For more than 200 years, it served as a military base for the U.S. Army and the Coast Guard and while it wasn't open to the family then, Governors Island now serves as a fun-filled and educational destination for the entire family. Families can learn how to create bird-friendly spaces in our urban environment. This will be done through a new ticket reservation system that you can find here. We recommend planning a few hours to enjoy the island. Check the Governors Island website for the most up-to-date ferry schedule. Some tents have shared restrooms, premium tents feature en suite bathrooms, and the newer Outlook Shelters have spa-like bathrooms and private terraces. Weekends only, Threes Brewing & The Meat Hook paired together to bring you a little beer garden right here on Governors island along with bites from the popular butcher shop. RELATED:10 Must-Visit Underrated NYC Parks. One of the best ways to experience all the best things to do at Governors Island is by actually staying the night! But expect bicycles to be in the range of $20 $30 for 2 hours, and quadricycles to be around $40 $50 for 1 hour. 5. If you are someone interested in art, Governors Island has something for you too. steffen@loving-newyork.com, For any other questions please contact:hello@loving-newyork.com, About us |Imprint & Contact |Privacy Policy |Terms & Conditions |Cancellation Terms. If you are looking to combine that all with a massage, that is a possibility as well. While I have included several photos already of what to expect on the island, below are just a few more to enjoy. The same year the rest of the Island would join the southern area of the Island which was designated as a National Historic District in 1985. Dont miss Gitano Island at Pershing Hall just a few steps away from Soissons Landing. From playgrounds, art exhibits, museums, and sports to food trucks and concerts, there's something for everyone to do and see. A Day Trip to Governors Island - Montclair Girl It offers stunning views, historic sites, unique events, and recreational activities for visitors to enjoy. While you do not need to make reservations to visit Governors Island, you do need to make reservations to stay at Collective Retreats. I feel that this is a secret spot in the city - I know, I know, technically, it is not a secret, but I feel that not all New Yorkers take advantage of this beautiful place. Alyson Krueger is a freelance journalist based in New York City. so that kids get to use their imagination. So, yay! Unfortunately, the island became more and more neglected. The team is on-site on weekends to answer questions and provide tours. But staying at Collective Retreats will be your only option here. The Yard Things to do City Life While moms and dads might be inclined to take a breather on Hammock Grove, little. Philipp Klaus / Flickr / Creative Commons. Note that you should plan to get to the ferry terminal around 15 minutes prior to departure. Have a great time on Governors Island and remember to stay 6 . Many buildings house artisans and boutiques, art installations, or other programs. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a76d35f21d38d40535dd9ca8f8d4ccd1" );document.getElementById("f8b80daabb").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name and email in this browser until I comment again. . Governors Island is a 172-acre island located just off the southern tip of Manhattan. In the fall, Governors Island offers festive fun with pumpkins, art markets, and other fun activities. There is actually a free rental program that Blazing Saddles offers on weekdays, you can get a free one hour rental on the beach cruiser bicycle between the hours of 10 am to noon. What used to be army barrack buildings, has now turned into one of NYCs best spa experiences. This is usually from the Spring Fall time period. Choose from beach cruisers, road bikes, scooters, tandem bikes, and pedal cars that sit a few people. Governors Island is one of the most carefree places to bike in New York City. Most are careful, especially since there are so many children wandering around. Opening hours for the island will depend on time of year and will essentially be dependent on the ferry schedule. In the evening, you can hang out and make smores by the fire, enjoy the unbelievable city views, and we highly recommend doing dinner at least once at the restaurant on-site! Take advantage of the Governors Island bike rentals. There is a ferry service that connects Governors Island to Manhattan and Brooklyn along with the regular NYC Water Taxi that services the island. From north to south, this route stops at Corlears Hook, Pier 1 Brooklyn Bridge Park, Wall Street Pier 11, Pier 6 Brooklyn Bridge Park, Red Hook, Governors Island, Sunset