Is it the history, the charm, beaches, the famous Staten Island Italian restaurants or the Staten Island ferry? Well there are definitely tons of things to do in Staten Island no matter how much this borough is ignored due to its small size and tiny population. But the common question remains amongst the visitors that what is Staten Island known for? After all it is only wise to ask before you make entry into this much ignored borough after leaving the best pizza places in Queens, the top coffee shops in Brooklyn, the pretty views and top Manhattan restaurants and all the unique things you have been doing in NYC.
So while your mind is going back and forth about visiting to Staten Island and you are worried about how to get to the Staten Island ferry, it is our duty to solve this dilemma once for all for you. In this article we will enlist the famous things/reasons to visit Staten Island while you are out finding all the amazing things to do in New York for first timers.
About Staten Island
The southernmost borough of New York City is called Staten Island. Situated in the southwest of the city, New York Bay divides it from the rest of New York. The island is around 59 square miles in size. It is the least populous borough in New York City despite its size, and its locals have long referred to it as the "forgotten borough." Staten Island, like a large portion of New York City, has a rich and lengthy history and is home to many impressive examples of historic architecture. But what stays with many tourists the longest are the wide-open green areas and vibrant cultural life. Though it isn't the most popular borough in New York, there are still many of things to see and do, such as museums and cultural institutions. Below are some famous things and spots Staten Island is known for you so you don’t miss any of these places upon your next visit.
Staten Island Facts
The only borough in New York City without a tube connection is Staten Island. But there are other ways to get there, so getting there from other sections of the city is still rather simple. The free Staten Island Ferry connects the island's north to Manhattan. The boat departs every 20 minutes during the day and provides stunning views of Lower Manhattan, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty. Staten Island is connected to New Jersey and Brooklyn by highway bridges.
Numerous island attractions are dispersed around the region and need transportation. For a more affordable option, you may travel around the island using the train and bus systems. And this fact of easy mobility makes Staten Island one of the best places to visit and also a fun activity to do in New York with your kids.
Staten Island’s worth
Gone are the times when a place/person’s worth was based on how popularly it was known. Well it that is still how the things work then at least it is not true for Staten Island. Being the second wealthiest borough of all five boroughs, it is hard to believe that Staten Island has such a huge net worth. Especially with the popularity of best parks in queens and queen’s night market, it is hard to believe that Queens takes the third place while Staten Island comes next to Manhattan (it’s only fair considering the luxurious places in Manhattan. This is because of the mean income of the residents of Staten Island as compared to the budget friendly Staten Island lifestyle.
It is the Least Populated Borough
While it is somewhat believable due to the low popularity but considering the square footage of the area, the fact is somewhat interesting. Despite being the third-largest borough in NYC, it is also the least inhabited. While each of the other four boroughs boasts a population of over a million, Staten Island only manages 476,143 persons.
Number of Parks
There are an astounding 170 parks on Staten Island. 12,300 acres of protected land, to be exact. Now everyone can see why it's referred to as "the greenest borough." How about taking the famous Brooklyn Pizza and eating it under the sun in one of the famous Staten Island Parks?
The Ferry Ride Wasn’t Always Free
Well not until the ferry remained to be used as daily commute! We know it's shocking. Until 1997, the ferry voyage cost 50 cents per person; after that, it was free. Now it is one of the most (read: only) mode of transport used by the tourists. Because of the free cost and the unforgettable experience provided by the ferry ride.
The Originality of Staten Island
It was originally the location of the biggest dump in the world, but it is quickly turning into a park. About 150 million tons of garbage were sent by New Yorkers to the Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island over a 53-year period. However, people would still have to wait a long time to play safely amid undulating green hills because the park is now only open for learning and exploring possibilities during regular park programmes. It won't be completely operational until around 2036 in Fresh Kills Park.
It is one of the Most Historic places of NYC
Situated at the geographic center of the island, thirty beautifully restored 17th-century homes, farms, and schools may be found in old Richmond town. History aficionados may visit Conference House Park, on the island's South Shore, the location of early Revolutionary War peace negotiations.
The Fun behind the Name
The name wasn’t always the simple Staten Island but originally the place was discovered by Dutch settlers who named it in their own language. It wasn’t until English took over that Staten Island was renamed to a simpler English version of its own.
No Subway Link
As a New Yorker, you must take pride in the fact the vast subway network is. This includes connection of all NY cities through the subway. But one amazing fact about Staten Island which also makes this island unique than others is the fact that there is no link of subway to Staten Island. But there are other ways to get there, so getting there from other sections of the city is still quite simple. The free Staten Island Ferry connects the island's north to Manhattan.
The ferry departs every 20 minutes during the day and provides stunning views of Lower Manhattan, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty. Staten Island is connected to New Jersey and Brooklyn by highway bridges. So once you are done enjoying all the amazing things to do in Lower Manhattan and stuffed with tasty foods from all the Affordable restaurants in Manhattan, the Staten Ferry is there to show you a whole new avenue of New York.
The Verrazano Narrows Bridge
Sure, the news of no subway to Staten Island might make you think twice about visiting this borough. Because let’s be honest, no matter how free the ferry is, it isn’t free of the long queue and never-ending crowd eager to enjoy the most of this experience. So, before you entirely turn your head away from this borough, there is a good news for you. To access the rest of the city, you can take your car over the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. The Verrazano Narrows Bridge connects to Brooklyn; however, it can no longer transport your car across the river. It's one of the only ways to transport your automobile to the rest of the city if you absolutely need it, but it's notorious for being extremely congested and having terrible traffic at times.
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