Take A Break At Governors Island
If you’re in New York City but you suddenly feel an urge to get away from the crowd and the noise, then you can just simply head to Governors Island. To those who have never been to Governors Island one of the best ways to describe it is to call it an adult playground. If you love art, adventure but hate traffic, then a visit to the island would be a refreshing experience for you. It’s open every day of the week. Operating hours during weekdays is from 10 am to 6 pm. During weekends and holidays, it is open up to 7 pm.
What to do there
One of the main features of Governors Island is the large hilly park where you can zip down a giant slide, view installation artworks, or simply chill at Hammock Grove. It’s also a great place to bike, run, bike, go birding, or have a picnic. If the weather is sunny, then you can go kayaking at Pier 101 or at the Downtown Boathouse. There’s also a glamping site on the western side of the island. If you get hungry, Governors Island offers several options. So whatever you’re craving for there’s a good chance the island has it.
How to get there
To get to Governors Island, you’ll need to ride a ferry from Manhattan’s South Seaport if you’re going on a weekday and from the Atlantic Basin/Red Hook if you’re visiting on a weekend. The capacities of the ferries have been reduced to observe physical distancing to avoid the spread of the coronavirus. A round-trip ticket will cost you $3. If you want to save on cash, then you need to catch the free morning ferry ride which departs before noon every weekend. The ferry ride is also free for city housing authority residents, members of the military, and senior citizens.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Governors Island, New York Harbor, New York City, USA
- Coordinates
- 40.68899, -74.01903
- Access
- Governors Island is reached by Trust-operated ferry from the Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street in Manhattan. The seasonal Brooklyn ferry serves Pier 6 and Atlantic Basin on weekends and holidays through November 1, 2026. NYC Ferry also serves the island but is a separate operator with separate tickets and schedules. Personal cars are not allowed on the island.
- Admission
- There is no island entrance fee. Trust-operated adult ferry fare is $5 round trip; all passengers ride free on Saturdays and Sundays before 11:00, with other eligible groups also free. NYC Ferry is separate and has its own fares. Check the current ferry calendar and ticket terms.
- Time needed
- No official standard visit duration is published. Visit length depends on ferry timing and chosen activities; check the return schedule and public hours before setting out.
- Best season
- The Trust does not name one best season. The island is open year-round; spring through fall has more seasonal programming and ferry options. In 2026, the seasonal Brooklyn ferry runs weekends and holidays through November 1. Choose dates around events, weather, and ferry service.
- Opening hours
- The Trust says Governors Island is open daily year-round. From Labor Day through Memorial Day, public hours are 07:00–18:00. Ferry schedules and some visitor services vary seasonally; the seasonal Brooklyn service ends November 1, 2026. Check the Trust and NYC Ferry schedules for your date.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-26
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-26
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