Good to know
- Tickets
- The National Park Service charges no fee. The ferry from Manhattan or Brooklyn charges a fare; check the ferry operator for current rates.
- Time needed
- Half a day for the forts, with more time for the rest of the island.
- Best time
- Late spring to early fall, when the most programs run. Castle Williams tours are seasonal.
- Getting there
- Ferries leave from the Battery Maritime Building in Lower Manhattan, about 10 minutes away. JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports are 45 to 60 minutes from Lower Manhattan.
Where to stay nearby
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Governors Island National Monument questions
How do you get to Governors Island?
Take the ferry from the Battery Maritime Building in Lower Manhattan, or seasonal ferries from Brooklyn. NYC Ferry also stops there.
Can you go inside Castle Williams?
Yes, on seasonal ranger-led tours. Check nps.gov before you go for current times.
Is Governors Island open all year?
Yes, the island is open year-round with daily ferries from Manhattan. Some programs and food spots only run in warmer months.
