Staten Island is New York City's most suburban and least-visited borough, connected to Manhattan not by subway but by the free Staten Island Ferry — genuinely one of the best free things to do in the city. The ferry departs Manhattan from Whitehall Terminal near Battery Park and runs to St. George Terminal on Staten Island, a roughly 25-minute crossing that passes directly by the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, giving unobstructed skyline and harbor views with no ticket or reservation. It runs frequently — as often as every 15–20 minutes at weekday rush hours and roughly every 30 minutes on weekends, essentially around the clock.
Beyond the ferry ride itself, the borough's character is quieter and more residential than the rest of NYC, with far fewer tourists. The Staten Island Zoo (614 Broadway) is a modest but notable attraction, particularly known for its reptile collection; admission runs around $12 for adults, with free admission Wednesdays after 2pm. Most visitors treat Staten Island as a round-trip ferry excursion for the view and skip disembarking, though the zoo, the Staten Island Museum, and Historic Richmond Town are options for those with more time.