Want to ride a bike or play miniature golf for free? If that’s not your speed, how about a slow swing in a hammock or a picnic in the shade? It’s all possible starting this Saturday, June 5th and every weekend through October 10th when Governors Island opens.
Sound like a hassle to get to Governors Island? It’s truly not. Beginning at 11 AM this Saturday, a free ferry will run continuously to Governors Island from Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, at the foot of Atlantic Avenue. It is a quick, three minute trip to Governors Island! There is no free Friday ferry service from Brooklyn but you can take the Water Taxi express service to there on Fridays.
Opening day on June 5th starts with a bang: There will be arts and crafts, story telling, as well as musical and theatrical performances and harbor education activities for kids. Sponsored by the Governors Island Alliance. For more information, visit www.governorsislandalliance.org.
What can you do on the island?
Rent a bike for you and the whole family: There are more than five miles of car-free paths and roadways. You can bring their own bikes or rent one or every Friday, bikes are free for up to one hour as a part of Bike and Roll’s™ Free Bike Fridays program. We skipped the bike rentals since there was a long line to get one. However, if you rush to the rental line as soon as you dock, you won’t have any problems (we obviously didn’t). Do you have kids who can’t ride their own bikes? Rent a trailer bike or a surrey. The surrey was adorable. For more information visit bikeandroll.com or call 1-866-RENT-A-BIKE.
Eat a picnic: We brought a full lunch and picnicked on a shaded bench and played in the grass. We met another lovely family next to us and ended up in one big playdate. We didn’t go to Picnic Point (too far for us just walking with limited time frame), but people love it. At Picnic Point, you can try out a hammock, Adirondack chair or swing while checking out the views of the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor.
Miniature golf: There is a free artist designed miniature golf course for kids and adults.
Concerts: Hear Roseanne Cash or some jazz during the day. See below for specific dates and times.
Open Artist Studios: Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s (LMCC’s) artist studios are now on the island and about 30 visual and performing artists are working on the Island each day. With gallery exhibitions, open studio events, and open rehearsals, LMCC showcases the work of the visual and performing artists-in-residence working on Governors Island. For more information, visit www.lmcc.net.
Farm: Visitors can also take a tour of a 3 acre Added Value sustainable farm at Picnic Point. Beginning in July, visit their Farm Stand where you’ll find locally grown produce, cut flowers and more. For more information, visit www.added-value.org.
Make Art: The Children’s Museum of the Arts is again providing their Free Island Outpost program to children and families. Every Friday – Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM, teaching artists will be on-hand in one of the Island’s historic buildings for free hands-on arts programming. More information on themes and projects available at www.cmany.org.
Eat: Thankfully, they have opened a new place to eat. The new place is called the Water Taxi Beach’s Backstage Café, which is located in a building adjacent to the Beach and the ferry landing. The new Backstage Cafe, has both indoor and outdoor dining. Around the corner, the Beach Grill has burgers, hotdogs, and sausages and a veggie burger (no soy fillers) made fresh daily.
Visit the beach: Throw down your towel and soak up some sun on over 20,000 square feet of sand (300 tons) at the Water Taxi Beach or join a pick up game of Beach volleyball or basketball. Or just soak up the skyline views of Manhattan.
Learn history: The National Park Service Presents Friday Morning Summer Programs for Kids: Friday, June 11 – Friday, August 13, 10:15 AM, 11:15 AM and 12:15 PM: Join National Park Service Rangers for a thematic Living History program where children of all ages can learn about the historic role of the people of Governors Island. Children will have the opportunity to meet with National Park Rangers and an array of “guests” from the past such as soldiers from the Mexican and Civil Wars, a Confederate Prisoner, a middle class lady from 1863, or a member of the Women’s Army Corps. You can also take a tour with the National Park Service every weekend. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, the National Park Service runs two hour and a half walking tours of the Historic District. More information on these tours can be found at www.nps.gov/gois.
Kayak: Pier 101 is open for kayakers to land every public access day, Fridays – Sundays from June 5 – October 10.
Governors Island will be open every Friday – Sunday from June 5 through October 10. Friday, the Island is open from 10 AM to 5 PM. On Saturdays and Sundays, the Island is open from 10 AM to 7 PM. From Friday – Sunday, ferries leave from the Battery Maritime Building, on the corner of South and Whitehall Streets, in Lower Manhattan. On Saturdays and Sundays, there will also be a ferry between Governors Island and Brooklyn. For up to date ferry schedules and downloadable maps, please visit www.govisland.com.
