If there’s anything New Yorkers have in common, it’s a busy lifestyle. Dreamers from across the globe move to the city for career opportunities, the bustling social scene, and the cultural landmarks that call New York home. At times, it can feel impossible to see everything the city has to offer, and that leads to hidden gems falling through the cracks as we rush from one place to another.
Tasks that are simple in other towns, such as running to the grocery store or visiting a friend, have an extra layer of complexity when you live in the city. If you want to head to Trader Joe’s, prepare for a line that rivals airport security. If you want to go on a bike ride, you have to deal with navigating New York City traffic, delivery bikes, and bike storage.
However, there is a way to easily rent a bike, go on a beautiful ride through nature, and explore a hidden gem in NYC all in one place: Governor’s Island.
No matter which borough you live in, Governors Island is easily overlooked. It’s known as the original home of the Gov Ball music festival and the headquarters for the U.S. Army and Coast Guard, but this beautiful island has so much more to offer New York residents.
Governors Island has a beautiful outdoor landscape that can act as an oasis from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is only accessible by ferry, so the island is not crowded with tourists or traffic, making it a serene escape. Because there are no skyscrapers or traditional hotels, you will have a better view of the water, the skyline, and the landscape around the city.
If you love taking scenic bike rides that are not interrupted by traffic lights or cars, biking on Governors Island is a must-do activity in the city.
Governors Island is only accessible by ferry, so there are no cars on the island. Governors Island is only 2.5 miles in circumference, with streets going across the length of the island, meaning you can easily explore the entire island by bike. In total, you will have seven miles of car-free streets and natural beauties to explore on your bike.
The car-free environment of Governors Island will provide a peaceful and relaxing experience as you take in beautiful views without traffic-related stressors.
Because of its location, exploring Governors Island by bike will provide immaculate views. As you ride along the Western side of the island, take in the up-close views of the Statue of Liberty, the bay, and the New Jersey shore.
As you turn the corner to ride on the island’s northern side, you will be struck with a unique, unobstructed view of the Manhattan skyline. Then, turn to ride down the eastern side of the island for a beautiful view of Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens.
After hearing about what Governors Island has to offer, you might want to experience the peace and beauty of a Governors Island bike ride for yourself. To make your bike riding experience as easy as possible, we’ve compiled a list of bike rental options on the island.
Blazing Saddles is one of the most popular spots for bike rentals on Governors Island. They have many different options to choose from, including a cruiser, hybrid bike, and a kids’ bike ranging from $25 to $45 for an all-day rental.
They also have more unique options that can fit more people or give you a new bike-riding experience. You can rent a small or large surrey (similar to a manual golf cart), so the whole family can ride together or a tandem bike for you and a friend or partner.
They also have bike seats and tag-a-longs for your kids who aren’t old enough to ride and training bikes for any kids who are just starting to learn.
If you are a New York City resident, you are probably familiar with Citi Biking as an efficient and fun option for your daily commute.
There are three different Citi Bike docking stations on Governors Island: Soissons Landing (where the Manhattan ferry docks), Yankee Ferry Terminal (where the Brooklyn ferry docks), and Picnic Point.
You can use your Citi Bike app for these rentals or use the kiosk on the island to get a physical pass.
The last option for renting a bike on Governors Island is to do so through Collective Retreats while you enjoy our Governors Island retreat offerings. Collective Retreats was designed to help individuals explore the outdoors and try new activities without having to sacrifice the upgraded amenities that make modern life so comfortable.
When booking a Collective Retreats stay on Governors Island, you will have access to a cruiser, surrey, or go-kart that you can take on a self-guided tour of the island.
Because Governors Island is not home to any five-star hotels, you can rely on Collective Retreats to provide a comfortable bed, gourmet culinary experiences, and luxurious wellness activities while allowing you to immerse yourself in the outdoors. You can choose from three accommodation types, which each include 1500 thread-count linens, a wood-burning stove, a private deck, and an en-suite bathroom.
Through Collective Retreats, you can experience New York City through a thoughtful, intimate, and personalized new lens.
When you visit Governors Island through a Collective Retreats experience, there are a variety of additional experiences that can help you fully embrace everything the island has to offer.
Governors Island is home to large stretches of green space, which is generally difficult to come across in the city. That is why Collective Retreats has made a central, expansive meadow the heart of the retreat.
Sitting with your toes in the grass, reading a book, and taking in the view of the skyline is enough to make your soul refreshed, but Collective Retreats has gone the extra step to offer plenty of lawn games to the experience.
When visiting the meadow, you will have the chance to play a game of cornhole, croquet, bocce ball, and other lawn games you can share with your party and other retreat guests.
To truly relax your mind and muscles from the strain of city living, head to QC NY, an immersive European spa located on the island. If you are a Collective Retreats guest, you will have preferred access and 10% off day passes and spa treatments.
The spa offers massages, wellness experiences, an accessible pool, and more. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about booking anything yourself — just tell our concierge what you want, and they will handle the logistics for you.
Collective Retreats offers a daily session of morning mindfulness, meditation, and yoga. You’ll be able to take a deep breath, watch the sun rise over the Manhattan skyline, and relax your body and mind.
The Collective Campfire is one of the highlights of our retreat experience. Pull up a chair to roast a marshmallow, eat a s’more, and chat with the other Collective Retreats guests. Since most people on Governors Island come from in and around the city, you might meet some new friends that last beyond your time with Collective Retreats. Cozying up next to the fire after a long day of bike riding, yoga, and lawn games is the perfect nightcap to a relaxing day.
Speaking of a nightcap, the retreat also offers a daily happy hour between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Choose from the many complimentary house wines, well drinks, and nonalcoholic beverages, and meet other guests as you share stories about your time on the island.
At this point, you are probably imagining yourself taking the ferry across the harbor, unpacking in your beautiful, rustic tent, and hopping on a bike for a long ride. Sounds pretty spectacular to us!
Do yourself a favor and give yourself a retreat from your fast-paced day-to-day life. It’s time to have some time dedicated to wellness and play. Luckily, we’ll exceed your lodging and culinary needs at Collective Retreats so that you don’t have to choose between this outdoor oasis and the luxuries of modern life.
Sources:
Governors Ball Festival 2022: J. Cole, Halsey, Kid Cudi | Variety
Basic Information | Governors Island National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)
Citi Bike Smashes its Single-Day Ridership Record | Streets Blog
Hill Country
