Biking on Governors Island in New York Harbor

The majority of Governors Island is run by New York City’s Trust for Governors Island, and the focus of the Trust is to provide recreational and educational activities for visitors. The recreational aspects include green spaces, playgrounds and sports fields, bike rentals, ice skating, picnic areas, glamping, concerts and art exhibitions, water fountains that kids can splash in, and food and beverage vendors, including alcoholic beverages in select areas of the park (you can bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages as well). The park provides educational experiences, mainly in the arts, by leasing the historic homes to artists, galleries, and schools. For complete information on what the Trust for Governors Island has to offer, see the organization’s Governors Island website.

Governors Island is a 172-acre ice-cream-cone-shaped island that is largely man-made. The scoop of ice cream on the northeastern end is the natural portion. The cone, which includes everything south of the historic homes along Comfort Road (these were originally waterfront houses), was created between 1902 and 1912 from the dirt dug up during the construction of the Lexington Avenue subway. This added 103 acres to the island.

Governors Island Park Map (click to enlarge)

Biking is by far the best way to get around Governors Island. You can bring your own bike on the ferry for no extra charge, but space is limited, and what is available is taken on a first come, first served basis. You can also rent bikes on the island, but they cost an arm and a leg—a family of five will spend over $100 just for bike rentals. However, the bike rental facilities do offer a wide variety of bikes for all ages. The full-service Blazing Saddles offers tandem bikes, what are essentially peddled golf carts that can hold an entire family, and what would be called Big Wheels back in my day. You also have the option to pick up a bike from Citi Bike, a self-service bike station where your credit card unlocks a bike for the day. There are three stations on Governors Island, so if you start out walking but decide a bike might be more fun, a Citi Bike station should be nearby.

Blazing Saddles bike rental shop on Governors Island

One of three Citi Bike stations on Governors Island in New York Harbor

The natural part of Governors Island contains the original forts and military buildings from the 1800s, while the landfill portion was populated with newer buildings from the 20^th century. The Trust for Governors Island has renovated and re-purposed the historic buildings. Most of the newer buildings have been torn down to make way for more recreational space. This is where you will find large grass-covered fields for picnicking, sports fields that can be reserved, playgrounds, an area full of hammocks, and plenty of paved walking paths, including one that follows the shoreline around the entire island.

View of the Statue of Liberty on the perimeter path around Governors Island

Hammock Grove on Governors Island in New York Harbor

The most highly promoted recreational feature on Governors Island is The Hills. Located on the southwestern end of the island, this attraction consists of four man-made hills of various heights, with the tallest being 80 feet above sea level. Not only do the hills provide spectacular views of New York City and the Statue of Liberty, but they also provide recreational activities such as a granite boulder field to scramble across when climbing to the top of Outlook Hill and slides of various lengths on Slide Hill. During the winter, visitors can sled down certain sections of the hills.

Trail to the top of Discovery Hill on Governors Island

View of Outlook Hill from Discovery Hill on Governors Island

Slide Hill on Governors Island

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