island? Start your visit today by checking out our travel itineraries, where you can find information on how to get here, what to do, and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover NYC’s greenest and most historic borough. Join us on this journey as we explore Staten Island! As the saying goes, “If you haven’t seen Staten Island, you haven’t really seen New York!”
