Staten Island is the least visited of New York City’s five boroughs, which is exactly why it can feel refreshing after several intense days in Manhattan. Most tourists know the orange Staten Island Ferry because it offers excellent harbor views for free, but far fewer step beyond the St. George terminal to explore gardens, museums, historic neighborhoods and waterfront spaces.
You do not need Staten Island on a short first trip. But if you have five to seven days, enjoy slower travel or simply want to see a different side of New York, it can be a rewarding half-day or full-day excursion. The key is planning around transport, because attractions are more spread out than in Manhattan.
Start with the Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry runs between Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan and St. George Terminal on Staten Island. It operates every day, year-round, and the ride is free. The crossing takes about 25 minutes in each direction.
The ferry is one of the best-value experiences in New York because the harbor journey gives you views of Lower Manhattan, New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty without buying an attraction ticket. For current schedules, check the official NYC DOT Staten Island Ferry page.
Do not pay anyone selling a “ticket” for the ferry. There is no passenger fare. Also remember that all passengers must leave the boat at the terminal before reboarding for the return journey.
Which side of the ferry has the best views?
When traveling from Manhattan to Staten Island, the Statue of Liberty is generally on the right-hand side of the boat as you head south through the harbor. On the return, it is usually on the left. Boat configuration, boarding position and weather affect the experience, so treat this as orientation rather than a guarantee of a perfect window seat.
Outdoor decks can be windy even in warm weather. Keep a light layer accessible and avoid spending the entire ride pushing for one photograph. The changing view of Lower Manhattan is just as impressive as the statue.
1. Explore St. George
Once you leave the ferry terminal, you are in St. George, the borough’s main transit hub. If you only have a couple of hours, this is the easiest area to explore without relying on buses or taxis.
Walk the waterfront, look back toward Manhattan and check whether there are events at local cultural venues. The area also gives you a useful sense of how dramatically New York’s density changes once you leave the central tourist districts.
2. Visit Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
Snug Harbor is one of Staten Island’s strongest reasons to stay beyond the ferry. The large cultural campus occupies former maritime-retirement grounds and now includes gardens, historic architecture, museums, performance spaces and the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden.
The individual institutions have their own opening schedules, so check them before traveling. If your interests include architecture, gardens and quiet cultural spaces, allow at least two or three hours rather than treating the campus as a quick stop.
From St. George, local buses are usually the practical public-transport option. Ride times can vary with traffic, so build in extra time before your ferry back to Manhattan.
3. Staten Island Museum
The Staten Island Museum, located at Snug Harbor, combines art, natural science and local history. As of 2026, its regular public hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with holiday closures. Check the official visitor page before you go because construction and campus access can affect arrival routes.
It is a good choice when the weather is poor or when you want context for the borough rather than simply taking the ferry and leaving.
4. Walk through the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden
Within Snug Harbor, the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden is an unusually peaceful collection of pavilions, courtyards, rocks, plantings and water features inspired by traditional Chinese garden design. It rewards slow observation more than photography.
Access may be tied to Snug Harbor admissions or seasonal hours, so verify current details. If you are already on the campus, it is one of the spaces most worth prioritizing.
5. See historic Richmond Town
Historic Richmond Town preserves buildings and landscapes connected to centuries of Staten Island history. It sits well away from the ferry terminal, making it a better fit for a full-day visit or for travelers using a car, taxi or carefully planned bus route.
Programming can include tours, demonstrations and seasonal events. Because hours vary, never make the journey without checking the official schedule first.
6. Greenbelt trails and nature
Staten Island contains large areas of woodland that feel unlike the New York many visitors imagine. The Staten Island Greenbelt includes trails, ponds and natural areas that can turn a city trip into a genuine outdoor day.
This is not the place to improvise if you have limited daylight. Choose a specific trail, download a map, check weather and wear shoes suitable for uneven surfaces. After rain, some paths may be muddy.
