Fort Jay in
Brooklyn (NY)

Not sure what to say this place is amazing! I had so much fun riding the bike I rented and the Jazz Party on the Lawn was taking place the day I visited, who can ask for more. The oyster bar is a must visit everytime you enter the island.

Very nice location on Governor’s Island to chill and relax nature around.

This is such a nice summer retreat. A short, inexpensive or free with IDNYC ferry ride gets you to the fortress on Governor's Island. It is being slowly restored. It is only one of the many interesting things you can see there

The fort and surrounding grounds and park are a great open-space get-away via a short ferry ride to Governors Island. I enjoyed a 1-hour walking tour guided by a volunteer. The fort is currently under restoration and most interior spaces are not open to the public zt this time. The parade grounds often host community and arts events.

A must-visit for history buffs. The living quarters for soldiers and their families and the old cannons on display really give visitors a sense of what the place was like when it was a military facility, built to guard New York against attacks. You can spend as much time here but if your schedule is tight, I'd say allot at least 20 minutes to fully appreciate the place. Guided tours are available - check the park website for the schedule. There are no restrooms here and some areas are not wheelchair accessible.

Well I just love Governors Island , this is one few really good perks which NYC has to be offer. There is so much one can do at this island family picnics, biking or maybe just relax. I would recommend getting a bike to explore the island, there are few vendors on island which rent out bikes and surreys. The island is very well maintained and offers amazing views of Statue of liberty, Downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn. Best way to enjoy here is to come for a day picnic with family or friends and bring your own food. We had a great time last weekend here on a day picnic. There are few food vendors on the island in the food court area though the options are limited. FYI - To avoid buying $3-$4 bottles of water at the food court, bring your own water bottle and fill it up at the water fountain right at the island entrance, that's probably the only water fountain we were able to locate.

A great summer destination to visit for locals and tourists alike. A small island conveniently located between lower Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn, there are a few options to getting there but the main ferry at $2 RT is surely a small price to pay for a short but scenic ride. GI is packed with different activities and programming throughout the summer focusing on the arts, nature, family and good ol' fashioned fun! 2014 was a summer where we got to see many of the renovations come into fruition such as the newly created hammock grove! Awesome place to relax when you get tired from biking or running around the whole island. Such a small place but so much to do. Truly a great part of NYC.

The activities and sculptures shown on Governors Island change from summer to summer, but they are centered around promoting the art of local artists and are usually focused on the environment. Thirty more acres of land opened up this summer, so there’s now plenty of grass to roam, picnic, and play on. Governors Island is a quick ferry stop away from Brooklyn or Manhattan, and will make you feel like you’re taking a day trip without the time-commitment and exorbitant prices. There are multiple food trucks on the island to choose from, but be sure to check out Snowday - it’s a truck that employs formerly incarcerated youth AND they serve delicious maple-braised meat sandwiches.

Though no longer undiscovered, this oasis close to the city is a paradise for a relaxing weekend day. Take the free ferry from Manhattan or Brooklyn in the early morning and beat the crowds that take over by lunch time. The island is very walkable, so unless you love bikes, just use what your momma gave you and hoof it. Bring a picnic for the great fields and views, or grab a bite from one of the amazing food trucks. You won't find views of Battery Park, Downtown, and the Statue of Liberty like this anywhere else. Make sure to also explore the cool fort and castle in the island in between naps at the hammock cove.

This is a gem of an urban oasis. A short ferry ride from Manhattan or Brooklyn takes you to another world. One with only a few cars, lots of green space, biking opportunities, and amazing views. We went last summer before the first stage of renovations to the island were completed. We recently went back and were blown away by the improvements. Although all of the renovations aren't done yet, what has been done is magnificent. There are more places to bike and walk. There is a cool hammock grove with dozens of - you guessed it - hammocks. The island will be amazing once everything is done. I am not sure I will bring a bike next time, though. It is too congested with people and there aren't dedicated bike lanes so you never get to "full speed." Check for events on the island. The first time we went happened to be the day of an old-time party with music and lots of flapper dresses. Arrive early enough to ensure a spot on your preferred ferry. The ferries are free first thing in the morning (from Brooklyn at least). The price the rest of the day is reasonable.

It is open on the weekends. It's a great view of lower Manhattan. The best part is riding the free ferry! Go to the top of the ferry and enjoy the wind. You have to fight through the people taking pictures though. I went here to see FIGMENT, each year there is a competition to build something on the island just for the summer. It is always great to see what they come up with next. lay on the grass, or if your are lucky lay on the hammocks that are spread on one part of the island. Take your bike with you, It is ok to take it on the ferry, there is a bike path around the island. Many events happening during the summer, like a Jazz fest, they have a calendar with all the info on their website

Amazing green get-away-from-it-all space a mere 2 dollar/10 minute ferry ride from Downtown. Plenty to do and not do - try the hammock village - on a really interesting site that will be even more incredible when all of the their plans are finished. Wasnt busy at all on a Tuesday in June but i wouldnt be surprised if it is heaving at times as it really is a great escape to have on Manhattans doorstep. Great views of the Manhattan skyline and possibly the best views of the Statue of Liberty you can get from dry land?

