Governor's Island

For decades, New Yorkers knew Governor’s Island only as an untouchable, mysterious patch of green out in the harbor. As of 2003, ownership of the 172-acre island was transferred from the federal government to both the National Park Service (which owns a 22-acre area) and the Governor’s Island Preservation and Education Corporation, and both were charged with the job and privilege of transforming this well-trod ground into an elaborately designed public parkland. Since then, they’ve done an excellent job, as today’s Governor’s Island draws ferries full of folks throughout the summer who come for the many new draws here. Among the highlights are Picnic Point, an 8-acre patch of green with picnic tables, hammocks, amazingly close views of the Statue of Liberty and a food vendor doling out scrumptious Caribbean fare; the City of Dreams mini-golf course, with nonprofit artist collective Figment delivering a collection of ‘holes’ from various local artists, creating a fascinating, interactive sculpture field; Water Taxi Beach, a spit of sand that hosts events from dance parties to live concerts; and a smooth, 2.2-mile bicycle path around the perimeter of the entire island, which you can pedal with rental bikes from Bike and Roll for $10 per hour (free on Fridays).

The island’s historic significance is far-reaching: besides serving as a successful military fort in the Revolutionary War, the Union Army’s central recruiting station during the Civil War and the take-off point for Wilbur Wright’s famous 1909 flight around the Statue of Liberty, it’s where the 1988 Reagan-Gorbachev summit signaled the beginning of the end of the Cold War. You can visit the spot where that famous summit took place at the Admiral’s House, a grand-colonnaded, 1843 military residence that’s part of the elegant ghost-town area of Nolan Park. Other historic spots include Fort Jay, fortified in 1776 for what became a failed attempt to prevent the Brits from invading Manhattan; Colonel’s Row, a collection of lovely, 19th-century brick officers’ quarters; and the creepy Castle Williams, a 19th-century fort that was eventually used as a military penitentiary. The best way to explore it all is with the National Park Service, whose rangers conduct 90-minute guided tours of the historic district.