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Governors Island

Governors Island

Island, Historic and Protected Site, and National Park
Governors Island, New York
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9.1/10
1,173
ratings
  • Stars
  • Stars
    This island is famous for their sunsets. It's one of the most popular in the city!
  • Tips
    sean r.
    "Go to the Jazz Age Lawn party held every summer!"(3 Tips)
    ℳ𝒶𝓎♍
    "short ferry ride from near Battery Park"(6 Tips)
    Daniel L.
    "picnic point for an awesome view"(4 Tips)
    Emi T.
    "free bike rentals on fridays!"(6 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon214 Tips and reviews
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  • Michael B.heart icon on user image
    Michael BelluardoJuly 17, 2015
    Don't even remember that I was in NYC. Awesome place to hang and bring a picnic
  • Funesheart icon on user image
    FunesAugust 16, 2015
    Come ready with a blanket and some grub and have a great picnic with amazing views of Manhattan.
  • NY Waterway
    NY WaterwayMay 2, 2012
    Great 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
  • Gadling
    GadlingJune 19, 2010
    Beat the heat of the city by escaping to this island with epic views of Manhattan & the Statue of Liberty. Gorgeous old building dot the island. The West Indian food cart is amazing. -mb
  • Christine C.
    Christine ClarkSeptember 21, 2013
    Awesome place! There were really cool art exhibits when I went and beautiful views!
  • Eric F.heart icon on user image
    Eric FernándezSeptember 17, 2021
    You can rent a bike and go through all the island or you can also walk around and still enjoy.
  • Stuart B.
    Stuart BridgettJune 7, 2014
    Ferry from the end of Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn is no longer free, but is only $2 for a return trip. Only two sailings a day are free- 11am and 11:30am.
  • Danielle K.
    Danielle KlingMay 28, 2011
    Attend Figment!! Visit Leggitt Terrace for Figment's Season Long Sculpture Garden and Mini Golf Course. Then, come out for Figment's event weekend June 10,11, 12. See over 400 interactive artists!!!
  • Ariane v.
    Ariane van DievoetJune 3, 2014
    Awesome getaway from the crazyness of the city. Free ferry from governor Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.
  • Leah L.
    Leah LabrecqueAugust 29, 2014
    Wear sunblock and bring a water bottle. Luscious mulberry tree in meadow near the traffic light sculpture, ripe in mid-late July.
  • Jacob S.
    Jacob ShemkovitzAugust 31, 2013
    Island in NY Harbor which served various branches of the US Military from 1783 until the late 1990s; future uses are still being decided
  • Joey T.heart icon on user image
    Joey TJanuary 19, 2016
    Stunning but the whole island is not dog friendly
  • Lovely G.
    Lovely G.June 28, 2014
    A 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.
  • Scott W.
    Scott WooledgeJune 5, 2019
    If you have an NYC ID the ferry is free at all times.
  • John B.
    John BurkeAugust 10, 2014
    Definitely rent a bike (or bring one) if you want to get around the whole island easily.
  • Kristelle R.
    Kristelle RoMay 28, 2013
    A lovely pkace for family time and a picnic. Alcohol is not allowed, so leave your bottles at home.
  • Noel C.heart icon on user image
    Noel ClineJune 13, 2015
    Been here 5+ times
    Absolute favorite place in the city! Great mini escape without truly leaving.
  • Craig H.
    Craig HSeptember 14, 2014
    If you don't like being constantly attacked by wasps (the bugs) don't come. This every corner of the island - makes it impossible to relax.
  • Daniel B.heart icon on user image
    Daniel BarnettAugust 28, 2015
    Wonderful colonial style buildings, museums, and public parks. Great biking.
  • Collin B.heart icon on user image
    Collin BellMay 24, 2011
    Been here 100+ times
    Take a tour with a National Park Ranger every Friday, Saturday or Sunday @ 11:25, 1:25 or 3:25 to learn the history of this amazing and beautiful place.
  • Patrick B.heart icon on user image
    Patrick BaskinAugust 1, 2015
    Fantastic island getaway 5 mins from Manhattan, rent a bike and explore
  • James B.
    James BruniAugust 18, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    This used to be a great getaway for us folks Downtown / now it's a tourist attraction with Jazz Lawn parties and carnival grounds
  • Smithsonian Channel
    Smithsonian ChannelJune 24, 2011
    In the early 1900s, this island was enlarged by more than 100 acres using earthen landfill produced by excavations for the New York subway system. (From Aerial America) Read more
  • The New York Daily News
    The New York Daily NewsDecember 7, 2010
    PHOTO: 1947. First Army Sergt. Robert G. Evraets passes up the shovel for a flame-thrower, testing the weapon as an anti-snow device on Governors Island, at the link! Read more
  • Dave D.
