Starting this year, New Yorkers will be able to enjoy Governors Island’s open space, cultural and recreational resources year-round. Kid-friendly highlights this fall include an outdoor pizza date at the new spacious Pizza Yard, learning about the island’s fascinating past and a ride around the island in a kids go-kart.
Visiting the outdoor exhibit at Castle Williams gives kids exciting inside in the over 200 year long history of the castle and Governors Island overall protecting New York City from the Europeans, its prisoning system and military life on the island. Public hours for Fort Jay and Castle Williams are 10 am to 5 pm on weekends.
The bike rental Blazing Saddles on the island rents out go-karts for kids and adults, bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles to get around the island. Kids go-karts start at $20 per half an hour.
Food trucks on the island offer Jamaican, Korean, Ethiopian food amongst others. The average meal costs around $15.
Playground NYC is an adventure playground near the Brooklyn ferry dock that does not allow parents inside and offers exceptionally creative play for kids 5 years and up. The playground will be open on weekends from 12 to 4 pm until at least November 21st. Free to enter, donations welcome.
Tens of thousands of pumpkins will populate historic Nolan Park during the final two weeks of October. Stroll through the expansive pumpkin patch and pick out a pumpkin to take home in an exchange for a small donation. There will also be autumn-inspired arts and crafts, storytelling, live music and more. October 23/24 as well as 30/31 from 10 am to 6 pm on Governors Island. Find out more here.
The junkyard playground, the bicycle rental and food trucks will continue to serve visitors in November this year. NYC Ferry will serve Governors Island year-round 7 days a week with additional service on the South Brooklyn Route on weekdays and non-summer weekends from Red Hook, Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park and DUMBO. The new ferry schedule will go into effect November 1, stay tuned for details.
