Governor’s Island is a New Yorker’s oasis – a short ferry ride from the city and a car-free, park-covered island. There are always unique events taking place here from concerts to art exhibits (to the Vueve Cliquot Manhattan Polo Classic which brought Prince Harry to the island!). It’s the perfect mini escape from the city and a vibrant part of New York City. Ironically, most people have never visited or heard of it, so we’re covering everything you need to know: when to visit, how to get there, what to do there, and more.
When to Visit Governor’s Island
Until the end of 2021, Governor’s Island was only open during the summer months, but the Trust has officially made it open year round. The island is open daily from 7am-6pm but in the summer stays open until 10pm on weekdays and 11pm on weekends.
Summer is definitely the time to enjoy the park in all of its green glory but it’s a cozy visit in the winter too, when there’s ice skating, sledding, and fire pits to keep warm.
How to Get There
The only way to get to Governor’s Island is by ferry. If you’re headed there from Manhattan, catch the ferry from The Battery Maritime Building, which runs daily.
During weekends there are two added Brooklyn ferries departing from Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park and Atlantic Basin in Red Hook.
The ferry costs $4 but is free before noon on weekends and you can bring bikes on at no cost. The ride is quick and in 10 minutes you’ll be dropped off at Soissons Landing in Governor’s Island!
How to Get Around Governor’s Island
As mentioned earlier, the island is completely car-less so you won’t find ubers or trains here. Luckily, it’s not a huge island and you can get to where you want to visit by foot or by bike. It’s free to bring your bike over on the ferry or you can borrow a Citi bike on the island at one of the three docking stations.
What to Do
Walking Tour: Join a walking tour to learn more about the island. The Friends of Governor’s Island host tours on Saturdays and Sundays departing form Soissions Landing at 10:45am, 12:45pm, and 2:45pm.
History: There’s a lot of history to explore on Governor’s Island. For over a century, the island was a headquarter for the Army and Coast Guard and you’ll see many of the old fortresses. If you want to tour one of the fortresses, Fort Jay and Castle Williams are open to the public.
Views: Given it’s location, Governor’s Island offers a unique 360 panoramic view of Manhattan. Head to The Hills and climb up to see Manhattan, Brooklyn, and of course, the Statue of Liberty.
Spa: Yes, there’s a spa on Governor’s Island! The recently opened QC NY Spa is the perfect place to pamper yourself with a selection of more than twenty wellness experiences. Most of the rooms have a view of the Manhattan skyline, although you could probably spend the entire day looking out at the skyline from the outdoor infinity spa pools.
Picnic: This is a great spot to gather a group of friends or family, especially if you’re planning for a big party. You can reserve a picnic spot and a grill here (but make sure to do it in advance).
Glamping: A section of the island is reserved for tents where you can stay! Collective Retreats offers a place to stay and extra activities like in tent massages, cooking classes, wine tastings, and fitness for a restful and refreshing getaway.
Art: It’s hard to visit Governor’s Island and not come across an art exhibit or installation. The exhibits are constantly rotating but you can check out what’s on view here.
Dinner Experience: Treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind dinner experience that mimics an Italian countryside picnic. An MP Summer Dinner includes a private boat ride from Manhattan to bring diners to a group dinner table looking over the sunset. You’ll be served a multi-course meal cooked over an open fire, with paired wines, and of course, gelato for dessert.
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Where to Eat
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You can bring your own food and have a picnic, just note you can’t bring alcohol on the island, but you can purchase it once on the island. Alternatively, there are a bunch of great vendors you can purchase food from.
Some favorites are the fish and chips at Little Eva’s, gourmet wood-fired pizzas at Pizza Yard, or Brazilian acai and fruit bowls at Exotic Bowl.
For the best skyline views, check out Island Oyster and Taco Vista.
View a full list of food vendors here.
As you can see, there are * a lot * of things o do on this tiny island. We hope you make the trip over and visit this gem!
I am DYING to check out the spa!