Although Staten Island is across the water from the rest of
New York City, this borough is as vitally connected to the city as any of the others. Staten Island is a different take on city life, with a denser urban North Shore and more tranquil, suburban neighborhoods further south. With Staten Island's mix of places and things to do, you can spend your time exploring historic villages, finding tranquility in specially themed gardens or marveling at priceless artworks and artifacts.
Since 1817, an official ferry service has connected the borough to Manhattan. These days you can ride the modern-day
Staten Island Ferry across Upper New York Bay. It's free and also gives you a view of the downtown Manhattan skyline, the
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Not far from the ferry terminal, the
Staten Island Museum gives you a glimpse into the borough's
history, including its Native-American past and bygone period as a fishing and shipbuilding center.
Historic Richmond Town is a village of restored buildings dating back to America's colonial era. Walk into authentically recreated interiors of homes and shops, and see craft demonstrations and traditional music performances.
Culture thrives on this island borough. At the
Snug Harbor Cultural Center, a Smithsonian affiliate, you can enjoy contemporary
art exhibits and
performing arts on an 83-acre campus full of nineteenth-century
landmarks. Also on the grounds is the
Staten Island Botanical Garden, with its famous Chinese Scholar's Garden. The balanced arrangement of
nature and
architecture makes it the perfect place for a meditation break. For more Asian art, visit the
Jacques Marchais Museum. The museum's collection of priceless Tibetan artwork and artifacts is housed in a replica of a Himalayan temple.
Families will find a lot to do on Staten Island. Spend an afternoon at the ballpark with the
Staten Island Yankees, a minor league affiliate of the New York Yankees. Walk the boardwalk at South Beach, with the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and New York Harbor as your backdrop. The
Staten Island Zoo teaches you more about
animals and
wildlife than you think is possible for its eight-acre size. You'll learn a lot snaking through its internationally renowned reptile collection.