Since Sam Brown took us on a tour of her home borough in my last post, I’ve decided to take you around my home borough this one.
So, hop off the Staten Island Ferry and actually dare to wander out of the St. George Terminal for a Weekend in Staten Island!
Friday evening: Here in the summer, the best way to spend your Friday night is at the ballgame! Right next to the ferry terminal is the Richmond County Savings Bank Ball Park, home of the Staten Island Yankees. The Baby Bombers are the minor league team of the New York Yankees and uphold their major league counterpart’s championship tradition. There are no bad seats in the stadium and allows for a great view of the New York skyline and New York Harbor. For less than $20, you can go see a great ballgame. And, win or lose, Friday nights usually end with a fireworks display.
Note: Public transportation on Staten Island is not as good as the other boroughs and we recently suffered cutbacks. Where I live, we only have about two buses that run out here. It’s advised that if you don’t have your own car, you rent one.
Saturday morning: Staten Island is just that—an island. Go enjoy the morning down by the beach—South Beach! Enjoy the view of the Narrows and the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Verrazano Bridge. There are several diners scattered throughout Staten Island, most of them owned by Mike. They are opened 24/7 and just as good for breakfast or lunch as for a late night snack.
Late Saturday morning/Saturday afternoon: Around Staten Island are several cultural and historical things waiting for you to discover. There is the grounds at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center. There the botanical gardens, museums and performances to be found in this center. If you are traveling with children, there is also a Children’s Museum on premises that always provided my friends and I with days of fun. There is the Alice Austen house. Austen was a photographer at the turn of the century who captured New York City as it grew into a modern metropolis. Her house on Staten Island is preserved and houses many of her pictures.
A recommendation for lunch is DeNino’s Tavern for some pizza. Sure Brooklyn has all the well-known pizzerias. But you know what happens to Brooklynites? They move to Staten Island and open more pizzerias! DeNino’s is well known throughout the Island, especially for how thin their pizzas are. I had a slice from there and it was delicious!
Moving down the cultural highlights of Staten Island, there is also Historic Richmondtown. This was the location of the original settlements on Staten Island and now is a collection of houses between 100 to 300 years old. Most were moved from their original locations to the town. Tours are available as well as the ability to just wander through town. While driving along Arthur Kill Road, be sure to stop in to Holtermann’s. Their baked goods are sold in many stores, but the main bakery is here on Staten Island. I get my birthday cake from there every year and my family loves to pick up their cupcakes. Pick up a delicious snack as you continue down the Island.
The last stop in the tour of Staten Island’s history is the Conference House Park, a personal decision of mine since I volunteer there. The house is the oldest stone manor house in New York City and the site of the oft-forgotten Staten Island Peace Conference held on September 11, 1776. The house is open for tours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 1 and 4 PM. The Conference House itself isn’t the only reason to visit the park. There are several other historic houses on property—not yet open to the public, but we have no problems with people peeking in the windows! There is also a gazebo that looks out over the Raritan Bay and on a clear summer day, it is a beautiful sight. You can also walk along the beach and kick around in the surf. You may also find the South Pole, marking the southern most point in the State of New York.
Saturday night: Time for dinner, right? After all that, you’re probably starving. My suggestion for a good meal is to eat at the Marina Cafe in Great Kills. It sits on the water and my mother has eaten there with colleagues many times. You can sit outside (if the weather permits) or inside and enjoy a great meal for reasonable prices. Try to hold off from ordering dessert because I am sending you to a Staten Island institution—Egger’s Ice Cream Parlor (namely the one on Hylan Blvd by Tysen’s Lane). I went there after I graduated from high school to celebrate, even if chocolate ice cream and a white dress wasn’t such a good combination. At some point, Staten Islanders have flocked to the store for some delicious ice cream and is a highlight.
Sunday morning: Staten Island is about 85% Catholic, but I don’t know the percentage of those that are practicing. Either way, areas around churches will be slightly crowded with Sunday church-goers. It might be best to have breakfast in your hotel before venturing out for the day.
For the rest of Sunday, I advise you discover why they call us “the Borough of Parks.” There’s Wolfe’s Pond Park in Prince’s Bay. Lemon Creek Park or Blue Heron Park. There’s Gateway in Great Kills. But I would suggest Clove Lakes Park. My high school track team had practice there during the cross-country season and ran two cross-country races there every year (The Wagner Invitational and Championships). There are several paths to walk, pass the Clove Lakes and Martling Pond. You can find the trails we use for cross-country and walk deeper into the woods, though be careful by Royal Oak as those are often used as soccer fields.
Also located in Clove Lakes Park is the Staten Island Zoo. While it might not be as famous or as grand as the Bronx Zoo or the Central Park Zoo, it still can delight all ages. When I was younger, they used to let the peacocks roam free. I am not sure if they still allow it, but it is pretty awesome. Another attraction at the Staten Island Zoo besides the petting zoo is Charles G. Hogg, better known as “Staten Island Chuck.” Every Groundhog’s Day, he comes out of his little home to predict whether we’ll have an early spring or six more weeks of winter. While his predictions have been off the past few years, he still has a better track record than a more famous groundhog who shall remain nameless.
As the sun sets once again on our island, I hope you enjoyed your little tour of what Staten Island has to offer. Come by and see us!
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