Spotlight | Explore Governors Island This Summer

Welcome to Broadway Stages' Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues. With summer in full swing, Broadway Stages will feature and celebrate exceptional people, businesses, and organizations that make New York City a great place to spend the warm weather and sunny sky season. This week, we talk about all there is to do on Governors Island!

Located in the heart of New York Harbor lies Governors Island. This oasis of arts, culture, play, and relaxation is just a short ferry ride from Manhattan and Brooklyn.

The National Park Service operates at the north end of the 172-acre island, including the Governors Island National Monument and two former military fortifications. The Trust of Governors Island oversees the rest of the Island.

Moreover, our friends at the NYC Bird Alliance call the Island their seasonal home because of its excellent habitat and diverse variety of birdlife. Over 220 species of birds have been seen on the Island. Keep an eye out here for upcoming bird outings on the Island. Birders who visit the Island this summer should also make time to view the work of the NYC Bird Alliance Artists in Residence at historic Colonels Row.

Each year, Gov­er­nors Island hosts hun­dreds of pro­grams, exhi­bi­tions, and activ­i­ties, pre­sent­ed by the Trust for Gov­er­nors Island, the Nation­al Park Ser­vice, and the Friends of Gov­er­nors Island, as well as dozens of diverse orga­ni­za­tions from across the five bor­oughs and beyond.

The Trust for Gov­er­nors Island presents pub­lic art projects that are unique and captivating. The projects seek to engage the viewer by complementing the historic architecture of the harbor and waterfront. 

Biking and hiking paths punctuated by playgrounds and sports fields crisscross the Island's 120 acres of open, car-free space. The Island has a space for everyone, and each space offers extraordinary views. Don't believe us? Check out all there is to do here!

The Island is also home to numerous exhibits and events. During typical public seasons, the houses around Nolan Park and Colonels Row host arts, culture, and educational exhibits. The Downtown Boathouse has offered free kayaking classes at Pier 101.

This summer, the Trust for Gov­er­nors Island began hosting several climate pilot projects. The pilots are all tem­po­rary projects intend­ed to sup­port prod­uct or ser­vice devel­op­ment through test­ing and solu­tions validation. These projects explore innovative climate solutions such as floating gardens, greywater treatment, and water and air quality monitoring.

What sunny summer day is complete without a picnic? Vis­i­tors to Gov­er­nors Island are wel­come to bring their own food. There are plen­ty of shad­ed green spaces on the Island that are per­fect for lay­ing a blan­ket on the grass, along with Adiron­dack chairs and pic­nic tables. You cannot bring alcohol to the Island, but it can be pur­chased and con­sumed from one of its many great vendors.

Governors Island is open daily year-round. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, it is open to the public from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The South Island Park, which includes the Hills, Picnic Point, and Hammock Grove, closes at 6 p.m. daily.

So many think New York City is just an asphalt jungle. But Broadway Stages knows there are greenspaces and shorelines everywhere, and Governors Island is a great example. Just check out their Instagram and Facebook pages to see what we mean. So make your plans today to visit Governors Island to explore and recharge. You won't regret it! And when you get there, tell them Broadway Stages sent you!