Picnic tables at The Oval on Governors Island in New York Harbor
Visitors to Governors Island can bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages and can picnic just about anywhere other than inside Fort Jay and Castle Williams. No grilling is allowed except in designated areas that must be reserved in advance. If you don’t want to lug your picnicking supplies to the park, there are plenty of food vendors on the island, including a few who sell alcoholic beverages. These are located mainly at Liggett Terrace.
For those who don’t want to spread a blanket on the ground, actual picnic tables are located at various places around the island. The closest to the ferry docks are at Nolan Park, a green space on the northeastern side of Governors Island that is surround by historical houses that once served as officer housing when the island was used for military purposes. Tables are spread randomly throughout the park. On the opposite side of the houses from Nolan Park, and right on the water, are six of the aforementioned grilling areas. See the official Governors Island Reserve a Grill web page to make a reservation.
Picnicking at Nolan Park on Governors Island
Picnic tables at Nolan Park on Governors Island in New York Harbor
Another picnic area is located at the south-central part of Governors Island. Called The Oval, there are plenty of tables spread across a well-manicured field of green grass. When I visited there were tents covering two groups of tables, but I’m not sure if these are always here or if they were just set up for a group that had reserved a spot for the day. Most of the tables at The Oval did not have a tent over them.
Picnic area at The Oval on Governors Island in New York Harbor
The other main picnic area is at the very southern end of Governors Island at Picnic Point. There are plenty of tables here, including six more spots set aside for grilling. Since most people aren’t going to walk all the way to the southern end of the park just to have a picnic, most of the picnickers you’ll find here are part of organized family or corporate groups that have reserved the grills.
Picnic Point on Governors Island in New York Harbor
View of the Statue of Liberty from Picnic Point on Governors Island
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Last updated on January 28, 2025
