Discover Staten Island’s Cultural Treasures

When most visitors to New York City think of Staten Island, their consideration begins and ends with a ride on the iconic Staten Island Ferry. However, just beyond the St. George Ferry Terminal in downtown Staten Island, you’ll find great cultural attractions, diverse art, local craft beer, world-class eats, and stunning views of the city – so disembark to spend a day exploring what’s on offer in NYC’s unexpected borough.

Staten Island Ferry

One of New York City’s best free adventures is taking the 5.2-mile journey between Manhattan and Staten Island on the colossal, bright orange Staten Island Ferry. This city-operated commuter service carries around 22 million passengers across New York Harbor each year.

Departing from Manhattan’s Whitehall Terminal, right above South Ferry subway station on the 1 line, the 25-minute ride offers unparalleled skyline views of lower Manhattan. This cinematic vista widens to include the high-rises of Jersey City and Downtown Brooklyn as you approach Staten Island, plus the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge that connects the island to Brooklyn. The Statue of Liberty then comes into close view, followed by Robbins Reef Lighthouse, renowned for its female keeper, Kate Walker, who rescued 50 people during her tenure from 1890 to 1919.

Newer ferries in the fleet feature extensive side decks, which provide the best views. Older ferries may have only a small open section at the front and back of the vessel; most passengers take in views from through dingy windows, some of which you may find open on the lower decks. Remember, all passengers must disembark at docking, so take the opportunity to explore unique experiences within easy reach.

Postcards 9/11 Memorial

North of the ferry terminal, just beyond Empire Outlets and the Staten Island Yankees baseball stadium, lies the Postcards 9/11 Memorial. This artfully somber memorial, dedicated to the 275 Staten Islanders who perished in the attacks on September 11, 2001, features two parallel, imposing fiberglass walls resembling postcards.

On each wall, a granite plaque honors every victim, shaped on one end with a silhouette of the person’s profile and inscribed with their name, birthdate, and place of work at the time of the attack. The center line between the two walls references the twin towers of the World Trade Center in Manhattan that were destroyed in the attacks and frames Ground Zero across the water, with the silhouette of each individual facing where the towers once stood. Dedicated on the third anniversary of the attack in 2004, this was the first major 9/11 memorial completed in New York City.

National Lighthouse Museum

Just south of the ferry terminal, within the grounds of the former US Lighthouse Service’s ‘super depot’, is the National Lighthouse Museum. This museum is a worthwhile stop for anyone intrigued by the romance, history, or engineering of lighthouses. Upon entering, you’ll discover an extensive collection of 180 miniature lighthouse models housed in a large structure affectionately dubbed the ‘wall of lights’.

Several displays illuminate lighthouse lamp and bulb technology throughout history, as well as architectural elements such as foghorns, signals, and the history of the US Coast Guard and lighthouse keepers. Bob, the museum’s knowledgeable docent, can provide further insights into the comprehensive exhibits.

The museum offers educational programs, films, and various events throughout the year, and occasionally operates boat tours to lighthouses in nearby waterways between May and October – check the website for details.

Flagship Brewery

Once you’ve taken a thorough inventory of the nation’s lighthouses, unwind with a pint at Flagship Brewing Company. After a long absence of craft suds in Staten Island, this brewery and tasting room opened in 2014 and hasn’t stopped pouring locally beloved brews since.

They offer eight taps of easy-to-drink pale ales, lagers, and more, but the standout is the blood orange IPA. The expansive taproom features views of the brewery through glass windows, with live bands often performing – check their website or Instagram for details. Brewery tours and tastings take place on Saturdays at 2:30 pm and 4 pm ($5).

Alice Austen House

After a refreshing craft brew, head to the Alice Austen House, the former residence of trailblazing photographer Alice Austen (1866–1952). Great views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge await you just steps away from this shore-side Dutch Colonial house, where Austen lived with her life partner Gertrude Tate for nearly 30 years.

In 2017, the home was designated as a national site of LGBTQ+ history. Here, Austen’s legacy endures through her photographs that captured life on Staten Island and the streets of Manhattan, highlighting the realities of immigrants and the working class. Particularly notable works on display provide intimate glimpses into the lives of Victorian women beyond the restrictive expectations of the era, showcasing revolutionary images of women embracing traditionally masculine activities and dressing in drag.

The well-preserved historic rooms also display personal items collected by Austen, while other gallery spaces serve as a modern cultural hub where local contemporary artists are celebrated.

MakerSpace & Maker Park

For hands-on exploration, make your way back up the island to MakerSpace NYC, a 6000 sq-ft creative studio equipped for welding, blacksmithing, ceramics, sewing, and textiles. Founded by sculptors DB Lampman and Scott Van Campen in 2013, this welcoming space serves artists, hobbyists, entrepreneurs, makers, and craftspeople for experiences that encompass welding, printmaking, 3D printing, bee-keeping, and even dream house building.

Before joining one of the many classes and workshops, starting around $20, be sure to check out the adjacent Maker Park on the corner of Front and Thompson Sts – this delightful sculpture garden showcases public art created by locals using various materials to tell the story of Staten Island’s working waterfront history.

Lakruwana

After a day of exploration and creativity, satisfy your appetite with dinner at Lakruwana, conveniently located just a block away. Distinct among the few Sri Lankan restaurants in Staten Island, which has the largest Sri Lankan population outside of Sri Lanka, diners enter through ornate brass doors into a temple-like dining room adorned with Buddha statues, clay crockery, and ceremonial masks.

Delicious offerings include aromatic lamprais (rice and curry baked in a banana leaf), ‘string hopper kottu’ (stir-fried rice noodles served with curry), and godamba roti (handkerchief-like folded flatbread for dipping in curry). On weekends, the 25-item buffet is an outstanding value at $14.95 (cash only).

St George Theatre

Before heading back on the ferry, conclude your day on Staten Island at the splendid St George Theatre, located just a couple of blocks from the terminal. Established in 1929 as a movie and vaudeville house, this venue has changed hands several times over the last century, including a stint as a roller rink, nightclub, and antique showroom.

Despite ongoing renovations, the space remains magnificent. The Spanish and Italian Baroque interior features ornate fixtures, such as a majestic winding staircase, elaborate murals, tiled fountains, sculpted figures, and one of the largest cantilevered balconies ever built. The grand lobby, illuminated by massive stained glass chandeliers, displays oversized paintings of a bullfight in a Spanish village.

Today, the theatre hosts various music and comedy performances, alongside classic movie screenings. Renowned past acts include Tony Bennett, Diana Ross, Jerry Seinfeld, The Temptations, Joan Rivers, Cheap Trick, and more. Check the schedule online for upcoming shows.