Specific Events on the Island:
Saturday, June 5 – Sunday, October 10: Orientation to the History of Governors Island, 11:25AM, 1:25 PM and 3:25 PM
Join a National Park Ranger for this 45-60 minute walking experience to discover how the role of Governors Island evolved to meet the changing needs of New York City and the nation.
Wednesday, June 9 – Thursday August 26: A Hike Through the National Historic Landmark District, 10 AM and 1 PM
Behind the façade of the island’s military structures, lie hidden courtyards and stately grounds resounding with echoes from the past. Join a National Park Ranger for this 1.5 hour, 1.5 mile walking experience and discover how the role of Governors Island evolved to meet the changing needs of New York City and the Nation. For more information on how to obtain your free tickets, visit www.nps.gov/gois.
Friday, June 11-Sunday, June 13: FIGMENT, all weekend
FIGMENT is an explosion of creative energy. It’s a free, annual celebration of participatory art and culture, where everything is possible. For information, visit www.figmentproject.org.
Friday, June 11 – Friday, August 13: The National Park Service Presents Friday Morning Summer Programs for Kids at 10:15 AM, 11:15 AM and 12:15 PM
Join National Park Service Rangers for a thematic Living History program where children of all ages and their chaperons are invited to learn about the historic role of the people of Governors Island. Children will have the opportunity to meet with National Park Rangers and an array of “guests” from the past such as soldiers from the Mexican and Civil Wars, a Confederate Prisoner, a middle class lady from 1863, or a member of the Women’s Army Corps.
Saturday, June 19: Army Heritage Day, Noon – 4 PM
The day will feature special programs by National Park Rangers, Revolutionary and Civil War living historians, activities for children and musical demonstrations that pay tribute to army life on Governors Island. For more information visit www.nps.gov/gois.
Saturday, June 19: NY Brewfest, 3:30PM – 8 PM
The festival is a celebration of craft beer and will showcase samplings from New York State’s outstanding breweries. Tickets are required and can be purchased at www.nybrewfest.com.
Sunday, June 20th: Make Music New York’s PUNK ISLAND, 11AM-5PM
Make Music New York transforms Governors Island into Punk Island with dozens of performances throughout the day. For more information visit www.makemusicny.org.
Friday, June 25 & Saturday, June 26: Making Our Presence Known: The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian at Governors Island, 11AM to 4PM
Visit the NMAI “Making Our Presence Known” interactive program located near Pier 101 next to the Brooklyn Ferry. See a teepee, hear storytelling and flute songs and participate in interactive dancing while enjoying the great outdoors! For visitor information and the free transportation schedule, visit www.govisland.com.
Sunday, June 27: Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Noon to 5 PM
Featuring an afternoon of exciting sport to benefit the charity American Friends of Sentebale. For more information, visit www.vcseason.com.
Friday, July 2 – Sunday, August 29: Rangers’ Choice Programs, 1:25 PM
National Park Rangers invite you to a 45 – 60 minute special program that will examine an aspect of the Governors Island story in depth.
JUNE – OCTOBER
Sunday, July 4: Trinity Wall Street presents singer/songwriter Rosanne Cash, 2 PM
The daughter of country music singer Johnny Cash and a local New Yorker, Rosanne Cash’s music draws on many genres including country, folk, pop, rock and blues. Trinity, which has historic ties to Governors Island where it maintains a chapel, is committed to presenting music and arts in lower Manhattan and has hosted free concerts on the Island every summer since 2007.
Sunday, July 11: Meatopia: BBQ NYC, Noon – 5 PM
The inaugural Meatopia event, hosted by famed food writer and Time columnist, Josh Ozersky along with Taste of Tribeca Co-Chair and Good Beer Month Founder, Jimmy Carbone and master pitmaster Robbie Richter of Fatty ‘Cue, will showcase 30+ top chefs and BBQ teams from New York City BBQ’ing local and sustainable meats for one unforgettable summer day. Meatopia: BBQ NYC is a food festival focusing and supporting the local community with walk-around tastings, beer, bourbon and live entertainment.
Sunday, July 11: The Long Island Writers’ Guild Returns to Governors Island, 12:30 PM
Spend an afternoon with members of the Long Island Writers’ Guild for a public reading of original works. Topics will explore the relationship between Long Island and New York City. Some of these works are found in the Guild’s anthology – 2001: A Long Island Odyssey. If you would like to read your original work we will have an open mic on a time available basis. All work needs to be appropriate for a family audience.
Saturday, July 17: Governors Island Alliance presents Let’s Fly a Kite! Noon
Kite giveaway for children! Volunteers will distribute kites and help children assemble and fly. For more information visit www.governorsislandalliance.org.
