Exhibitions, excursions and entertainment: what to do on Governor's Island

Governors Island is an unusual and unique place for unforgettable events, cultural and educational programs and recreational activities for all ages. Every year on Governor's Island hosts an impressive list of programs, exhibitions and events.

Governors Island is open to the public daily all year round.

THE OPEN ORCHARD

Combining public art and conservation, The Outdoor Garden is a vast new piece of art on Governors Island created by Sam Van Aken. Taking the form of a community garden of 102 fruit trees, the Outdoor Garden will be a living archive of vintage fruit varieties that have been grown in and around New York City for the past 400 years but have largely disappeared due to climate change.

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BIKE RENTALS

Governors Island offers a 7-mile car-free bike ride. Rent a bike from Blazing Saddles, bring your own bike, or pick up a Citi bike from one of the island's three docking stations.

In the morning, visitors can rent a bike at Blazing Saddles free of charge for up to one hour each weekday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.

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SLIDE HILL

Set in beautiful parkland in the southern part of Governors Island, Slide Hill offers a variety of slides that are sure to delight young visitors and families. Climb the Timber Climb or follow the winding path up the slope. Slide Hill has three shorter slides, including a family slide designed for two people to ride at the same time. Thrill seekers will love the fourth slide: the 57-foot (17,4 m) curved slide is New York's longest.

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HAMMOCK GROVE

Head to Hammock Grove to relax and swing in the island's famous red hammocks, open all year round. Relax in quiet corners among the young urban forest or explore secluded footpaths. You can even see the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline.

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On the subject: Perfect for all ages: NYC has an indoor amusement park with something for everyone

HAMMOCK GROVE PLAY AREA

The Hammock Grove play area has play structures that kids will love to climb and swing on for fun. The area is located in the southern part of Liggett Terrace.

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NOT FOR NUTTEN

Although no one knows whose hand built the world's first ship in a bottle, delicate miniatures depicting frozen seascapes became popular in the 18th and early 19th centuries. In his great work, Duke Riley expands on the tradition of these items by using the more common bottle today - disposable plastic containers that float in oceans around the world.

Unlike their blown glass and wood counterparts, Riley's painted vignettes appear to be etched into the surfaces of objects that plague waterway ecosystems, such as detergent bottles and sealant tubes.

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THE FIELD STATION OF THE MELANCHOLY MARINE BIOLOGIST

Adapted specifically for Governors Island, Mark Dion's immersive film The Melancholic Marine Biologist's Field Station takes visitors on a journey facing a future that has been impacted by climate change.

"A Melancholy Marine Biologist's Field Station" based on the unique history of the island and the ecology of New York Harbor. The piece is currently on long-term exhibition at Building 105, a historic armory building located in the island's Historic District across from Fort Jay.

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HISTORIC PHOTO WALKING TOURS WITH URBAN ARCHIVE

Walk around Governors Island as you explore over four centuries of history with stunning historical photographs at the City Archives. On the official Governors Island Walking Tour, visitors learn about the history of the island from its settlement to the present day.

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COMMUNITY CLIMBING BOULDER

Take to new heights with the new climbing wall. There are several different climbing routes on the island with varying degrees of difficulty, and Vastenulun is free to use at any time.

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THE AMERICAN MANIFEST: MOVING CHAINS

Moving Chains will reopen on March 30, 2023.

Moving Chains is a 110-foot (33,5 m) monumental kinetic sculpture constructed from steel and sustainable sapele, commonly referred to as African mahogany, a tree native to West Africa.

The sculpture, which people can enter and walk through, contains nine custom-made chains weighing over 1600 pounds (725 kg), each passing overhead. Eight chains reflect the speed of the currents in New York Harbor, while the ninth central chain moves faster, recalling the speed of ships and barges that have traveled the city's waterways for centuries.

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FREE DIGITAL ISLAND GUIDE

Explore Governors Island from your phone with a digital guide on the free Bloomberg Connects arts and culture app. Use the app to plan your visit and then easily access useful information.

In addition to Governors Island, Bloomberg Connects allows you to visit over 80 museums, galleries, sculpture parks, gardens and cultural spaces around the world. All of these can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play.

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RIVER YEARS: A BLACK GOTHAM EXPERIENCE

River Years is a free, self-guided Black Gotham Experience audio tour. River Years explores the colonial times of what is today known as the East River, the Hudson and New York Harbor. From the ferry terminal at Soissons Landing to the foothills of Outlook Hill, River Years reveals key moments in New York's history.

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QC NY

QC NY amenities include stunning terraces with legendary skyline views and over 20 wellness treatments designed to soothe body and soul, such as personalized massages, saunas, steam baths, relaxation areas, water therapies, infrared beds, steam baths and more. . Guests can also soak in the two infinity spa pools overlooking the Manhattan skyline.

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PICNIC AND GRILL

Visitors to Governors Island may bring their own food. The island has many shady green spaces that are perfect for laying a blanket on the grass. Visitors are not allowed to bring alcohol, but it can be purchased and consumed at certain locations.

Grilling is prohibited except at grill stations available by permit from May to November. Grill bookings will open in spring 2023.

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WINTER DOG DAYS AT GOVERNORS ISLAND

Dogs are allowed on Governors Island every Saturday and Sunday until April 30th. This seasonal program allows dogs to enjoy the island with their fellow human beings.

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CIRCULAR ECONOMY MANUFACTURING MICROFACTORY

Stop by South Battery for a look at this solar-powered microfactory operated by Circular Economy Manufacturing. At this facility, they grind up used plastic collected by the city that might otherwise end up in landfill, melt it down, and turn it into products using only attached solar panels to power it. The MicroFactory is a self-contained manufacturing operation housed in a portable shipping container that produces no toxins, pollutants or waste.

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BQE WINTER EXHIBIT

Animation by Adam Paul Suzaneck of Segregation by Design depicts the relentless path of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway through New York's urban fabric. ⁠Using historic aerial photography, this project aims to document the destruction of communities. This project shows the extent to which an American city has been methodically devastated on the basis of race.

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MONTHLY SERVICE DAY

Join the Trust for Governors Island gardening team to take care of natural landscapes during monthly maintenance days. Volunteers provide invaluable assistance to acres of the island's beautiful landscapes and create a biodiverse and beautiful environment for people and wildlife.

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TWILIGHT WINTER BIRD STROLL

Meet the winter birds of Governors Island with NYC Audubon. Approximately 240 species of birds have been observed on the island. Whether you're an experienced bird watcher or a beginner, these monthly tours will help you discover all the birdlife the island has to offer.

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NYCRUNS SPRING FLING 5K & 10K

Take a breathtaking tour with stunning views. NYCRUNS Spring Fling 5K & 10K begin their annual tours.

Portable toilets will be available for use throughout the event. Water will be available on the track and at the finish line. Bagels, cream cheese and fresh fruit make up the usual great post-race NYCRUNS meal to fuel you at the finish line.

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THE YARD – ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND

The Yard is a kids-only space. The main play area is recommended for children aged 6 to 12, while the family play area is for children under the age of 5. The Yard provides young people with selected materials for building, exploring, imagining and destroying. In addition to free weekends, The Yard also offers summer camp, school field trips, birthday parties and special programs.

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