The Island Eight Minutes from Manhattan That New York Forgot for 200 Years

Sharing is caring!

You can see it from Lower Manhattan on any clear day — a patch of green and old brick sitting in the harbor, just south of the Brooklyn Bridge. Most New Yorkers have never been there. For nearly 200 years, they weren’t allowed.

An Island That Belonged to the Military

Governors Island sits 800 meters from the tip of Manhattan — closer than many subway stops are to each other. For most of American history, civilian New Yorkers could only look at it from the water.

The island served as a military post for nearly two centuries. First under British colonial rule, then as a U.S. Army base, and finally as a Coast Guard station that closed in 2003. When the last officers left, they handed over 172 acres of historic buildings, green lawns, and uninterrupted harbor views to the City of New York.

For years, the city had no idea what to do with it.

The Strange History of Who Lived Here

The Lenape called the island Pagganck — Nut Island — for the thick stands of nut trees that once covered it. The Dutch arrived, liked the trees, and named it Noten Eylandt for the same reason. The British renamed it again when they started housing their colonial governors here.

George Washington used the island during the Revolutionary War. The island housed military infrastructure through both World Wars. A meeting between Reagan and Gorbachev was once proposed for here.

For a city that celebrates its history at every corner, Governors Island contains more of it per square foot than almost anywhere else. The problem was that almost nobody could get in to see it.

What the Island Looks Like Today

The island opened to the public in 2010. What visitors find is something that doesn’t quite feel like New York at all.

There are no cars. No traffic lights. No honking cabs. No skyscrapers pressing in from every direction.

The grounds include carefully restored 19th-century forts, a row of Victorian houses that look like they belong in a quiet New England town, and 43 acres of new parkland built on reclaimed harbor fill. Hammocks hang between trees. On summer weekends, New Yorkers arrive with picnic blankets and spend entire afternoons doing absolutely nothing — which is, in this city, a radical act.

Enjoying this? Join New York lovers getting stories like this every week. Subscribe free →

The Hills You Won’t Find Anywhere Else in New York City

Governors Island has something the rest of New York can barely claim: actual hills.

The southern end of the island features a series of earthen mounds — built specifically to create elevation in a city that famously lacks it. Standing at the top of the highest, you get a 360-degree view that takes in the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, Lower Manhattan, and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge all at once.

On a clear fall afternoon, it might genuinely be the best view in New York. The locals who know about it don’t advertise the fact.

Getting There — and Why the Ferry Is Part of the Experience

The ferry from Lower Manhattan takes eight minutes. It departs from the Battery Maritime Building — a Beaux Arts landmark that has been sending boats across the harbor since 1909, right next to the Staten Island Ferry terminal.

The crossing is brief, but the view shifts as you go. You pass within sight of Ellis Island. The Statue of Liberty stands to your left. Manhattan recedes behind you. By the time you step off the boat, you’re somewhere that feels genuinely apart from the city you just left — even though you can still see every skyscraper from where you’re standing.

The island is free to enter. The round-trip ferry costs $4 — less than a subway ride. If you’re looking for free and low-cost things to do in New York City, this is one of the best-value afternoons the city offers.

A Harbor With More Stories Than Most Cities Have

The waters around Governors Island carry more history than most people realize. The same harbor that once handled the largest commercial port in the Western Hemisphere now hosts art installations, weekend markets, and the occasional concert on an island that sat empty for decades.

If you want to understand the full story of the harbor itself, the revival of the Hudson River is a story that runs parallel to everything happening on the island — both are about a city reclaiming its waterfront after generations of neglect.

And if the crossing to Governors Island makes you think about arrivals — about the millions of people who crossed this same water to begin their American lives — the story of Ellis Island is just a few hundred meters north, and equally worth knowing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Governors Island

What is the best time to visit Governors Island in New York?

September and early October offer the best combination of good weather and smaller crowds. The island is open from late May through October, and summer weekends can get busy. Weekday visits in late summer are often the quietest.

How do you get to Governors Island from Manhattan?

The ferry departs from the Battery Maritime Building in Lower Manhattan, adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry terminal. The crossing takes about eight minutes. Ferries also run from Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 in Brooklyn.

How much does it cost to visit Governors Island?

Entry to the island is free. The round-trip ferry costs $4 for adults. Ferries are free on weekend mornings before noon during the operating season, making it one of the better deals in New York City.

Is Governors Island worth visiting for first-time New York tourists?

Yes — it offers a completely different perspective on the city. The views of the Manhattan skyline from the island’s hills are among the most spectacular in New York, and the car-free pace is a genuine contrast to the rest of the visit.

You Might Also Enjoy

• The River New York Declared Dead — and the Unlikely People Who Brought It Back
• Forty Percent of All Americans Have a Relative Who Stood on This Island
• Free Things to Do in NYC: The Complete Guide for Visitors

Plan Your New York Trip

Ready to explore more of New York? Our New York City travel tips guide covers everything from the best time to visit to navigating the subway — practical advice for making the most of your time in the city.