Each summer, a stretch of fragrant lavender blooms quietly on Governors Island — a gentle burst of color that slows your breath and stirs your senses. Tucked between historic paths and open lawns, these fields are not just a beautiful photo moment. They’re an invitation: to pause, to breathe in deeply, and to discover something unexpected just steps from the city.
At Collective Governors Island, we’re lucky to call these fields our seasonal neighbors. Whether you’re waking up in one of our open-air retreats or arriving just for the day, a walk to the lavender is always worth the wander.
On warm days, the scent carries with the breeze. Bees drift lazily between stems. Time slows. It’s the kind of moment we live for: fleeting, fragrant, and full of feeling.
For centuries, lavender has been celebrated for its calming and restorative properties. Its natural oils are known to reduce anxiety, promote restful sleep, and ease tension – both physically and mentally. Even a few minutes spent near the fields can uplift your mood and clear your mind.
Whether you pause for a mindful moment, gather inspiration for your journal, or simply breathe it in, this small stretch of purple can transform an afternoon – a sensory reset in the middle of the world’s busiest city.
The lavender fields are open to the public and free to visit during their bloom, typically from mid-June through early August (weather permitting). Located near Colonels Row, the area is also home to local artists, historic architecture, and rotating public programs. You’ll find it growing along Colonels Row – just a 5-minute bike ride or 12-minute stroll from our retreat.
Our concierge team is happy to provide directions, bikes, or even a curated picnic basket to bring along.
Unlike most city hotels, we’re surrounded by water, trees, and sky – not skyscrapers. That distance from light pollution means you’ll see more stars, more clearly. And with the Statue of Liberty glowing in the distance, the juxtaposition of nature and New York becomes something surreal.
So whether you’re sipping wine by the fire, wrapped in a blanket on the lawn, or watching from your bed or private terrace, stargazing on Governors Island offers a kind of stillness that’s nearly impossible to find in the five boroughs.
In a city where everything moves fast, the lavender fields are a gentle reminder that beauty thrives in stillness. Just steps from the skyline, you’ll find nature doing what it does best – soothing, surprising, and bringing people back to themselves.
We hope you’ll take the time to find them – and let them find you.
Mar 26, 2023
