Make It a Great Weekend Watching the New York Empire in New York City

If you’re planning a trip to Governors Island to cheer on the New York Empire (and why wouldn’t you?!) at the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) of New York and the Global Champions League (GCL) on September 27 through 29, you’re in luck.

There are three action-packed days of world-class show jumping on the schedule, along with a fabulous shopping village and plenty of family-friendly activities. The best news is that it’s all free admission! Just walk up, pick a seat in the grandstands, and cheer for the New York Empire! The GCL classes take place on Friday and Saturday, September 27 and 28, but New York Empire riders will be competing all three days.

Not only do you get to watch the world’s top show jumpers with the iconic New York City skyline as a backdrop, but you also get to enjoy a unique location with lots to offer. Wondering what a trip to Governors Island might include? Here’s what you need to know to make it a great weekend:

1. It’s just an eight-minute ferry ride across the harbor from Battery Maritime Building in Lower Manhattan to Soissons Landing on Governors Island. Ferries will also bring visitors to Governors Island from Brooklyn’s Pier 6 on Saturdays and Sundays. Ferries before noon on Saturdays and Sundays are free for everyone. At other times, taking the ferry over to the Island is only $3 and return ferries back to the city are not ticketed. Ferries are always free for visitors 12 and under and senior citizens, as well as IDNYC holders and current and former military service members.

2. The 172-acre Governors Island in New York Harbor is car-free. You can rent a bike from the Citi-Bike locations at Soissons Landing and Yankee Pier, but the island is very walkable. The views of the Statue of Liberty and New York harbor are fantastic.

3. Learn all about Governors Island with a free, one-hour walking tour! Hosted by the Friends of Governors Island, the tours leave from the Welcome Center at Soissons Landing and describe how historic preservation, innovative design, and environmental stewardship make the Island what it is today - one of the most unique public spaces in New York City. On Friday, September 27, the tour starts at 11:30 a.m., and on Saturday and Sunday tours start at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.

4. Tour Castle Williams, a circular defensive building of red sandstone on the west point of Governors Island in New York Harbor. Designed by the Chief Engineer of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Lt. Col. Jonathan Williams, for whom the fort is named, Castle Williams was built from 1807 to 1811. Considered a model for new forms of coastal fortification, the castle was part of an extensive system of defense for New York City’s inner harbor.

The castle is open to the public, and National Park Service Rangers give guided tours every day at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. The guided tour includes access to the second and third floors of the Castle, which are inaccessible otherwise.

5. Adventures at Governors Island is full of fun, with mini-golf, a 300-foot zip-line, climbing wall, and maze. They’re open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

6. The Hills park is a group of man-made hills offering amazing views. The 40-foot tall Slide Hill includes four slides, featuring the longest slide in New York City at 57 feet. Outlook Hill, at 70 feet, is climbed via a winding, accessible path to a plaza at its summit, or a granite “scramble” for those who seek a quicker ascent. At the top, you can not only overlook the LGCT ring, but also enjoy awesome, 360-degree views of the Statue of Liberty, New York harbor, Verrazano-Narrows bridge and the city skyline.

7. There are plenty of food options. There will be food vendors at the LGCT event, and Governors Island has plenty of open green spaces and picnic tables. In addition, there are Island Oyster and Taco Vista restaurants at Soissons Landings. The Liggett Terrace area of Governors Island is the site of multiple food vendors, including an outpost of Brooklyn-based Threes Brewing, Joe’s Coffee, Little Eva’s Beer Garden and Grill, People’s Pops handmade popsicles, the Kimchi Taco Truck, and more. On the Western Promenade are small plates and cocktails at Sea Biscuit, and lunch/brunch at Three Peaks Lodge at Collective Retreats.

8. You can even learn about the world on Governors Island! The New York Virtual Volcano Observatory offers virtual reality experiences, a volcano sound gallery, guest speakers, and kid-friendly activities for all. GrowNYC’s Teaching Garden is a 21,000 square-foot working urban farm where you can learn all about urban agriculture and green infrastructure. At the Billion Oyster Project exhibit in the Nolan Park area of the island, visitors can get up close and personal with everyone’s favorite bivalve. Learn all about the work of the Billion Oyster Project and the New York Harbor School, as well as learn about NYC oyster history and the many marine critters that call the Big Apple home.

9. Fort Jay, on the east side of the island just behind Soissons Landing, is one of the best examples of classic star-shaped fort design anywhere in the country. The oldest structure on the island, Fort Jay includes a dry moat, subterranean magazine, ravelin and bastions, barracks porches, various exhibits, and the oldest structure on the Island. It’s open to the public, and National Park Service Rangers lead Ranger Fort Talks at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

10. Take a few moments to relax! With plenty of green, open space and no traffic noise, Governors Island is a remarkably serene spot. Let the kids roam on the play lawns or kick back in one of the 50 hammocks available in Hammock Grove.

You can find out more about Governors Island at their official site, find a map of the island, and see the ferry schedule. Learn more about the Longines Global Champions Tour, including rider rankings, season schedule, and more, at their website.

To follow along with the New York Empire’s GCL season, make sure to follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and see more at the Global Champions League site.

The New York Empire is a team competing on the prestigious Global Champions League worldwide. Owned by top U.S. show jumper Georgina Bloomberg and formed in 2018, the New York Empire team is supported by sponsors Sam Edelman, Mane N Tail Equine, South Beach Brewing Company, Tennor Holding B.V., and The Rider’s Closet.