Park, & Bay Ridge. New York, NY In 2003, the federal government sold the island to the City of New York for a (rather symbolic) $ 1 to transform it into a recreational area. It is a world unto itself, unique and full of promise. It's separated from Brooklyn to the east by the narrow Buttermilk Channel waterway. Bypassing Biden: Democrats Think of What Could Have Been 2 Days in New York: The Ultimate Guide for 2023, 3 Days in New York: The Ultimate Guide for 2023, 1 Week NYC Itinerary For Free: Travel Plans, Sightseeing, Maps & Tips, Best New York Guide by Neighborhoods (SHOP). See how post-consumer plastic gets turned into plastic products at the MicroFactory. Note that Castle Williams and Fort Jay (more on that next) can be toured during seasonal weekends. Updated on 7/10/2023 at 1:59 PM Gitano Island | Photo courtesy of Gitano Island Real talk: It's okay if you still don't know exactly what Governors Island is. For any media related topics / partnership requests please contact: Enter dates. All the Governors Island points of interest are easily walkable, but theres something about riding a bike here and enjoying the views while pedaling thats nice too! Just outside of Fort Jay you will find a large open grassy area called Parade Grounds. Photo courtesy of Governor's Island. This really is very unique that its even worth the visit alone. Another option is to take the South Brooklyn Ferry Route on the NYC Ferry, another arm of public transportation in the city in addition to the subway and metro bus. Guide to Visiting Governors Island 2023: - New York Family July 12, 2023. Also check out my hotel finder for New York! You can't beat this dinner with a view! Bookmark for later or share the love below on Pinterest. These can be rented at Blazing Saddles, located nearby Soissons Landing. Open Daily during summer season. Tickets are FREE for children 12 and younger, IDNYC holders, NYCHA residents, seniors, and members of the military. While you can totally bring your own picnic, there are SEVERAL amazing picnic spots on Governors Island, we recommend also taking a glance at all the amazing food options available once youre here while enjoying all the best things to do on Governors Island! Another option here thats open daily is Taco Vista with more waterfront views and a great menu full of tacos, beer, margaritas, and more. You can buy tickets for the NYC ferry using their app. Its good to check out all the best Governors Island points of interest and best things to do at Governors Island before your visit so you can plan how much time to spend on the island. The attended shared bathroom is cleaned after each use and within the tents there are Queen or Double Twin beds. Formerly known as Nutten Island, this site was crucial in the American Revolution when defending NYC and eventually was taken over by the British during the war. Mommy Poppins is a family activity website that helps people find things to do with kids. Each year, Governors Island hosts hundreds of programs, exhibitions, and activities, presented by the Trust for Governors Island, the National Park Service and the Friends of Governors Island, as well as dozens of diverse organizations from across the five boroughs and beyond. Left abandoned basically since 1996, this is the first use of the building since. The kayaks are free to rent every Saturday during the June to September time period. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. An awesome new beach club is opening on Governors Island - Time Out With the exception of playworkers, only kids are allowed in the area! Governors Island has an entire area dedicated to hammocks. Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 7am to 6pm; Friday-Saturday, 7am to 7pm Psst Are you looking for more ways to spend time with your family outdoors? Governors Island's newest public installation, The Open Orchard, is a combination of art and environmental preservation. Join us for a full day of Public Programs at The Arts Center at There are activities for all age groups and even the well-known Governors Ball. One of the best things to check out and what to do at Governors Island is explore the art scene. It was then in 1664 when the British took over the New York area including the island what they called Nutten Island. RELATED:Top Attractions in NYC: Best Things To See and Do With Kids. However, if you must use a traditional bathroom, you'll find. There are many ways to go about your time on the island once you are there. It's open from May 1 through Oct. 31 and is easily accessible via a ferry from lower Manhattan or Brooklyn. Filters 1. If you are looking to escape the daily city life without having to go too far, check out Governors Island New York. This chapel was opened during