New Dorp Beach - Staten Island, NY

Like much of New York, Native Americans (primarily members of the Lenape tribe) lived in the New Dorp Beach area for many years prior to European settlement. The English expanded the Dutch settlements in 1671 at “Oude Dorp” (Old Village), and more residents came to the area as it became a center of the American Revolution.

Though residents don’t find museums in New Dorp, a few cultural centers exist in other regions of Staten Island. The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art displays galleries and ritual Tibetan and Himalayan art atop Lighthouse Hill. The Garibaldi-Meucci Memorial Museum shows off a centuries-old Gothic Revival home in Rosebank.

New Dorp Beach lacks art galleries, but hosts a few art supply shops, including Frank’s Nursery & Crafts. Locals attend a number of events in Staten Island, such as holiday concerts, museum programs and even meditation classes at the Museum of Tibetan Art.

Staten Island locals who live in New Dorp Beach can find a few hangout places in their own neighborhood, but most of the high-quality eateries lie in New Dorp itself. All the diversity in the area lends to a variety of restaurants serving authentic ethnic food. While New Dorp Beach locals have the chance to drink near their own homes, they also go out to other bars and clubs in Midland Beach, Oakwood and surrounding areas.

One of the larger ethnic groups in New Dorp, Italian-Americans, has made its place with a few zesty Italian eateries. One of the most popular restaurants, Pizzeria Giove, draws in many New Yorkers who want to try its fresh and authentic Italian pizzas. All newcomers must order the Variopinta, an award-winning white specialty pizza with stracciatella, pancetta, zucchini, extra virgin olive oil and cheese. Many options on the red specialty menu and white specialty menu keep customers coming back to Pizzeria Giove again and again.

For Indian flair, visit Taste of India II. Admire the nice decor, and then dig in to the chicken tikka masala and vegetable samosas, paired with naan and pouri breads. The vegetable Malai Kofta entrée fills up vegetarians and vegetable fans, and the weekend buffet lunch specials serve up tons of food for an affordable price.

Sandwich and breakfast fans in New Dorp Beach appreciate Harvest Cafe for its pretzel-crusted chicken sandwich and grilled turkey options. Get a heap of fries with your lunch meal, or arrive for breakfast and try the harvest omelettes. The Chef's Benedict - two poached eggs and crab cakes served on a toasted biscuit - sets itself apart as one of the many morning delights.

New Dorp Beach's local sports bar, Griff's Place, serves French onion soup and Buffalo wings, along with steaks and a wide beer selection. If you want to catch a Giants or Jets game, head to this popular sports bar. Grant City Tavern in Grant City keeps its regular customers close with generous drinks.

For awesome nightclubs, New Dorp Beach locals need to head out of the neighborhood to the other parts of Staten Island. Go to Club 632 Bar and Nightclub or Above Rooftop to practice dancing skills. Catch live music at the Full Cup coffee house and Tapas Restaurant & Bar.

Unlike the denser parts of New York City, New Dorp Beach proves not to be as walkable as some other areas of Staten Island. However, residents can walk to Hylan Plaza to do some shopping. Overall, locals like to walk, but many drive as well to get to other parts of the borough.

New York City provides two MTA bus lines to New Dorp Beach, routes S76 and S78. Locals who prefer to get around Staten Island on public transit find the bus lines to be suitable. The Staten Island Railway also runs through New Dorp. Residents catch the various cabs tooling about Staten Island, and the ridesharing service Uber provides rides throughout the island. Travelers can get to Interstate 278 to drive into Manhattan after passing through Dongan Hills and Arrochar, but most locals prefer taking the subway.

The flatness of New Dorp Beach allows for some bike riding, but the area affords minimal infrastructure and not many bike lanes. Locals can park in New Dorp Beach fairly easily, but may find more problems when traveling to New Dorp or parking elsewhere in Staten Island.

New Dorp Beach’s local park, Miller Field, a former Army Air Corps base, functions as a recreational field for people of all ages. Play cricket, soccer, baseball and softball, or enjoy the playground and bocce ball courts. Have a picnic with your children, and let them run wild. Bring your dog along, as long as you keep him on-leash at all times. The free park supports 80 leagues and 2,000 sports teams that use the field for annual games.

The Swamp White Oak Forest, a haven for bird-watchers, gives New Dorp Beach locals a chance to relax and view nature from a normally bustling city. Make sure to hike the trails to see birds such as redstart warblers.

Residents go to High Rock Park in Staten Island’s center for regular activities. Take a fitness walk to get better at hiking and powerwalking, or join a group on a nature hike to Moses Mountain. The large High Rock Park provides many options for fitness and community-gathering social events.

Living in Staten Island costs more than the national average, but Staten Island’s average may be less than neighborhoods in the other boroughs. A one-way ticket on buses and subways with the MTA costs $2.50, though regular commuters pay upwards of $100 for month-long passes.

Expect to pay about $1,000 a month for a typical one-bedroom apartment on Staten Island. The average price of gas in the neighborhood costs about 16 percent higher than the national average, and a New Dorp Beach resident can anticipate paying about $4.50 for a general glass of beer at a pub.

The nearest shopping center for New Dorp Beach residents, Hylan Plaza, requires only a few minutes of walking or driving. Shoppers can pass by K-Mart for basic items, or go through GameStop for specialized electronics and games. Those who need a variety of clothes-shopping options head to Staten Island Mall in Heartland Village, where travelers can go through Macy’s and Gap. Head to New York & Company or Steve Madden for higher-end, specialty stores.

Stay in New Dorp to shop for baby clothes and gifts at Peek A Boo Children’s Boutique. Kids love the brightly colored clothes and shoes. If you need an outfit for your child’s photo opportunity, make sure to pass by this boutique. JHU Comic Books in Oakwood displays an impressive array of classic and new comic books, art books and toys.

Locals consider ShopRite and Pathmark of New Dorp to be the largest budget grocery spots near the neighborhood. The Dollar Tree store in Hylan Plaza also provides some affordable shopping options. Novelli’s Pork Store, near Richmond Town, sells potato croquettes, stuffed breaded mushrooms and other specialty foods. Family Fruit Farmers Market, an indoor market, serves the Grant City area and displays a large selection of fresh fruit, vegetables and Italian prepared foods.