Governors Island will bring back Friday late-night hours this season

Last summer, Governors Island experimented with staying open past its normal curfew, allowing park-goers to roam until 10 p.m. on two Fridays in August. And now—one week before the island is due to open for the season—the deal is getting even sweeter: The Trust for Governors Island announced that late-night park hours will be back every Friday from May 25 through September 14.

The late Friday nights will allow visitors to catch the sunset from from the island—truly a magical experience—and experience the park in all its glory after dark. Plenty of the amenities will remain available, including bike rentals and access to the historic homes at Nolan Park and Colonels Row.

Many of the island’s food vendors—including Island Oyster, located on the waterfront and serving up oysters and booze—will stay open late on Fridays; those looking to grill past the usual park hours can also do so.

“Every year, our administration has made more of this incredible public space open and accessible to the public,” deputy mayor Alicia Glen said in a statement. “We can’t wait to bring the experience of watching the sun set over New York Harbor and exploring the island by night to more New Yorkers.”

We’re now just one week away from Governors Island opening for the season—it’ll be back on May 1, with free ferry service from all points in the first week of operation. The late-night hours will begin on May 25 and will run through September 14. Ferries during Late Fridays will run from the Battery Maritime in Lower Manhattan, located at 10 South Street. The last ferry to Governors Island will depart from Lower Manhattan at 7:30 p.m. and will depart Governors Island to return by 10 p.m.