קראו את המדריך בעברית · Read in Hebrew
STATEN ISLAND · SHOPPING AND A HARBOR RIDE
Manhattan slips behind the ferry, the harbor opens up, and for once the journey costs less than the coffee you might have bought before boarding. At the other end, Empire Outlets adds a little shopping to the view. That is its best argument: a couple of stores, a waterfront pause and a ferry ride you may already have wanted to take.
At a glance: Empire Outlets is an outdoor shopping center at 55 Richmond Terrace, beside Staten Island’s St. George ferry terminal. Allow one to two hours in the shops, or roughly three to four hours for the outing from Lower Manhattan. The Staten Island Ferry is free; your purchases are up to you.
_022.jpg){kind=link}
Think of this as a short shopping stop with a very good approach by water. For a full day chasing a long list of brands, compare Woodbury Common. In persistent rain, the indoor layout of Jersey Gardens makes a more comfortable alternative.
Pick two stores before you board
There is a particular kind of shopping disappointment that begins with “There must be something here.” Avoid it by choosing two stores you actually want to visit. The current directory includes familiar names for sneakers, denim and everyday clothes, but this is not the same proposition as a sprawling outlet village.
| What you are looking for | Stores in the official directory |
|---|---|
| Sportswear and sneakers | Nike Factory Store |
| Denim and everyday clothing | Levi’s Outlet, Old Navy Outlet and Gap Factory |
| A smarter outfit or a brand browse | Banana Republic Factory and Guess Factory |
| More clothing and shoe choices | H&M, U.S. Polo Assn., Mandee Factory, Rainbow and ShoeBox |
These names were listed in the official directory when checked; not every shop is necessarily an outlet store. Use the center map to keep your route short. The directory includes dining and other businesses too, so its total should not be mistaken for the number of fashion outlets.
A discount is useful only if the item is right. Compare the actual model and final price, and ask about returns before paying. Finding nothing in your size need not spoil the outing: the harbor is still there, and it has no minimum spend.
The ferry is part of the pleasure
Take the Staten Island Ferry from Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan to St. George. This is the free city service; NYC Ferry is a separate, paid operation. At St. George, turn right and follow the North Shore Esplanade signs. The center describes the walk as less than five minutes.
The city lists departures every 30 minutes outside weekday rush hours, with more frequent peak service. Leave room for boarding and the return wait instead of treating the departure you hope to catch as a reservation. Our Staten Island Ferry guide covers boarding and views; the official NYC311 information links the operating schedule.
| Address | 55 Richmond Terrace, St. George, Staten Island, NY 10301. |
|---|---|
| Listed center hours | Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Individual stores and holiday dates can differ. |
| Our suggested visit | One to two hours shopping; three to four hours for a relaxed ferry-and-shopping outing from Lower Manhattan. Add travel from your hotel. |
| Layout | Indoor stores connected by outdoor areas across several levels. |
| Getting there by car | A garage is underneath the center, entered at Wall Street and Richmond Terrace. Parking is a separate expense. |
Open Empire Outlets in Google Maps. Google’s weekly hours matched the center’s displayed October 5–11 schedule when rechecked October 13. Use the visitor page for later notices and the garage operator for current parking quotes.
Google identifies a wheelchair-accessible entrance. That does not settle every route between levels or the availability of lifts on your day; use the center map and ask the operator about the specific store route you need. With a stroller, fewer shop changes can make the visit considerably easier.
What visitors like—and where expectations go wrong
3.9 / 5 · CenterNYC audience blend
Google: 4.0/5 from 2,268 reviews · Tripadvisor: 3.5/5 from 139 reviews. Checked October 13, 2026.
How this score works
We weight each platform by the square root of its review count, giving the larger sample more influence without letting it completely overwhelm the other source. Both exceed 50 reviews. The result is rounded to one decimal; no personal or recent-review bonus is added.
The Google comments we read illustrate the trade-off well. A review displayed as three months old liked the chance to relax after the ferry; another, shown as a month old, enjoyed the ferry and views but found the shop selection limited. That is useful guidance for planning: arrive for a pleasant extension to the boat ride, rather than assuming the shops will fill an entire day.
The lower Tripadvisor score is another reason to keep expectations measured. These are ratings of the overall destination, not a guarantee about a particular store’s stock or today’s deals.
A visit that leaves room for the view
For a focused hour: go to the two stores you chose, try on what interests you, then spend the remaining time by the waterfront. A successful stop might mean one useful purchase rather than four bags.
For two hours: add another clothing stop and a proper seated break. Keep the return ferry in the plan. If your group includes someone who is not interested in shopping, agree on a meeting point and time instead of expecting them to provide enthusiastic commentary on every pair of jeans.
For a broader day, keep your Manhattan sightseeing in the south of the island: our Financial District walking guide is a more natural companion than racing back uptown between timed bookings. A Broadway curtain time later that evening needs a generous return margin.
Budget for what you will actually buy
The ferry does not require a ticket purchase. Shopping, food, travel to Whitehall and any car parking remain separate. As a simple planning example, two people setting aside $75 each have a $150 shopping allowance before any applicable checkout tax, food or other transport. This is a spending cap you choose, not a claim about average prices.
If you are comparing outlet destinations, factor in the trip as well as the basket. A bigger selection farther away may be worth a dedicated day; a small purchase here can make sense precisely because you already wanted the ferry ride. Browse our shopping and outlet guides before committing your only free afternoon.
Look up from the bags
The waterfront gives you a chance to photograph Lower Manhattan across the harbor. Include some water in the frame instead of zooming so far that the skyline loses its setting. Clear weather helps with detail; softer light later in the day can be more forgiving than a bright midday sky. Keep walkways clear while stopping.
Watch the Empire Outlets walking video on YouTube for an impression of the layout. Store signs in older footage are not a current directory.
Kosher food and Shabbat planning
No certified kosher restaurant inside this center has been verified for this guide. Eat beforehand or bring suitable food; a familiar chain name does not establish the certification of its branch. Our kosher restaurant guides can help you plan a separate meal.
For Shabbat-observant shopping, choose Sunday through Thursday outside Jewish holidays. Friday afternoon leaves too little room for a delayed return and preparations at your accommodation.
Frequently asked questions
Is Empire Outlets the same as Staten Island Mall?
No. Empire Outlets is beside St. George ferry terminal at 55 Richmond Terrace. Use the full name and address when navigating.
Do I need to pay for the ferry?
The city’s Staten Island Ferry between Whitehall and St. George is free. NYC Ferry is a different service with its own fares.
Is it a good rainy-day shopping center?
The shops are indoors, but you move between them outdoors. An enclosed mall is more comfortable during prolonged rain.
Is it worth a whole shopping day?
We would plan a one- or two-hour stop alongside the ferry trip. For a larger brand selection, compare the other outlet guides first.
Researched by CenterNYC Editorial from the official directory, visitor and transport pages, NYC311 and the linked audience listings on October 13, 2026. Visit durations, spending examples and photo suggestions are editorial guidance; no personal visit is claimed.