Summer may be behind us, but Governors Island remains a go-to destination for fall outings with kids! Pedal around in a go-cart, run wild at the junkyard playground, step back in time at Castle Williams, or get your hands dirty at the Urban Farm. This season brings plenty of new reasons to visit, too—from Taco Vista’s expanded space to a dazzling light-and-music show, plus the island’s annual pumpkin patch and fall festival. Here’s what to know before catching the ferry this fall.
Kid-friendly activities
Stop by Blazing Saddles to rent bikes, go-karts, and surreys for both kids and adults! Blazing Saddles also offers Free Bike Mornings, with a free rentals from 10am-12pm on weekdays.
You can also rent a CitiBike from one of the three docks on the island: Soissons Landing, Yankee Pier, or Picnic Point. And of course, you can bring your own bike, too!
The Yard, a sprawling junkyard playground for kids, will remain open until November 16, from 12 to 4pm on weekends. Closed toe shoes required, and families are required to sign a wavier. Grown-ups are not allowed in their main play area, geared to ages 5-19.For younger children (or any child who wishes to stay with their caregiver) they also have a smaller family play area.
Did you know that Governors Island is home to New York City’s longest slide, at 57 feet (3 stories high)? Slide Hill has four different slides of different lengths, including a family slide built for two people.
Hammock Grove Play Area has huge climbing structures that kids will love. And parents can stake out a relaxing hammock in the nearby Hammock Grove while the kids play!
The Governors Island Urban Farm—home to Grow NYC’s Teaching Garden, Earth Matter NY’s Compost Learning Center and Soil Start Farm, and The Bee Conservancy’s bee sanctuary—is open weekends from 12 to 4pm, through October 27. Try a scavenger hunt, get hands-on in a dig bed, water the plants, attend a gardening workshop, or shop at the farm stand!
Where to eat
There are 20+ food and drink vendors to explore on the island, and while hours and days vary, you can simply click here to see what’s open any day of the week!
Pizzeria Fantastica is a new spot in Colonels Row from the Pizza Yard team. Or try Makina Cafe, serving Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine on a large lawn with yard games.
Liggett Terrace also has a food court with lots of options: try Little Eva’s for burgers and hot dogs, and fish and chips, or Tokyo Drumstick, with East-Asian fried chicken, frozen cocktails, bubble tea, and more.
Near Soissons Landing is Island Oyster, with fresh oysters, excellent lobster rolls, cocktails, and spectacular views of lower Manhattan. Also on this stretch of the island is Taco Vista, which moved to the former space of Cafe Gitano. Kids will love playing in the sand while parents enjoy Mexican fare and margaritas. Open through the end of October!
You can also reserve grills at Picnic Point and Nolan Park through November. Reservations include a charcoal grill and up to two picnic tables for the entire day. There is a $30 non-refundable fee for each reservation, visitors are responsible for bringing their own grilling supplies (including charcoal, lighter, etc). Make a reservation here.
Historic forts
The historic monuments on the island, Fort Jay and Castle Williams, are open Wednesday through Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Kids can learn about the 200-year-old history of Governors Island, which was one of the longest continually operated military bases in the country until 1996.
Public art, performances & events
Governors Island is home to a thriving arts scene, with public artworks installed across the island, over two dozen arts organizations in residency in former military houses every season, as well as special exhibitions and performances.
Keep an eye out for pieces from the island-wide group show Rest/Play, an installation that celebrates how visitors spend time on the island, whether relaxing or experiencing moments of creativity and joy.
FIREBIRD Performance: October 3 & 4
Making its NYC premiere on October 3 & 4, FIREBIRD is an open-air performance by Amsterdam-based collective Touki Delphine. It features a wall of light, composed of over 500 recycled car taillights, and sound, choreographed to music inspired by Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. Open to all ages, with tickets starting at $20; reserve yours here!
Pumpkin Point: October 25 & 26, 10am-5pm
Pumpkin Point, Governors Island’s annual pumpkin patch and fall festival, returns to Nolan Park October 25 & 26. Enjoy pumpkin picking, trick-or-treating at Nolan Park’s historic houses, music and crafts, a fall foliage tree tour, fall-themed food and drink from Island vendors, and more free fun for the whole family. Performances will include traditional and contemporary folk music by Porch Stomp, daily performances by Hopalong Andrew, and puppet theater by Cara’s Caterpillars.
Note: A large number of visitors is expected for Pumpkin Point, so plan to leave extra time for the ferry–at least 20 minutes before your scheduled departure. On October 25 & 26, the Trust for Governors Island will also operate special event ferries from Red Hook/Atlantic Basin and Brooklyn Bridge Park/Pier 6.
Hours & ferries
Governors Island is open to the public daily year-round, from 7am-6pm. The island is only accessible by ferry! Here’s how to get there:
- In the off-season, it’s easiest to use NYC Ferry’s South Brooklyn route from DUMBO, Pier 6, Red Hook, Sunset Park, or Bay Ridge. Tickets are $4.50 one way. Check out the full ferry schedule here! This ferry brings you to Yankee Pier, near the junkyard playground and the lavender field.
- A fall schedule is now in effect for NYC Ferry (effective 9/8/25). Keep an eye out for NYC Ferry service changes during holidays! Modified schedules will be in effect for Sukkot (10/9–10/13).
- Helpful tip! If you ever lose anything on NYC Ferry, they have a lost and found at Pier 11/Wall Street, open daily from 8am-8pm!
- From Manhattan, you can also take the Governors Island ferry directly from the Maritime Building, located at 10 South Street in Lower Manhattan. This will bring you to Soissons Landing on the northern side of the island, near Taco Vista, Island Oyster, and Fort Jay. Tickets are $5, and free for children 12 and under.
- All ferry information here!
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Updated: October 1, 2025.
