Governors Island is just an eight-minute ferry ride from lower Manhattan, but it feels like another world. The Lenape called it Paggank, nut island, for its trees, and in 1624 the first Dutch settlers of New Netherland landed here, before they moved to Manhattan. For almost two centuries it was a military base, first for the Army and then for the Coast Guard, closed to the public. In 2003 the federal government sold most of it to New York for one dollar. Today it is a car-free island of parks, historic houses, art and hammocks, and its southern half, built up with rock dug out for the subway, has been turned into rolling hills with views of the Statue of Liberty.
- Nearest ferry
- Soissons Landing · Ferry from the Battery Maritime Building · 2 min walk to the start
The first 3 stops
Try these stops for free in the app. The full stories and directions are waiting for you there.
1Taco Vista
2Hugh L. Carey Tunnel Ventilation Building
3Governors House
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🔒29 more stops to discover
Unlock Governors Island in the app for $2.99 for the full 3.7 mi route: every stop's photos and stories, and GPS guidance that tells you when you've arrived.
Download on theApp StoreGet it onGoogle PlayAlso on this walk: Giant Slides, Statue of Liberty Vista, Fort Jay and more
Sights
- Admiral’s House
- Blazing Saddles Bike Rental
- Cabin by Rachel Whiteread
- Castle Williams
- Collective Governors Island
- Colonels Row
- Community Climbing Boulder
- Fort Jay
- Fort Jay Theater
- Giant Slides
- Governors Island Teaching Garden
- Hammock Grove
- Lavender Field
- Liggett Hall and Liggett Terrace Food Court
- Nolan Park
- Our Lady Star of the Sea
- Outlook Hill
- play:groundNYC: The Yard
- QC Spa
- St. Cornelius Chapel
- Statue of Liberty Vista
- The Arts Center at Governors Island
- The Field Station of the Melancholy Marine Biologist
- Yankee Hanger
Food and drink
- Fauzia’s
- La Newyorkina Ice Cream
- Pizzeria Fantastica
- Threes Brewing
- Tokyo Drumstick
