Governors Island
Island, Historic and Protected Site, and National Park
Governors Island, New York
The folks at Time Out New York and The Wall Street Journal like this place. Would you agree?
"Catching The Jazz Age Lawn Party during the summer is a must!"(4 Tips)
"short ferry ride from near Battery Park"(6 Tips)
"Lay out on the water taxi beach and enjoy a brew."(4 Tips)
"picnic point for an awesome view"(4 Tips)
217 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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Great place to get away from the city for a day! Lots to do, including: art exhibits, biking, hammocks, picnics, food trucks, views of the Freedom Tower, views of the Statue of Liberty and much more.
Angelica SegarraAugust 1, 2014Beautiful island with lots to do. Free bike riding from 10a-12p everyday. Wonderful view of the city skyline, liberty island and Ellis island. There's food, parks, hammocks, and baseball fields.
Beautiful views, interesting history, peaceful environment, so much to see and do. I will DEFINITELY get the season ferry pass next year!
LorenSeptember 18, 2016An under appreciated outing. Fun art that changes up and super easy to get to from lower Manhattan or dumbo for a few bucks. You can bring a bike, citibike, or just walk. Bring a blanket and a book.
Come on a sunny summer day and enjoy exploring and relaxing on this little paradise. You don't really need to hire bikes, just spend a few hours walking around.- Orian BreauxMay 6, 2013Catching The Jazz Age Lawn Party during the summer is a must! Come dance to authentic 20s music in the middle of the park, dress up with the other +700 who come out, and have a drink on the lawn.
Kevin O'NeillMay 31, 2017I feel like this spot is *almost* there. New hills are a great addition and don't miss on the slides tucked away in the back (adults and kids alike). Great day trip. Bring a picnic!- ℳ𝒶𝓎♍December 29, 2019A short ferry ride from near Battery Park takes you to the traffic free paradise of Governors Island. 7 miles of great views & historic buildings. A cool place to relax for a few hours and ride bikes!
Sarah KimDecember 26, 2019Best for day concerts and festivals. Gets a little unbearable at night because of 1) spotty phone service 2) even harder to find your friends because of spotty phone service and now it’s dark too.
Get out of heat island Manhattan and enjoy breeze and shade of trees and grasses. Island has been renovated and changing. You might see different scene on island.
Samiha KhanAugust 15, 2015Great for picnics, but there are lots of food trucks on the island now if you don't wanna carry a bunch of stuff. Bring your bikes or rent a bike and go biking all around the perimeter! Nice views.
loran jonakJuly 4, 2015Free ferry over and back. Great for families with lots of running room for the kiddies. If you didn't bring a picnic, take advantage of the delicious food trucks. There is also a beer garden.
Perry AzevedoAugust 26, 2015Better than Central Park. Great place to get away from the city on a weekend. Go early and beat the rush that comes closer to noon.
The Corcoran GroupAugust 1, 2013An increasingly popular place to see live music, especially famous DJs. Catch a ferry out here, and you'll be rewarded with amazing views of downtown Manhattan.
The Ritz-CarltonJuly 20, 2011Governors Island has played key roles in civil war, revolution and two world wars. Now it’s famous for relaxing, picnicking, strolling and cycling. Get there by ferry, maybe explore by kayak.
Angelique HoutveenFebruary 26, 2016If you're looking for a place to relax, go here when the sun is shining and just hang out on the chairs. I had a great time, found the much needed silence in New York.
Time Out New YorkJuly 11, 2013Look west to see the august face of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, or stop at the northern end of the island to gaze at lower Manhattan and the recently topped-off One World Trade Center. Read more
Regi CMay 19, 2017Great island 🌴 to go during the day. Take the ship 🚢 early and enjoy 😊 the day. Walk and picnic 🍏🍎🍐
Cole KennedyJuly 18, 2017They did a beautiful job restoring this place after Sandy. Come on a weekday and avoid the crowds, so you can slide on the slides without children judging you.
ShawnieFebruary 4, 2012The island is only open to the public for a few months every year. Bike riding, concerts, beach parties, picnics, and free rides around the island. Not a lot of food choices here so bring your own.
Laura GinsbergSeptember 26, 2016Easy day trip from Manhattan or Brooklyn. The ferry takes 7 minutes and costs $2 round trip. Bring your bike or easily rent there. A nice city escape!
bring your bike and go around the island. the best swingset in the world is there and it faces the statue of liberty. security is tight on the island, so don't try anything stupid.
Simon WilsonAugust 11, 2017Good for a day out. Long walks. Bikes - Citibikes and surreys for groups - to hire to ride round the island. Lots of ATMs, food, drink on the island.
