Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City on a Budget on Staten Island
Top Things to Do in New York City on a Budget on Staten Island
1. Staten Island Ferry
Sail past the Statue of Liberty and the Lower Manhattan skyline on this iconic, always-free commuter ferry linking Manhattan and Staten Island. The ride is 25 minutes each way, with wide outdoor decks and big indoor windows that make photos effortless.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the best free harbor cruise in New York City—costs nothing and delivers postcard views day or night.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Sunset and after-dark rides for glowing skyline views; early mornings on weekdays for fewer crowds.
✓ Insider Tip:
Stand on the starboard side leaving Staten Island and port side leaving Manhattan for the best Statue of Liberty angles.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers call it a “can’t-miss freebie,” praising smooth rides, clean terminals, and unforgettable skyline photos.
2. Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
A 19th-century sailors’ retirement campus turned arts hub, Snug Harbor offers leafy gardens, historic architecture, and rotating outdoor art. The grounds are free to wander, with plenty of shady benches and photo-ready vistas.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a serene, low-cost escape mixing culture and nature—perfect for picnics and budget-friendly exploration.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late spring through early fall for blooming gardens; crisp fall weekends for foliage and light crowds.
✓ Insider Tip:
Head to the Tuscan Garden and Linden Esplanade for quiet corners; check onsite boards for free outdoor events.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors love the peaceful vibe and “hidden gem” feel, noting beautiful landscaping and historic charm without Midtown prices.
3. Fort Wadsworth
One of the oldest military sites in the nation, this waterfront fort anchors jaw-dropping views of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and New York Harbor. Explore ramparts, batteries, and green overlooks for free.
✓ Why Go:
History meets scenery—no ticket needed for sweeping bridge panoramas and mellow picnicking lawns.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Clear afternoons for dramatic bridge shots; early mornings on weekends to feel like you have the overlooks to yourself.
✓ Insider Tip:
Walk up to Battery Weed’s waterfront edge for unique angles of ships passing under the Verrazzano.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Reviewers gush about spectacular views and quiet paths, calling it a “photographer’s paradise” that’s easy on the wallet.
4. Alice Austen House
The former home of pioneering photographer Alice Austen sits on a bluff with sweeping harbor views and a spacious lawn. The grounds are free to enjoy; the tiny museum inside has modest admission when open.
✓ Why Go:
A budget-friendly blend of waterfront relaxation and NYC art history, ideal for picnics and skyline gazing.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Golden hour for luminous harbor light; spring and summer for relaxing on the lawn.
✓ Insider Tip:
Bring a simple picnic and a camera—frames of the skyline echo Austen’s own love of candid city life.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests praise the tranquil setting, intimate scale, and inspiring backstory of a trailblazing NYC artist.
5. South Beach & Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk
Miles of breezy boardwalk, soft sand, and open views of the Verrazzano make this Staten Island shoreline a classic, no-cost day out. Expect volleyball courts, fishing spots, and ample room to roam.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a free beach-and-boardwalk experience with big-sky harbor scenery minus the Coney Island crowds.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Summer mornings for quiet strolls; shoulder seasons (May–June, Sept) for pleasant temps and easy parking.
✓ Insider Tip:
Walk north toward the Ocean Breeze fishing pier for wide-angle bridge photos and fewer people.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors appreciate the clean promenade, breezy ambiance, and budget-friendly family time.
6. Staten Island Greenbelt Nature Center
Gateway to 2,800 forested acres and dozens of free hiking trails, the Greenbelt brings a Catskills vibe to the city. The Nature Center offers exhibits, wayfinding, and trailheads steps away.
✓ Why Go:
It’s NYC’s most affordable reset—lush woods, birdlife, and quiet loops that feel far from the city.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Spring for wildflowers; fall for foliage; winter for crisp, uncrowded walks.
✓ Insider Tip:
Try the White Trail from the Nature Center for an easy, scenic loop with varied terrain and pond views.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Hikers rave about well-marked paths and peaceful forests, calling it a “surprising wilderness” within NYC.
7. Clove Lakes Park
A local favorite of lakes, stone bridges, and towering tulip trees, Clove Lakes offers rentable rowboats in season, playgrounds, and gentle walking paths—most enjoyment here is entirely free.
✓ Why Go:
It’s an easy, low-cost nature fix with photogenic water views and plenty of shade.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late afternoon for golden light on the lake; weekends for lively park energy.
✓ Insider Tip:
Follow the path over the rustic bridges for the park’s most charming perspectives and bird sightings.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Families and walkers praise the calm vibes, leafy scenery, and convenient central location on Staten Island.
8. Conference House Park
At Staten Island’s southern tip, meadows and shoreline paths surround the 18th-century Conference House, where a 1776 peace meeting took place. The park is free, with sweeping views of Raritan Bay.
✓ Why Go:
History-rich scenery without the ticket price—perfect for breezy waterfront walks and picnics.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late afternoon for bay breezes; autumn for migratory bird activity along the shoreline.
✓ Insider Tip:
Walk the paved waterfront path to catch sunset over the bay; bring binoculars for ospreys and herons.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors highlight the quiet, open feel and say the sunset vistas are worth the trip to the island’s edge.
9. Empire Outlets
New York City’s only outlet mall sits right next to the ferry terminal, offering open-air terraces with skyline views. Window-shop, snack on budget bites, and enjoy the harbor without spending much.
✓ Why Go:
Free to enter and fun to browse, with bonus rooftop views that feel like a mini observation deck.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday late mornings for the quietest experience; evenings for twinkling skyline backdrops.
✓ Insider Tip:
Head to the upper-level terrace for the best free harbor views—great spot to relax post-ferry.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Shoppers like the waterfront setting and easy access from the ferry, noting pleasant public spaces even between stores.
10. Postcards (Staten Island September 11 Memorial)
Two wing-like sculptures frame poignant silhouettes of Staten Islanders lost on 9/11, set on a waterfront promenade with commanding views of Lower Manhattan.
✓ Why Go:
A solemn, reflective stop that’s free and architecturally striking—combining remembrance with skyline perspectives.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Dusk or night for a contemplative atmosphere and city lights; quiet weekday mornings for solitude.
✓ Insider Tip:
Pair this stop with a stroll along the North Shore esplanade toward the ferry for continuous harbor views.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests describe it as moving and beautifully designed, appreciating the peaceful setting and powerful symbolism.
