The best things to do on Governors Island

Slap on your spats and practice the Charleston for the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island every summer. Sip on Prohibition-era cocktails or a glass of bubbly while you dance, check out vintage cars, and shop vintage wares. Food vendors will be on hand to keep your Lindy Hop hoppin’.

Catch it on August 10 and 11, 2024. 

Breathe in the delightful herbal aroma of lavender at this purple paradise on Governors Island. The NYC Lavender Field in all its purple glory is free to visit and definitely worth adding to your summer in NYC bucket list. 

Unsurprisingly given the city's landscape, the NYC Lavender Field is the only lavender field in the city. When you visit, you'll get a chance to stroll along gravel paths through dozens of lavender bushes. More than 500 plants erupt in an ombre wave of color—royal purple, pastel gray, brilliant grape and bluish silver. Every single one is gorgeous. 

Governors Island's luxury spa has the elegance and rejuvenation of a European facility but with extra New York City flavor. Created by QC Spa of Wonders which is renowned across the continent, this particular space is found in three historic Army Barrack buildings on the island.

Of course, you can expect a premium service when you visit. Each of the relaxation rooms comes with meticulously curated personalities, scents, and music. Inside, you'll be able to enjoy themed saunas, Vichy showers, infrared beds, foot baths, hydro jets, steam baths, and other relaxing experiences that make you feel like a VIP.

QC New York is open every day of the year, with entrance options that include full-day, five-hour, three-hour and evening passes starting from $98. Food, drink and massage services are extra, with massages starting from $100.

Ocean noise, chemical pollution, climate change and sea level rise are words that often appear in the news. But these important concepts can be hard to make sense of—or to understand at all.

That's where artist Jenny Kendler comes in. Her new exhibit, Other of Pearl, confronts these pressing environmental issues in ways that feel more accessible with stirring whale songs, incredible pearl sculptures, a crystalline whale eye cast with human tears, and more. You can see these powerful works for free on Wednesdays-Sundays from 10am-5pm now through October 2024 on Governors Island. 

Seven intimate, delicate works are displayed in the cavernous, subterranean magazine of historic Fort Jay, a star-shaped fortification built on Governors Island between 1775 and 1776. 

If there's one place where you will consistently hit the Tulum-meets-Miami theme without leaving New York City, it's Gitano Island. The waterfront restaurant and lounge located on Governors Island is officially back for summer 2024, offering up another season of modern Mexican eats, mezcal cocktails and stunning skyline views.

A five-minute ferry ride from Downtown Manhattan, the 27,000-square-foot venue is an instantly transporting one, done up with a jungle's worth of lush greenery and 350 tons of actual sand. 

Shop 'til you drop at FAD Market, a curated fashion, art and design pop-up marketplace. Expect to see your favorite makers plus brand new creatives to help you live smarter, gift better and support local businesses. 

FAD—which stands for Fashion, Art and Design—takes over different venues with a horde of independent vendors and creators. Admission is free and dogs are welcome!

From June-October, the market pops up on Governors Island on the third weekend of the month.

From Blazing Saddles Bike Rental to Slide Hill to walking tours and Hammock Grove, there are plenty of activities to delight thrill-seekers of all ages.

Also check out Fort Jay and Castle Williams to learn about the history of the island.

Want to stay the night? Go glamping with Collective Governors Island. That's right, you don't have to travel upstate to sleep beneath the stars this summer. 

With 30 accommodations, a restaurant and bar, a giant campfire, lawn games and more, offers the only way you can sleep over on the island. While it's most definitely still camping (there are bugs and weird animal noises at night), it's got all the amenities of a hotel room, including plush linens. 

There are at least two dozen food vendors serving delicious fare on the island—ice cream, oysters, beer, tacos, coffee, empanadas and lots more.

Vis­i­tors are also wel­come to bring picnics. Relax in a shady spot on the grass or curl up in Adiron­dack chairs to enjoy the views while you dine.