Park Hours (Today)
Closed
Miza AI
Plan your Governors Island trip
About the Park
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. Coast Guard from 1966 to 1996, continuing its legacy of national service. Today, Governors Island has transformed into a destination for art, culture, and public programs.
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What to See & Do
Fort Jay self Guided Walk
A self-guided walking tours of one of the oldest Forts on Governors Island, open Mid-April until November, Fort Jay is closed in winter
Getting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
Governors Island is located in New York Harbor, 1/2 mile from the southern tip of Lower Manhattan and 400 yards west of the end of Brooklyn's Atlantic Avenue and Red Hook waterfront. It is accessible only via ferry. Ferry service from Manhattan is the main way to access the island. The ferry departs from Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street, at South and Whitehall Streets (next to the Staten Island ferry terminal). Check www.govisland.com for ferry schedules.
Operating Hours
Fort Jay Winter
Fort Jay will be closed for the winter. It will re-open in April
- MondayClosed
- TuesdayClosed
- WednesdayClosed
- ThursdayClosed
- FridayClosed
- SaturdayClosed
- SundayClosed
Photos
Front of sandstone brick fort with arched entrance way.
A park ranger talking to a group of visitors inside a large stone room in a fort.
Manhattan Skyline stands behind the barracks of Fort Jay
Canon and Manhattan Skyline from top of castle
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Best Time
Year-round
Trip Length
1 day
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Planning Governors Island National Monument
These common questions go deeper into logistics and planning. For real-time updates on road closures and current conditions, always check the Alerts section above.