How to Spend a Day on Governors Island: Green Spaces, QC Spa & the Best Skyline Views in NYC
- Dominique Coleman
- Aug 18
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Everything You Need to Know & the Best Things to Do on Governors Island NYC
Governors Island is a 172-acre island in the New York Harbor, and it is the perfect car-free escape from the hustle and bustle of New York City. Only a ten-minute ferry ride from Lower Manhattan and a five-minute ferry ride from Brooklyn, this small island has so much to do, from athletic fields and green spaces to guided walking tours, museums, national monuments, and amazing food pop-ups. Here’s everything you need to know and what to do on Governors Island in a day.
How to Get to Governors Island NYC
Governors Island is accessible by both the Governors Island Ferry and the NYC Ferry. If you’re traveling from Manhattan, you can catch the ferry from the Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street (right next to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal). The trip takes about 5-10 minutes. If you’re coming from Brooklyn, seasonal ferries run on weekends and holidays from Brooklyn Bridge Park (Pier 6) and Red Hook/Atlantic Basin from late May through early November.
Tip: The Governors Island Ferry is free for IDNYC holders, and all passengers ride for free on Saturdays and Sundays before 11 am.
When to Visit Governors Island NYC
Governors Island is open year-round, but the best time is truly summer. The island is an outdoor oasis, with the most events and pop-ups taking place during peak season (Memorial Day through Labor Day).
How to Get Around Governors Island NYC
Governors Island is mostly car-free. It's also very flat and walkable; you can walk the full perimeter on foot in about 45 minutes. Biking, however, is the best way to get around the island, in my opinion.
The Best Things to Do on Governors Island NYC
Bike Around the Island
The island has 7 miles of flat, car-free paths, and a 2.5-mile scenic loop around its perimeter. You can rent a bike from Blazing Saddles or undock a Citi Bike from one of the three stations on the island.
Tip: Blazing Saddles offers Free Bike Mornings for one hour between 9 AM and 11 AM on weekdays.
Visit the Lavender Field
This is New York City's only Lavender Field, with over 550 plants and 4 different varieties, and every June the field blooms into the most beautiful sea of purple, blue, and silvery grey lavender.
Stop by an exhibition or the Open Studios at the LMCC Arts Center
The Arts Center at Governors Island is the first permanent home for arts and culture on Governors Island. They host exhibitions, performances, public programs, and Open Studios.
Admire the Public Art Installations
The Trust for Governors Island is committed to its public arts program, and there are several transformative public art pieces across the island.
Relax at Hammock Grove
Head here to relax on one of the iconic red hammocks strung between trees near the center of the island. It's the perfect place to enjoy a book or just bask in the views.
Commune with Friends at Picnic Point
Reserve a grill and feast with your group of loved ones at Picnic Point, which comes with amazing views of the Statue of Liberty.
Catch the best views of the Statue of Liberty and the New York Harbor from The Hills
The Hills are comprised of four distinct locations on the island: Grassy Hill, Slide Hill, Discovery Hill, and Outlook Hill, which collectively offer some of the best unobstructed views of the New York Harbor, Statue of Liberty, and the Manhattan and Brooklyn skyline.
Volunteer at Earth Matter, an Environmental Nonprofit
Earth Matter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the art, science, and application of composting in and around New York City. They have a few volunteer opportunities, from Compost Builds to Special Events.
Have a relaxing spa day at QC Spa
QC Spa is a luxury spa with saunas, steam rooms, thermal baths, relaxation rooms, and more, with incredible skyline views.
Walk through National Monuments at Fort Jay and Castle Williams
Fort Jay and Castle Williams are two of the oldest military fortifications in the country, and together they make up the Governors Island National Monument. Both are open to the public for a walk-through experience.
Where to Eat on Governors Island NYC
There are several great restaurant outposts and rotating vendors on the island, open seasonally. Below are a few of my top picks.
Taco Vista
Taco Vista is hands down my favorite place to eat on Governors Island. They serve the best Mexican tacos on the island, and it's my go-to spot every year.
Tip: They are also often closed for private events, so check their website in advance.
Six Coasts by Smorgasburg
Six Coasts is a Pan-American coastal bar with a Jamaican-American chef and genuinely good food. I visited for the first time this year, and the soft shell crab sandwich was incredible.
Tokyo Drumstick
This outpost serves East-Asian-inspired chicken fare, along with frozen cocktails, bubble tea, and more.
Want to Stay Overnight? Book at Stay at Collective Retreats
If one day doesn't feel like enough time to explore the island, you can book an overnight stay at Collective Retreats, the only hotel on the island. It is open seasonally from May to October, with 29 glamping-style tents and private suites that open to incredible skyline views. The property has an on-site restaurant, sunset terrace, and daily activities including sunrise yoga, lawn games, and nightly s'mores by the communal fire pits. Book your stay here.
Practical Tips to Help Plan Your Visit
Visit govisland.com before your visit for a list of events and all of the restaurants open seasonally
Weekdays are significantly less crowded
The last ferry from the island on weekdays is 10 pm, but always check the schedule in advance
If you plan to go to QC Spa, be sure to reserve your pass well in advance
No drone flying is permitted on the island
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