June 23, 2006
Governors Island ferry trip and tours free all summer
Governors Island, the big, usually off-limits former military station just south of Manhattan, this summer is offering its tours and ferry ride completely for free.
 Last year, which was only the second year the island was open to the public, the price was $6 for adults and $3 for children.
While you're there, you can take walking tours of the island, picnic (as long as you bring your own food,) attend lectures, catch a concert or Civil War re-enactment. Art installation are schedule through the summer and there is also a small gift shop well-stocked with books on the New York Harbor, city and military history, regional maps and a spot of Americana kids toys.
The island was actually the original colonial settlement for what grew up to be New York City. The Dutch arrived in the winter of 1624 and didn't move to Manhattan until 1625.
For two centuries the island was used by the military and most recently the Coast Guard. Currently, the city is trying to determine how to develop it. In the meantime, it's a mix of abandoned ghost town and lush private park with well-maintained lawns, historic buildings and even a 9-hole golf course scheduled for use in a celebrity tournament in fall.
Ferries run about every hour, but the key part of your plan is to bring plenty of your own food and water because you may be limited to nothing more than vending machines and a broken drinking fountain when you get off the boat.
 Through August on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, the island is open for limited hours and only as part of a guided tour of the national historic landmark district with the National Park Service.
A few of those tours also run Friday and Saturday, when a big section of the island is open for anyone to roam about. However, the only way to see Nolan Park, where you'll find the Victorian Romanesque Revival homes of Generals Row and Colonels Row, is to take one of the tours.
While the week day tours aren't very crowded (only a dozen people were on the Wednesday morning one this week,) about 900 people showed up to Governors Island last Saturday, one park ranger said.
The island is packed with forgotten history, including a hospital that once hosted Ulysses S. Grant, the first truly American designed fort (Castle Williams,) and was the take-off point for Wilbur Wright's first flight over water (heading toward the Statue of Liberty.) The island was also the host of the prosperous 1988 Cold War summit between President Reagan and Soviet President Gorbachev.
Of the areas that are accessible, Castle Williams is the most eerie site. Used as a prison until 1966, the courtyard is open but the interiors are closed up due to asbestos contamination. There are broken windows, peeling paint, graffiti and lots of rust that can be seen from the courtyard. But from the outside, it appears to be a gorgeously well-preserved red-brick fortification prepared to attack any enemy ship heading for Manhattan.
 Among the other buildings on the island is a former Super 8 motel that was used for official Coast Guard guests only, three religious buildings (including one owned by Trinity Church, the only privately owned building on the island.)
The National Park Service operates the original 22 acres of the island, which is now a national historic district. The remaining 82 acres (created with landfill during the construction of the 4/5/6 subway line,) is operated by the Governors Island Preservation & Education Corporation.
The ferry trip from Manhattan takes less than 10 minutes. The boats leave from the old Battery Maritime Building, located just north of the Staten Island Ferry terminal. There aren't many places near the dock to grab your food, drinks or sunscreen, so plan ahead.
More pictures, the ferry schedule, and schedule of events after the jump.
 2006 ferry schedule
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (open by guided tour only)
departs Manhattan 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
departs Governors Island noon and 3 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays (general access)
departs Manhattan: 10, 11, noon, 1, 2, 3 p.m
departs Governors Island: 10:15, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30 and 5 p.m.
The island is closed to the public on Sundays and Mondays.
No barbecuing, alcohol, bike riding or swimming or pets are allowed.
See the Governors Island events calendar for the full schedule of lectures and exhibits through the summer. The season closes September 2, but will reopen for Open House New York on October 7 and 8 with special access to "some of the more historically important building interiors."
Earlier:A Water Taxi trip through Buttermilk along the QM2
The bovine history of Brooklyn's Buttermilk Channel
Gondola tramway proposed for Governors Island
June 23, 2006 12:19 PM in Cheap Stuff, Downtown, History, Kids, Out of Manhattan, Sightsology
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