governors-island | NY | Find park

Bridge over dry moat leading into a gated fort.

An early spring morning view of Fort Jay. The gate house is the oldest structure on Governors Island dating back to 1794.

Front of sandstone brick fort with arched entrance way.

Castle Williams at Governors Island National Monument was constructed in 1811 and was a pioneering design in American fortifications.

A park ranger talking to a group of visitors inside a large stone room in a fort.

Ranger-led tours of Castle Williams show the pioneering features of fortification architecture that would be used in other masonry forts constructed in the 1800s.

Manhattan Skyline stands behind the barracks of Fort Jay

History frames our understanding of the present

Canon and Manhattan Skyline from top of castle

A civil war era canon sitting upon the top of Castle Williams juxtaposes the new and old, with the glimering shine of Manhattan in the background

Physical Address:

Governors Island

New York Harbor

New York, NY 10004-1921

Mailing Address:

10 South Street

New York, NY 10004-1921

contact-details

Phone Number: 2128253054 Voice
Phone Number: 6467719728 Fax

Email Address: GOIS_information@nps.gov
Description:

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance Passes

From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. Coast Guard from 1966 to 1996, continuing its legacy of national service. Today, Governors Island has transformed into a destination for art, culture, and public programs.

park designation:National Monument

Directions:

Governors Island is located in New York Harbor, 1/2 mile from the southern tip of Lower Manhattan and 400 yards west of the end of Brooklyn's Atlantic Avenue and Red Hook waterfront. It is accessible only via ferry. Ferry service from Manhattan is the main way to access the island. The ferry departs from Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street, at South and Whitehall Streets (next to the Staten Island ferry terminal). Check www.govisland.com for ferry schedules.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

Fort Jay Winter

Fort Jay will be closed for the winter. It will re-open in April

Fort Jay

The Fort Jay court yard displays, magazine, and ravelin, are open in Summer, Wednesday through Sunday 10am until 5pm

Exceptions:

Fort Jay Winter schedule (December 1, 2025 - April 12, 2026)

Castle Williams winter

Castle Williams will be closed this winter and will re-open in the spring

Castle Williams

Castle Williams summer hours

Exceptions:

Winter Hours (December 12, 2025 - April 12, 2026)

Weather Information:

During the summer public access season from May to September, the weather is typical of the mid-Atlantic region. Thunderstorms can come quickly with short downpours. There may be extended periods of heat or humidity that might last a week or more. The island is generally a few degrees cooler than the city due to the fairly constant breeze.