How to Get to Governors Island: A Day Trip from Manhattan
TRAVEL GUIDE: How to Get to GOVERNORS ISLAND in NYC
Governors Island (which, for some reason doesnât have an apostrophe in âGovernorsâ) is open year-round, but is really worth visiting in nice weather.
Most of the best events and activities for a Governors Island day trip take place between mid-April and mid-October.
The views from the island, which is off the southern tip of Manhattan, offer stunning views of Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Statue of Liberty.
How to Get to Governors Island on the Ferry
You cannot drive to Governors Island. The only way to get there is by ferry boat, which is a bonus!
The ride to Governors Island itself is reason enough to make the trip. The ferries are quick, efficient, and far cheaper than any of the tour boats that circle Manhattan.
Two Ferry Options to get to Governors Island
You have two ferry options. They’re both great, so just choose the one closest to you, or the one with a better schedule for you.
I’ll break down the options:
The South Brooklyn Line ferries leave Manhattan from Wall Street Pier 11.
After two brief stops in Brooklyn, it will bring you to Yankeeâs Landing on Governors Island.
The entire trip is about 20 minutes, and it’s only $4 each way! You can’t beat a deal like that in New York City, especially with the million-dollar-views you’ll get along the way.
The other ferry option is known as the Governors Island Ferry. It will take you from Manhattanâs Battery Maritime Building, at 10 South Street, to Soissonâs Landing on Governors Island.
Ferry Schedules to get to Governors Island
The ferry options both begin their days around 7:00am. Check their schedules for changes!
Governors Island Ferry from the Maritime Battery Building to Soisson’s Landing:
- Earliest departure: 7:00am
- Runs every 30 minutes
- Last ferry off Governors Island: 10:00pm Sunday through Thursday
- Last ferry off Governors Island: 11:00pm Friday and Saturday
âĄď¸ CLICK HERE to check the Governors Island ferry schedule.
South Brooklyn Line from Wall Street Pier 11 to Governors Island:
- South Brooklyn Line
- Earliest departure: 7:01am
- Runs every hour (or so)
- Last ferry off Governors Island: 5:17pm (Monday through Friday)
- Last ferry off Governors Island: 4:54pm (Saturday and Sunday)
âĄď¸ CLICK HERE to check the South Brooklyn Line ferry schedule.
Again, the ride is worth it just for this jaw-dropping view of Lower Manhattan!
Ferry Prices to Governors Island
Governors Island Ferry to Soisson’s Landing:
- Adults: $4 each way
- Seniors 65+ : FREE
- Children 12 & under: FREE
- Current/former military service members: FREE
- Saturdays & Sunday mornings: FREE
- Bikes: FREE to bring
âĄď¸ CLICK HERE to reserve a ferry ticket, even if you’re eligible for a free ride.
South Brooklyn Line to Yankee Landing:
- Adults: $4 each way
- Children under 44”: FREE
- Seniors: $1.35
- People with disabilities: $1.35
For the South Brooklyn Line, download and buy your tickets from the free NYC Ferry app, which is very user-friendly and helpful, or you can buy them at the vending machine on the pier.
Things to Do on a Governors Island Day Trip
Again, a Governors Island day trip is best on sunny, warm days. From biking to picnics to exploring the gardens and galleries, you’ll have a lot of options!
Rent a Bike on Governors Island
There are almost no vehicles on the island, so bikers have the roads to themselves.
It makes biking around one of the most enjoyable things to do on Governors Island.
You can bring your own bike, or rent one on the island.
đ˛ CLICK HERE to book a bike tour of Governors Island!
As soon as your ferry docks, you’ll see a bank of Citi Bikes you can rent.
You can use the Citi Bike app, or the Lyft app to unlock and pay for a bike.
Using Lyft, you’ll scan a QR code on the bike and be charged the same way you’d be charged if you were calling a ride-share.
The cost is $3.99 for the first 30 minutes, and then .23 cents for every extra minute.
Otherwise, you can rent a Citi Bike for the full day for $15.
The other option is a business called Blazing Saddles, which is at the north end of Colonelsâ Row.
Theyâll give you a bike for free for up to an hour, if you stop by on a weekday morning before noon.
The island is actually pretty big, so biking around is the best way to explore all it has to offer!
Picnic With a View on Governors Island
You can bring whatever youâd like to eat on your Governors Island day trip.
Here’s a reminder of the amazing view from the Great Lawn on the northwest side of the island, where many people relax on picnics:
If youâd like to have a full-on cookout, make sure to reserve one of the grills.
âĄď¸ CLICK HERE to reserve one of Governors Island’s BBQ areas.
The cost is $26 for the full day for both a grill and two picnic tables. Just make sure to book in advance, since itâs first-come, first-served.
Also, they only supply the grill itself. You have to bring your own charcoal, lighter, etc.