WWII and in use until 1996 until the U.S. Coast Guard stopped all operations on Governors Island. There are two ferries that run routes to Governors Island. Stephanie Brown June 1, 2022 Just 800 yards from Lower Manhattan and an easy hop over from Hudson County Governors Island is full of fun things to do and makes for an incredible day trip. The 50 Absolute Best Things to Do in New York (90+ pages). Bring a book and enjoy one of the most serene points of interest on Governors Island! The ~2 mile perimeter loop will take just 10 minutes to ride around with no stops. Closed Mondays-Wednesdays. Fun game: rent a bike and see if you can race the Staten Island Ferry to this beautiful spot. The trip takes about 3 minutes and you will see that this is mainly used by the locals, children, older residents of New York, and only a small amount of tourists. Enjoy drinks with a view. Each year, Governors Island brings new artists in on their Island Artist Residency program. It will bea few years before they'll produce a harvest, but in the meantime, The Open Orchard plans to hold workshops, talks, performances, and offer culinary lessons. In addition to the seasonal route, the NYC ferry service also runs their normal South Brooklyn route. If you do plan on doing this, be sure to bring a book (if you dont have one be sure to hit up one of the many independent bookshops in NYC on your way). Whats even better is that this place is only for kids! Lights Out . Getting to Governors Island: the Ferry to Governors Island You might be wondering how to get to Governors Island, which couldn't actually be easier. If you are also planning to visit some other highlights around the way, this time can go up to 2-3 hours (or more). As a matter of fact, many of the relaxation rooms and themed saunas have views too! You will need to arrive at your departing ferry at least 15-30 minutes prior to departure to get in line and make sure you make your ferry. Best Things To Do On Governors Island - Day Trip From NYC Kids can fish without a license but adults ages 16 and older need a valid NY State fishing license. You will find some soccer goals and baseball fields set up here, but you can really take part of any organized activity you choose. The Governors Island National Monument Fort Jay and Castle Williams will remain temporarily closed. There are few main ticket packages to choose from: Entrance Wellness Experience: Access to all amenities, Break Entrance: $98 3 hour experienceEvening Entrance: $98 entrance from 5PM onwardsEscape Entrance: $118 5 hour experienceDaily Entrance: $138 no time limit, $226-$369 for access to all amenities & massage (price based on length of massage), Note that weekend prices are around $20 extra per ticket, For latest offerings and prices be sure to check out the QC NY Spa website. See inside Governors Island's new luxury spa QC NY - Time Out The Hills also serve as a type of installation on the island through landscape architecture. Below are a few helpful answers to the most frequently asked questions about Collective Retreats. In addition to the glamping, you will find a full service restaurant and bar to take care of any meals that you may need during your stay. In addition to the ferries run by the Trust, the NYC Ferry system also has ferries to/from the island. If just making the full loop on Governors Island, the walk around should take approximately 40 minutes. Collective Governors Island | Luxury Camping Resort New York Yes, Governors Island is free to visit! The best part is, you dont have to pay an extra feeon the ferry. You can also rent these small non motorized go karts, if you want to ride around in style. Complete with several themed saunas, steam rooms, and relaxation rooms not to mention heated outdoor pools overlooking the Lower Manhattan skyline with a front-row view of the World Trade Center. Your email address will not be published. Before talking through the top Governors Island things to do, you can take a look at the map below to understand the layout. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed in designated areas along New York Harbor. Tickets will be available beginning Friday 7/10 at 10 AM. Slide Hill is one of the newer attractions at Governors Island. To get to Governors Island by the Governors Island Ferry, the main departing point is the ferry in Lower Manhattan at The Battery Maritime Building (BMB Terminal) at 10 South Street. Of course, you can also visit some of the inner paths and highlights, along the way (more on those soon). It also knows how to set up a beautiful space for people to mingle and play (while drinking their perfectly-crafted concoctions.) FREE for kids, RELATED: 25 Outdoor Adventures for NYC Kids to Explore. This year, the Governors