You know the Staten Island Ferry is a free half-hour boat ride, right?
To us, the fact that New Yorkers don't take advantage of the gorgeous, sun-sparkled free river ride is absolutely mind-boggling.
Really, it's also the most excellent way to get up close and personal with the Statue of Liberty (well, for free), and way preferable to paying upwards of $25 for that ferry service to visit the Statue of Liberty.
Well, it's about that time to leave all of your Staten Island stigmas at the proverbial door. Because this summer, that's all going to change.
Bottom line is this: Staten Island is the most under-appreciated borough of 'em all.
There's a ton of awesome stuff happening in this, the forgotten borough, over any summer-- but this one in particular. Why, you might ask?
Well, since we already discussed how you should corral your pals into cruising around on the Ferry STAT, you might as well explore some other great things that Staten Island has to offer before you get back to Manhattan.
So here's where to eat, what to do, and simply what's going down in Staten Island this summer. Take some notes!
1. River Dock Cafe (1 Richmond Terrace)
This new, delicious, wonderful seafood restaurant sits right on the Hudson River’s North Shore Esplanade. It also sits right outside the exit to the Staten Island Ferry. So it’s painless to get to from Manhattan, and glorious to be at once you’re there.
The move here is to take a dusk ferry ride and sit outside beside the river slurping oysters and clams when the sun sets. Their Maryland crab cakes are to die for, and their seafood fra diavolo brings the noise.
You will not regret the choice to come to this delectable, gorgeous, riverside restaurant for dinner and drinks, dessert and drinks, or whatever you want and dessert.
They also sell amazing loaded sandwiches to-go, which are innovated from Rutgers’ extinct Grease Trucks. One example of this is their “Fat New Worker” which is a cheesesteak packed with chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, marina sauce, and French fries.
Yeah, we know. We’re hungry now too.
2. The Staten Island Zoo (614 Broadway)
Admission to this zoo is an almost incomprehensibly relaxed $8.
Their leopard habitat is now open, so if leopards thrill you, you should get here ASAP. It’s also only $5 for kids if you’re into that sort of thing. They’re open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and completely free on Wednesdays from 2 p.m. until 4:45 p.m.
This zoo also features an aquarium, a tropical forest, three bird exhibits, ostriches, otters, and a reptile wing. So if you’re going to be taking the ferry anyway, you might as well come by and swoon over some animals, right?
3. Staten Island Yankees Stadium (45 Richmond Terrace)
Do you love baseball? Do you love fireworks?
Check the Staten Island Yankees’ schedule to see when their schedule matches up with your ferry ride.
Sounds like a pretty amazing day to us. Oh yeah, and they have fireworks after many home games.
4. St. George Theatre (35 Hyatt Street)
stgeorgetheatre The whole lineup, so happy together! #happytogethertour #happytogether #floandeddie #theturtles #turtles #marklindsay #paulrevereandtheraiders #theassociation #thegrassroots #thecowsills #thebuckinghams #stgeorgetheatre #stgeorge #sgt #statenisland
This performing center for all of Staten Island is dedicated to the restoration of historic theatre by providing community outreach, educational programs and public performances.
This summer, they’re putting on Rock the Yacht on July 16th, a tribute to The Beatles on July 29th, Gypsy on August 7th up through the 16th, and Engelbert Humperdinck on August 19th.
If you love theater, and you love boat rides, this is definitely a must-do summer activity for you.
5. Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach (Father Capodanno Blvd)
This is a 2.5-mile boardwalk and beach, and it sits beside the Atlantic Ocean.
Its view is completely gorgeous, and its beach is completely low-key and relaxing. Stroll the beach and boardwalk, chill out with a book, or bring a football and play catch with your friends.
Is there a better way to spend a summer’s day than lying beside the beach? The only thing we could possibly think of that might be even marginally better is, you guessed it, taking a free boat ride. On the Staten Island Ferry.
If we were to curate the perfect summer day it would be first cruising the Hudson on the Staten Island Ferry (and downing some $3 drinks) and then lying beside the ocean at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Beach.
,6. High Rock Park (200 Nevada Avenue)
carlenaleigh Beautiful hike for our girl guide meeting tonight ☀️🌿 #highrockpark #hiking #girlguides #beautifulview #yyj
Commonly referred to as one of the most tranquil places in New York City, High Rock Park is a recognized Natural Environmental Education Landmark, and it’s your ideal Staten Island location if you’re looking for a gorgeous spot to hike.
This park rocks natural tranquility, quiet ponds and deep woods. It has five ponds, and six walking trails from which you can even spot red maples, high-bush blueberries, wood ducks, great blue herons, and even the occasional hawk.
Basically it’s a great nature oasis, and completely worth a trip to Staten Island.
7. Flagship Brewing Company (40 Minthorne Street)
__ericaax3 Staten Islands very ownnnnnn #Beer #Brew #Brewery #Flagship #FlagshipBrewingCompany #RealBeer #IDontEvenLikeBeerDoeeeeee
Conveniently situated right beside the Staten Island Ferry, this Staten Island Brewery manufactures six types of beer, one of which, their Flagship Wee Heavy, has an 8.0% alcohol content.
From their “smooth, crisp, and exceptionally balanced” Flagship Metropolitan Lager to their “bursting with flavor” Flagship Dark Mild, the Flagship Brewery Company knows what they’re doing when it comes to beer.
They have book signings, concerts, and their tasting room is open specified hours from Thursday through Sunday, where you can purchase $5 drafts and $8 flights.
Getting buzzed besides the River? Keeping the buzz going while riding the ferry home? We’re very, very into this.
8. The Phunky Elephant (1271 Bay Street)
cinco_demino This food was too good and now our new favorite place😍😍 bucket list: try all the cocktails on the menu 🍹🍸🐘#latergram #thephunkychicken #jk #thephunkyelephant
Are you seeking an excellent cheeseburger, mi amigo? What about mac & cheese spring rolls or braised short ribs?
The Phunky Elephant is the most tasty, fresh, delicious burger on Staten Island, and that’s as much a fact as the fact that the Staten Island Ferry is a beautiful, free boat ride is a fact.
Their burgers also come with a hearty portion of delicious French fries, and that’s a statement we take seriously, since we're French fry aficionados and everything.
9. Pizzeria Giove (278 New Dorp Lane)
nycpizzagram Finally posting some shots from my trek out to @pizzeriagiove this spring - this was my favorite pie, the Giove, of course 😀 the brothers who run this place are so great! #pizza #nycpizzagram #pizzeriagiove #giove #arugula #statenisland #newdorp #pizzagram #newyorkpizza #nypizza #nycpizza #instapizza #instayum #instafood #food #yummy #delicious #pizzaporn #pizzapie #pizzalover #foodporn #ilovepizza #lovepizza #favoritefood #bestpizza #nyceats #newyorkcity #eeeeeats #dailypizza #eatingnyc
Well, since we know New Yorkers need good pizza to feel right at home, and this is certifiably the best pizza on the Island...
We figured this one was a no-brainer.
10. Sonic (148 Page Avenue)
Did you hear there will soon be a Sonic in Staten Island? Well, there will be, and Staten Island residents are thanking the heavens. It's set to open at the end of July or beginning of August.
But before you throw down your cell phone or computer and start screaming in joy, hear us out. It's a hike away from the Ferry. So are the thrilling variety of ice cream flavors, slushies, French fries, and hamburgers worth the trek?
That's your call.
If you enjoyed this, check out 32 Wonderful Things You Should Do in Queens This Summer.