Governors Island

Governors Island is a former military outpost—it played a role in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, and the Coast Guard used it until the mid-1990s. Today the 172-acre island has blossomed into a recreational oasis just off the Lower Manhattan shore. A seven-minute ferry ride brings fun-seekers to an idyllic setting where they can cycle, picnic with a great view or enjoy free programming including art exhibitions, concerts and sporting events. The Hills, a topographic installation on the island, comprises four mounds; each offers incredible views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. Meanwhile, much of the island's military architecture lives on as the Governors Island National Monument.