While youâre not allowed to bring your own alcohol on a Governors Island day trip, youâll find several restaurants which offer wine, beer, and cocktails.
Iâd love to share a bottle of wine on the lawn, overlooking the water and Liberty Island ⌠but itâs frowned upon.
Take a Tour of Governors Island
The history of Governors Island is fascinating, from its Dutch beginnings to its expansion thanks to the first subway dig, to its role with both the US Army and Coast Guard over the centuries.
How is it that this amazing piece of prime real estate is essentially abandoned!? They answer that and much more on a walking tour of the island.
The Friends of Governors Island volunteer to lead the tours, which begin at the Soisson’s Landing Welcome Center.
Tour Times:
- 10:45am Fridays & Saturdays
- 12:45pm Saturdays & Sundays
- 2:45pm Saturdays & Sundays
Theyâll give you the full explanation of the preservation work currently going on.
Again, they also offer BIKE TOURS of Governors Island! They’re about 90 minutes, and the cost includes the guide, plus a bike and helmet.
The History of Governors Island
On some parts of Governors Island, you won’t pedal far before you’re stopping again to read about the history of the building you’re passing.
From the huge old Army barracks at Liggett Hall to Fort Jay Theater, both of which are empty (for now), there’s plenty to learn about.
Explore the Public Art on Governors Island
You’ll be surrounded by art, some of which may at first appear to be vandalism on the old buildings.
The exterior black and white drawings on the outside of this old church are the commissioned work of an artist, whose art is meant to honor the military history of Governors Island.
Aritsts-in-residence now occupy the big, stately homes on what was known as Colonels’ Row. Their galleries are open to the public.
Markets, Races, and Other Events on Governors Island
Since first opening to the public in 2005, Governors Island seems to keep expanding event options through the year.
While the ferries run all year, most of the events on the calendar happen between April and October.
You’ll find 5K races, markets, exhibitions and more.
âĄď¸ CLICK HERE for the calendar of events on Governors Island.
A Bizarre Playground (Kids Only!)
They call it: The Yard, and describe it as an “adventure playground.”
Staff will supervise kids, ages 6-12, in a large area that’s full of building materials and tools. Kids have pretty much free rein to do as they please, whether it’s climbing, building, or destroying.
There’s also another smaller area for children ages 5 and under, which requires parental supervision.
You can rent out the spot for field trips or birthday parties, but all kids will have to sign a waiver first.
âĄď¸ CLICK HERE to see or sign the waiver.
Generally, The Yard is open on weekend afternoons, and closed-toe shoes are also required.
The group that operates the playground area asks for donations to keep it up and running.
My favorite part was the Lord of the Flies-inspired signs on the exterior fences:
Governors Island has other giant slides, cargo nets, and playground areas for kids, too, if The Yard isn’t your thing.
Learn About the “Zero Waste Island”
Governors Island is home to an initiative, called Zero Waste Island. It has the remarkable goal of reducing the island’s garbage waste to zero (as the name implies đ)
All vendors and tenants are required to used compostable materials.
You’d never know this margarita cup was made of a corn resin:
The Urban Farm on Governors Island
GrowNYC runs a âteaching gardenâ on Governors Island. They have a full acre of crops, and host summer camps, field trips, and other visitors.
The farm is open to the public on the weekends (May through October) from noon to 4:00pm.
They have bee hives, and rows of organic gardening.
The farming operations is not as accessible as some of the other areas of Governors Island, but you can take a tour of the crops on the first Saturday of each month at 2:00pm.
All of the vegetables grown at the Governors Island farm are donated to food pantries.
Theyâve donated 25,000 pounds of food over the last two years.
The Compost Learning Center
All of the waste from the island is brought here (since itâs all compostable). Plus, some waste from collections in Manhattan is brought to be composted on Governors Island, too.
The organization Earth Matter runs the Compost Learning Center, where they host different projects and events for people to learn about turning trash into compost.
The piles of compost are then delivered to gardens on Governors Island, and also schools and gardens across New York City.
100 Tons of Compost in 2022
By the end of the fall season in 2022, Governors Island hit 200,000 pounds of compost created.
Half of it comes from restaurants and other tenants and vendors allowed to operate on the island.
Here’s a breakdown of where the scraps and green waste came from:
- 47% from vendors
- 33% from yard trimmings and wood chips
- 10% from visitor recycling bins
- 8% from event recycling
- 2% from oyster shells
Food Options for a Governors Island Day Trip
On a day trip to Governors Island, you don’t have to haul all of your own food in (unless you want to!)
For an island with virtually no one living on it, there are a surprising number of food options, from coffee kiosks to full sit-down restaurants, and now even a club.
The vendors seem to change every year, but there are several mainstays.
Taco Vista
Taco Vista is a great spot for Mexican food, beer or margaritas, and a perfect view of Lower Manhattanâs skyline. They have a bunch of picnic tables, right down from the ferry at Soissonâs Landing.
