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There is no shortage of fun things to do on a visit to New York City, but if you’re looking for something novel and perhaps a little less urban, plan a day on Governor’s Island.
My excursion to this spot, which was just five miles from Manhattan (making it an 8-minute ferry ride from Lower Manhattan), was arranged by my hosts at the Hotel NH Collection New York Madison Avenue. This midtown historic hotel building is the first U.S. outpost of the well-known NH Collection hotels and resorts abroad. Now I feel like I have “discovered” a perfect destination to round out a girls’ weekend getaway or romantic couples trip to the city.
From the moment you step on the ferry to or from Governors Island, expect stunning views of the nearby Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline—get those cameras ready!
Choose Your Adventure on Governors Island
Everything about Governors Island is an adventure—from getting there to exploring, even when you’re just spending time at the QC NY Spa.
Governors Island can be visited in any season, but there are more options for activities in summer. Lodging on the island is limited with Collective Retreats glamping “tents” that seem more like small houses (and are bigger than many New York City apartments!) May through October.
The 172-acre island is accessible for day trips from November through April, but there are no overnight stays available during these months.
It’s also important to know that this is a non-motorized island—no cars or motorcycles are allowed–so you will be getting around on foot or bicycle. There is a 2-mile walking path that circumvents the island so you can take in all the views, or you can cut through the park-like setting to walk among stately trees and learn about the various historic buildings you see here.
Seasonal Activities and Bike Rentals
If you’re planning a visit in the summer, check the calendar for upcoming concerts and art exhibitions. Even in the off-season, you can find goings-on, such as a Christmas bird count and a winter ice sculpture show to plan around.
Blazing Saddles has a variety of bikes to rent here year-round so you can choose a bicycle or surrey to cover the island’s seven miles of pathways on wheels. If you come on a weekday morning, there is a free hour of cruiser bike rental choice.
A Spa Experience on Governors Island
My time on Governors Island took place on a relatively warm November afternoon where we planned to spend our time at the spa. This spa is a little different than most: you book a reservation to use the facilities in general, then if there is availability for a massage appointment when you arrive, you can schedule that too.
QC NY opened in a former U.S. Army barracks in 2022 with the concept of a European spa. Your initial booking rate (starts at $98) includes use of a locker, a robe, and sandals, then the massage treatments (start at $100) are an extra cost.
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I found that you could easily spend hours at the spa and not fully experience all of the rooms and treatments. The heated outdoor pool has jetted areas for a sort of self massage plus those Manhattan skyline views; inside you have your pick of steam rooms and saunas; continue your exploration to find places like the “dream room” where you lie on waterbeds listen to ethereal music synced with nature video scenery or another room offers a brief seaweed mask treatment while cocooned in comfortable chair.
The spa also has a small café, which might be your only option for dining on the island in the off-season afternoons. In the warmer months, you can check the website for the current food truck (a motorized vehicle loophole) lineup and hours, along with seasonal cafés.
Governors Island History
Spa time is so relaxing that it might be best saved for after you’ve seen a little more of this island and learned about its history.
After leaving the spa, I walked over to the brick circular Castle Williams, a former military prison. This national monument site is operated by the National Park Service and there is a ranger on site to provide detailed information about the background of this place. While I just popped in, you might need a free guided tour during specific hours.
Fort Jay, a star-shaped fort with a dry moat, is closed in the off-season but worth touring in the spring through early fall.
In a nutshell, this island started out as a haven of native trees where Native Americans could harvest their nuts and fish seasonally back in the 1500s. By the 1600s, the Dutch had arrived and set up camp on what was then a 70-acre island. In the early 1700s, the British took control and some construction took place, but it was in the 1800s when this was under American rule that the development of the forts occurred.
There is a great more detail to learn about on a tour, but what might be the island’s most significant history happened in the early 1900s when excavation to build the Lexington Avenue Subway led to expansion of the island; the rocks and dirt were used to increase the island’s land mass.
According the National Park Service, Governors Island was used by the U.S. Army from 1794 to 1966, and from 1966 to 1996 the U.S. Coast Guard was based here. The families of service members had been calling this outpost home until then. In 2003, the island was reopened to the public for visitors and it continues to evolve.
If You Go:
How you plan and spend your time on Governors Island will depend on the season. Again, there are no cars allowed on the island so wear comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing for being outdoors in any season (coats for winter, a hat with a brim for summer, etc.).
Start with the Governors Island website which will provide important hours, rates, and other details for your experience.
There are two ferry landing points—one from Manhattan, one from Brooklyn—and the ferries allow bicycles and strollers, and are wheelchair accessible. Rates are anywhere from free to $5 per person. Get more ferry details here.
If you’re planning spa time, book in advance. The spa is open daily year-round and you must be 21 to enter their wellness center.
Schedule your time on Governors Island with a guided tour of the island or the national monuments.
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Author Bio: Mindy Sink is a travel guidebook author and freelance travel writer based in Denver, Colorado. You can see her latest adventures and bylines on social media and her website, www.mindysink.com.
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