Governors Island Guide 2022: The Perfect Family Retreat
Even though Governors Island has been open year round since November 2021, this spot is the perfect opportunity to take your loved ones out to spend the day riding bikes, playing games, or exploring the artwork that the Island has to offer. The 172-acre Island has a number of activities to try or is the perfect destination to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful weather this season. Some health and safety protocols are still in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19 .Visitors are required to wear a mask on the ferry and they have increased cleaning schedules throughout the facilities on the Island. Ready for your visit? We’re going to give you a rundown on activities, safety precautions, and more!
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 7am to 6pm; Friday-Saturday, 7am to 7pm
Are you looking for fun ways to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month? Check out Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2022 Events and Activities Around NYC!
Things to Do on Governors Island
Biking: Bring your own bike, or rent one on the Island with either Citi Bike or Blazing Saddles! The bike path is seven miles long — and you don’t even have to worry about cars!
Hammocks: Relax on one of the Island’s iconic red hammocks while gazing at the beautiful city skyline.
Playgrounds: The kids can play on a variety of awesome slides at Slide Hill. Slide Hill is home to the longest slide in NYC! It’s a curving, 57-foot-long, three-story-high slide. Hammock Grove offers play structures that kids can climb and swing on. They’re perfect for some fun exercise.
Learning: Explore the historic archives that Governors Island holds. From historic photographs to self-guided walking tours, there are so many fun and educational opportunities. On weekends, the Island offers family-friendly passive visits to their farm. Check out The Urban Farm (Saturdays & Sundays, noon – 4 pm) where they have chickens, gardens, and a compost center.
Artwork: There’s an old, revamped church with tons of history and new visions to explore. Families can also take a look at The Field Station of The Melancholy Marine Biologist where visitors can confront a future impacted by climate change. There’s also an orchard with 50 fruit trees. Each tree will have multiple varieties of fruits that are relevant to the history of New York City.
How to Get to the Island
Ferry service occurs daily from the Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street in Manhattan
Brooklyn ferries to Governors Island will depart from Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park and Red Hook/Atlantic Basin. Brooklyn ferries have service running on Saturdays and Sundays from May 7th to September 25th.
Prices:
Round-trip ferry tickets cost $4 for adults.
Ferries are free for:
- Visitors age 12 and under
- Seniors age 65 and over
- IDNYC holders
- Current and former military service members
- All New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents
- Governors Island Members
Governors Island says that “morning ferries before noon on Saturdays and Sundays are free for all. There is no surcharge for bicycles at any time.”
Purchase tickets and find ferry schedule here
Health/Safety Protocols and Service Changes Due to COVID-19
The Trust for Governors Island has implemented protocols based on local, state and federal guidelines.
Ferry Ticket Reservations: This is a new policy put in place to manage capacity on the ferry. It is recommended that families reserve tickets for the Governors Island ferry, but it is no longer required. It is also not required to choose a return time when booking ferry tickets.
- Face Masks: Face masks must be worn at all times while queueing, boarding, and riding the ferries.
- Increased Sanitization: All facilities will be disinfected frequently to keep cleanliness a top priority. There will be plenty of hand sanitizer stations and hand washing stations available throughout the Island.
For more info on what’s open/closed and other safety measures can be found here
