The former military outpost of Governors Island is one of New York’s most popular outdoor spaces. It can reached by taking the Governors Island ferry from Lower Manhattan and is a welcomed escape with glamping, national monuments and other activities.
Brief History of Governors Island, New York City
Originally called ‘Nut Island’ (Paggank) by the indigenous Lenape people, the island was then renamed by the Dutch. The island was officially named in 1784 for His Majesty’s Governors and it became a military installation.
For over 200 years, it was off-limits to the public. Nowadays, it is an oasis that many New Yorkers and visitors who are in the know will escape to for a dose of nature.
The 172-acre island is just a short ferry ride away from Lower Manhattan. It is essentially a big, charming park that looks like a small New England town. Once on the island, you can explore an entire range of cycling and walking trails.
It is also one of the best spots in New York City to soak in the vistas of the gleaming skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan across the water.
Governors Island offers an invigorating mix of historic sites and fun activity areas that can be explored.
Whether your preference is to take in the sights and feed the soul at the art-studded Liggett Terrace, or to head on over to the Hammock Grove where 50 hammocks await the warmth of bodies sinking into them, you will find your vibe on Governors Island.
Governors Island National Monument and Historic Sights
History buffs will not be disappointed when visiting Governors Island National Monument. After all, Governors Island has a long military association and so you can expect to find plenty of history on the island.
Significant Events
During the Revolutionary War, Governors Island was a military fort. Then during the Civil War, it played the role of the Union Army’s central recruiting station.
It was also the take-off point for Wilbur Wright’s famous 1909 flight around the Statue of Liberty. More recently, in 1988, the Reagan/Gorbachev summit was held at Governors Island. The summit took place at Admiral’s House, a grand, military residence that is part of the area of Nolan Park.
It was used by the American military until the 1960s. The Coast Guard then took it over. After they left the island in in 1995, the island was purchased by the city in 2002 and started welcoming visitors in 2003.
Fort Jay
In the northern corner, there’s the star-shaped Fort Jay. It was originally built in 1794. It was built to to prevent the British from invading Manhattan.
While there are no formal guided tours at the moment, you can explore it on your own on weekends, Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 am to 5 pm. If you have any questions, you can always ask the staff onsite who will be happy to help share their knowledge.
Castle Williams
Castle Williams is a red sandstone fort built in the 19th-century. It has 8 ft-thick walls and was later converted to a military penitentiary. It is a circular fortification.
You can explore Castle Williams over the weekends, Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 am to 5 pm. Similarly, if you have any questions, you can always ask the staff onsite who will be happy to help share their knowledge.
Colonels Row
You can pay a visit to Colonels Row. This is a row of eight lovely 19th-century brick officers’ quarters that looks like throwback to the past.
The houses on Colonels Row were constructed at a time when joining the Army was not a common career choice. In the early 1900s United States needed to modernise its Army while luring and keeping competent officers.
In order to encourage men to pursue careers in the Army, Colonels’ Row was built to entice men to choose serving in the Army as a career and to provide their families with upscale housing.
New York City Police Museum
The New York City Police Museum is also on Governors Island.
The museum examine the evolution of city policing beginning with the Dutch settlement of what was then known as New Amsterdam.
The New York City Police Museum functions as a learning facility, a living memorial, and a communication link between the various New York communities, the global community, and the New York City Police Department.
Nature on Governors Island
The Hills
If nature is more your thing, head to the Hills in the southwest part of the island. There are flower-fringed walking trails up to panoramic views of Manhattan. The 70ft high vantage point is a great spot to view the tall skyscrapers of the city and New York Harbor.
There are four manmade mounds that you can explore at the Hills. Amongst these are Outlook Hill and Discovery Hill.
Kids and adults will both love Slide Hill. This feature rises 40ft and has four playful slides that you can swoosh down on. One of these slides, at 57 feet long and three stories tall, is New York City’s longest slide.
You can also look out to some stunning views the Statue of Liberty from the Hills on Governors Island.
The Hills opened to the public in July 2016.
Picnic Point
Picnic Point is another spot on Governors Island with grassy spaces and lounge chairs. Families can spread out their picnic blankets in the wide open fields without bothering other visitors.
There are numerous picnic tables strewn about the area for those who would prefer not to sit on the grass.
Book a grill in advance if you want to prepare a hot meal.
Great Promenade
For more views, take a walk along the 2.2 mile Great Promenade. This runs along the island’s perimeter and is a good way to in everything from Lower Manhattan to Brooklyn; Staten Island to New Jersey.
It was originally constructed as a road to transport Army personnel around Governors Island at the turn of the 20th century. The Coast Guard subsequently used it for their service and personal vehicles.
Now visitors to Governors Island can enjoy the views as they take a stroll along the road.
The Yard
The Yard, a 50,000-sq-ft space, opens up for kid-friendly play on the weekends too. It is a family friendly spot where the whole family can spend some time together.
This adventure playground is recommended for kids between the ages of six to 12 years old. Offering open end play opportunities, kids can make use of the supplied provided to build, create, imagine and even destroy things while at The Yard.
Governors Island Glamping
Since 2018, the island has hosted a glamping site by Collective Retreats.
For those who are glamping and staying overnight, luxuries include a private tent and shelter is made with comfort in mind. These include high thread count bedding, plush towels, designer lighting, air conditioning, and Byredo bath products are all included in our lodgings. You can also enjoy your very own private deck.
There are different glamping accommodation types. These range from the luxurious Outlook Villa to the stylish Outlook Liberty Suite.
Collective Retreats also organizes activities to complement the glamping experience. This include wellness activities such as Sunrise Yoga, bike explorations of the island as well as S’mores on the Lawn.
If you have your heart set on glamping on Governors Island, we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
You can find out more about Governors Island glamping by Collective Retreats.
Getting Around Governors Island
Governors Island is a walking and cycling island. Cars and other motor vehicles are not permitted.
The island is easily walkable.
An alternative way to get around is by cycling. You can rent bicycles from Blazing Saddles (www.blazingsaddles.com) or use one of three Citibike stations around the island.
Food on Governors Island
Liggett Terrace hosts food trucks, from tacos to ice pops, and an outpost of Brooklyn beer favorite Threes Brewing. King Avenue Food Court a other locations on Governors Island feature a variety of food truck and tent vendors that serve a variety of meals, snacks, and beverages.
Grilling is allowed on the island by permit. Grilling stations can be reserved through the Trust for a fee along with picnic tables. Reservations must be made 2 weeks or more in advance.
Governors Island Ferries
Governors Island can be reached by ferry from either Manhattan or Brooklyn.
It is open to the public daily year-round. From September through Memorial Day, the island is open daily from 7 am to 6 pm.
From Manhattan: Ferries operated by the Trust for Governors Island run daily from the Battery Maritime Building, located at 10 South Street in Lower Manhattan. Find out more about the Governors Island ferry schedules and tickets.
It is just an 8-minute ride to reach Governors Island from The Battery.
From Brooklyn: Seasonal ferries operated by the Trust for Governors Island run Saturdays, Sundays, and Holiday Mondays from Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park and Red Hook/Atlantic Basin from May to October. Click here for schedules and tickets.
NYC Ferry, New York City’s public ferry service, also serves Governors Island daily year-round, with stops on the Lower East Side, Wall Street, and along the Brooklyn waterfront. Get the NYC Ferry information, ticketing, and schedules.
Find out more on how to plan your visit to Governors Island in NYC.
