Governor's Island

A small island of 172 acres in Upper Bay (south of Manhattan), Governor's Island is an area with a storied past, and it promises to be a gem for New Yorkers and visitors well into the future.

Native Americans referred to the island as Pagganck, or "Nut Island," because of its abundance of nut trees. In 1637 Wouter Van Twiller bought the island from the local tribes for two ax heads, a string of beads, and a handful of nails. The Dutch government confiscated the island from him a year later. In 1784 the island was officially named "Governor's Island." It served as a military installation for about 200 years until the 1960's. The U.S. government sold the island to the city of New York in 2003. Today it serves as open space, park land, and a national monument.

Patrons can visit the island on weekends and holidays that fall on Mondays. The island plays host to various special events, including art exhibits, recreation, and entertainment. Visitors can access the island by ferry at the Battery Maritime Building, which is adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry terminal in lower Manhattan. Additionally, there is a ferry from Brooklyn every Saturday and Sunday beginning at 11:00 a.m. from Pier 6 at Brooklyn Bridge Park (at the foot of Atlantic Avenue).