East Coast Attractions
Governors Island
- Critic's rating
- LAT
New York City, NY
Down the Hudson River in New York Harbor is Governors Island, accessible by a free five-minute ferry ride featuring sweeping city views. The varied architecture of this 172-acre island, from pre-Civil War arsenal buildings to 20th century neoclassic structures, narrates its fascinating history.
First inhabited by Native Americans, it was bought by the Dutch and then by the British, who used it as a Revolutionary War base. After changing into U.S. hands, the island played a role in most major U.S. military engagements. In the 1960s, it became the Coast Guard's largest installation, with an on-island population of more 3,000.
A ghost town since the Coast Guard left in 1996, the island today welcomes visitors on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays beginning next weekend. Musical and theatrical performances take place most weekends. Enjoy the only-front-facing view of the Statue of Liberty.
wherever it appears.