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Island, Historic and Protected Site, and National Park
Governors Island, New York
The experts at The Wall Street Journal and Time Out New York recommend this place
"Catching The Jazz Age Lawn Party during the summer is a must!"(4 Tips)
"short ferry ride from near Battery Park"(6 Tips)
"picnic point for an awesome view"(4 Tips)
"free bike rentals on fridays!"(6 Tips)
216 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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GadlingJune 19, 2010Beat 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
FunesAugust 16, 2015Come ready with a blanket and some grub and have a great picnic with amazing views of Manhattan.
Drew SicklerSeptember 21, 2016Rent bikes here $15/hour or $30/day to enjoy the entire island. They also offer Citibike if you are a member.
Michael BelluardoJuly 17, 2015Don't even remember that I was in NYC. Awesome place to hang and bring a picnic
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!
Eric FernándezSeptember 17, 2021You can rent a bike and go through all the island or you can also walk around and still enjoy.
Danielle KlingMay 28, 2011Attend 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!!!
Stuart BridgettJune 7, 2014Ferry 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.
Ariane van DievoetJune 3, 2014Awesome getaway from the crazyness of the city. Free ferry from governor Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Leah LabrecqueAugust 29, 2014Wear sunblock and bring a water bottle. Luscious mulberry tree in meadow near the traffic light sculpture, ripe in mid-late July.
Jacob ShemkovitzAugust 31, 2013Island in NY Harbor which served various branches of the US Military from 1783 until the late 1990s; future uses are still being decided
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.
John BurkeAugust 10, 2014Definitely rent a bike (or bring one) if you want to get around the whole island easily.
Daniel BarnettAugust 28, 2015Wonderful colonial style buildings, museums, and public parks. Great biking.
Absolute favorite place in the city! Great mini escape without truly leaving.
Kristelle RoMay 28, 2013A lovely pkace for family time and a picnic. Alcohol is not allowed, so leave your bottles at home.
Craig HSeptember 14, 2014If 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.
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.
Smithsonian ChannelJune 24, 2011In 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
This used to be a great getaway for us folks Downtown / now it's a tourist attraction with Jazz Lawn parties and carnival grounds
Divya JosephJuly 27, 2013Go there early! It's a lot more fun to bike around the island when it's not too crowded.
Dave DawsonSeptember 12, 2013The greatest place in this city! Worth the ferry ride over. It's an island, that is a park!
The New York Daily NewsDecember 7, 2010PHOTO: 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
YiannisAugust 28, 2012Wear bug repellent. Get grub at Perfect Picnic--delicious food, friendly service, excellent concept...what more could you want?
AndreaMay 29, 2011awesome place outside of city. Bike ride for 2 hrs is $30 but worth the river view. Really unique spot.
Untapped CitiesAugust 6, 2012Captain 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
Michael CalleiaJuly 13, 2013Heads up, mixed uses bike and pedestrian paths = danger. I was almost hit by a ranger going fast and using people as pylons.
Great place to briefly escape the crazy city. Bring along a picnic lunch for a lazy Sunday afternoon.- Untapped CitiesSeptember 28, 2012Did you know the only Confederate prisoner to escape from the Island and went on to become a United States Senator from Tennessee. Read more
RazorfishSeptember 20, 2011A little getaway from the City where the grass in greener, the air is fresher, the trees outnumber the people, and the ferry is free.
Governors IslandMay 22, 2013Open for the season starting May 25! See our schedule of programming here:
Marq and Chriselle's Super Awesome WeddingNovember 15, 2011This 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.
LauraSeptember 15, 2013Go early and skip the food court for Le Gamin by Fête Paradiso. Lovely day to be had by all.- 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.
- 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.
Crunch GymAugust 19, 2010Turn 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
Carmen da SilvaAugust 15, 2011Free ferry from either Brooklyn or Battery Park with free events regularly like yoga, concerts and bike rentals. Read more
Lilah ZephyrMay 30, 2012Just BEAUTIFUL! Plenty of things to do with out the confounded NYC crowd. Love it!
Mariah EismanAugust 5, 2013Catch 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.
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A unit of the National Park Service in New York City.
Open seasonally from May to September.
Open until 6:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Fri
- 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Sat–Sun
- 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
(212) 825-3054
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"Nice island. Great to run around if you want to extend a run along the East River."
Omer Zach
"Cozy and peaceful island. Great views of the city, and is a pleasant 1 hour walk around the whole thing."
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"Awesome place to ride bikes, play sports, have a picnic, and generally just escape the hustle and bustle of Manhattan for a hot second."
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