Think Staten Island is just the place you pass through on the ferry?
This New York City borough is packed with fascinating history, beautiful waterfront views, peaceful parks and plenty of surprises that many people never take the time to discover.
Whether you have a full weekend or just a couple of days, this itinerary will help you make the most of your trip with a mix of famous attractions, hidden gems, and unforgettable experiences.
Get ready to explore a side of New York that feels completely different from the busy streets of Manhattan, with one amazing stop after another waiting around every corner.
1. National Lighthouse Museum
The National Lighthouse Museum is in St. George, just a short walk from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal.
It tells the story of America’s lighthouse keepers, builders, and lifesaving crews through fascinating exhibits packed with real artifacts and historic photographs.
You can explore the restored 1912 Lighthouse Service foundry building, browse galleries filled with original Fresnel lenses, navigation equipment, and detailed lighthouse models.
Don’t miss the waterfront views across New York Harbor and seasonal boat tours that cruise past nearby lighthouses while sharing their history.
The museum celebrates more than 300 years of American lighthouse history and regularly hosts events, exhibits, and educational programs that make this stop both fun and surprisingly memorable.
2. Enoteca Maria
Next, head to Enoteca Maria on Hyatt Street in St. George, where the kitchen is famous for grandmothers from around the world who take turns cooking family recipes instead of a single permanent chef.
One day you might find handmade Italian pasta on the menu, while another visit could feature dishes from Japan, Peru, Greece, Sri Lanka, or Argentina, depending on which grandmother is cooking.
The cozy dining room, welcoming atmosphere, and ever-changing menu make every meal feel like you’re sharing dinner in someone’s home rather than eating at a typical restaurant.
Reservations are a smart idea because this one-of-a-kind spot has earned national attention for celebrating family traditions, home cooking, and recipes lovingly passed down through generations.
3. Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
Make your way to Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, an 83-acre campus that began as a retirement home for sailors in 1833 and is now one of New York City’s most impressive cultural attractions.
You can admire colorful blooms in the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden and the Connie Gretz Secret Garden, explore walking paths, or visit museums and galleries, spread across the beautifully preserved grounds.
History lovers will enjoy the grand Greek Revival buildings, while families can stop by the Staten Island Children’s Museum for hands-on exhibits and creative activities.
Plan to spend a few hours here because there is plenty to see, from seasonal art shows and festivals to quiet garden corners that feel worlds away from the busy city streets.
4. Staten Island Zoo
Keep the fun going with a visit to the Staten Island Zoo in West New Brighton, a family favorite that has welcomed guests since 1936 and is home to more than 1,500 animals representing over 350 species from around the world.
The zoo is especially famous for its impressive reptile collection, one of the largest in the United States, where you can see dozens of snakes, lizards, turtles, and colorful amphibians up close.
You’ll also find playful North American river otters, curious meerkats, tropical birds, and a working farm area where kids can meet friendly domestic animals.
Compact enough to explore without feeling rushed, this easy stop packs plenty of memorable animal encounters, keeper talks, and educational exhibits into just 8 acres.
5. Historic Richmond Town
Take a trip through the past at Historic Richmond Town, a living history village in the heart of Staten Island where 30 restored buildings bring over 300 years of local history to life.
You can step inside historic homes, shops, and public buildings dating from the late 1600s through the early 1900s, watch costumed interpreters demonstrate traditional crafts, and learn how everyday New Yorkers lived long before modern technology.
Be sure to visit the Third County Courthouse from 1837, explore the historic Main Village, and stop by the museum galleries filled with artifacts, maps, furniture, and rotating exhibits about Staten Island’s past.
Special events like colonial fairs, candlelight tours, and seasonal festivals make every visit a little different, giving you plenty of reasons to spend extra time exploring this fascinating historic site.
6. High Rock Park
After exploring centuries of history, slow the pace with a visit to High Rock Park, a more than 90-acre nature preserve in Staten Island’s Greenbelt that protects forests, wetlands, and one of the island’s most peaceful natural areas.
You can follow easy woodland trails past quiet ponds, wetlands, and shaded picnic spots while watching for turtles, frogs, white-tailed deer, and a wide variety of birds that have been spotted throughout the preserve.
Be sure to stop at Walker Pond, visit the Greenbelt Nature Center, and take time to enjoy the peaceful forests and wetlands that make this landscape so unique.
This hidden escape feels surprisingly far from New York City’s busy streets, making it the perfect place to recharge with a relaxing walk before continuing your Staten Island weekend adventure.
7. Fort Wadsworth
Next, head to Fort Wadsworth, one of the oldest military sites in the United States, where centuries of coastal defense history meet some of the best views of New York Harbor beneath the towering Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.
Located at the entrance to the Narrows, the fort features historic structures like Battery Weed and Fort Tompkins, where you can walk through parts of the historic stone fortifications, climb to scenic overlooks, and learn how soldiers protected the harbor for more than 200 years.
The grounds are part of Gateway National Recreation Area, giving you access to walking trails, waterfront viewpoints, and fantastic photo spots with the Statue of Liberty, Lower Manhattan skyline, and passing ships in the distance.
Whether you join a scheduled ranger-led tour or explore on your own, this fascinating landmark combines military history, sweeping scenery, and plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs before the next stop on your itinerary.
8. Alice Austen House
Continue along the shoreline to the Alice Austen House in Rosebank, a beautifully restored Victorian Gothic cottage where pioneering photographer Alice Austen lived and created more than 7,000 photographs between the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Inside the museum, you can explore exhibits featuring her remarkable images of everyday life in New York, personal belongings, photography equipment, and rotating displays that celebrate photography, history, and LGBTQ+ stories.
Step outside to stroll the waterfront lawn, where sweeping views of New York Harbor and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge make this one of Staten Island’s most scenic spots for photos.
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, this fascinating house offers a closer look at one woman’s groundbreaking work while giving you another chance to enjoy the island’s spectacular waterfront scenery.
Related Posts
