Take the ferry from the Battery Maritime Building at 10 am (FREE). You’ll have the island to yourself for at least an hour. Here’s the ferry schedule.

Great views of the harbor, Statue of Liberty, Staten Island Ferry and even a totally random military flyover.

Rent a Citibike for a ride around the island before the hordes arrive on later ferries. The waterfront views are spectacular.

I was lucky to see the Queen Mary docked in Red Hook, Brooklyn – PLUS a gaggle of jet skis.

You’ll see beautiful colonial buildings.

The Statue of Liberty and exquisite views of downtown Manhattan.

Unfortunately, there’s also this horrid, unkempt-looking “glamping” brought to us by Collective Retreats. You too can stay in this encampment for $500 a night. Shameful.

There’s always an event happening near Castle Williams. This past Sunday it was the unicycle festival (plus mutant bikes). Super cool.

And look at her go – amazing!

And then the real reason I came, the Portal Art Fair organized by 4Heads.

The exhibition this year was the best ever. It was difficult to select highlights.

I need to start with Shantell Martin’s glorious black and white drawings on the exterior walls of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church. This is not actually a part of the 4Heads Art Fair (I just learned) but is instead The Governors Island’s 2019 public art commission, curated by the Trust for Governors Island.

Then we move on to the artists from the Art Fair.

Kyle Luntz’s “Generative Music Installation” was the most unique and innovative work at the Fair. Keep an eye on him – he’ll be doing a one-man show at the New Museum before long.

Will Kurtz’s ” Have A Nice Day,” made entirely out of plastic garbage bags, will likely become the most Instagrammed work at the fair. What can I say, artists love puppies.

And just like that, the day was over, and it was time to head back to the city. Or, you could stop by Island Oyster, right at Soissons Landing, to wrap up the day with oysters and a glass of wine!

Final Tips:

Governor’s Island is an absolute gem. It is open from May thru the end of October. If you’ve not already been, make sure you check it out on the next sunny weekend. You will be thrilled at your new discovery!