Date of Adventure: 05/16/2021
For more information on Governor’s Island please visit the website.
About Governor’s Island
Map of Governor’s Island can be accessed on the Governor’s Island website.
Governor’s Island is an abandoned former military base for the US Army and Coast Guard that was turned into a National Park and opened to the public in 2014. It rises to 70 feet above sea-level and offers gorgeous views of Manhattan Harbor, Statue of Liberty, and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. It offers pathways, hammocks, a playground, ball fields, and picnic areas.
It includes the Hills, which became a NY landmark. The Hills consist of Grassy Hill, Slide Hill, Discovery Hill, Outlook Hill
Grassy Hill offer slopes and views.
Slide Hill includes a 57 feet slide.
Discovery Hill features ornamental trees and bushes and Cabin, a sculpture installed by British artist Rachel Whiteread. The Cabin represents the absence of space and is meant to remind people that nature can be found even in urban cities full of pollution.
Outlook Hill is the tallest point on Governor’s Island and offers 360-degree views. It can be ascended via a path or a granite rock scramble.
Governor’s Island is haven for arts and culture. It includes numerous exhibitions, events, and programs.
How to Get to Governor’s Island
Governor’s Island is accessible by ferry only. Round-trip tickets cost $3/adult; children 12 and under and seniors 65 and older ride for free. All tickets are free on Saturdays and Sundays before noon. Bicycles and strollers can be taken on-board for free. Tickets can be purchased online on the Governor’s Island website. Ferries run from various destinations:
- The Battery Maritime Building, 10 South Street, Manhattan
- Pier 6, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn
- Atlantic Basin, Red Hook, Brooklyn
- Pier 11, Wall Street, Manhattan
Our Impressions of Governor’s Island
This was my second visit to Governor’s Island but Sheldon’s first. My last visit was in 2013 so much has changed since then. Governor’s Island is constantly under development so many new and interesting exhibits have been added since my last visit.
Sheldon and I took the train from Brooklyn to Pier 6. The 15 minute ferry ride is a wonderful part of the Governor’s Island experience. We walked the island, relaxed in the hammocks, pretended to be kids by doing some climbing on the playground, enjoyed the beautiful views of Manhattan on the picnic benches, and even did a mini-hike and rock scramble up Outlook Hill.
What we found funny was that Governor’s Island even offers a camping in luxury retreats in pre-arranged tents with beds overlooking the Hudson River and Manhattan. Out of curiosity, I just searched the pricing for an overnight stay for two adults in May, six months from today, and got a quote of $999. Interested? Here is the link to book.
The visit took about 3 hours.