I've been planning on visiting this place since last year but got a chance to do so only on the memorial day weekend. This island is amazing, it has a great view of Manhattan and statue of liberty (which is great for tourists) but I don't really care about that. What actually impressed me was the new park, lots of grass and trees, huge field where you can play all sorts of sports ( just bring your own equipment) or you can simply take a sun bath there. They also have hammocks! And you can bring your own food to have a small picknick. If you don't own a bike its not a problem, just rent it for only 10$ for 2 hr or 25$ for the whole day! Basically this island has everything what a tired new yorker living among growing buildings (instead of growing trees) can dream about- grass, trees, and sun! I forgot to mention that the ferry runs every 30 minutes, and it takes a couple of minutes to get to the island from manhattan . Overall great great great place!

Governor's Island is like another world. On weekdays, the ferry to get there is $2 for a round-trip. On weekends, it is free. I've been here multiple times. It's great to bike, play sports or sit in the shade. I enjoy the FIGMENT art in the summer. The ferries usually come and go every hour. I would definitely come back!

I'm hesitant to even write this review because I would like to keep this a secret destination in NYC but it's too good not to share. Absolutely love visiting Governor's Island in the summer time. Quick and FREE ferry rides (I've heard rumors that they might start charging but I'd be willing to pay just to visit). It's a huge expanse of grassy space and great for bringing a picnic. Amazing view of Manhattan on one side and Brooklyn on the other. Check out the fort with all of the history of the island or stop by one of their portable outdoor libraries! I can't wait to go back this year and see what they've done with all of the renovations that they've been working on.

I love visiting Governors Island during the summer. There are always events going on and there are stunning views of lower Manhattan. GI is also a great place to go on a picnic. The best thing about visiting GI? The ferry to get there is absolutely free (great for the budget conscious).

beautiful historical island, great for the art events and the jazz party with live music and 20s outfits. Also the ferry is free and easy going if you have your bike. The only problem in the ferry schedule

A great spot for a picnic or just a relaxing trip away from the city hustle and bustle on a nice summer day. Lots of nice lawns and shade trees to choose from. There old fort is a great spot for views of both Manhattan and Jersey City. Be aware, there's not much in the way of food on the island, so pack some snacks! Also, it's only open in the Summer.

Governors Island is my favorite summer spot. I love riding my bike to the free ferry, then riding around the island, stopping at food carts for lunch, swinging on the swings while admiring the sailboats and Statue of Liberty, relaxing on hammocks ... I can go on and on. My favorite time of year is Figment weekend - a huge interactive art exhibition that takes place on the island, appropriate for all ages.

Love this place! Tons to see and admire as you walk through what was once an old military base with its own jail, library and houses. Only opened on the weekends and accessible through ferries from Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. I would suggest going on the governors island website and checking out the great programs they have available through the summer to plan accordingly. Oh, and although those bike and roll quadcyles look fun and romantic, they can be quite the challenge to maneuver.

Governors Island is a great weekend trip. It's fun for the whole family. Every summer they have art figment which is an outdoor sculpture art festival. They even have mini golf. There is so much space in Governor's Island. They did seal off some of the building areas to control the crowd. Lots of picnic space and area to fly a kite. Rent a bike or bring your own. The ferry is free and accessible from a few different points in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Right now there is a French carnival going on Fete Paradisio. The rides are all human powered. Most are for kids.

Governors Island is a very cute place. It is great for a summer picnic or just to relax on the huge grass field. The ferry is free but the line can be long sometimes. The ferry leaves about every 15-20 minutes and it's a very short ride. When I was there, the Corning Museum of Glass had a live show which was really cool. It is worth to look up and see what activities they have on the weekends.

How anyone cannot like this place is beyond me...from the free ferry ride over and back to the events all season, it's a little slice of heaven in a big city's back door! I love bringing my bike and exploring the grounds with family and friends. My only complaint is that they close before the Autumn colors, hint, hint! They really should keep it opened longer...people will come. One thing to check out is the housing...crown molding! We treated our military well! It's a shame the housing can't be utilized for something else but then the entire atmosphere would change. It always does when you bring in the masses to stay. Oh well, check it out. I promise you won't be dissatisfied. Where else can you lounge away the day on a hammock in NYC?

I love coming here for the summer. It's one of the few places in New York where you can't find cars. Just rent or bring your bike and you can ride around the entire island the whole day. Also there's a lot of festival that goes on during the summer. The ferry doesn't cost you anything, unless they changed it since last summer. It's a great family outing.

If you're looking to get out of the city with out going too far, then Governor Island is a great place to visit. There are always lots of activities and exhibits on the island and you can learn about the history and how the space is being used now. This is a great place to go bike riding whether you bring your own bike or rent one on the island. There are great scenic views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, so bring a camera if you are a visitor. Make sure you check out the website for the island since it's only opened during certain time periods in the summer or for the ferry schedules.

It's a fun getaway for New Yorkers, though the rest of the world might not be impressed. There's trees, old buildings, rolling hills. There's bike rentals and, on weekends, food trucks. Probably not worth the effort to research the ferry schedule, etc., unless you're desperate for fresh air or there's something special happening, like the very fun summer art shows and retro jazz afternoons.

Governor's Island is a great place to go for a picnic or bike riding. I went there for a bar b que. It was wonderful. There are complimentary ferries going from Manhattan and Brooklyn to the island. The ferries leave every 15 to 20 minutes. Cars are not allowed on the island. But there is a tram, which circles the island. It is a fun day.