Twenty-five million people ride the Staten Island Ferry every year. They photograph the Statue of Liberty, post to Instagram, and head straight back to Manhattan without getting off. Most have no clue what they just passed.

The free ferry ride has become one of NYC’s biggest tourist draws, but it was never the destination, it’s just the commute. The real experience starts when you walk off at St. George Terminal and head into a neighborhood that gets written off without a second look.

St. George sits on Staten Island’s northeast corner where the ferry docks. The waterfront has changed dramatically in recent years. The area now mixes civic buildings, cultural spots, and green spaces in a compact district you can walk around. If you’re willing to rethink what you know about Staten Island, this neighborhood will surprise you.

Why Millions Visit Staten Island Without Seeing It

Most people use the Staten Island Ferry like a floating photo platform. They board at Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan, take pictures of the harbor during the 25-minute ride, then turn around and head back. They never planned to visit Staten Island.

This creates a weird situation. Millions technically “go” to Staten Island every year, but almost none see it. The borough’s reputation tanks because visitors judge it based on a ferry terminal they rushed through. Meanwhile, St. George Staten Island has gardens, museums, historic buildings, and restaurants no one notices.

Snug Harbor: 83 Acres You Can Spend All Day Exploring

About 1.5 miles from the ferry terminal, Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden sits on 83 acres of former maritime property. This place alone makes the trip worth it. The complex includes museums, performance spaces, Greek Revival buildings from the 1830s, and nine botanical gardens.

The Chinese Scholar’s Garden is one of only two authentic classical outdoor Chinese gardens in the United States. Artisans from Suzhou, China built it using traditional methods. You’ll find koi ponds, moon gates, and bamboo groves that shift with the seasons.

Plan two to three hours if you want to see the gardens, walk through the Staten Island Museum, and visit the Noble Maritime Collection. Take the S40 bus from the ferry terminal (10 minutes) or walk for 30 minutes.

What to see at Snug Harbor:

• Chinese Scholar’s Garden and New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden
• Tuscan Garden and Secret Garden
• Staten Island Museum (history and natural science)
• Noble Maritime Collection
• Historic buildings dating to 1831

What’s Walking Distance from St. George Ferry Terminal

Several Staten Island attractions sit within a short walk of the ferry dock. No complicated bus routes needed to start.

Empire Outlets and the Waterfront Esplanade

Empire Outlets opened in 2019 as NYC’s first outlet mall. It’s five minutes on foot from the ferry and has Nike, Nordstrom Rack, Gap, and other stores. The development includes waterfront restaurants with harbor views facing Manhattan.

The waterfront esplanade connects Empire Outlets to the Richmond County Bank Ballpark, where the Staten Island FerryHawks play during baseball season (April through September). The ballpark sits right on the water with Manhattan skyline views.

National Lighthouse Museum

The National Lighthouse Museum sits at Lighthouse Point, about 10 minutes from the ferry. It’s the only museum in the country focused on lighthouse preservation. The building occupies the former U.S. Lighthouse Service General Depot site. Collections cover lighthouse technology, keeper stories, and how these structures shaped American coastal navigation.

Staten Island September 11 Memorial

Walk 10 minutes from the ferry to reach the waterfront memorial. Two large stone posts create silhouettes of the Twin Towers. Each of the 274 Staten Island residents lost in the attacks has their name inscribed on postcards arranged around the site.

Staten Island lost more residents than any NYC borough except Manhattan. The memorial faces the former World Trade Center location across the harbor.

Staten Island’s Sri Lankan Restaurants in Tompkinsville

Head east from St. George into Tompkinsville and you’ll hit the largest Sri Lankan community outside Sri Lanka. Victory Boulevard runs through the neighborhood with restaurants serving hoppers, kottu roti, string hoppers, and curries you won’t find anywhere else in New York.

Lakruwana, New Asha, and San Rasa do family-style meals at prices that make group dining affordable. Lakruwana has floor-to-ceiling murals and runs a weekend buffet for under $25 per person. This is one of those things to do in Staten Island that guidebooks miss, but it’s become a draw for anyone looking for authentic Sri Lankan food.

The neighborhood sits 10 to 15 minutes from the ferry terminal on foot or a quick bus ride on the S46 or S78.

Planning Your St. George Visit from Manhattan

Half-day trip (4-5 hours): Take the ferry to St. George, spend an hour at Empire Outlets, walk to the September 11 Memorial, then head to Snug Harbor for the afternoon before catching the ferry back.

Full-day trip (6-8 hours): Add lunch in Tompkinsville, tour the National Lighthouse Museum, and potentially catch a FerryHawks game if they’re playing.

The Staten Island Ferry runs 24/7 and is free. Entry to Snug Harbor’s gardens costs $5 to $10 per person. Museums charge $5 to $15. Factor in $15 to $25 for lunch, and you’re looking at $25 to $50 per person for a full day.

Getting Around St. George and Staten Island

Walking works for Empire Outlets, the September 11 Memorial, and St. George Theatre, all within 15 minutes of the ferry terminal. For Snug Harbor and spots beyond the waterfront, take local buses like the S40, S44, or S46.

If you’re getting from JFK to Staten Island or LaGuardia, groups might find it easier to arrange transportation for the full day rather than coordinating multiple rideshares.

Spring or summer when Snug Harbor’s gardens bloom and the FerryHawks play home games. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends. Fall brings good foliage throughout the borough’s parks.

Stop Riding Past and Get Off at St. George

Staten Island gets written off because millions ride past it without stepping off the ferry. St. George has turned into a cultural hub with gardens, museums, diverse food, and waterfront spaces that rival what you’ll find in other boroughs.

The ferry ride offers good views, but it’s just the beginning. The best part of Staten Island isn’t visible from the ferry deck. You have to walk off at St. George and see it yourself.