It’s that
time of the year again. Grab your finest wicker basket (of the picnic variety)
and hop on the free ferry headed to Governor’s Island’s short (albeit sandy) shores.
Memorial Day Weekend marks its official opening to the public! If your family
hasn’t planned a vacation yet, we highly recommend a day trip during its annual
opening hoopla, as the island has a feast of family-friendly fare in store. Check
out the roster! —
Memorial Day Weekend Special
Events
Kick off
the summer season with Governor’s Island
Alliance Annual Family Festival from 12 pm – 4 pm on Saturday May 28th. Activities include band performances,
clowns, theatrics, hula hoops, games, puppet crafts and a cool interactive map
of the New York Harbor.
On May 29 – 30 Food Karma Projects is
hosting the Brewers’ PicNyc, a two-
day celebration of everything that makes NYC tick: street food, craft beer and
music. The PicNyc will be located on the island’s historic Colonel’s Row and
will feature NYC’s beloved street eateries like Rickshaw Dumpling, Sweet Deliverance,
Anarchy in a Jar, The Taco Truck, Pie Corps, Luke’s Lobster and much more. Chow
down while you enjoy performances from Ukulele players and Blue Grass bands. What’s
more? Kids under 12 receive free admission with adult tickets.
Ongoing Summer Events and Exhibits
This year the island will
feature a bug-themed miniature golf
course presented by FIGMENT NYC. Free for all! For more information, click
here.
Eco-conscious kids will
love lounging in Burble Bup, winner
of the 2011 City of Dreams Pavilion competition. The sustainable and
recyclable Burble Bup invites mix-and-mingling in its soft and magical
interior. Central to the Island’s cultural hub, the Burble Bup will serve
as a unique hideout, complete with a colorfully inflatable roof.
Mini fashionistas will
delight in the Designs for Living
1795-2011 exhibit presented by the Empire Historic Arts Fund. The three-part
display will show historic couture fashion and accessories from icons such as
Worth, Balenciaga, and Dior.
Interact with the
eclectic sculpture garden. This
year’s garden features knit wear for trees (oh yes), a flaming cactus, a pop-up
adventure playground, a dream catcher and a tree house. For more information, click
here.
Bike and Rolls’ presents Free Bike Fridays. Families can roll
around in the island’s warm weather around by renting gratis bikes for up to
one hour. Enjoy up to five miles of
car-free biking.
The Children’s Museum of the Arts will host a number of art project
workshops every weekend this summer. Join the museum’s Teaching Artists for new
themes and projects—from painting and drawing to large-scale sculpture.
Big Apple Circus Family Fun Fest will be held every Saturday and
Sunday on the Parade Ground. Families can learn how to juggle, clown around and
perform other circus tricks.
The Trapeze School New York, in
collaboration with the Big Apple Circus, is offering Flying Trapeze Lessons on
Parade Ground on Governors Island. Call 212-242-8769 or
visit TSNY’s Class Schedule & Prices page (look for the words “Governors
Island” in the class title) here
for more details.
On
Friday mornings, kids can join the National
Park Rangers to learn about the historic roles of the people of Governors
Island. Children will meet with an array of “guests” from the past
such as Civil War soldiers, Confederate Prisoners, civilians or a member from
the Women’s Army Corps. Reservations not required.
For a complete schedule
and listing of all special events, click here.
How to
get to the island: The ferry to the Island
departs from the Battery Maritime Building at 10
South Street. Subway: 1 to South Ferry, 4/5
to Bowling Green, R to Whitehall
St. The ferry and festival are both free and
open to all ages.
The island is open every
Friday-Saturday and all Holiday Mondays from May 27 through September 25.
Hours: Fridays – 10 am to 5 pm
Saturdays, Sundays, and Holiday Mondays – 10 am – 7 pm
