Feature: I spent an evening on Governors Island

Every Friday and Saturday until September 2, 2019, Governors Island is open until 10 p.m. instead of the usual 6 p.m. I tested it for you!

An island open to the public since 2003

Nestled between Manhattan and Brooklyn, Governors Island is a former military outpost that has gradually opened to visitors. Since 2003, the island welcomes guests from May through October during daytime hours. Starting in 2018, evening visits became possible. In 2019, evening hours run on Fridays and Saturdays through September 2, staying open until 10 pm instead of the usual 6 pm.
During my visit in June 2018, I couldn’t resist seeing Governors Island after dark. The verdict? It’s absolutely worth it for the views and the atmosphere.

The extended Friday and Saturday hours let you watch the sunset over New York from a privileged spot in the harbor. And what a view it is: the buildings of the Financial District glow orange as the sun dips toward the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
I recommend watching the sunset from the artificial hills on the southern end of Governors Island. The view is even more striking because you get a 360-degree panorama of New York: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and New Jersey on the horizon.

Once the sun sets, Governors Island feels suspended in time. Most of the permanent streetlights are off, and temporary lamps scattered across the island cast a mysterious twilight. You’re worlds away from the glare of Times Square or Manhattan’s avenues. It’s easy to imagine yourself back at the turn of the last century, when Governors Island guarded the entrance to New York.
In the evening, one part of the island really comes alive: the Oyster Bar, just steps from Soissons Landing where the ferry docks. This beach bar is the perfect spot to enjoy a drink while gazing directly across at the Financial District. Like me, you may find yourself reluctant to catch the last ferry back to Manhattan at 10 pm.

For practical information, admission prices, and a map, visit the dedicated page for Governors Island.