A Governors Island Day Trip—with the Option to Stay

Back to List

For most New Yorkers, “getting out of the city” involves a bag, a car, a rental, and at least a few hours of traffic. But if you’re simply after a change of pace—or just a little space to exhale—there’s a version of escape that doesn’t require leaving at all.

Hear us out: Governors Island remains one of the city’s most underexplored pockets—a quiet, car-free expanse just minutes from Lower Manhattan that feels surprisingly removed. It’s the kind of place where time stretches a little, especially in the warmer months. And with those warmer days now here, we thought it was time for a proper guide—for anyone who hasn’t yet spent an afternoon discovering what the island has to offer.

THE FERRY

Getting there is part of the appeal. Governors Island is just a five-minute ferry ride from Lower Manhattan—but the shift in atmosphere feels immediate.

There are two main options. The ferry operated by the Trust for Governors Island departs daily from the Battery Maritime Building (10 South Street) and is the most direct route. Round-trip tickets are typically around $5 and can be purchased on-site or in advance. Alternatively, NYC Ferry offers service with stops along the East River and Brooklyn waterfront—ideal if you want to extend your day into DUMBO or beyond.

The ride itself is quick but scenic, with open views of Lower Manhattan that make the transition feel more like a reset than a commute. Just be mindful of return times: while the island stays open later in peak summer (7am–10pm), off-season hours can be surprisingly early.

10 South Street

GRAB A BIKE

Once you arrive, the best way to experience the island is on two wheels. With seven miles of car-free paths, biking turns the entire visit into something fluid and exploratory. Sure, you can bring your own bike on the ferry—but if you don’t have one, there are plenty of easy rental options. Citi Bike has multiple docking stations across the island—including one right at Soissons Landing—making it the most convenient choice for shorter rides.

And if you’re looking for something a little more leisurely, Blazing Saddles offers a wider range of rentals, from cruisers to all-day options. It’s a better fit if you want to spend hours circling the island without thinking about docking logistics.

Soissons Landing

THE ARTS CENTER

If you dock at Soissons Landing, you’ll arrive directly next to the Arts Center—an easy first stop and a strong introduction to the island’s quieter cultural side. Governors Island has increasingly positioned itself as a space for artists, and the Arts Center reflects that shift, hosting rotating exhibitions and workshops across a range of disciplines. It’s worth a quick pass-through, even if only to reset your pace before heading further out.

110 Andes Rd (Building 110); (212) 219-9401

FORT JAY & CASTLE WILLIAMS

Before it became a leisure destination, Governors Island was a military stronghold. Functioning as a U.S. Army post from 1783 to 1966, before serving as a Coast Guard installation until 1996, it is recognized as one of the longest-running, continuously operated military posts in U.S. history.

Today, remnants of that history remain. Fort Jay and Castle Williams, both open to the public, date back to the early 19th century and played key roles in protecting New York Harbor. Fort Jay’s star-shaped design—originally established by the Continental Army—sits at the island’s highest point, while Castle Williams’ circular stone structure is unmistakably imposing.

Both are open Wednesday through Sunday (plus federal holidays) and are often staffed by National Park Service rangers who offer additional information and historical context upon request.

Andes Rd

QC NY SPA

If there’s a centerpiece to Governors Island’s current evolution, it’s QC NY Spa. To get there, you’ll want to head back up toward Soissons Landing. Set inside a restored historic barracks near Castle Williams, the space is part European-style wellness retreat, part social escape—complete with outdoor heated pools overlooking the Manhattan skyline. It’s also one of the only spas in the city offering year-round outdoor bathing.

Inside, the experience unfolds across multiple rooms: saunas, steam baths, relaxation spaces, and contrast therapy circuits designed to move between heat and cold. You can opt for treatments, but most visitors simply book a day pass and drift between spaces at their own pace. There’s something quietly surreal about sitting in a hot pool, drink in hand, while the Financial District rises just across the water—a reminder that you haven’t actually left the city, even if it feels like you have.

