Staten Island is the borough New Yorkers forget, which suits a lot of its residents fine. With about 475,000 people, it's the least crowded of the five and the most suburban.
The ferry is the headline, and it's free. The ride across the harbor gives you the Statue of Liberty and the Lower Manhattan skyline at no charge.
Inland, the Greenbelt covers some 2,800 acres of woods and trails, far more wilderness than people expect this close to the city. Snug Harbor and the Staten Island Zoo round out a quiet day out.
About 29% of Staten Island homes use fuel oil, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. That's the highest share of any borough, so comparing local quotes pays off.