The Staten Island Ferry delivers incredible views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Manhattan skyline. It runs 24/7, costs nothing, and takes just 25 minutes to cross New York Harbor. For visitors, it’s a must-do NYC experience.

But here’s what nobody mentions: once you arrive at St. George Terminal, the real planning begins. The borough’s hidden gems sit scattered across neighborhoods with no subway access. The Chinese Scholar’s Garden at Snug Harbor, the Staten Island Zoo, Historic Richmond Town, and South Shore beaches aren’t within walking distance from the ferry.

Figuring out how to get around the area without a car becomes the challenge most groups face after that scenic boat ride.

Why Staten Island Is Hard to Explore Without a Car

The SIR Line Doesn’t Reach Tourist Destinations

The Staten Island Railway runs a single line from St. George Terminal south to Tottenville. It serves daily commuters along the East Shore, but it doesn’t connect to the borough’s main tourist destinations. Snug Harbor sits on the North Shore, nowhere near an SIR stop. The 2,800-acre Greenbelt sprawls across the island’s interior. FDR Boardwalk and Beach hug the southern coastline, miles from the railway.

SI Buses Are More Complicated Than You’d Think

Staten Island has an extensive bus network covering most of the borough. For day visitors, though, decoding route numbers and transfer points takes more time than you want to spend. A trip from the ferry terminal to the zoo involves checking schedules, waiting at stops, and catching the right connection. Groups trying to visit multiple attractions by bus often lose half their afternoon just moving between locations.

Ridesharing Gets Complicated Well for Larger Groups

Is there Uber on Staten Island? Yes, rideshares operate throughout the borough. The issue comes when you’re traveling with a larger group. Eight people need at least two cars. Surge pricing hits during busy weekend hours. Cars arrive at different times, so your group splits up at every destination. By the time you’ve visited three or four places, costs add up fast and coordination becomes exhausting.

Popular Staten Island Trip Ideas for Groups

Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden

This 83-acre waterfront campus on the North Shore is Staten Island’s cultural heart. The grounds pack in five museums, including the Staten Island Museum with its natural science collection and the Noble Maritime Collection celebrating the borough’s seafaring history. The Chinese Scholar’s Garden recreates a Ming Dynasty scholar’s retreat with authentic architecture, while the botanical gardens bloom year-round.

Your group can spend hours here without seeing everything. The restored Greek Revival buildings date back to when this was a retirement home for sailors in the 1800s. The S40 bus from the ferry terminal gets you there in 20-30 minutes, covering the 3.5 miles through residential neighborhoods along the North Shore.

Staten Island Zoo

Don’t judge this place by its size. The compact zoo in West Brighton houses one of the most complete reptile collections in the country, with rattlesnakes from across the Americas. The African Savannah exhibit brings zebras and meerkats together, while the Tropical Forest section recreates a rainforest canopy.

Kids in your group will gravitate to the barnyard area where they can feed goats and sheep. The aquarium building stays cool on hot days. It’s 4 miles from the ferry terminal, and the S48 bus makes the trip in about 25 minutes through residential West Brighton.

Historic Richmond Town

This living history village recreates three centuries of American life across 100 acres in central Staten Island. Costumed interpreters demonstrate traditional crafts in original buildings moved here from across the borough. The Voorlezer’s House, built in 1695, is the oldest elementary school building in the country. The general store still has goods from the 1800s on its shelves.

Your group can watch a blacksmith work, visit a one-room schoolhouse, or tour homes showing how different social classes lived. It’s the most remote destination at 8 miles from the ferry, and the S74 bus takes 45 minutes or more through residential neighborhoods. Budget extra time for this trip.

FDR Boardwalk and South Beach

The Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk stretches 2.5 miles along the waterfront with unobstructed ocean views. Your group can walk the full length, stopping at the beach access points or the fishing pier. On clear days, you’ll see the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the north and the Atlantic Ocean stretching east.

The beachside restaurants serve everything from pizza to seafood. Summer brings crowds, but spring and fall offer quieter visits with the same views. It’s about 5 miles from the ferry terminal, and both the S51 and S81 buses make the 30-40 minute trip along the island’s eastern shore.

Public Transit Times Between Staten Island Destinations

Stop	Location	Distance from Ferry	Public Transit Option
Snug Harbor	North Shore	3.5 miles	S40 bus (20-30 min)
Staten Island Zoo	West Brighton	4 miles	S48 bus (25 min)
Historic Richmond Town	Central Staten Island	8 miles	S74 bus (45+ min)
FDR Boardwalk	South Beach	5 miles	S51 or S81 (30-40 min)

The locations are spread across different neighborhoods with no connecting buses. Trying to hit them all by public transit would eat up your entire day.

Getting Transportation That Works for Groups

A Sprinter van or minibus fixes the transportation problem. Your whole group rides together, and you control where you go. Stop at Denino’s for pizza, spend an hour at the Chinese Scholar’s Garden, then head to Conference House Park. No coordinating multiple cars or figuring out bus routes.

Flying into the area? Some groups combine their airport pickup with Staten Island stops. A driver picks you up at Newark, LaGuardia, or JFK, takes you to your first destination, and handles the rest of your day. You skip the taxi line and keep everyone together in one vehicle, which helps if anyone has mobility needs or you’re carrying luggage.

Other Staten Island Destinations Worth Your Time

Fort Wadsworth and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge

Located on the northeastern shore, Fort Wadsworth dates back to 1663 and played major roles in the Civil War and World War I. Today it’s part of Gateway National Recreation Area, with historic fortifications like Fort Tompkins and Battery Weed open for exploration. The bike paths and overlooks offer some of the best views of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge stretching across New York Harbor.

Where to Eat During Your Staten Island Trip

Enoteca Maria (27 Hyatt St) has earned Bib Gourmand recognition. Each night, a different “nonna” from countries like Italy, Argentina, Palestine, or Sri Lanka runs the kitchen, bringing family recipes passed down through generations.

Lakruwana Restaurant (668 Bay St) serves Sri Lankan cuisine and appeared in Michelin’s 2022 guide for Staten Island.

Patrizia’s Of Staten Island (4255 Amboy Rd) has a spacious dining area that accommodates larger groups, with family-style menus and wood-fired pizzas.

What to Consider When Planning Your Day Trip

The borough holds surprises that most NYC visitors never see. Quiet beaches, world-class international restaurants, parks where you can hike for hours, and historical sites that predate the American Revolution.

But accessing these places requires thinking through your transportation before you board the ferry at Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan.

Sprinter Vans vs Minibuses for Group Travel

Consider your group size, the number of stops you want to make, and how much time you have.

Sprinter vans accommodate 10-14 passengers with luggage. Minibuses handle larger groups up to 24 people.

Both provide flexibility to adjust your route if someone wants to spend extra time at the zoo or grab a second slice at Joe & Pat’s.

Making Staten Island Accessible for Your Group

The Staten Island Ferry offers an iconic New York experience and delivers you to the doorstep of the city’s most overlooked borough. But to truly experience the “Borough of Parks,” you need a transportation plan that goes beyond the ferry.

The Chinese Scholar’s Garden, Historic Richmond Town, Denino’s Pizza, and the South Shore beaches don’t connect by subway or convenient bus routes. For groups, that means choosing between a limited itinerary within walking distance of St. George Terminal or arranging transportation that unlocks the entire island.

Going beyond the ferry with a planned transportation strategy is the difference between a rushed, frustrating afternoon and a memorable adventure.