Get out on our waterfront—and on the water—with the Waterfront Alliance’s annual City of Water Day! Now in its ninth year, this free, family-oriented celebration of the world-class potential of the New York and New Jersey waterfront has grown into the region’s biggest harbor festival.
Held on Saturday, July 16, on Governors Island, New York; Maxwell Place Park, Hoboken, New Jersey; and dozens of In Your Neighborhood locations around New York Harbor, City of Water Day draws thousands of people to the water for a day of fun.
Highlights of the day include free boat tours on all kinds of vessels, from tall ships to tugboats; free rowing, kayaking, paddle-boarding, and the highly anticipated Con Edison Cardboard Kayak Race; and the Waterfront Activity Fair and Disney Children’s Activities offer something for the whole family.
Please note that City of Water Day—including boat tours—is held rain or shine. On-water activities will be postponed or suspended only in the case of thunder and lightning.
Governors Island is accessible via the Governors Island Ferry that runs from both Manhattan and Brooklyn to Governors Island, and also via the East River Ferry. Note: the Governors Island Ferry is free until 11:30am from Manhattan or Brooklyn and is then $2 round trip for the rest of the day (children under 13 years ride free); the East River Ferry is $6 each way (children under 6 years ride free). Directions to the Governors Island Manhattan Ferry: The ferry from Manhattan departs from the Battery Maritime Building located at 10 South Street, adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry in Lower Manhattan. Directions to the Governors Island Brooklyn Ferry: The ferry from Brooklyn departs from Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, located at the foot of Atlantic Avenue (corner of Furman Street). Directions to the East River Ferry: The ferry departs from numerous Manhattan and Brooklyn locations; Pier 11 in Manhattan, located at the foot of Wall Street (corner of South Street), is the last stop before Governors Island.
Maxwell Place Park is accessible by the NY Waterway ferry from West 39th Street in Manhattan to the 14th Street ferry stop in Hoboken. You can also take the PATH train, NJ Transit Light Rail, or bus. If you choose to drive to Hoboken, note that there is limited on-street parking. Visitors may park only on the “permit parking only” side of the street, marked by white signs with green text, for a cumulative total of up to four hours per day. Several parking garages are located near Maxwell Place Park, including Park On Park (Park and 15th Street); Tea Building Parking (Washington Street, north of 14th Street); and Shipyard Parking.
Check out the list on the Alliance website to locate a City of Water Day In Your Neighborhood event near you. The festival’s In Your Neighborhood activities are organized by some of the more than 900 Alliance Partners. From free kayaking to rowing to hands-on workshops, In Your Neighborhood events offer something closer to home for people of all ages. Most of these events are free (anything requiring pre-registration or a fee is noted). In 2016, organizers anticipate offering more than 60 satellite events.
Double your fun on City of Water Day! Free ferry service will be provided by NY Waterway between Governors Island and Hoboken. From Hoboken (14th Street Pier): Every hour on the hour from 10am to 4pm. From Governors Island: Every hour on the half hour 10:30am to 3:30pm.