The Governor Island Winter Village

6:33 pm  |  18.12.2021

Good news for New Yorkers and visitors of the Big Apple, who want to visit Governors Island about the holidays: The winter Village on Governors Island was officially opened on 17 December 2021 for the very first time.


You ask yourself how you come there and what to experience everything on Governors Island? Here you will learn everything you need to know!

What is the Governor Island Winter Village?

Winter Village is open daily from 7 am to 6 pm and offers you various festive and winter activities. In winter Village on Governors Island, there is a lot to see and experience, from a gigantic-wide skating rink to local attractions such as bicycle rental and delicious food.

READ: Ice Rinks For Ice Skating in New York: Best Places Info

The Skating Rink in the Governor Island Winter Village

Take your family, your friends, or partner with a romantic skating on the huge skating rink in the heart of Winter Village, which is 5,000 square meters. Do you have no skates? No problem. There is also a skate rental for all age groups for only $ 8.

The Governor Island in Winter

The skating rink is open from the 17th of December Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays following the following timetable:

  • Friday – 12 o’clock to 5 pm.
  • Saturday – 10 o’clock to 5 pm.
  • Sunday – 10 o’clock – 5 pm.

On the ice rink is enough space for everyone, but if you want a lead in front of the others, we recommend that you come in the lunch break or shortly before the shuttle – if everyone is busy enjoying the view or eating something in winter Village Being.

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Eat & Drink

Speaking of food: On Governors Island and in winter Village several providers have settled. At Little Eva’s you will find a wide selection of delicious dishes – from Bratwürsten to Pulled Pork and Pita Sandwiches to Mac-N-Cheese. Do you want to try something new? Then visit the only Philippine food truck or the delicious Greek dishes at Souvlaki.

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Joe Coffee is really good in the Battery Maritime Building and the LMCC Arts Center in Soissons Landing.

In addition, you can use the picnic tables that are situated anywhere on the island, and yes, you can eat food and drinks with the island. Since alcoholic drinks are available, the island visitors must not bring their own alcohol. But make sure that you dispose of your waste properly to keep the environment clean.

The Best Activities on Governors Island in Winter


Wonderful Winter View

In addition to the usual fun you can have on the island, the winter village ensures even funnier activities. In Colonel’s Row, there is plenty of fun when the rink is closed on weekdays.

For example, the daily attractions such as the core-retained fire truck of the Coast Guard are perfect to make Instagram-worthy photos with your friends, your family, or all alone. You could also participate in human-friendly activities, such as B. at different games on the lawn like Giant Jenga, Cornhole, and Can Jam.

Do you want adrenaline? Try the bicycle and carriage rentals in winter Village. They are the perfect way to explore and experience the winter landscape of the island. Not to mention that they are ideal as photo requisites. The iridescent lights illuminate the entire winter Village at night and give the winter wonderland a touch of Christmas magic.

What Makes the Governor Island Winter Village So special?

Until recently, Governors Island was open for tourists and visitors only for a few months a year. The President and Managing Director of the Governor Island Trust, Clare Newman, describes the winter Village as the perfect start to the new winter season.

With the winter Village, the island opens for the first time at the end of the year for tourists to celebrate the Christmas season. For the first time, guests can sit at the campfire and enjoy hot chocolate or make a fun sleigh ride with their children, far away from the bustle of the city, which never sleeps.

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This is only the first of many thematic attractions on the island and you can only hope that next year there are more opportunities for visitors to enjoy seasonal activities.

Daily bring visitors from Big Apple to Governors Island. You can take the NYC Ferry or book a ferry ticket for Governors Island Ferry. Unsafe because of the travel times?

From Lower Manhattan – The Trust for Governors Island operates several ferries 7 days a week, holding the Battery Maritime Building, 10 South Street.

NYC Ferry – A NYC Ferry shuttle takes guests from Wall Street or Pier 11 to Yankee Pier on Governors Island. If you take a ferry on one of the routes that hold on pier 11, you can also request a free transfer to the Governors Island ferry.


By the way: If you belong to one of the categories mentioned below, you can drive for free to Governors Island for free!

  • Seniors (65 years and older).
  • Children under 12 years.
  • Residents of Nycha apartments.
  • IDNYC owner.
  • Former and active military members.
  • Members of Governors Island.

In addition, ferries on Saturdays and Sundays require no fees before 12 o’clock. What you like best is that you can take bicycles for free on the ferry.

You just have to make sure that you can do it in time, as long as there is still room because the principle “If you come first, the faster you come to the ferry, the greater the likelihood that you have a place The ferry will find. And finally, all ferries for wheelchair users are accessible.

The ferries run back and forth 7 days a week from 7 o’clock in the morning until 6 pm in the evening between New York and the island. All tickets cover the costs for the round trip, so you do not have to book separately back to New York.

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Here you will find a complete overview of the timetable of the Ferry to Governors Island.

What You Should Consider Before Your Visit to Governors Island

Governors Island is a secure place for those who visit the island, and the team of the Trust for Governors Island has worked hard that the environment is fun for the whole family and is safe.

Here are a few things you should know before you plan your trip:

  • Come on 15 minutes before your departure time – to avoid delays or lack of space on the ferry. Fifteen minutes is the recommended time as the ferries quickly fill and shut out as soon as they are fully occupied.
  • Beech a free tour – the island offers guided one-hour hiking tours for visitors who want to explore the island. The tours take place every Saturday and Sunday and are limited to 10 persons per group.
  • Zero drop – The Trust for Governors Island has worked with Earth Matter, NY, Inc. to pursue and promote environmental awareness on the island.
  • Group visits – families, schools, or groups who want to visit the island together are allowed. The group size is limited to 40 people. If you have a larger group, turn to the customer service team.

Is Worth a Visit to Governors Island?

Governors Island is located a bit away from the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple, but not too far away to be uncomfortable, and has been a popular destination for organizations, schools, families, friends groups, and many more for decades.

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Apart from the quiet and pleasant environment, there is a lot to experience on Governors Island – from art and cultural events to recreational activities, youth programs, historical hikes, the adventure playground in the yard, etc.

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