7. Fort Wadsworth
Near the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Fort Wadsworth is part of Gateway National Recreation Area and offers military-history interest plus dramatic harbor and bridge views. Historic structures and open spaces make the site especially appealing to photographers.
Visitor access to specific areas can change, so check National Park Service information before going. It is not directly next to St. George, so account for travel time.
8. South Beach and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk
In warm weather, South Beach shows another side of Staten Island. The long waterfront, boardwalk and views toward the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge provide a relaxed contrast to Manhattan streets.
Swimming conditions, lifeguard schedules and beach facilities are seasonal. If your goal is a beach day rather than a borough tour, compare Staten Island with Coney Island and the Rockaways before choosing. Our New York in summer guide covers more warm-weather options.
9. National Lighthouse Museum
Close to the ferry terminal, the National Lighthouse Museum explores the history and technology of lighthouses and maritime navigation. Its location makes it easier to add than attractions deeper in the borough.
Opening days can be limited, so check before visiting. For travelers interested in ships, harbor history or engineering, it can turn a simple ferry ride into a more complete half-day.
How to get around Staten Island
Staten Island does not have the dense subway network you may be used to in Manhattan. The Staten Island Railway serves the east side of the borough, while buses cover many other areas. OMNY works on the local transit network, and the standard local fare applies.
For attractions such as Snug Harbor, buses from St. George are practical. For Historic Richmond Town, Fort Wadsworth or nature areas, travel can require more planning. A taxi or rideshare may save significant time if several people are traveling together.
How much time should you spend?
If your main goal is the ferry, allow roughly two hours for the round trip, including terminal time. For St. George plus one nearby attraction, plan a half day. Snug Harbor plus additional sights can easily fill a full day.
Do not schedule a Broadway show immediately after a complex Staten Island itinerary. Ferry and bus service is reliable overall, but weather, crowds and traffic can create delays.
A simple half-day itinerary
Take the ferry from Whitehall Terminal in the morning. Spend a little time around St. George, then ride a bus to Snug Harbor. Explore the grounds, Staten Island Museum and the Chinese Scholar’s Garden if open. Return to St. George in the afternoon and take the ferry back to Lower Manhattan.
You can then continue with our Lower Manhattan guide for Battery Park, Wall Street or the 9/11 Memorial area.
A full-day Staten Island itinerary
For a full day, start with Snug Harbor, have lunch, then choose one additional area: Fort Wadsworth for history and views, Historic Richmond Town for heritage, or the Greenbelt for nature. Trying to combine all three creates too much transit.
Return to St. George before sunset if you want skyline views from the ferry. Blue hour from the water can be beautiful as Lower Manhattan lights appear.
Is Staten Island worth visiting on a first trip?
For a three-day trip, usually not as a full-day destination. Your time is likely better spent exploring Manhattan and Brooklyn. The ferry alone, however, is easy to add to a Lower Manhattan day.
For a five-to-seven-day visit, Staten Island becomes more attractive, especially if you have already covered the major landmarks or want gardens, history and a slower pace.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Staten Island Ferry really free?
Yes. NYC DOT operates the service free of charge between Whitehall Terminal and St. George.
Can you see the Statue of Liberty from the ferry?
Yes. The ferry passes through New York Harbor with good views, although it does not stop at Liberty Island.
Can I stay on the ferry and ride straight back?
No. Passengers must disembark at the terminal and then re-enter the boarding area for the return trip.
Do you need a car on Staten Island?
No, but a car or taxi can make a multi-stop day easier because attractions are spread out. For a ferry-and-Snug-Harbor visit, public transportation is sufficient.
Final thoughts
Staten Island works best when you stop thinking of it as “the place the free ferry goes” and start treating it as a borough with its own history, landscapes and cultural institutions. The ferry is an excellent introduction, but Snug Harbor, local museums and waterfront spaces are what make the journey feel complete. Give yourself time, keep the itinerary simple and enjoy seeing a side of New York that many visitors never reach.
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