enrevanche: Governors Island tours

11 June 2005

Governors Island tours - Summer 2005

Governors Island, a nifty little chunk of real estate in New York Harbor about 700 yards off of the southern tip of Manhattan, is usually closed to the public. It's being rehabilitated (slowly) and portions of it are now actually a National Historic Landmark District.

In the summertime, however, the Island is open for a select number of tourists (advance-purchase ferry tickets required) to come over and visit. There was a big celebration today (June 11), and regular tours start next Saturday.

Carrie and I visited one day last summer and had a grand time taking a tour of the beautiful grounds, eating a picnic lunch and napping a little on the cool grass in the shade of the old fort. We're definitely going again this year at least once.

If you're in the NYC area this summer, see the info on Summer Saturdays at the Governors Island web page:

Enjoy the beauty of New York Harbor from Historic Governors Island. For more than 200 years, Governors Island was off-limits – serving as an American military base from 1800 to 1997. Today, visitors can explore the Governors Island National Historic Landmark District, featuring fortifications, arsenal buildings and residences dating back to the early 1800s. Or, simply sit back and take in the breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Governors Island Ferry departs from the Battery Maritime Building every hour on the hour beginning at 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Boats return from Governors Island every hour on the ½ hour until 5:30 pm. Ferry transportation tickets are required to travel to Governors Island on Saturdays.

In the meantime, maybe you'll enjoy some pictures that Carrie and I took last year.