112 Andes Rd; (646) 402-9647

COLLECTIVE RETREATS

And if you’re so relaxed after your spa day that leaving the island feels like too much effort, you’re in luck. The luxe, boutique Collective Retreats offers the option to stay overnight.

No need to venture upstate for an upscale glamping escape—this in-city version comes with uninterrupted skyline views, from canvas tents to cabins and suites, all outfitted with proper beds and private terraces. It’s a slightly surreal experience: the aesthetic of a remote getaway set against the backdrop of Lower Manhattan.

825 Gresham Rd; (970) 445-2033

GOVERNORS ISLAND TEACHING GARDEN

For something a little more peaceful, the Governors Island Teaching Garden and Urban Farm offers a different kind of reset.

Spread across an acre, the space functions as both a working farm and an educational hub, with contributions from GrowNYC, Earth Matter NY, and the Bee Conservancy. Expect vegetable beds, compost systems, honeybee hives, and seasonal programming that ranges from workshops to guided tours—a far cry from the military history that once dominated the island.

The Urban Farm is open to the public on weekends from May through October, with occasional tours and events throughout the season.

778 Enright Rd; (212) 788-7900

SLIDE HILL & OUTLOOK HILL

If your Governors Island outing includes children—or you’re simply in the mood for something more playful—Slide Hill is exactly what it sounds like: a small hill fitted with multiple slides, including one that stretches three stories high.

A short walk away, Outlook Hill offers a more physical climb, with rocky paths leading to one of the island’s best vantage points. From the top, you’ll get unobstructed views of the Statue of Liberty and the surrounding harbor—the kind of perspective that makes the city feel both distant and entirely within reach.

910 Half Moon Rd (Slide Hill)
946–950 Craig Rd N (Outlook Hill)

HAMMOCK GROVE

If you’re tired out from all that sliding, you may want to take a moment to reset. For a slower pace, Hammock Grove delivers exactly what you’d expect: dozens of hammocks strung between trees, designed for doing very little.

It’s one of the simplest pleasures on the island—lying back, looking up, and letting the pace of the day soften a bit. Nearby, you’ll find open green space, climbing structures, and occasionally, the island’s resident sheep quietly tending the landscape—all with the Statue of Liberty still in view.

Governors Island Picnic Point; 910 Gresham Rd; (212) 504-4115

EAT & DRINK

And if you are heading back after all, you may want to refuel before you go. You may be surprised, but Governors Island is still very much New York when it comes to food.

Options range from casual to more destination-driven: tacos at Taco Vista, Ethiopian-Eritrean street food at Makina Cafe, coastal flavors at new waterfront bar Six Coasts by Smorgasburg, wood-fired pizza at Pizzeria Fantastica, and seasonal pop-ups that rotate throughout the summer. There are also plenty of spots for something quick—ice cream, paletas, coffee—if you’re keeping things light. Of course, you’re welcome to bring your own and head back to Hammock Grove for a picnic before you go.

It’s rare, in New York, to find a place that feels this removed without requiring much effort to get there. But that’s the quiet magic of Governors Island: a reset, hiding in plain sight.

WORDS Hillary Sproul

FEATURED IMAGE Six Coasts by Smorgasburg at govisland.com

A Governors Island Day Trip—with the Option to Stay

You May Also Like

The Best Farmers Markets in Downtown NYC

Spring in the City: A Cultural Guide to the Season

Manic Panic: An Interview with Punk Pioneers Tish and Snooky Bellomo

Fresh Cuts: A Playlist for Early Spring

Peter Vack on Memes, Filmmaking and the Long Road to Rachel Ormont

Behind the Lens: A Conversation with Henry Diltz

Downtown Lens: The Photographers Who Captured 1970s and '80s New York

Tribeca After Dark: Cozy Corners for a Romantic Night Out