Staten Island is one of the five boroughs of New York City, so it’s home to plenty of interesting locations. This two-day itinerary will give you some great ideas for how to spend your time in this particular slice of the Big Apple.
Instead of staying in a hotel, you might want to consider renting an RV during your time in the Staten Island area. Camping in an RV will give you the flexibility to drive to and camp in a large range of places. Multiple different RVs are available nearby, so you’ll be able to pick the ideal camper for your trip.
Search RV rentals in the Staten Island, NY area.
Preparing for Your Staten Island RV Trip
If you’re looking to rent an RV near Staten Island, NY, then you’ll have plenty of options from which to choose. You could rent a large Class A motorhome, a Class B campervan, or an economical Class C if you want to take a motorhome on your trip. Should you prefer to rent a towable camper, then you could rent a travel trailer instead. RVshare has a wide variety of campers available to rent, so you’ll have no problem finding the right RV.
RVshare offers a wealth of information on the RV rental process:
• Renting an RV with RVshare
• RV Parking Tips
• RV Rental Delivery
Finding the perfect campground near Staten Island generally means traveling a bit to locate a place to park your camper. One possible campground is Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, which is 20 miles east of Staten Island. Anglers love this campground due to its quality fishing, and campers with big rigs enjoy its spacious nature. Roughly 35 miles east of Floyd Bennett Field is Nickerson Beach Campground in Lido Beach, which has beachside camping, electrical hookups, and easy access to public transportation.
Find other campground options in our comprehensive list of top-rated campgrounds in Staten Island, NY
Day 1: Explore the Waterfront
Morning: Take a Ride on the Staten Island Ferry
At the northeastern tip of Staten Island is the St. George Terminal, which is home to those iconic orange ferries that carry tourists and locals alike across New York Harbor. Out in the harbor, you’ll get to see stunning views of lower Manhattan, Jersey City, Brooklyn, and the Statue of Liberty. Riding the ferries is free, so this is a budget-friendly vacation option.
Lunch: Take a Pizza Break
Less than a mile from the St. George Terminal is Pier 76, which is a great place to pick up some delicious New York pizza. They also sell soups and various appetizers if you want to eat some lighter fare.
Afternoon: Lighthouses and Memorials
Roughly half a mile from Pier 76 is the National Lighthouse Museum. This museum features educational exhibits about lighthouses in general as well as local ones. If you have time left over after touring the museum, you could travel a mile to visit the Staten Island September 11 Memorial along the North Shore Waterfront Esplanade.
Setting up Camp
If you’re ready to end your day of exploration, then you should head to your RV campground in the Staten Island, NY area. You should then check in with your campground host, park at your campsite, and hook up your RV. If you don’t want to do all of this work yourself, you might be able to avail yourself of the option to rent an RV that will be delivered to the site by its owner.
Dinner: Simple or Swank
If you’re tired from a day of exploring, then you might want to have a cookout at your campsite. If you’d prefer to dine in Staten Island, eat at Giuliana’s Ristorante, one of Staten Island’s top-rated restaurants. Tasty pasta, pizza, soup, salad, and more await at this local gem.
Day 2: Head Inland on the Island
Morning: Tour Historic Richmond
Staten Island’s Historic Richmond Town district is home to some lovely houses that date back to the Dutch Colonial period. If you visit at the right time, you’ll even get to see some historical reenactors bring history to life.
Lunch: Eat Tasty Peruvian Fare
One nice place to eat near Richmond is Inca’s Grill Peruvian Kitchen. This popular restaurant features traditional Peruvian cuisine, including many vegetarian dishes.
Afternoon: Take a Trip to the Zoo
The Staten Island Zoo packs a lot of action into its eight acres. When you visit, you’ll can see more than 1,100 animals, take a ride on the Conservation Carousel, and get a bite to eat at the Zoo Cafe.
Evening: Dine in or Eat at another local favorite
If your travels have left you wanting to get some rest, then you may want to go back to your RV and cook a simple meal in its kitchen area. If your camper doesn’t have a kitchen area or you want to dine out, then choose Denino’s Pizzeria & Tavern, which is known for its excellent pizza, Italian appetizers, and oven-baked hero sandwiches.
Day 3 and Beyond in Staten Island, NY
If spending two days in Staten Island isn’t long enough for your wants and you have more time, then you can explore several more attractions in the area.
• Fort Wadsworth is one of America’s oldest military installations, but it’s also a great place to hike and bike. To learn more about this fort’s history, you can stop by the Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center.
• The Alice Austen House Museum was once the home of trailblazing photographer Alice Austen, who photographed Victorian women, immigrants, and more. When you visit, you can see some of these photographs as well as historic rooms featuring relics from Austen’s life.
Seasonal Activities
Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach is a fantastic place to visit during the summer when you want to hit the beach. At this park, you can stroll along the boardwalk, launch your kayak or canoe, and go biking. Cedar Grove Beach is a newer beach, so it’s a fabulous place to go when you want to avoid the crowds in the summertime. Parking is free, and the beach is accessible to all.
Indoor Activities
Experience cultural activities indoors. The St. George Theatre is a Spanish and Italian Baroque theater that was constructed in 1929. Musical performances, comedy shows, and movie screenings are all common events you can see in modern times. The Staten Island Museum features exhibits about local history, art, and science. Both permanent and temporary exhibits are available, so you never know what you’re going to see when you visit.
Staten Island, NY, is full of many exciting attractions. Museums, iconic transportation, highly-rated restaurants and cafes, and more await you in this fascinating borough of New York City.
