Governors Island, NY guide
Ride the ferry to Governors Island, New York for fun things to do like hiking, running, biking, picnicking and outdoor drinking
If you crave an escape from the city that won’t land you in debt, head to the ever-changing urban oasis of Governors Island, NY which combines park, adult playground and outdoor art space into a single lovely haven for adventure. One of the best things to do in summer is ride the ferry and visit the car-free attraction, so use our handy guide to plan your trip. After months of extended closure, Governors Island is officially reopened to the public to roam, don't forget your mask!
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When does Governors Island open?
Governors Island is open to the public starting on July 15. During weekdays, the Island is open from 10am to 6pm; weekends and holidays, the island is open from 10am to 7pm.
How do I get to Governors Island?
It costs only $3 to cruise to the car-free paradise, with ferries leaving every day from Manhattan’s South Street Seaport (the Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street) and, on weekends, ferries will depart from Atlantic Basin/Red Hook this year to increase access to the island from communities with less available green space.
Capacity on ferries will be limited during the 2020 season to adhere to social distancing measures, so you'll want to plan ahead. As mentioned, round-trip ferry tickets will cost $3 for adults, but—if you get up early—ferries before noon on Saturdays and Sundays are free for everyone. Ferries are also free for New York City Housing Authority residents, military service members, seniors 65 and over, and riders under the age of 12. Manhattan ferries depart hourly from 10am to 6pm on weekdays and from 10am to 7pm on weekends, and Brooklyn ferries from 11am to 7pm. Be sure to lock in your reserved ferry tickets in advance through a new reservation system.
Is there a huge and hilly park on Governors Island?
You are correct! The answer to a man-made urban cityscape is a man-made outdoor park at the island’s Hills, which rise 75 feet above sea level and offer some breathing space from the city. Zoom down the 75-foot-long slide at Slide Hill; view artist Rachel Whiteread’s permanent installation Cabin at Discovery Hill; or chill at Hammock Grove.
What other outdoor activities does the Island offer?
Have you been cooped up for far too long and ready for some sun? New Yorkers can look forward to hiking, running, biking, picnicking and birding throughout the sprawling green space on the island.
Aside from that, visitors can bring their bike or rent a two-wheeler to use on the Island. On weekday mornings, you can ride for free for an hour. There are also Citi Bike kiosks at Soissons Landing, Yankee Pier and Picnic Point.
On beautiful weather days, there is free kayaking available at Pier 101 (the Island's kayak dock). The Downtown Boathouse also offers free kayaking on Saturdays from June 15 to September 14 (11am–4pm).
Need a spot to host a large family gathering or party? Make Governors Island your backyard and reserve a grill and picnic table and host the ultimate cookout. Reservations must be booked two weeks in advance.
You no longer have to trek hours to the Hudson Valley to sleep in a tent. The glamping hospitality group, Collective Retreats (which has locations in Yellowstone, Vail, Sonoma, Hill Country and Hudson Valley), has set up a permanent camp on the western side of Governors Island.
Are there any places to eat and drink on Governors Island?
Oh, you betcha. New vendors join the fray this year like Threes Brewing, which typically runs a waterfront craft beer stand on the island, but this year will also be teaming up with popular Brooklyn butcher shop the Meat Hook to bring you good beer and meats like sausages. Taco Vista will be back offering up waterfront carnitas and Makina Café will be serving its popular Ethiopian and Eritrean food (They also offer a range of vegan and vegetarian options.) Fauzia’s Heavenly Delights, an award-winning Jamaican-fusion establishment will be offering Caribbean classics.
Plus, head to waterfront restaurants: Island Oyster, for tropical cocktails to lean into the whole "you're on an island" thing.
Things to do on Governors Island, NY
Governors Island is reopening to the public on July 15
New Yorkers can once again take one of the best day trips that doesn't require leaving the city. After months of extended closure, Governors Island is officially reopening to the public on July 15. The 172-acre island will return with limited capacity for passive recreational activities. Cooped-up New Yorkers can look forward to hiking, running, biking, picnicking and birding throughout the sprawling green space. “Equitable access to open spaces in our city has never been more important, so we’re thrilled to welcome New Yorkers to Governors Island in just a few short weeks,” said Clare Newman, President and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island. “This summer, Governors Island will be an affordable, local getaway for New Yorkers who need it most. We’ve focused on a plan to make the Island more accessible to New Yorkers in areas underserved by parks this season, and have taken important steps to ensure the health and safety of our visitors. We look forward to seeing everyone on the ferry!” Masks will be required while onboard the Governors Island Ferry, both above and below deck. Visitors must reserve ferry tickets in advance through a reservation system, and only a limited number of tickets will be available for purchase in person for each time slot. To increase access to the island from communities with less available green space, Brooklyn ferries to Governors Island will now depart from Atlantic Basin/Red Hook (instead of Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 6). Brooklyn ferries t
Here's how to experience Governors Island from home this summer
A day-trip to Governors Island is a quintessential part of any New York summer. And while we won't be hopping on the seven-minute ferry to the seasonal sanctuary anytime soon, that doesn’t mean we can’t take advantage of the cultural hub's arts programs, exhibitions and flourishing grounds. You can currently scroll through the island’s weekly updated spring blooms digitally, so as not to miss any of the vivid colors on the grounds. "Governors Island being closed doesn’t stop springtime from sweeping across the landscape," says the Things to Do page on their site. "Beautiful Blooms are appearing across the Island from Soissons Landing to Picnic Point! See more gorgeous spring flowers in this blog post." Courtesy Timothy Schenck/ Governors Island Miss live poetry? New Yorkers can enjoy streamed recorded poetry readings from inside Shantell Martin’s immersive installation, The May Room. Last year, The May Room hosted a variety of public poetry reading events, several of which were put on by the Poetry Society of America, showcasing artists from diverse backgrounds. From home, you can watch Puerto Rican poets Raquel Salas Rivera and Ricardo Alberto Maldonado perform moving readings from a poetry collection called Puerto Rico en mi corazón. The collection came as a response to Hurricane Maria and the disaster’s effect on the Puerto Rican population—while it also benefited hurricane relief efforts.