Island Ferry will take you across the East River from July with the Governors Island Ferry until the end of September. The lines tend to get long during peak lunch times and if you're visiting on a weekday, the options on Governors Island are much more limited. You can take as little as a few hours to an entire day to visit Governors Island! Your Guide to a Governors Island Day Trip in New York Governors Island is open year-round, 7am-6pm. One of the best things to do at Governors Island with kids is check out The Yard, a free adventure playground for kids! If you want to get hands-on and help out, there are occasional volunteer days, too. Governors Island's adventure playground, known as The Yard,is open on spring and summer weekends from noon-4pm. You can buy them online in advance (which is recommended during peak times like the summer weekends) or you can buy tickets at the terminal in person at the kiosks. Top 8 Things to Do on Governors Island - TripSavvy Youll find the bestevents on Governors Islandin this detailed article. First off,. There is currently no indoor programming on Governors Island. The Governors Island Ferry Terminal is located right next to the South Ferry Terminal, which is home to the Staten Island Ferry. Prices for round-trip tickets Threes Brewing is one of the best breweries in Brooklyn and you can enjoy the flavors right here including a specialty beer only available at Governors Island! Now, if you want to have the opportunity to stay overnight on the island, there is an option for you too. Come as early as possible to escape the big onslaught (especially on weekends). However, you might be tempted to just stay on the island during your stay since theres so many amazing Governors Island points of interest to check out. With lawns facing the World Trade Center and lower Manhattan by Fort Jay and Castle Williams to the large openings with views of the Statue of Liberty! While you can drive yourself to the ferry terminal in Manhattan and Brooklyn, you will need to hop on a ferry to get to the island itself. Check out the 15 Best Family-Friendly Hikes on Long Island! Even after more than 20 visits, the city never gets boring for us. Rendering courtesy of Gitano Island Gitano Island will actually be the very first destination to serve dinner on Governors Island, thanks to the extended ferry service (6pm through midnight. Today, 22 acres is part of the Governors Island National Monument (managed by the National Parks Service), and 150 acres is looked after by the city of New York. At Liggett Terrace inland on Governors Island, you can find a few more great options: Joe Coffee is an NYC staple with its original location being in Greenwich Village, they have a small stand here available serving up quality cups of coffee and drinks plus small light baked goods. At Hammock Grove, there are a number of hammocks set up, where you can take a seat and spend some time in. You will find most of the attractions open, plenty of food options, and better weather to hang out all around. Its one of our picks for best picnic spots in NYC thanks to this stunning view! If it's not summer without striking up a grill, take note: You can reserve a grill and pack a cooler full of foods to cook alfresco. So, yay! From incredible views of the New York Harbor and unobstructed views of some of the citys best landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the WTC and Lower Manhattan, you wont want to miss this gorgeous and peaceful spot in the city. 01 of 08 Lounge in the Hammock Grove Brian Bumby / Getty Images Governors Island has an entire area dedicated to hammocks. Calling all kids! The only way to access the island will be by ferry. Visit artists in their studios, where they will share works-in-progress as well as hands-on and engaging activities . You can refill your bottle (and save some cash!) How to Spend a Day & What to do on Governors Island Most programs run weekends-only. You can bring your own bike or rent a CitiBike at the ferry landing. What used to be a military outpost and command headquarters, Governors Island now offers a whole array of activities and attractions for visitors. This year most events on Governors Island are canceled. Well before colonization, the Lenape Native American inhabited the island and called it Pagganuck which translates to Nut Island, as the island had different nut trees including chestnut, oak, and hickory. Ferries also run daily on the NYC Ferry's South Brooklyn route, with stops on the Lower East Side, Wall Street, and along the Brooklyn waterfront. On the interior, there is another installation including custom furniture that are in the shape of the alphabet so you can spell out words and allow visitors to interact with this installation.