As the city lights dim and the last ferry departs, something quietly magical happens on Governors Island. The skyline shifts from spectacle to silhouette, the breeze settles, and the sky begins to unveil its evening show. Stargazing may not be the first thing that comes to mind in New York – but from the Great Lawn at Collective Governors Island, it just might become your favorite city experience.
From this unique vantage point, you’re surrounded by 360° of unobstructed horizon. To the west, the Statue of Liberty keeps watch as ferries glide across the harbor. Beyond her, the sun sets over the distant silhouette of New Jersey, painting the sky in tangerine and rose. As dusk gives way to night, you’ll spot:
Orion’s Belt – A winter-to-spring favorite, with its unmistakable trio of stars.
The Big Dipper – Bright and reliable, especially between April and August.
Shooting stars – August’s Perseid meteor shower delivers a true spectacle.
Plenty. Depending on the season and clarity of the night sky, here’s what to keep your eyes peeled for: The Moon takes center stage most nights, casting a silver sheen over the East River, depending on lunar cycles, and making Lady Liberty glow. Whether it’s a golden crescent or a full supermoon, the view is always cinematic.
Planets like Venus, Jupiter, and Mars often appear as bright, steady lights – each with their own celestial charm, and are especially brilliant in early summer. Venus, in particular, shines brilliantly just after sunset or before sunrise, earning its name as the Evening or Morning Star.
On especially clear nights, you may even catch multiple planets drifting across the skyline – a breathtaking collision of city lights and celestial magic.
Time It Right
Golden hour here is legendary, but true stargazing starts around 9:30 PM, after nautical twilight. The later the better for darker skies.
Lay Low
Bring a blanket or cozy into one of our Adirondack chairs. Reclining gives you the best view – and fewer obstructions mean more stars.
Stay a Little Longer
Overnight guests enjoy exclusive after-hours access to the island. Whether from your private terrace or the campfire on the lawn, the sky feels bigger and brighter once the day-trippers are gone.
Download a Stargazing App
Apps like SkyView or Night Sky can help you trace constellations, identify planets, and even spot passing satellites in real time.
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.
Join us on retreat. You’ll be surprised how much sky there still is in New York City.
Mar 26, 2023
