A handful of New York City’s islands let you feel miles away without a plane ticket — some in under ten minutes by ferry.
Day Trip
Ferry Required
Car-Free
Waterfront Dining
Historic Forts
Birdwatching
I’ve taken the girls to nearly every island in the harbor that doesn’t require a permit, and the question I get most from other parents is which one actually works for a few hours without a meltdown. The answer depends on whether your kids need playgrounds, wide paths for a stroller, or a restaurant that serves food fast. The payoff is genuine — views of the Statue of Liberty from a hill made of construction debris, or fried shrimp at a dock that feels like Maine. But each island asks something different of you. Here’s how they compare, with the real tradeoffs.
What It Actually Feels Like on the Ground
Most of these islands are car-free, which sounds idyllic until you realize that means carrying your own water and snacks for four hours because the cafe line is forty minutes long. On Governors Island, the ferry drops you at a dock with bike rentals ($25 before noon) and a hammock grove where you can nap while the kids run circles. The artificial hills — made from demolition debris — give you skyline views without a ticket booth. But the wind off the water is brutal in April, and the only shade is where you bring it. Emma, at six, managed the bike paths fine on a rental with training wheels, but Sofia, at thirteen, got bored after an hour because there’s no real destination — it’s just loops.
On City Island, you trade green space for a fishing village vibe. The Bx29 bus from Pelham Bay Park crosses a narrow bridge, and suddenly you’re in a place where the main activity is eating seafood at picnic tables. Johnny’s Reef serves a fried shrimp platter for around $21 — crispy, salty, with a view of moored boats. The downside: everything is a ten-minute walk from the bus stop, and toddlers will need a carrier if you want to see the Nautical Museum. For luxury-family travelers, several islands offer premium experiences — kid-friendly guided tours can smooth out the logistics — but most of the islands work best when you accept a little grit.
The ferry ride to Governors Island is exactly eight minutes — short enough that even a kid who hates sitting still won’t have time to complain. But the ride back at 5 p.m. can mean a thirty-minute wait in the sun.
— Sophie Bennett
Which Islands Are Worth the Trip
You can’t do more than one or two in a single day unless you’re racing, so pick based on what your family actually wants to do. Here are the five that are easiest to reach and most rewarding with kids.
Governors Island
Eight-minute ferry from the Battery Maritime Building. Car-free, seven miles of bike paths, Fort Jay (seasonal), and the Hills. The best play area is the hammock grove, where you can lie in a net while the kids explore the grass. The Island Oyster serves a lobster roll for $28 and frozen palomas for $14 — not cheap, but the setting justifies it. Emma loved the bike rental, and Sofia spent forty minutes photographing the skyline from the top of the hill. The ferry runs weekends and some weekdays; check the Governors Island official site for seasonal schedules. Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting TravelsWithSophie!
City Island
Thirty to forty minutes from Midtown by car, or the 6 train to Pelham Bay Park plus the Bx29 bus. It feels like a New England fishing village — narrow streets, docks, and seafood shacks. The Original Crab Shanty is in a former silent movie theater, and Johnny’s Reef is the spot for fried shrimp. The City Island Nautical Museum is free and has model boats. For a more structured outing, consider a half-day NYC bus tour that includes a stop in the area, though you’ll miss the slower pace. With young kids, bring a stroller — the main drag is walkable but the bus stop to the restaurant is a solid ten minutes.
Roosevelt Island
Accessible via the Roosevelt Island Tramway (pay with MetroCard) or the F train. The tram ride itself is the attraction — birds-eye views of Manhattan and Queens. The island has a residential feel, with the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park at the south end and the ruins of the smallpox hospital at Southpoint Park (viewable from behind a fence). The Panorama Room restaurant offers 360-degree views but requires reservations and isn’t cheap. This island is better for older kids who can handle a longer walk. Sofia loved the tram; Emma got bored after the park because there’s no playground. NYC ferry routes have expanded in recent years, but Roosevelt Island is still best reached by tram.
Randalls and Wards Islands
Conjoined islands in the East River, reachable via the M35 bus from Lexington Avenue and 125th Street. They’re mostly parkland with native plant gardens (Hell Gate Wildflower Meadow, Freshwater Meadow) and hiking trails. The Wards Island Bridge is for pedestrians and cyclists only. Great for a picnic and a walk, but there’s no food stand — you need to bring everything. My girls found it too quiet after an hour. Better for families who want a nature escape without crowds.
Broad Channel
NYC’s “most isolated neighborhood,” reachable by the A train to Broad Channel station. It’s a stilt-house community on canals, with the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge offering hiking trails and lookout benches. Adrienne’s is the spot for waterfront food. The refuge is excellent for birdwatching — Emma counted seven different gulls. The downside: no public bathrooms on the trail, and the walk from the subway to the refuge is about fifteen minutes.
Logistics: Ferries, Costs, and Timing
The biggest variable is ferry schedules. Governors Island’s ferry runs seasonally (May through October, weekends and some weekdays). City Island is bus-only. Roosevelt Island’s tram runs every few minutes until late. Below is a quick comparison of what matters most for families.
| Island | Travel Time from Manhattan | Cost (round trip) | Best for Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governors Island | 8 min ferry | $5 adult, kids under 12 free | Ages 4–12 (bikes, open space) |
| City Island | 30–40 min bus/train | $2.90 MTA fare | Ages 8+ (walking, dining) |
| Roosevelt Island | 3–5 min tram | $2.90 MetroCard | Ages 10+ (tram, park) |
| Randalls/Wards | 15 min bus | $2.90 MTA fare | Ages 6+ (nature walk) |
| Broad Channel | 45 min A train | $2.90 MTA fare | Ages 8+ (hiking, patience required) |
If you plan to visit multiple islands, consider a New York City Explorer Pass for bundled ferry and attraction access. But for a single day, one island is plenty — trying to do two will leave everyone cranky by 3 p.m.
What to Pack and How to Prep
Every island visit has the same baseline needs — sun protection, water, and a backup snack. But a few specifics make the difference between a good day and a tough one.
- Bring a small cooler with sandwiches for Broad Channel and Randalls/Wards — no food vendors on either island.
- Rent bikes on Governors Island before noon; the rental line hits 15 minutes by 1 p.m. and the $25 morning price is cheaper.
- Pack a windbreaker for any island visit before June — the harbor wind drops the temperature by a good ten degrees.
- On City Island, call Johnny’s Reef ahead to confirm hours — they sometimes close early on weekdays in shoulder season.
- For Roosevelt Island, the tram can get crowded around 5 p.m. as commuters return. Go early or wait until 6:30.
Secret Islands Near New York City: What Parents Really Ask
Emma hates waiting — which ferry has the shortest line?
The Governors Island ferry from the Battery Maritime Building is usually fast in the morning, but the 5 p.m. return can have a queue. Aim for the 11 a.m. ferry out and the 3 p.m. back to avoid crowds.
Sofia wants to see the Statue of Liberty close up — can we do that from any of these islands?
You can see it from Governors Island’s artificial hill, but if a close-up matters, you need a Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island guided tour. That’s a separate trip from the “secret islands” experience — but it’s doable in the same day if you start early.
Is the Roosevelt Island tram scary for a six-year-old?
Not really — it’s smooth and enclosed, but the height might spook a nervous kid. Emma gripped my hand for the first thirty seconds and then asked to do it again.
Can we bring a stroller to City Island?
Yes, but the sidewalks are narrow in places and some restaurants have steps. A lightweight umbrella stroller works best. The bus from Pelham Bay Park is stroller-friendly.
Which island has the best bathrooms for a potty-training toddler?
Governors Island wins — there are clean portables near the ferry dock and inside Fort Jay. City Island has a public restroom near the bus stop, but it’s often locked. Broad Channel and Randalls/Wards have none on the trails.
My Take on the Secret Islands
After a half-dozen trips, I keep coming back to Governors Island for a single, simple reason: it’s the only one that lets Emma ride a bike while Sofia wanders off with her phone, and I can sit in a hammock and not feel like I’m herding cats. City Island is a close second for the food. The others are worth a visit if you have a specific plan — birdwatching at Broad Channel, the tram at Roosevelt Island — but they’re harder to sell to a child who just wants to run. For a longer escape, check out our family camping spots close enough to NYC for a weekend trip.
Sources
Hidden Gems Beyond Manhattan. Central Jersey, 2024.
Escape the Hustle of New York City for the Serene Beauty of Its Hidden Islands. Islands.com, 2024.
Roosevelt Island: NYC’s Best Hidden Gem. TheTravel, 2024.
What Are the Secret Islands of New York?. Mike Gravel, 2024.
