Adventure off the beaten path!

Duration

2 Hours | Easy ride

If you’re looking for a day or half-day adventure that will take you off the city’s beaten path, Governors Island is a great choice! Still New Yorkers’ best kept secret, this island has only been open to the public since 2005, and is not yet pinging on most tourist’s radar. Part of US National Parks system, the island is home to two Revolutionary War-era forts, and a beautiful, new public park. It’s rich with American, New York and military, aviation and maritime history, as it served as a military base for 166 years. In the 21st century, the island has been ingeniously reimagined as an innovative public space and is home to many arts, education, cultural and environmental non-profits. It’s bite-sized, too—just 172 acres total, with a 2-mile (3.2 km) perimeter, so it’s the perfect for a day trip. Its many lawns and shade trees beckon you to enjoy a picnic lunch, and the kids will love it. And—as there are no cars allowed—it’s the perfect place to bike. Bike rental is for the entire day, so you can stay and eat ice cream in Hammock Grove, relax in the Adirondack chairs and admire the Statue of LIberty, so close you feel like you can reach out and touch her.