Gov Island — Photograph: Courtesy Trust for Governors Island

Governors Island, NY guide

Ride the ferry to NYC's Governors Island for fun things to do like hiking, running, biking, picnicking and outdoor drinking.

Tuesday July 8 2025

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Written by Shaye Weaver & Rossilynne Skena Culgan

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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, 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 this car-free attraction, so use our handy guide to plan your trip. Governors Island is now officially a year-round destination for the public to roam, making it an ideal spot to visit on an NYC vacation or staycation.

When is Governors Island open?

Year-round! The Trust for Governors Island has made the verdant island a year-round destination. It’s open from daily from 7am-10pm in the summer, but hours may vary, so be sure to check the website before you go. The South Island Park (including The Hills, Hammock Grove, Picnic Point, and the Play Lawns) close daily at dusk.

How do I get to Governors Island?

It costs only $5 round-trip 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) operated by the Trust for Governors Island. Manhattan ferries depart every 30 minutes.

From Brooklyn, the Trust offers seasonal ferries during the summer on Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday Mondays from Pier 6 at Brooklyn Bridge Park and Red Hook/Atlantic Basin. Ferries are free for New York City Housing Authority residents, military service members, IDNYC holders, seniors 65 and over, and riders under the age of 12.

Be sure to check the times here and lock in your reserved ferry tickets in advance.

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?

New Yorkers can look forward to walking, running, biking, picnicking and birding throughout the sprawling green space on the island. Visitors can also bring their bikes or rent them to use on the island via Blazing Saddles or Citi Bike at Soissons Landing, Yankee Pier and Picnic Point.

On beautiful summer days, there is free kayaking available at Pier 101 (the Island’s kayak dock). The Downtown Boathouse also offers free kayaking on Saturdays from mid-June to the end of September (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 also 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 open during the warmer months.

You can see a schedule of events and art exhibitions on the island here, from the Rite of Summer Music Festival to Pollinator Walks and from outdoor movie screenings to the Jazz Age Lawn Party.