Governors Island: A Summer Retreat from the City

Are you looking for a new venture in the City without spending a bunch of money? Why not take a ferry ride to a place few New Yorkers know about?

Governors Island is right there! Right there! It is at the south end of Manhattan, just a 5-minute ferry ride from South Ferry, yet few people take advantage of the island's gorgeous grounds during the few months of the year that is open.

Every summer, typically from May to September, Governors Island opens up to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. This summer, in particular, the Island is truly coming to life, with an extended opening (it won't close until October 11 this year), a new Water Taxi Beach location, and the opening of a 2.2-mile promenade around the perimeter of the island.

Governors Island is like Central Park without the crowds of people, the whizzing softballs, or the tall buildings that still surround you. Governors Island, instead, is sporadically filled with picnickers and art lovers, and most importantly, it is generally devoid of tourists. The island is also full of grassy areas, special picnic locales, and it offers guided tours, as well as miniature golf.

As its name suggest, Governors Island is surrounded by water in the heart of New York Harbor. From there, you have breathtaking views of the Lower Manhattan skyline, the Brooklyn Water front, as well as the East River bridges. With the newly opened promenade, the views are easily accessed as you walk around the island with the cool breeze off the water refreshing your body with every step.

Of course, if you are into viewing something other than the same old New York City sites, Governors Island has you covered there, too. The new public arts exhibit, "Plot/09: This World & Nearer Ones," has covered parts of the island with various works of art. Included in the exhibit are a light sculpture and a wind chime. In addition, a spoof film occasionally plays at the island's Fort Jay Theater.

This summer though, the opening of a Water Beach Taxi-a brand most noted for its Long Island City location-will bring more to the island than just still life. This Water Beach Taxi location will serve all of your favorite summer treats, including Hot Dogs with Coney Sauce, Motz Burgers, Watermelon, and their Cane Cola Pork Spareribs.

In addition to the food, there will also be plenty of entertainment provided by Water Beach Taxi this summer. Some of the upcoming events for this summer are a performance by Erykah Badu (August 4), "Hip Hop Karaoke BBQ" (August 15) and a special performance by Mos Def (Sept 12).

So come to the island while you still can. It won't be around forever, as it will soon be going away-until next summer that is.