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Governors Island Will Stay Open Through Halloween
The good news keeps rolling in on our favorite (formerly summer-only) destination: Governors Island is expanding its season through October 31. Last year it closed up for the season in late September, and previously, Labor Day weekend had been its typical closing date.
The news, announced by the Trust for Governors Island on Tuesday, July 18, comes on the heels of the isle opening a month early this spring, meaning the 2017 season now runs a full six months giving visitors a chance to enjoy an entirely new season and more rich programming on the island.
The mega green space is slowly creeping toward its goal of year-round fun. Read on for details of what's in store for its fall programming, including a cool Halloween event that we're sure is going to rocket to the top of every New York family's must-do list for October, plus a pumpkin patch.
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This octopus is made out of Jack O'Lanterns. Photo courtesy of Rise.
Among the fall highlights will be New York City's first Night of 1,000 Jack O'Lanterns display, running October 26-October 29, 2017. The hand-carved and LED-lit pumpkins will light up a path around the island's historic district where families can take in the creative displays. We've caught this show in Los Angeles, New Jersey, and on Long Island, and it never fails to wow. There will be enormous 100-pound pumpkins, some spooky, some carved into favorite children's characters, and live demonstrations. UPDATE: It's a ticketed event, and tickets are going fast! Find them online. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
Update - We've also just learned of new addition for this October on Governors Island. Pumpkin Point, running on weekends October 21-October 29, will transform the island's Picnic Point, into a massive pumpkin patch. Thousands of pumpkins will be strewn about, perfect for photo-ops and ripe for kids to snatch up and take home. Seasonal treats will be served by an outpost of island purveyor Little Eva's. Don't worry about carrying your gourd back to the ferry: A free hayride is included! So are the pumpkins!
More fall programming for Governors Island is expected to be announced in the coming weeks, but much of the island's trademark FREE programming will extend throughout the month. Fall sports teams find a home in the extended season, too. A pair of natural turf fields are already available for use by youth and adult soccer, baseball, and softball leagues; and the old Parade Ground behind Fort Jay will offer space for football, soccer, and lacrosse leagues to hold permitted games, too. Permits can be obtained online; there is no charge for youth groups or public schools; adults and private schools must pay to use the fields.
Speaking of fall, the extended Governors Island seasons means we have one more spot to take in the awesome foliage and changing seasons. We imagine a hike to the top of Slide Hill or Outlook Hill will deliver some gorgeous fall scenery.
RELATED: Zoos & Gardens Guide for NYC Families
Governors has loads of family friendly events and festivals. Photo courtesy of The Friends of Governors Island.
The elongated season means more opportunities to visit the isle, where more than 10,000 visitors flock each weekend and nearly 600,000 visitors enjoyed the island over the course of last season.
The island will be open daily through October 31 with its usual hours: 10am-6pm on weekdays and 10am-7pm on weekends. Ferries will continue to run daily from Lower Manhattan and on weekends only from Brooklyn Bridge Park and via the East River and South Brooklyn routes of the NYC Ferry.
Top photo courtesy of The Friends of Governors Island.
Places featured in this article:
Governors Island
