Things to Do in Lower Manhattan

Things to do in Lower Manhattan

Governor's Island

Pumpkin Point at Governors Island

by

Pumpkin Point at Governors Island

 

 

Once again, Governors Island has transformed Nolan Park into “Pumpkin Point”, a free, family-friendly patch of over 5,000 pumpkins on the last two weekends in October. Families are invited to stroll through the pumpkin patch, admire the fall theme decor and take home a free pumpkin! Because of Covid regulations, there will be no activities or concessions offered.

Pumpkin Point 2020 will be a socially distanced event with plenty of room for visitors to spread out and enjoy the patch. Governors Island visitors are required to maintain social distance of at least 6 feet and to wear face coverings whenever social distancing is not possible, and at all times when boarding, riding, and disembarking ferries.

FiDi Families Insiders: Ferry reservations are required to visit Governors Island.

Date(s): October 24th – November 1

Time: 10 am – 6 pm

Location: Governors Island – Nolan Park

Age(s): All ages welcome

Cost: Free to visit

For more information, including hours of operation, ferry schedule, etc, please visit their website HERE.
Share this:

Bon Odori Festival Presented by Japan Performing Arts, Inc. on Governors Island

by

 

Bon Odori Festival Presented by Japan Performing Arts, Inc. on Governors Island

 

Japan Performing Arts, Inc. is bringing the Japanese summer experience of Bon Odori dances to Governors Island. During the Obon summer holiday every August, people dance Bon Odori at festivals all over Japan. This Governors Island event is notable for bringing Japan’s Big Three Bon Odori dances into one venue, including Nishimonai Bon Odori from Akita, Gujo Odori from Gifu, and Awa Odori from Tokushima. Governors Island visitors will have hands-on Bon Odori dance sessions and more Japanese summer festival experiences here in New York.

Sample Japanese specialties from vendors including:
T-Swirl Crepe (Crepes)
Fuji Yakisoba X Otafuku Foods (Fried Noodles &Okonomiyaki – “Japanese Pizza”)
VartexEducation (Shaved Ice)
Wasan Brookyn (Ramen)
Karlsballs (Takoyaki)

Festival Schedule – Saturday 8/31

Nolan Park
12:00 pm   Festival Starts – Greetings and Announcement
12:20 pm   Bon Odori – Awa Odori / Gujo Odori
12:30 pm   Wanage Contest Registration at JPA Booth (Two contests, one for children up to 12 years old and one for 13 years old and above)
1:30 pm     Wanage Contest
2:00 pm     Bon Odori – Nishimonai Bon Odori / Gujo Odori
2:40 pm     Watermelon Splitting Contest
3:00 pm     Sumo Match Registration at JPA Booth (13 years old or above only)
4:00 pm     Sumo Match
4:45 pm     Bon Odori – Nishimonai Bon Odori / Gujo Odori
5:15 pm     Watermelon Splitting Contest
*5:30 pm     Registration for free tickets to performance on Outlook Hill

7:30 pm – 9:00 pm    Bon Odori on Outlook Hill

Date: Saturday, August 31st

Time: 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Location: Nolan Park from noon to *8:00 pm

For more information, please visit the website HERE.

Share this:

The New York City Poetry Festival on Governors Island

by

The New York City Poetry Festival on Governors Island
Photo Credit: Cynthia Elaine and Katie Nale

 

Have you had a chance to visit Governors Island this Summer? If not, we have a great family-friendly event to attend, with the Poetry Society of New York. The festival features poets from over 75 poetry organizations on its three main stages; a Vendor’s Village where local booksellers, artists and craft makers sell their wares; healthy and delicious food options; a beer garden sponsored by Brooklyn Brewery, poetry-inspired installation art throughout; the Ring of Daisies open mic; and other poetic festivities. One major highlight of the festival each year is its Youth Poetry Festival, which offers children and young adults the opportunity to participate in interactive writing games, to generate new work, and to perform their work on stage alongside some of the greatest living writers. This year the festival is honored to welcome two-time poetry laureate Robert Pinsky to the island, along with over 250 other writers of all shapes and sizes. By uniting the largest community of poets in the country and offering a unique setting for literary activity, the New York City Poetry Festival electrifies arts and literature and brings poetry to new light in the public eye.

Date(s): July 27 & July 28

Time: 11 am – 5 pm

Location: Colonels Row on Governors Island

Age(s): All ages welcome

Cost: Free to attend

To learn more, find out out the ferry schedule and other events on the Gov Island, visit their website HERE. 

Share this:

First Annual ShinDig on Governors Island – FREE

by

 

First Annual ShinDig on Governors Island - FREE

 

Governors Island is now open for the season and visitors are invited to the first annual “ShinDig”. Kids and grownups are invited to visit this gorgeous island and learn first-hand how Governors Island is tackling climate change through resilient design, zero-waste goals and thriving new ecosystem.

Participants are encouraged to explore the island, after they have done their part,  with special perks and discounts from a variety of food and recreation vendors! Don’t leave too early or you’ll miss the closing party at 3 pm, which features free treats, prizes, music, lawn games and more. 

All ages are welcome! Bring your friends, family or colleagues and sign up for one of two project shifts: 10am-12pm or 1pm-3pm. Sign up now!

Line-up:

  • All-day event headquarters in Colonels Row with music, food, beer garden, games, kids’ activities and more!
  • 10am-12pm: first wave of Island-wide volunteer projects
  • 1pm-3pm: second wave of Island-wide volunteer projects
  • 3pm: Closing reception with treats, prizes and giveaways
  • Plus, all day-long discounts for all participating volunteers from our on-Island vendors!

Date: Saturday, May 4th

Time: 10 am – 4 pm (park is open until 7 pm)

Location: Colonels Row

Cost: Free

Age(s): All ages welcome

FiDi Families Insiders: The ferry is free all weekend! 

For more information, please visit the Governors Island website HERE

Share this:

Governor’s Island is Open for the Season!

by

Last Weekend at Governor's Island

 

Governors Island has reopened for the season! Two notable events this weekend are their 1st Annual ShinDIG volunteering event and STEM Kids NYC! 

FiDi Families Insiders: Ferries are free this weekend! They run from the Battery Maritime Terminal in Lower Manhattan seven days a week. On weekends, visitors can board at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 6. Children under 12 are always FREE. Ferry ticket is $2 round trip for adults and kids over 12. Weekend morning ferries are free, before 11:30 am. 

Date: Saturday, May 4th

Time: ShinDIG 10am — 4:30pm
STEM Kids NYC 11am — 5pm 

Location: Governors Island

Fee: Free

Ages: All ages welcome

For more information, please visit their website HERE

Share this: