Governors Island

Venture out to Governors Island (open May through October), where there’s plenty to see, do and enjoy as a family. Grab a ferry from Manhattan or Brooklyn ($2, children under 13 & IDNYC holders free; Sat, Sun until 11:30am free) to explore 172 acres via bike (there’s more than five miles of bike lanes, and bike rentals are easily found at Blazing Saddles (Colonels Row), or head to spots like the Hammock Grove/Hammock Grove Play Area to kick back and relax in one of 50 hammocks or climb around on a nearby play structure. Families might also visit the Compost Learning Center (starting May 27, 2017 for the 2017 season) to learn all about compost, how to compost and what to compost! Last but not least, The Hills portion of Governors Island opened in 2016, and offers heights of 70 ft. above sea level (there are stunning views to be seen!) plus four huge slides, including the longest slide in NYC. Hungry? There are plenty of food trucks located on the island so you can snack, but we’d recommend bringing a picnic just for the experience.