Manhattan · New York County
Governors Island
Island Park / Historic Site
- Location
- Governors Island, New York Harbor (accessible by ferry from Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn)
- Size
- 172.00 acres
- Hours
- Seasonal; typically 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (extended summer hours)
- Type
- Island Park / Historic Site
Governors Island is a 172-acre island in New York Harbor, approximately 800 yards south of Lower Manhattan. Once a military installation closed to the public for nearly two centuries, the island was transferred to the City and State of New York in 2003 and has been progressively developed into one of the city's most remarkable public spaces.
The island's military history dates to the colonial era, when it served as a key defensive position protecting New York Harbor. Fort Jay, a star-shaped fortification originally built in 1794, and Castle Williams, a circular sandstone fort completed in 1811, are among the historic structures open to visitors. The island served as a U.S. Army post and later a U.S. Coast Guard station until 1996.
The Hills, a dramatic landscape installation completed in 2016, consist of four man-made hills constructed from recycled construction debris and soil, rising up to 70 feet above sea level. They offer panoramic views of the Statue of Liberty, Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New York Harbor that rank among the most spectacular vantage points in the entire city.
The island features car-free roads ideal for cycling, expansive lawns, hammock groves, playgrounds, public art installations, food vendors, and cultural programming throughout the warmer months. Slide Hill, the tallest of the four hills, includes three slides (one stretching 57 feet) that have become one of the island's most popular attractions for children and adults alike.
Governors Island is accessible by a short ferry ride from the Battery Maritime Building in Lower Manhattan or from Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The ferry service is free on weekends before noon and inexpensive at other times, making the island accessible to New Yorkers of all incomes.
The Trust for Governors Island continues to develop the site with a focus on climate resilience and year-round programming, including plans for the Governors Island Climate Center. The island represents one of the most ambitious park-building projects in modern New York City history, transforming a restricted military installation into a beloved destination that reimagines what a public park can be.