Governors Island may be only 800 yards from Lower Manhattan and 400 yards from Brooklyn, but it feels worlds away. The 172-acre island, a former military base used in the Revolutionary War and War of 1812, serves as a recreation and event space, with sprawling lawns, art installations and paths perfect for bicycle rides. It’s open year-round, though some of the island’s offerings—like the Winter Village, urban farm and Island Oyster restaurant—are seasonal, so check the events page before heading out.
The island is a short ferry ride from Lower Manhattan or the Brooklyn waterfront: less than 10 minutes from Manhattan’s Battery Maritime Building (daily, year-round) or Red Hook’s Atlantic Basin or Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park (spring and summer weekends only). There are capacity restrictions on the ferries, so visitors are required to reserve tickets in advance. On weekends in the spring and summer, you can also reach the island by NYC Ferry service, which departs from Wall Street at Pier 11.
Upon arrival, you’ll find plenty of ways to explore the New York Harbor oasis—no matter your style or speed. Read on for a few of our favorite island activities; whichever you choose, make sure to familiarize yourself ahead of time with the island’s visitor guidelines.
Castle Williams. Photo: Julienne Schaer
1. Peek into the past.
Governors Island has around 50 abandoned buildings, including a theater, a hospital, a chapel and two former military forts. Castle Williams and Fort Jay are open to visitors on weekends from May to November, but during the off-season you can wander around their landmarked exteriors to get a sense of the island’s history.
Governors Island. Photo: Julienne Schaer
2. Enjoy the view.
The Hills section of Governors Island parkland rises 70 feet above sea level. Hike to the top of Outlook Hill for the best perspective: views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.
Photo: Timothy Schenck
3. Glide down NYC’s longest slide.
Kids and teens will want to head for The Hills not only to see those impressive views but also to sail down Slide Hill’s 57-foot eponymous attraction.
Courtesy, Governors Island
4. Sleep over in style.
Thanks to the decked-out tents courtesy of Collective Retreats, visitors can now glamp (glamorously camp, of course) on the island overnight.
Open Orchard. PhotoTimothy Schenck
5. Experience the art scene.
Public art installations, like Mark Handforth’s Yankee Hanger, are located all around the island. Others to check out include Rachel Whiteread’s Cabin on Discovery Hill, and Mark Dion’s The Field Station of the Melancholy Marine Biologist, on long-term view in Building 105; there are also works that are part of the natural landscape, like Sam Van Anken’s environmental project The Open Orchard. Note that the organizations in residence program also puts on exhibits in various buildings from spring to fall.
Photo: Kate Glicksberg
6. Pedal a quadracycle.
Bikes are great way to explore the island’s car-free paths; you can also rent a quadracycle for double the wheels and the fun, or even a six-person surrey for the whole gang.
Island Oyster. Courtesy, Governors Island
7. Enjoy drinks with a view.
Cocktails, oysters and waterfront views await during the summer season at Island Oyster, a sprawling tropical-themed drinking destination near the Soissons Landing ferry stop.
8. Opt for a food truck crawl.
Stroll over to Liggett Terrace to sample a wide array of food truck cuisine on weekends. Expect fried chicken at Tokyo Drumstick, Jamaican dishes from Fauzia's Heavenly Delights and other vendors serving Mexican fare, pizza and more. There's also an outlet of Threes Brewing nearby, and Little Eva’s dishes up comfort food daily year-round.
Picnic Point. Photo: Julienne Schaer
9. Pause at Picnic Point.
You can also bring your own food to Governors Island and set up camp at one of the picnic tables or shaded lawns. For diners who prefer even more DIY, reserve one of the island’s grilling stations (available May through November) in advance.
Photo: Timothy Schenck
10. Chill in a hammock.
Grassy, sunny Hammock Grove proves you don’t have to be doing much of anything to enjoy the Island life.
Community Climbing Boulder. Courtesy, Governors Island
11. Go on a mini adventure.
Head to the Western Promenade to try your hand at scaling the Community Climbing Boulder. Climbing routes vary by degree of difficulty, so even beginners can give it a go. Or take the little ones to The Yard in Nolan Park during the spring and summer months for a kids-only playground that focuses on building and exploring.
12. Take a guided tour.
In the spring and summer months, island staff give guided walking tours that detail the island’s history and current offerings. You can prepare by taking a virtual tour via Urban Archive, which pairs island scenes with historical photographs.
Urban Farm. Photo: Julienne Schaer
13. Visit the urban farm.
A large urban farm stretches across the south side of the island, offering a number of fascinating educational programs from May to January, including a compost learning center, a teaching garden and a bee sanctuary. You can also swing by the lavender field in South Battery to visit a solar-powered MicroFactory.
