If you're unfamiliar with the borough, you're about to get real hype. I mean not as hype as say, I don't know, if Barack Obama emerged from a cupboard right now and offered to pay your student loans. But you get the idea.
Staten Island is often called "the forgotten borough" by people that live there who feel a lil' neglected by the city government. But don't worry SI, there are a ton of reasons why we want to visit you this month!
We got chu' fam.
1. Basic Fall S**t
All my basics say, "HEY OHHHHH!" It's that time of year, y'all, and if you're not getting amped about all the fall activities you get to indulge in this month then we're not sure we can be friends. Maybe we can still be friends. But we're going to be having exponentially more fun than you.
First on my Staten Island bucket list? Pumpkin Picking at Decker Farms, obvi.
This place is so great. Settled in an early 1800's historic farm, you can tour the grounds, creep around a corn maze, snag a hayride, and get your face painted all before dinner time. And pick out the perfect pumpkin, of course. Tickets are cheap AF ($6 or family of four for $20) and the farm is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays rain or shine.
Discovery Day at Freshkills Park
If you're jonesin' for the perfect day hike to get yourself fall insta-ready, we couldn't have picked a better unique landscape for yuh!
Freshkills Park is offering a free day on Sunday, Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and get a load of this: it's amazing. Enjoy guided tours, rent a bike down five miles of beautiful paths, and show off your newly discovered kite flying skills to all your buds.
At 2,200 acres, Freshkills is nearly three, count em' three, times the size of Central Park and has been the largest park in NYC for 100 years. Take that, other parks.
Kayseeyoutherecoolbye.
2. Pay it Forward
And just when you thought the island of Staten couldn't get any cooler...
Yes, friends. That is indeed a dog in (what we think is) a pinata outfit smiling from ear to ear because he knows you're a lil' tipsy and losing your s**t about all these costume-clad puppers.
On Sunday, Oct. 15 from 12-6 p.m. come hang with Fur Friends in Need and Lilo's Promise Animal Rescue to have a beer (or two, or three) in the name of benefiting animals!
Although tickets to participate are currently closed, this is an amazing event to attend once you've finished donating to the dogs. To kick off Dyslexia Awareness Month, come check out NYC's only Dyslexia Walk and show your support for thousands of students who struggle to read and learn.
The walk takes place on Sunday, Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wolfe's Pond Park. Bring your blankets and chairs and visit the Wishes of Literacy donation tent!
Allyship 201: Recognizing Systems of Oppression and Intersectionality
Join Move Forward Staten Island for the second in a series of Understanding Allyship workshops on Sunday, Oct. 15 from 12:45- 4 p.m.
You don't need to have attended the first workshop and tickets range from $5 to $15 (your choice) or you can choose your own amount to donate. The workshop will be led by Robert King Kee, Coordinator of Student Leadership Development for the College of Staten Island and all-around great human.
The workshop will focus on systems of oppression that marginalize diverse race, class, gender, ability, sexual orientation, and privileged communities and how to empower those communities as a victim or an ally.
You don't want to miss this.
3. Get Tipsy
What better way to celebrate fall than to drink awesome German brews to your heart's content? We can't think of any! So get your cute lil' kneehigh boots down to Nurnberger Bierhalle for 11 unique German biers (ooo, so fancy!) on tap and over 60 bottled selections including some organic and gluten-free picks.
The party starts October 1st with $5 Drafts from 3-5 p.m. followed by Jagermeister promos with the Jager Girls from 5-7 p.m.
Alright, so we don't know who these women are but we're about to become their best friends.
Beer and Bubbly Oyster Festival
Go big or go back to Manhattan! Wait...just kidding, stay! We've got a beer and bubbly party! Plus an Oyster festival!
On Oct. 12 from 7-10 p.m. get your bibs ready for yummy oyster sampling, unlimited beer and bubbly (um, yes), and a buffet table for the history books! Tickets are $69, with portions of the proceeds going to the Museum of Maritime Navigation and Communication.
Pass the oyster spoons! Yes, we're classy! We are eating our oysters with spoons in Staten Island!
4. Stuff For Your Tummy
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If you don't want to miss any cultural or foodie events, guess what, you don't have to! Get yourself down to The Mount for Staten Island's Largest Columbus Day Celebration in History!
On Oct. 6 starting at 6 p.m. for $5 lil' dolla bills, enjoy prime food vendors, rides, live music by Louis Prima Jr, and a special guest appearance by Giglio Band.
Oh, and you've heard of cannoli's, right? Yeah, what else do you need? Get. Here. Now.
Pizza Party/ Podcast Recording
If you're looking for a chill, unique event this month in Staten Island, give Super Live Adventures a try. Every week hosts John Szeluga (Impractical Jokers) and Chris Sorrentino (Wahoo Skiffle Crazies) tell stories, crack open some beverages, and interview a special guest of their choosing.
On Sept. 25 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. catch musician Sean Kuhl as the special guest and get yourself a slice of pizza while you're at it.
5. Halloween Fun
The Ocean Breeze Haunted Trails
Who says you can't start booking your calendar over a month in advance for a spooky trail walk in Staten? WHO. Literally no one.
The best part of this haunted jaunt is that it's a half mile and suggests wearing "rubber-soled sneakers for a quick getaway!" Now, I don't know about you, but I'll be wearing my tracksuit for this event cuz' I ain't messin' with no clowns, yuh hear?!
Your spooky sprint starts Saturday, Oct. 28 at 8 p.m. at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex. No masks or face paint, friends. They will turn you away!
Before you head out of Staten Island, make sure you smash the living daylights out of that rotting pumpkin, yo'! For a suggested donation of $5 join the NYC Compost Project for music, food, bouncey castles, and of course, a good ol' pumpkin-smashing fun time!
Make sure to bring left-over candy as well (we know you don't want to gain that Halloween 15) and donate it to our troops!
Sweet! Literally!
Well, folks. There you have it. Now, what are you waiting for! Get on that ferry gurl!
[Feature Image Courtesy Instagram]