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Governors Island Reopening May 1st With Additional Brooklyn Ferries
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 1, 2021
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 1, 2021
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After a truncated reopening last year due to the pandemic, Governors Island announced today that it will reopen to visitors for the full summer season starting May 1st. And the city is adding new weekend and holiday ferry service in Brooklyn.
"Last year, the opening was delayed because of COVID, and this year we can open on time, that's good news," Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a press conference on Thursday morning. "Governors Island is one of New York City’s crown jewels. It’s the kind of beautiful, open public space that we will rely on to drive our recovery this spring and summer.”
Read more: A Rare Look Inside The Abandoned Buildings Of Governors Island
Governors Island will be open to visitors every day from May 1st through October 31st, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Last year, its opening was delayed until mid-July because of the pandemic, and the ferries operated at one third capacity. It's unclear what the capacity limit will be on the ferries this year, but advance reservations will be required (see below).
Many of the various Island food and beverage vendors will be back. That includes Island Oyster, Taco Vista, Fauzia's Heavenly Delights, Kimchi Taco, Makina, Threes Brewing and the Meat Hook, Melt Bakery, People's Pops, Joe Coffee, Three Peaks Lodge, Little Eva's, Sea Biscuit, and Pizza Yard.
Collective Governors Island, the Island's luxury glamping retreat, will also return — along with new culinary, mixology, and meditation experiences.
The Collective Retreats glamping grounds
In addition to the regular Governors Island ferries which run daily from the Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street in Manhattan, there will also be ferries every weekend and holiday from Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park and Atlantic Basin in Red Hook. As Mayor de Blasio noted, all ferry rides will be free for any public housing residents, seniors over 65, children under 12, IDNYC holders, current and former military members and Governors Island members. Tickets for adults cost $3, and can be purchased here.
As with last year, people are asked to reserve ferry tickets online ahead of their trip to Governors Island, and face coverings are required.
In addition to the splendid vistas of the city, 120 acres of open spaces, bike paths and public hammocks available on the island, there will be a "limited calendar of socially distanced outdoor events in 2021," most of which will be announced later here.
A few events that have been announced: the New York Poetry Festival returns July 24th and 25th, and the Jazz Age Lawn Party will take place June 12th and 13th. The theme of this year's event is "RETURN OF THE TWENTIES."
You can read more about what Governors Island was like last summer here. And check out a drone-eye view of the island below.
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governors island
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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