• 16th Infantry Regiment, Fort Jay, New York City, 1938.

    Governors Island

    National Monument New York

There are park alerts in effect.
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  • Governors Island closed July 4th

    The island will be closed on July 4th and no National Park Service tours or programs will take place that day. NPS weekday ranger tours and programs will still be offered on Wednesday, July 3rd and Friday July 5th.

  • Phone number change

    Hurricane Sandy destroyed the island's telephone connections to Manhattan. Our temporary information number for the park is now via cell phone at 646-241-2670. Other contact information can be found at www.nps.gov/gois/contacts. More »

Things To Do

Additional programs may be available as staffing permits. Please check with a Park Ranger or National Park Volunteer on the day of your visit.


For programs not hosted by the National Park Service, please contact The Trust for Governors Island directly, Monday-Friday, at 212-440-2200 or visit their web site www.govisland.com

Island Rules:

  • The following are not permitted on Governors Island: pets, alcohol, controlled substances, weapons or explosives.
  • Visitors are also not permitted to cook on Governors Island or swim in New York Harbor except by permit.
  • Limited leisure bicycling is permitted only on designated paths and in designated areas of the Island. All bicyclists shall cycle at their own risk and comply with all of The Trust's bicycle rules. Speed limits are enforced.
  • Biking is not permitted at Soissons Dock, Nolan Park or inside Fort Jay.
  • All visitors and packages are subject to search. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. The Trust and its agents reserve the right to deny access to the Island at their discretion.
  • Fishing is permitted on Governors Island in the designated area along the western promenade. Fishing is catch and release ONLY.

 
A Park Ranger describes the variety of programs that are offered during the summer season on Governors Island.
Ask a Park Ranger about the special programs and activities offered on Governors Island.
Daniel C. Krebs

Did You Know?

John Jay

Fort Jay was named after John Jay, who served as the second governor of New York, an office he held during construction of the fort. One of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Jay also served as the first Secretary of Foreign Affairs and as the first Chief Justice of Supreme Court.