Saturday and Sunday July 17-18: Michael Arenella and the Dreamland Orchestra present the Jazz Age Dance Party, 11 AM to 5 PM
Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra will cast a magical spell of hot jazz and open-air merriment that will delight the whole family. This Jazz-Age Lawn party brings you back in time to the 1920s for a rollicking and delightful afternoon rendezvous of live music and dance, instruction in period dances, picnicking, and games. Tickets are required and can be purchased on Governors Island for $10.
Saturday, July 24: Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance and Friends present City of Water Day, Noon
A day of entertainment, education, and adventure celebrating our waterfront. Enjoy free boat tours, children’s activities, fishing, rides and more! For more information visit www.cityofwaterday.org.
Saturday, July 31: NYC Pro Swim, 9:30 AM
Come to the western side of Governors Island to watch Olympic medalists, world champions, and other professional swimmers race a 10K circuit course in front of the Statue of Liberty. Drafting, feeding zones, currents, and chop are all part of the tactics at this exciting marathon swim. Learn more at www.nycproswim.com.
Saturday, July 31: RECESS, Noon
A day of outdoor badminton and bocce at Colonels Row. Bring your A game to RECESS 2010.
Sunday, August 1: Governors Island Swim, 8:30 AM
Cheer on swimmers—or sign up ahead of time at www.nycswim.org to join them—as they jump off a ferry boat and swim a challenging two-mile race around Governors Island. The course allows great views of Lower Manhattan, Jersey City, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and, of course, Governors Island itself, from the unique, water-level perspective.
Saturday August 7 & Sunday August 8: Civil War Weekend, 10 AM – 5 PM on Saturday, noon – 4 PM on Sunday
Experience the summer of 1863! The National Park Service, 119th New York Volunteers, The GawdAwful Mess and Battery G of the First Pennsylvania Light Artillery will provide family friendly activities, living history demonstrations, music and other programs designed to introduce you to the men and women of the Governors Island Garrison including Confederates imprisoned on the Island.
Sunday, August 8: Fred van Lente presents The Amazing Spider-Man, 1:30 PM
Van Lente, writer of The Amazing Spider-Man comic books, will talk about setting two issues of this iconic series on Governors Island, and take your questions about Spidey, how comics are made, and anything you might want to ask!
Saturday August 22nd: 10 AM – 4 PM NYC Volkswagen Traffic Jam 10 AM to 4 PM
A classic car show and picnic on Governor’s Island featuring classic and custom vintage Volkswagens—including beetles, buses, and Karmann Ghias—from NYC and beyond. Open to all!
Saturday and Sunday August 28-29: Michael Arenella and the Dreamland Orchestra present the Jazz Age Dance Party, 11 AM to 5 PM
Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra will cast a magical spell of hot jazz and open-air merriment that will delight the whole family. This Jazz-Age Lawn party brings you back in time to the 1920s for a rollicking and delightful afternoon rendezvous of live music and dance, instruction in period dances, picnicking, and games. This event requires tickets that can be purchased on Governors Island for $10.
Every Saturday and Sunday, September 4 – September 26: 4 Heads Art Fair 11 AM to 6 PM
The Governors Island Art Fair enters its 3rd year this fall as the 4heads rally an exciting and diverse selection of artists from around the world. Over 100 independent artists are selected entirely on the merit of their work and, once chosen, each is given a room and set loose to create an environment of their own design. For more information visit www.4heads.org.
Saturday, September 4: NYC Unicycle Festival, Noon
A day of unicycle races, games, shows, and the largest group of one-wheeled enthusiasts to gather in the five boroughs.
Sunday, September 5: World Trade Center Run to Remember, 10 AM
The 2nd Annual World Trade Center Run to Remember offers a great opportunity for all people who were affected by the events of 9-11 to come together to remember each victim, while running, or walking, around beautiful Governors Island, in the heart of New York Harbor. For more information, visit www.wtcruntoremember.com
Saturday, September 11: RECESS, Noon
A day of outdoor badminton and bocce at Colonels Row. Bring your A game to RECESS 2010.
Saturday September 25: Vendy Awards, Noon-5PM
Join hundreds of street food enthusiasts and a team of celebrity judges at the Sixth Annual Vendy Awards, the annual competition for the title of New York City’s Best Street Food Vendor, and a fundraiser for Urban Justice Center’s Street Vendor project. Tickets get you all-you-can eat access to the city’s finest vendors as they battle to take home the Vendy Cup. For tickets, information, or to nominate your favorite vendor, go to www.streetvendor.org.