Governors Island is located in the New York Harbor. It is eight hundred yards south of Manhattan Island and lies within the New York City borough of Manhattan. Governors Island is separated from Brooklyn on the east by the 370-meter-wide Buttermilk Channel.
Governors Island is a seventy-two-acre island that Is easily accessible from the Brooklyn waterfront with a ferry and as well as from lower Manhattan. This Island is the destination of a unique award-winning park as well as cultural and educational facilities. Governors Island also has a twenty-two-acre national monument overseen by the National Park Service.
This Island is open all year round. It is an evolving cultural space with plenty of recreational facilities that New Yorkers enjoy frequently.
Governors Island offers a fun escape from the city if you need a time out. This urban oasis combines a scenic green park, an art space, and an adult playground. It is a great destination for one to roam about and enjoy at.
Governors Island also offers breathtaking views of the New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty. This Island was transformed from an abandoned military base to a recreational and cultural year-round destination.
How to Reach Governors Island
Reaching Governors Island is quite easy. As this Island is car-free, you need to catch a ferry from the Manhattan South City Port. Ferries depart frequently to Governors Island and a ticket costs $4 for adults. However, ferries are free for all if you leave before noon on Saturdays and Sundays. Ferries are also free for children under 12 and seniors over 65. Military service personnel and New York City Housing Residents also don’t have to pay ferry fares.
Opening Hours
Governors Island is a year-round destination. It is open daily from 7 am to 6 pm. There have been exceptions of it being open late on weekends.
Outdoor Park and Activities
This urban cityscape also has a man-made outdoor park. This park was created on the hills of the Island. These hills rise almost 75 feet above sea level and offer a great retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. In the park, you can visit Discovery Hill and see artist Rachel Whiteread’s latest installation, ‘Cabin.’ Try the 75 feet-long slide at Slice Hill or relax at Hammock Grove.
Governors Island also offers plenty of other outdoor activities throughout its green space. You can go walking, running, biking or hiking. You can also have a picnic with your family and friends or go birdwatching. You can bring your own bike with you or rent a bike from several places on the Island, such as Picnic Point or Yankee Pier.
In summer, free kayaking is available on the Island’s kayak dock at the 102 and 102 Pier. The Downtown Boathouse also has free kayaking from the mid of June till September end. However, this is only available on Saturdays.
It is also possible to reserve a grill and picnic spot on Governors Island if you want to host a barbeque. You can invite your guestlist and have a great time. But you will need to reserve a spot at least two weeks ahead.
You can also go camping on Governors Island. Permanent camps on the western side of Governors Island are open when the weather is warm.
You can also bring your dog to the Island through April. There is also an off-leash area where your dog can play.
Wintertime Activities
The first-time visitors were allowed to Governor’s Island during the winter months in 2022. Despite the cold, you can have a great time participating in various wintertime activities. You can ice skate at winter village and indulge in hot drinks and food in nearby restaurants. There are also fire pits you can warm up by. It is even possible to rent sleds when it snows.
Other Things to Do on Governors Island
There are approximately fifty abandoned buildings you can visit on the Island. These include two military forts, a chapel, a hospital, and a movie theatre. Even though you can’t enter these buildings, you can roam around the perimeter and get a sense of the Islands history.
You can also climb up the hills section of the Island’s parkland. Hiking to the top of Outlook Hill offers scenic views of the surroundings, such as the Statue of Liberty and the Lower Manhattan area.
Don’t forget to roam around Governors Island and witness the thriving art and cultural scene. You can view outdoor public art installations such as ‘Never Comes Tomorrow’ by Jacob Hashimoto or ‘Church and the May Room’ by Shantell Martin.
A Governors Island is a car-free space you can rent a bike and explore the seven miles of the Island. It’s also possible to rent a six-person surrey or a quadricycle to double the fun with your friends!
While roaming the Island, don’t forget to ‘Island Oyster .’There is a great tropical-themed destination where you can have your favorite drink with a view. It is located near the Soissons Landing stop.
You can also try out a wide range of cuisines in ‘Ligget Terrace .’This includes Ethiopian food, Korean Food, Mexican food, and much more.
Concluding Thoughts
If you live city life, Governors Island offers the perfect retreat. You can have a great fun-filled day out on your free day. You can visit Governors Island on your own or with your friends and family. If you want some time to yourself, you can explore the island’s thriving art and cultural scene. You can explore the Islands history and try out exotic food. There are also plenty of outdoor activities to indulge in when visiting in a group with family and friends.