Kmart FashionDecember 2, 2011Best for an escape from the city, w/o committing to a real commute. Our tip: Take a bike with you on the ferry to tour the entire island. Visit the girls & boys room before you go! Trust us on this.
Daniel McDonoughJuly 12, 2015Fantastic views of lower Manhattan. Beer garden and food trucks in the center of the island.
Museum of American FinanceJuly 12, 2012The Dutch landed here in the 17th century to establish a trading post. 400 years later NYC is still considered by many as the financial capital of the world. To learn more, visit the MoAF at 48 Wall Read more
The New YorkerAugust 3, 2012Imagine a playground that parents actually like: “If you create a park-like environment and people feel really free, adults hang out and participate like children do.” -Adriaan Geuze, West8 architect Read more
C. Sha•Doe McIntoshJune 16, 2013Bring a plastic trash bag, cut to open flat, a large blanket (like 5x7), an umbrella that you can stick in the ground, sun screen, a basket of food (or at least $50 cash for food), and 1920 clothes!
Sam StarlingSeptember 6, 2015Take the East River Ferry from Williamsburg for the views of the south of Manhattan, and give yourself a couple of hours to walk around before heading back.
Kelsey✨September 23, 2019Perfect place to escape the city for a day! Awesome art exhibits, beer, bikes, food, etc.
If you need a mini vacation from the city, this is the perfect place. Great food, great atmosphere, and the best view.b
HISTORYApril 8, 2010The island's name stems from British colonial times when the colonial assembly reserved the island for the exclusive use of New York's royal governors.
Adam SherlipApril 24, 2013Governors Island gives you a view of the Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Statue of Liberty and Staten Island. It's a great way to start & put an NYC tour into perspective.
Carmen Gloria RiquelmeJune 16, 2016Rent a bike and ride around the island. It used to be a military fort, but now the houses are empty. Enjoy the parks and the views.
G WongMarch 22, 2012Hidden treasure of NYC, come here in the summer time on the free ferry and check out the historic sites, sometimes there's even concerts and other fun activities!
Kinjil MathurAugust 31, 2014rent a bike to see the entire island quickly. They even have 4 seater bikes!
UzoNYCMay 25, 2014Beautiful place, but not anything you can't recreate in Central Park. I'll go for an event, but not just on my own accord. http://www.uzonyc.com/?p=773
Have a seat on "Common Picnic" an interactive installation by Risa Puno for FIGMENT NYC's 2015 Summer Long Sculpture Program, next to the mini-golf course on the South Parade Ground.
Larisa GrollemondJune 17, 2015Grab some food truck treats, take in the view of lower Manhattan, and take a nap on the grass in front of some abandoned houses. New York at its weirdest/finest.
MichelleAugust 24, 2017Beautiful park away from the hustle of NYC. We rented bikes which got stolen so I'd recommend also renting locks
Lovely G.June 28, 2014A beautiful place to be on a day they are having an event but I suggest you bring something to sit on because seats are limited.
Dylan McKenzieDecember 14, 2013Ferry ride is fun. Not much to do here, but a quiet place for a bike ride and reading on a nice day. Good swings.
Amanda C.June 22, 2013Head over to the food court or the East Ferry Terminal for totally free, solar-powered charging stations! Works with iPhone 4, 5, micro USB, and if you have a cable of your own you can plug in & go!
NY WaterwayMay 2, 2012Great concerts during the Summer! You can catch our boats on some weekends leaving from Battery Maritime Building to Governors Island. We love this place! www.nywaterway.com
Christine ClarkSeptember 21, 2013Awesome place! There were really cool art exhibits when I went and beautiful views!
Afi Yellow-DukeJuly 30, 2015Great place for a bike ride with amazing views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Statue of Liberty
Eric FernándezSeptember 17, 2021You can rent a bike and go through all the island or you can also walk around and still enjoy.
NEREphotographyAugust 11, 2011A great trip for any photographer, check out the old buildings and Yankee Pier on the back side of the Island. Bring a bike or rent one for ease of travel around the Island. @nerephotography
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A unit of the National Park Service in New York City.
Open seasonally from May to September.
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"Nice island. Great to run around if you want to extend a run along the East River."
Omer Zach
"One of my favorite places to run "in" NYC...one lap around is a little under 4 miles of great views"
Althea White
"Awesome place to ride bikes, play sports, have a picnic, and generally just escape the hustle and bustle of Manhattan for a hot second."
Rebecca W
Upcoming Events
- Jeremy Olander and Korolova with Rao
5:00 PM on May 11, 2024
- Le Youth with Simon Doty and Rinzen
4:00 PM on May 24, 2024
- Aluna with Chapter & Verse
4:00 PM on May 25, 2024
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