An island that served as a military post for nearly two centuries is now New York's backyard.
What Governors Island is
Governors Island covers about 172 acres in New York Harbor and is part of the borough of Manhattan. It lies roughly 800 yards south of Manhattan Island and is separated from Brooklyn by Buttermilk Channel. A large part of it, about 103 acres, is landfill added in the early 1900s on the south side.
Management is split. The National Park Service looks after a small portion at the north end as Governors Island National Monument, while the Trust for Governors Island runs the rest as a public park, including dozens of historic buildings. There are no permanent residents, and the only way to reach the island is by boat.
From Nut Island to military base
The Lenape called the island Paggank, meaning "nut island", for its chestnut, hickory and oak trees. The Dutch translated it as Noten Eylandt, which became Nutten Island. The current name, without an apostrophe, became official in 1784 and recalls the colonial governors who reserved the island for their own use.
Military use began in 1755, during the French and Indian War, and Continental Army troops built defenses in 1776. From 1783 to 1966 it was a U.S. Army post, then a major Coast Guard installation until 1996. It was sold to the public for a nominal sum in 2003 and opened for public use in 2005.
Fort Jay and Castle Williams
Fort Jay is the oldest surviving defensive structure on the island. It dates from 1794 and is named after a founding father of the country; from 1806 to 1904 it was called Fort Columbus. Its granite and sandstone walls, dry moat and sloping grassy glacis can still be read in the landscape, on the island's highest point.
Castle Williams is a circular red-sandstone fort on the northwest point, built between 1807 and 1811. It stands about 40 feet high and 210 feet across, with walls 7 to 8 feet thick and four tiers of gun emplacements. Over time it served as barracks and as a military prison. It is a close cousin of Castle Clinton, another fort in the same harbor defense system that you can read about in Castle Clinton and Battery Park: the gateway to the Statue.
What to do in the park
The island works as one big park of paths and green spaces with views of the Lower Manhattan skyline, the harbor and the Statue of Liberty in the distance. It is a good place to stroll without a plan, picnic or simply sit and watch the boats go by. Cultural and arts events, many of them free, take place there, along with recreational activities that vary by season.
Since 2010 the island has also been home to a public high school with a maritime focus, the New York Harbor School. It is one of those details few visitors hear about: an island of 19th-century forts where teenagers study the harbor.
How to get there and when to go
Access is by ferry only, from Manhattan and from Brooklyn. In Manhattan the dock is in the South Ferry area next to Battery Park, a short walk from where the Statue boats leave. Schedules, fares, routes and opening days change, so check current details on the official island website and with the ferry operator.
Until 2021 the island was open only in summer; since then it has operated year-round, though services and activities vary by season and can change. To decide when to travel to New York in general, see Best time to visit the Statue of Liberty.
Where it fits in your trip
Governors Island does not replace the Statue, but it complements it well. If you have already done the official trip to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, this is a good contrast: far fewer lines, plenty of space and a much slower pace. Plan half a day or a full day, depending on how much walking you want to do.
To build the rest of your day, combine it with a walk through the area covered in What to see near the Statue of Liberty in Lower Manhattan or follow the full plan in One-day itinerary: Statue, Ellis Island and Lower Manhattan. If you would rather see the island from the water, a Statue of Liberty and New York skyline cruise often passes close to its forts.
Harbor tours and boat excursions
Besides taking the public ferry on your own, there are guided tours and boat excursions around New York Harbor that pass close to the island. Compare duration and format, and check what each option includes.
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour with Reserved Ferry Entry
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Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour with Ferry
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Circle Line: 2hr - New York City Harbor Lights Cruise
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NY Helicopter Tour: Manhattan Highlights
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NY Helicopter Tour: Ultimate NYC Sightseeing
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Manhattan Adventure Sightseeing Boat Tour - from Chelsea Piers
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See more tours and activities on GetYourGuide →Frequently asked questions
What is Governors Island?
It is an island of about 172 acres in New York Harbor, roughly 800 yards from Manhattan. It was a military base for almost two centuries and is now a public park with two historic forts, old buildings and harbor views.
How do you get to Governors Island?
Only by ferry, with departures from Manhattan and from Brooklyn. The Manhattan dock is in the South Ferry area next to Battery Park. Check routes, frequency and service days on the official site, because they can change.
Is it open all year?
According to the sources, until 2021 it opened only in summer, and since then it has operated year-round. Services and activities still vary by season, so check the current calendar and hours before you go.
What are Fort Jay and Castle Williams?
They are two historic forts managed by the National Park Service as Governors Island National Monument. Fort Jay was built in 1794, and Castle Williams, a circular red-sandstone fort, was built between 1807 and 1811.
Can you see the Statue of Liberty from the island?
Yes. From several points in the park you can see the harbor and the Statue of Liberty in the distance, along with the Lower Manhattan skyline. It is a pleasant view, but it does not replace a trip to Liberty Island if you want to visit the monument.
How much time should I plan?
It depends on your pace. A few hours is enough to see the forts and stroll the park; if you want to wander slowly, eat outdoors and enjoy the views, you can easily spend half a day or more. Add the ferry time.
Is it a good option with kids?
It is often pleasant for families thanks to its open spaces and relaxed atmosphere. Specific activities change by season, so look at the current program. For more ideas, see our guide to visiting the Statue of Liberty with kids.
Keep reading
Ellis Island: what to see
An island that is partly New York and partly New Jersey, and almost nobody can say where the line runs.
See the Statue of Liberty for free: the Staten Island Ferry
The boat New Yorkers take to work happens to pass in view of a global icon.
Statue of Liberty crown: how to climb it
The crown is the highest point inside the statue you can still reach, and it is not for everyone.
The abandoned Ellis Island hospital: hard hat tour
Hundreds of babies were born here, and many travelers who arrived sick never left on the same ship.
Sources
Facts taken from Wikipedia and the U.S. National Park Service (public domain). Always verify practical information on the official websites.
Photo credits
- ChrisRuvolo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Earnest B, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Beyond My Ken, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0