Staten Island, New York, United States
Throughout the seasons there are many outdoor activities that appeal to everyone including: free concerts, fireworks, and beachside amusement parks. Ocean Breeze fishing pier, one of the largest in the city, is one of the many attractions available. Just one of the few reasons why Midland & South Beach are one of Staten Island’s most popular locations.
South Beach visitors can admire a fountain with six bronze dolphins that illuminate the night. Midland Beach visitors can enjoy the sea turtle fountain (kid friendly) which children can run through. Midland beach also contains a veterans memorial honoring those who served and passed away in World War I, World War II, and the Korean & Vietnam Wars. All in which there is free parking available for those visiting the beaches. The boardwalk starts from Fort Wadsworth, connecting to Midland beach, and ends at the soccer field. Alongside this path you can also come across parks, baseball fields, handball courts, skateparks, chess tables, and a bocce court. The Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex is known for its track events and the multitude of people that come to participate in this complex. Various national records have been set in this facility along with many athletes trained in this facility have also attended the Olympics.
Historic Richmond Town is an authentic museum that depicts the rural life of the city in the past. There are many events hosted throughout the different seasonal times of the year. Alice Austen House Museum is one of NYC’s oldest homes. Displaying historical photography of the island and documenting the life and nature from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Fort Wadsworth, contains a network of tunnels, fortresses, and passageways which would be used during the Civil War as barracks. Exploring this historic landmark cannot only be educational but it can also be scenic when enjoying the view of the New York Harbor, Manhattan skyline and Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. The Staten Island Mall and the Empire Outlets have a variety of stores to explore and shop from. The Staten Island Mall also has other shops that are not limited by clothing but also include Dave & Busters, Barnes & Noble, AMC Theater, etc.
If you are craving a snack there are seasonal concession stands that offer typical beach fare such as ice cream, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken fingers, and french fries. Another option is South Fin Grill, which is a restaurant right off the boardwalk that features raw seafood. At night the scenery changes into an indoor lounge and an outdoor patio with a neon-lit spot that offers live entertainment, music, and refreshments. Joe & John Toto’s Restaurant & Bar is a family-owned joint venture that offers seafood as well. Basilio Inn, is one of Staten Island’s oldest restaurants datin from 1921, it resembles a rustic villa in an Italian hillside town. Evidently the restaurant’s motto is “Experience la dolce vita” with authentic Italian cuisine.
