Discover the Charm: Top 13 Unbelievable Fun Facts About Staten Island You Can't-Miss

1. Oyster Farming Boom

Once upon a time, Staten Island was the pearl of New York City’s eye, and its oysters proudly ruled the seafood kingdom like the scrumptious, briny bourgeoisie they were: This fun fact stems from the late 19th and early 20th centuries when the island's oyster farming industry thrived, employing nearly a thousand shell-shucking gents, only to meet a tragic decline due to over-dredging and pollution from industrialization, leaving said bourgeoisie to live on in the menu of the Grand Central Oyster Bar.
Source => gothamcenter.org

2. Fresh Kills: From Landfill to Park

Once the supreme king of trash heaps with a crown of garbage, Fresh Kills has now abdicated its title to become a royal park with flowing green capes: Spanning 2,200 acres on Staten Island's west shore, the former-largest landfill in the world has transformed into an ecological haven, with four green hills and an environment thrice the size of Central Park. As a multi-stage project, North Park will open its gates in spring 2021, with the rest blossoming by 2036.
Source => nytimes.com

Did you know NYC has about 4 million pigeons with incredible homing and distance-trekking skills? But beware, they might also carry diseases! Discover more fun facts about the Big Apple.

=> Fun Facts about New-York

3. Staten Island Mall: Retail Therapy

If there were a retail therapy Olympics, Staten Island Mall might not be in the running for gold, but it sure could give some stiff competition on its way to a solid bronze: The shopping haven is the third largest mall in the entire state of New York, boasting 1,258,042 square feet of retail space with over 200 stores and anchors like Macy's, JCPenney, and Primark flexing their retail muscle.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Free Ferry: Sightseeing for All

Ahoy there, frugal seafarers and skyline sightseers! Get ready to embark on a gratis journey through New York Harbor – waving hands at Lady Liberty and pitching pennies to Ellis Island gulls: The Staten Island Ferry is not only the busiest ferry route in the United States, carrying over 13 million passengers annually, but it's also the world's busiest passenger-only ferry system. This totally free 5.2-mile (8.4 km) aquatic commute treats riders to stunning views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Manhattan skyline, making it a fun and affordable connection between Staten Island and Manhattan.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

5. Staten Island Zoo: Snakebite Saviors

If you ever find yourself in a "hiss-terious" situation on Staten Island, fear not, for the local zoo is on standby with the ultimate snakebite remedy: The Staten Island Zoo maintains a diverse collection of over 22 rattlesnake species and a stockpile of snake-venom antidotes worth over $1,000 per vial, ensuring preparedness in the unlikely event of a snakebite while continuing to expand their slithery entourage.
Source => nydailynews.com

6. Snug Harbor: Sailors' Haven to Cultural Hub

Ahoy, landlubbers! What do you get when you cross an old sailors' retirement home with a modern cultural haven? Why, a Snug Harbor, of course: This Staten Island gem was once the poshest retirement home for seafaring folk in the 19th century and has since transformed into a sprawling, Smithsonian-affiliated cultural center with fourteen gorgeous botanical gardens and stunning architecture, providing dynamic educational and artistic experiences for people of all ages.
Source => snug-harbor.org

7. St. George Theatre: History and Performances

Once upon a Roaring Twenties night, a luxurious movie palace secretly transformed into a cultural chameleon and a stage for legendary music royalty, all while keeping the lavish spirit alive: The St. George Theatre in Staten Island, built in 1929 and now a prominent cultural and performing arts center in New York City, has housed performances by Tony Bennett, Diana Ross, Ringo Starr, and even dabbled in virtual programming during the pandemic, hosting its 17th annual Christmas Show online.
Source => statenisland.shopwhereilive.com

8. Ward's Point: Southernmost Skeletons

Heard of a southern belle? How about a southern, skeletal belle: Staten Island's Ward's Point holds the title as the southernmost point in New York State and a treasure trove of prehistoric remains, making it a premier archaeological site and national historic district for peeking into Native American life in the area.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. JFK Ferry: Floating Entertainment

Ever had a boatload of fun and wished it were literal? Well, look no further than Staten Island: Colin Jost and his investors have acquired a retired Staten Island ferry named after John F. Kennedy, with plans to transform it into a floating entertainment venue. They've docked the 277-foot, 2,100-ton behemoth at a shipyard on Staten Island, not far from where Jost once hopped on the ferry for his daily commute to Regis High School in Manhattan.
Source => nytimes.com

10. Happyland Park: Beachside Amusements

Before Netflix and chill, it was vaudeville and sandcastles: South Beach on Staten Island in the early 1900s was home to Happyland Park, where you could catch remarkable performances like Bolossy Kiralfy's "Carnival in Venice" featuring 500 performers in a $50,000 auditorium, ride scenic railways, and even frolic in Japanese tea gardens. Alas, the fun had to end, and Happyland Park closed in the mid-1930s.
Source => statenisland.pastperfectonline.com

11. Italian Influence: Godfather's Borough

If the Godfather had a favorite borough, it'd probably be the one where you can find a cannoli around every corner and construction companies are practically family-owned: Staten Island boasts a large population of Italian Americans, particularly in zip codes 10306, 10312, and 10314, where they greatly influence the area's cuisine, economy, and higher average incomes and house values.
Source => macaulay.cuny.edu

12. Bikeless Staten: Pedal-less Islanders

In a twist of fate that leaves folks pedaling in circles, Staten Island has been left spinning its wheels in search of a trusty steed: The borough still lacks a bike share program due to UK-based company Beryl's departure, citing pandemic-related logistical challenges, leaving Staten Islanders without this essential transportation option available to their fellow New Yorkers.
Source => silive.com

13. Revolutionary History: British Tea Party

Picture the British sipping tea and discussing world domination, while America was busy being "Revolutionary": Staten Island served as a crucial base for British occupation during the American Revolution, with the unsuccessful Billop Manor peace conference taking place there; the house is now a museum and national historic landmark.
Source => en.wikipedia.org