Explore the Best Hidden Gem in New York City!
Governors Island in New York is one of the few secret things to do in NYC that no one tells you about! I’d been to New York many times as a tourist before we moved there in 2022, and I had never heard of it before! We lived in NYC for two years and visited Governors Island many times. In this guide, I’ll tell you all you need to know and the best things to do on Governors Island as a family. It was our favourite family day trip from Manhattan, so I’m excited to share it with you! Read on for all the details.
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Useful Information to Know Before You Visit Governors Island
How to Get to Governors Island
The best way to get to Governors Island is by boat; it takes less than 10 minutes from Lower Manhattan. There are two ferry options. We always took the NYC Ferry from the Wall Street stop. You can also get on the ferry at 34th Street if you’re staying in midtown and change at Wall Street (only one ferry ticket is needed). See the NYC Ferry schedule HERE. Tickets cost $4.50 each way, and children under 44 inches can travel for free. Note: The NYC ferry only runs on weekends in the winter.
The second option is the Governors Island ferry daily, departing from 10 South Street. You can see the schedule for that and purchase tickets here. The Governors Island Ferry costs $2 for a return trip, and children under 12 ride free.
2025 Update: NYC Ferry Prices have been increased (reflected above), so the Governors Island Ferry is now much better value!
Do You Need Tickets to Visit Governors Island?
Another amazing thing about this hidden gem in NYC is that no tickets are needed! It’s one of the best free things to do in NYC. Entry to the island is completely free and open daily. There are also many free activities you can do there, which I will talk more about below. The Urban Farm is only open on weekends. This was my son’s favourite, so we always went on a weekend!
THE PICNIC / FOOD COURT AREA
When is the Best Time to Visit Governors Island as a Family?
As Governors Island is full of things to do outside, I would recommend avoiding visiting during the winter when the weather is poor.
The urban farm is only open on the weekend, and the compost section with chickens (it’s more fun than it sounds!) only opens to the public on Sundays. If your schedule allows, try to visit Governors Island on a Sunday!
Is Governors Island Accessible?
The island is very accessible, you can’t take cars onto the island, so it’s great for little kids to run about safely and we found it very pushchair-friendly (stroller-friendly). It’s also a great place for bikes, you can hire them on the island or take yours with you, I’ll talk more aobtu thay below.
Where to Eat on Governors Island
There is no grocery store/ supermarket on the island, but there are various food places where you can buy food and drinks from. There is also a great picnic area with benches looking out to the Statue of Liberty. It has BBQ grills that you can reserve for a fee.
In the summer, we would often pack a picnic and eat at Picnik Point. It’s a large grassy area with benches and chairs and you’ll get amazing views of the Statue of Liberty.
Things to do on Governors Island as a Family
Ride Bikes or Surreys
Governors Island is the perfect place to cycle. You can hire bikes, surreys or go-karts on the island, which is a great way to explore. Renting a surrey is a really fun and unique Governors Island family activity. We hired a surrey our first time on the Island and my son who was 2 at the time, absolutely loved it! It’s not the cheapest activity at $40 for an hour, but it was fun. A more affordable alternative is to get City Bikes ($19 for a day). These were often gone, so go early to ensure you don’t miss out!
RIDING A SURREY | RELAXING IN HAMMOCK GROVE
Relax in the Hammocks
Want to relax in a free Governors Island hammock? Simply, visit Hammock Grove to swing or relax in the free hammocks there. They’re completely free and on a first-come, first-served basis.
Whenever we visited, there were always hammocks available.
Visit the Urban Farm
This was my son’s absolute happy place and one of the most amazing Governors Island kids’ activities! The Urban Farm has a teaching garden where children can learn about the environment, dig in the soil and help to water the plants. There’s also usually a drawing/ colouring activity as well. All the food grown here gets donated to charity!
There is also a compost area, surprisingly, it does not smell bad! Kids can get a magnifying glass and look for bugs, help sift the soil see the process of turning waste into compost. The compost that is made here is then used in iconic places such as Central Park and The High Line. They also have chickens, which you can sometimes feed.
Note: This is only open on weekends.
THE URBAN FARM: A FUN THING TO DO ON GOVERNORS ISLAND FOR FAMILIES
Enjoy the Views
Walking around the island, you’ll get to see stunning views of the Statue of Liberty and the Lower Manhattan skyline, including the Freedom Tower. I just love these views!
AMAZING VIEWS FROM THE ISLAND
Play Areas on Governors Island for Kids
There are multiple areas on Governors Island for kids to play!
Slide Hill
Slide Hill is very fun for kids. There are multiple slides, including a 57-foot-long one (the longest in NYC). The view from the top of the hill is also beautiful!
The Playground
The next playground is located just next to Hammock Grove. This is a traditional children’s playground made mainly from wood. It has a lot of things for kids to climb on.
The Yard at Governors Island
The final playground is called The Yard at Governors Island. This is aimed at older kids, as parents are not allowed to go in with them. Personally, I didnt like the vibe of this area. Staff were quite preachy and patronising about their views that parents shouldn’t be helping their children.
We never went again, as there are so many other great things to do! If you’re visiting with older children, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this area!
PLAYING ON GOVERNORS ISLAND
Seasonal Things to Do on Governors Island
Governors Island also has lots of seasonal activities. I will share some examples of these below. Some require booking in advance, so visit their website linked here to see what’s on and get more information.
Governors Island Lavender Field
In June, Governors Island has a beautiful lavender field where you can pick a bunch of lavender. They also have lavender workshops.
Pumpkin Point at Governors Island
Usually, the last two weekends in October, Governors Island hosts a family Halloween event where children can go and pick out their pumpkins. They also have crafts and entertainment, such as a magic show. This is a free event (although donations are appreciated). We went twice, and we all had such a great time!
Governors Island Jazz Fest
We didn’t attend this event, but we did see it on the lawn. It looked so fun, everyone dressed up in 1920s outfits and enjoyed Jazz music. Lots of people were attending with children, it looked like a family-friendly set up! Check the website for events at the time of your visit.
SEASONAL ACTIVITIES ON THE ISLAND
Can You Stay at Governors Island?
Yes! If you’re looking for places to stay on Governors Island, you only have one option. The Collective Retreat Glamping site. We didn’t stay here, but I would have loved to!
Glamping on Governors Island
If glamping (glamerous/ luxury camping) is your thing, you can do it on Governors Island! I am not someone who likes to camp, but if I were going to, it would be here! The tent/ chalet structures look beautiful, and they have gorgeous views of Lower Manhattan.
From their website, prices look like they start from around $200 per night.
FIND OUT MORE OR BOOK A COLECTIVE RETREAT GLAMPING EXPERIENCE HERE.
QC NY Spa Retreat
Finally, this is not a family activity as it’s ages 21+ only. However, I still wanted to mention it in this post.
If parents are looking for a little bit of child-free relaxation time. There’s a Governor’s Island Spa. The QC NY is a luxury spa located on Governors Island. It has beautiful views over the Manhattan skyline and is the perfect place to relax, enjoy the pool or have a massage.
Prices start from $98 per person.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK THE QC GOVERNORS ISLAND SPA, CLICK HERE.
Thank you so much for reading our guide on things to do on Governors Island with kids. I hope we’ve helped you plan your visit to Governors Island, and you have an amazing time in NYC!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
PERFECT 4 DAYS IN NYC WITH KIDS ITINERARY
HOW TO GET AROUND NYC LIKE A LOCAL
WHICH SKYSCRAPER SHOULD YOU VISIT?
A FAMILY GUIDE TO CENTRAL PARK
Happy Exploring,