    Dave DawsonSeptember 12, 2013
    The greatest place in this city! Worth the ferry ride over. It's an island, that is a park!
  • Yiannis
    YiannisAugust 28, 2012
    Wear bug repellent. Get grub at Perfect Picnic--delicious food, friendly service, excellent concept...what more could you want?
  • Divya J.
    Divya JosephJuly 27, 2013
    Go there early! It's a lot more fun to bike around the island when it's not too crowded.
  • Andrea
    AndreaMay 29, 2011
    awesome place outside of city. Bike ride for 2 hrs is $30 but worth the river view. Really unique spot.
  • Michael C.
    Michael CalleiaJuly 13, 2013
    Heads up, mixed uses bike and pedestrian paths = danger. I was almost hit by a ranger going fast and using people as pylons.
  • Mati L.
    Mati LuikSeptember 3, 2014
    Awesome place for outdoor events or just to get away from NYC for a day.
  • Chirag P.heart icon on user image
    Chirag PatelAugust 9, 2015
    Been here 10+ times
    Tons to do for kids. Art installations fun.
  • Untapped Cities
    Untapped CitiesAugust 6, 2012
    Captain William R. Webb, the only Confederate prisoner to escape from Castle Williams on Governors Island, went on to become a Senator from Tennessee. Read more
  • Sara .heart icon on user image
    Sara 🌈⚔🍾June 15, 2015
    Amazing place for biking, picnics, and festivals!
  • sean r.
    sean rileyAugust 17, 2014
    Go to the Jazz Age Lawn party held every summer!
  • Emily O.
    Emily OkeyMay 27, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Great place to briefly escape the crazy city. Bring along a picnic lunch for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
  • Brad W.heart icon on user image
    Brad WillardSeptember 26, 2016
    Always check for the special events. Still great on its own.
  • Untapped Cities
    Untapped CitiesSeptember 28, 2012
    Did you know the only Confederate prisoner to escape from the Island and went on to become a United States Senator from Tennessee. Read more
  • Governors Islandheart icon on user image
    Governors IslandMay 22, 2013
    Open for the season starting May 25! See our schedule of programming here: http://www.nps.gov/gois/planyourvisit/index.htm
  • Razorfish
    RazorfishSeptember 20, 2011
    A little getaway from the City where the grass in greener, the air is fresher, the trees outnumber the people, and the ferry is free.
  • Marc G.heart icon on user image
    Marc GSeptember 4, 2015
    Great to walk around when it's sunny. Avoid at all cost when it rains!
  • Laura
    LauraSeptember 15, 2013
    Go early and skip the food court for Le Gamin by Fête Paradiso. Lovely day to be had by all.
  • Marq and Chriselle's Super Awesome Wedding
    This became a venue we frequented a lot in summer '11 taking romantic ferry rides to Gov's Island and taking the ferry back feeling really dirty, smelly, hungry and tired from the concert.
  • Wesley V.heart icon on user image
    Wesley VerhoeveJuly 2, 2011
    Been here 10+ times
    Whomever decided that installing the art piece with the bell and a rope to ring it with needs to be tarred and feathered. It ruins the whole idea of a peaceful time with the constant noise.
  • Wesley V.heart icon on user image
    Wesley VerhoeveJuly 2, 2011
    Been here 10+ times
    Whoever installed the sculpture with the ringable bell needs to be tarred and feathered. Obnoxious ruiner of the peaceful vibe. And parents, don't let your kid be an asshole.
  • Carmen d.
    Carmen da SilvaAugust 15, 2011
    Free ferry from either Brooklyn or Battery Park with free events regularly like yoga, concerts and bike rentals. Read more
  • Lilah Z.
    Lilah ZephyrMay 30, 2012
    Just BEAUTIFUL! Plenty of things to do with out the confounded NYC crowd. Love it!
  • JYOTI S.heart icon on user image
    JYOTI SINGHJuly 11, 2015
    Great for picnics, perfect for people with children.
  • Mariah E.
    Mariah EismanAugust 5, 2013
    Catch the first ferry out of Brooklyn at 11 am and try to leave on the 3 pm ferry back, otherwise the wait is long and the dock is chaos.
  • Crunch Gym
    Crunch GymAugust 19, 2010
    Turn your day trip to Governors Island into a day of fitness fun by renting bikes. You can burn over 500 calories an hour and you’ll see more sights while you’re at it. Read more
  • Liam K.heart icon on user image
    Liam K.October 24, 2017
    Been here 5+ times
    One of the best parks in the city!
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