Burritos are $15, and burgers are $11. They sell $10 cans of wine, $7 cans of beer, and $10 hour margaritas.
Taco Vista is open noon to 6:00pm daily during the normal season (mid-April through mid-October).
You can see, their deck of picnic tables is right next to the Soisson’s Landing ferry pier:
Little Eva’s
Little Evaâs has a great spot in a courtyard right outside Liggett Hall, which was once one of the largest Army barracks in the world.
They feature cocktails, fish & chips, burgers, and salads for $10 to $16.
Glasses of wine are $9 – $15, while beers are $8 – $10.
Evaâs is open 11:00am – 5:00pm weekdays, and they stay open an hour or so later on weekends.
Gitano
People working at other restaurants kind of scoff at Gitano, which is newer to Governors Island.
Itâs a restaurant and day-club with a beach theme, which has other locations in Tulum and Miami.
Some think itâs somewhat out-of-place and upscale for historic, rustic Governors Island.
Guacamole at brunch, for example, is $24, and the lunch plates are mostly $30+.
Cocktails are $20+ and glasses of wine are $17+.
You’re really paying for the experience and surroundings.
 While itâs setup like a night club, Gitano closes early, since the last ferry leaves Governors Island at 11:00pm at the latest (on Fridays and Saturdays).
Staying Overnight on Governors Island
If you want to turn your Governors Island day trip into an overnight stay, accommodations are limited, but theyâre unique!
Glamping on Governors Island
Collective Retreats offers a glamping opportunity, with private tents and cabins setup on the islandâs Great Lawn.
Youâll get amazing views of the Statue of Liberty (lit at night!) from a site unlike any other in NYC.
Each tent or cabin has a private waterfront deck, along with air conditioning, WiFi, and other amenities. Youâll share bathrooms and showers, which are cleaned after each use.
If youâre bringing the family, you can opt for a two-bed addition tent for the kids.
Itâs not cheap. The tents, depending on the configuration, go from about $600 up to $800+ per night.
âĄď¸ CLICK HERE to book Glamping and Cabins on Governors Island
FAQs on How to Get to Governors Island
There are a lot of mysteries and oddities to explore here! The history is complex, as the island has transferred hands many times over the centuries.
What’s the History of Governors Island?
Native Americans used Governors Island as a fishing port, and to grow nut trees.
The Dutch settled on the island in the early 1600s, and “purchased” it from the Native Americans.
The British soon seized it, and named it “Governors Island.”
After briefly retreating from the area at the start of the American Revolution, the British regained control and used the island as part of a military base for the rest of the war.
At the end of the war, the newly-formed United States fortified Governors Island and built Fort Jay. It became crucial to defending New York against the British invasion during the War of 1812.
In the early 1900s, Governors Island expanded, as all of the excavated earth from New York’s first subway line was dumped there.
Governors Island served as a headquarters during both World Wars, and was home to top Army brass until the 1960s, when the Army moved out and the US Coast Guard moved in.
The Coast Guard left in the 1990s, and Governors Island became a National Historic Monument before it was transferred back to the City of New York.
Governors Island opened to public crowds in 2005.
Why are so many Buildings Abandoned?
While development continues on Governors Island, it still feels like a ghost town as you ride through.
Some of the old homes are occupied at times by artists and other vendors on the island.
Otherwise, they’re empty.
That’s likely to change over time. The Governors Island Trust is accepting proposals from prospective vendors and businesses to rehab, renovate, and redevelop the old buildings.
For now, the public isn’t allowed inside most of the buildings on Governors Island.
Wrap: Is Governors Island Worth a Visit?
Governors Island is an odd oasis in the middle of one of the biggest cities in the world.
Whether you need a break from city life, or just want something more outdoorsy on a Big Apple vacation, a day trip to Governors Island wonât disappoint!
âĄď¸ JARED’S DETOURS BLOG: The Best Non-Touristy Things to do in NYC
Recap: 15 Reasons to Take a Day Trip
- 1. The ferry ride
- 2. Manhattan and Brooklyn skyline views
- 3. Bike around without any traffic
- 4. An overall “green space” break from city noise and traffic
- 5. Low cost day-trip: $8 round trip on the ferry and $15 for a day-long bike rental
- 6. Margaritas at Taco Vista (with a view!)
- 7. Lunch at Little Eva’s in the courtyard
- 8. Take a tour with the Friends of Governors Island
- 9. Check out the playgrounds (safe and/or dangerous!)
- 10. Learn about the Zero Waste Island initiative
- 11. Tour the Urban Garden
- 12. Meet the artists-in-residence at their galleries
- 13. BBQ or picnic on the lawn with a Liberty Island view
- 14. Check out the market or exhibit happening
- 15. Go “glamping” overnight
Have I mentioned the views?
