Places to Visit: Governors Island

Governors Island is one of the most exciting and unique day-trip destinations within New York City. The 172-acre site is in the middle of New York Harbor and was used for military training purposes for over 200 years. It is now a wonderful park, outdoor art space, cultural events center, historical landmark, and adult playground — among other things.

The island is only a 10-minute ferry ride from either Manhattan or Brooklyn and offers extraordinary views of New York City. Once you get there, you’ll find plenty of things to do. Bring your own food and have a picnic near the water or choose from the various food vendors on the island. Take a leisurely bike ride around the island — you can bring your own bike or rent one there. The island also hosts music concerts, a unicycle festival, and countless other unique events for all types of interests.

Governors Island is open to the public every day of the week between May 1 and October 31. Ferries from Manhattan depart from the Battery Maritime Building in the Financial District. Ferries from Brooklyn depart Pier 6 at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Visitors can purchase tickets in person at the ticket booths before boarding the ferry. The standard round-trip fare for visitors is $3 for adults, and free for seniors as well as children under 12. Additionally, all passengers ride free on ferries that depart Saturdays and Sundays before noon. There is no additional charge to bring a bicycle.

For more information about Governors Island, please visit www.governorsisland.com