By Aren Iverson ’27

As the leaves start to change colors, the only place I want to be is outside. The air is crisp, and there is a sense of new adventure in the air in NYC. What better place to enjoy this feeling than an island right here in New York City? Governors Island, located in the Upper New York Bay, is an oasis among the city noise. Once on the island, the hustle and bustle of the city fades away, and you are located at 10 South Street—approximately a 20-minute walk from 1 Pace Plaza. If you want to take the subway to the ferry station, you can catch the R or W train from City Hall and get off at Whitehall St-South Ferry. On Saturdays and Sundays before noon, the ferry is free for all riders. A ticket costs $4 during regular hours, and the island is open every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

There’s always something to do on Governors Island. The entire time you’re there, you feel like you’re on the campus of an old college. Before the city of New York acquired the island, it was a Coast Guard base, so many of the buildings are old, brick structures. Bordering Nolan Park, a large grassy space with plenty of trees, are rows of residential houses. These houses are used by art exhibitions, community service organizations, and many other groups to house events that they put on. The houses are constantly changing hands, so there is always something different to see there. The last time I went, there was an art exhibition that contained only pieces made by incarcerated individuals. The director of the gallery took the time to talk to us about the artists and their work—a kindness that I’ve consistently noticed within the community on Governors Island. These houses aren’t the only thing that changes, though—Governors Island is constantly incorporating new events and components. In celebration of Halloween, they hosted a free pumpkin patch and pumpkin painting experience. If you’re interested in their events, you can follow them on Instagram at @governorsisland to stay connected. Additionally, the island hosts an ever-changing stream of food trucks. They have a few permanent restaurants, such as Island Oyster and Pizza Yard, but you can always expect new types of food to be available.  

Those elements are all special, but you came to this article for nature, so let’s talk nature. The majority of Governors Island is grassy areas. There’s plenty of space to picnic, play sports, or just relax. Each of their parks has unique features, including a grove of large hammocks, a sheep enclosure (during the summer), and a small lavender field. There is a walking trail to the top of Outlook Hill, which allows visitors a view of lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and Jersey City. Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals and Citi Bike also rent out bikes, which makes exploring everything Governors Island has to offer easy. You can also take one of many walking trails that are spread across the island, including a trail that leads all the way around the island and allows for stunning views of the water. There are ornamental flower gardens in various places that bloom during the spring and summer. The whole island is a breath of fresh air.  

If you’re passionate about helping protect the environment, Governors Island offers opportunities to be involved with community service. Earth Matter has a composting learning center, which hosts hands-on events at least once a week. Between May and October, Grow NYC creates a teaching garden, so be on the lookout for their programming in the spring.  

I’ve gone to Governors Island with friends twice since moving here, and I love it even more after every time. I went to the pumpkin event, and it was so much fun to both enjoy the beautiful fall weather and get to do arts and crafts. My suite now has a mini pumpkin patch in the living room, courtesy of Governors Island. It’s a great place to reset and refresh; I always feel happy and content when I leave the island, something that I hope you will feel as well if you choose to go.