Governors Island: How to Plan Your Visit

Governors Island is a small island just south of Manhattan with one of the best views of the New York skyline.

It was once a military fort guarding the entrance to New York Harbor. Today it's a park you can reach on a quick ferry ride.

Keep reading to find out how to get to Governors Island and what to see on this island near the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

What to see on Governors Island

From the days when Governors Island was a military post, several historic fortifications remain, now turned into museums you can explore on your own.

In the 1920s, Governors Island, still under Army control, hosted polo matches and mock battles that the public could watch. Over the years it would join the network of public parks in New York.

It has picnic areas, bike rentals, and open-air bars in summer, but above all people come because it's one of the best spots to look out at the Manhattan skyscrapers.

You'll need about two hours to see Governors Island. The island is small, so there's no public transportation (renting a bike to get around is a great idea).

You can also relax on its wide green lawns, always with magnificent views of Lower Manhattan in the background.

There are picnic tables and food trucks, so it makes a good lunchtime outing.

Historic forts on Governors Island

As you walk around, you'll come across military fortifications built in colonial times to defend New York Harbor: Castle Williams and Fort Jay.

You can step into the inner courtyard of Castle Williams, where you'll find an exhibit about the island's role in New York's history.

There you'll learn that the island got its name when it was chosen as the home of the British governors.

Much later it was used as a military base by the Armed Forces and then by the Coast Guard.

Most of the buildings on the island date from that period, when they were offices and homes for military personnel and their families.

Today it's a park that's close by yet far from the bustle of New York, a favorite with city families for weekend outings.

An excellent lookout over Manhattan

In truth, all of Governors Island is one big viewpoint over Manhattan.

But one spot beats the rest thanks to its elevation: The Hills. Four small hills whose summits give you a flawless panorama of Downtown Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, which sits very close to Governors Island.

You'll take photos that make your social media followers jealous.

I'd go so far as to say the views are even better during the ferry ride to Governors Island. It's definitely a fantastic and very cheap trip that I recommend you take (just 3 dollars round trip!).

Events on Governors Island

In summer, Governors Island hosts events, concerts, and outdoor parties.

One of the most fun events of August in New York happens here: the Jazz Age Lawn Party, when attendees dress up in 1920s style and jazz rings out across the island.

How to get to Governors Island

Admission to Governors Island is free. You only pay for the ferry ride.

The crossing takes 10 minutes, but plan to arrive early for the boarding lines, since this trip is in high demand, especially during summer in New York.

Ferry to Governors Island from Manhattan

To reach Governors Island from Manhattan, catch the ferry at the Battery Maritime Building terminal, in Battery Park next to the South Ferry terminal (that's where the ferries to Staten Island depart).

Address:

Battery Maritime Building, 10 South Street.
Subway Line 1. South Ferry station
Lines 4, 5. Bowling Green station
Line R. Whitehall Street station

Round-trip price:

Adults US$ 5

Visitors over 65 and kids under 12 ride free.

On Saturdays and Sundays before 11 am, ferry rides are free for all passengers.

Hours:

You can check the ferry schedule on the island's official page.

Ferry to Governors Island from Brooklyn

On weekends between late May and early September, you can take the NYC Ferry service to Governors Island from 2 terminals in Brooklyn:

🛳️ Pier 6 at Brooklyn Bridge Park in DUMBO

🛳️ Red Hook/Atlantic Basin pier in the Red Hook neighborhood in South Brooklyn.

Price:

4 dollars each way

Governors Island visiting hours

Governors Island is open year-round from 7 am to 6 pm.

Until a few years ago you could only visit between May and October, which made it a summer outing in NYC, but they had the great idea of opening it every day.

These dates and hours can change depending on the weather. To be safe, check them on the official website.