Sweet 16 party on Governors Island in 1953.
Beginning this Saturday, June 11, the National Park Service and GIPEC will open Governors Island to the public. On Saturdays, Governors Island will be open from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The ferry for Governors Island will depart every hour on the hour beginning at 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Return boats to Lower Manhattan will run every hour on the half hour starting at 11:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of a portion of Governors Island’s historic district on Saturdays, and guided tours will only be offered during the week.
On Tuesdays through Fridays, National Park Service rangers will give two-hour, guided walking tours of the island’s historic district. The tours will be offered twice a day at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. While the guided tour is free, there will be a charge for ferry transportation after June 17.
In honor of Governors Island’s opening day, there will be a free family festival from noon until 4 p.m. on June 11. The festival will include arts and crafts, storytelling, live theater and music, as well as a fire safety demonstration by the Fire Dept. Visitors boarding the Governors Island ferry for the festival will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis and should go to the Battery Maritime Building, 10 South St., which is near the Staten Island ferry terminal in Lower Manhattan.
From June 11-17, there will be no ferry charge to Governors Island on Saturdays and visitors can line up at the Battery Maritime Building. After June 17, ferry transportation tickets can be bought by calling (212) 440-2202. Tickets are expected to be $6 for adults and seniors, and $3 for children. For more information, go to www.govisland.com or www.nps.gov or call (212) 440-2202.
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