Staten Island

Staten Island is New York City's westernmost borough and the only borough without a subway line to it; better yet, you can take the Staten Island Ferry from Manhattan to Staten Island for free while taking in stunning skyline views of the Big Apple. The journey to Staten Island is only one of many attractions that this island borough offers. Staten Island is less famously called the "Borough of Parks," since one-third of its landmass is protected parkland; there are 170 parks on the island. The hectic atmosphere of Manhattan is left behind here, with miles of beachfronts, hiking trails, and bike paths, a getaway from the concrete jungle. Staten Island is the least populated and the wealthiest of all the boroughs. It's so dissimilar from the rest of the city that the residents of Staten Island actually voted to secede from New York City in 1993. But since the ferry became free for travelers in 1997, Staten Island is more accessible for tourists to visit. History buffs will enjoy Historic Richmond, New York City's only living history and museum complex dating back to the seventeenth century, along with the Conference House Museum, the site of an unsuccessful peace talk between the British and the Continental Congress in 1776. St. George's Theatre is the cultural arts center of Staten Island, where the likes of Tony Bennett, Don McLean, and the Jonas Brothers have performed. Forget the nickname "forgotten borough." Go off the New York City beaten path and take a ferry ride to Staten Island. Here at NY2C, we promise to make your next visit to the "forgotten borough," unforgettable.