Sleeping under the stars
Tent no. 3 at the Collective Retreat
In September 2020, after six intense months of staying indoors, not seeing family and friends, and socially distancing, I decided it was time to think outside the box when it comes to travel-planning. If we can’t go travel and hunt for adventures elsewhere, then why not bring the adventures home? I realized I lived in one of the most amazing cities in the world and hadn’t even scratched the surface in terms of places to see and experience, right outside my front door. Activities were still limited throughout the city, but museums had recently opened, and outdoor dining was en vogue.
Sunset view of the Statue of Liberty
My plan was to do a staycation; escaping our 2-bedroom apartment, and checking into a place where I could call myself free of dishes, diapers, and other domestic duties. So I did what everyone does, if in need of an answer: I googled “ best places in NYC to spend the night during a pandemic”. And I found Collective Retreats; a relaxing, communal glamping site on Governor’s Island; the location of a former Military base.
We booked a one-night getaway, hopped on the Governor’s Island ferry from Lower Manhattan, and were transported into a haven of peace, safety, and stunning scenery. The retreat is nothing short of magical. The tents are beautifully decorated, with the luxury of a private bathroom, and the grounds surrounding the tents invite guests to relax in one of their hammocks or chairs, and sip and dine at their on-site restaurant Three Peaks Lodge; the only dinner option after nightfall. The food was delicious, but the hightlight came at 8pm sharp, when we could sit in front of an outdoor fire and roast our own marshmallows (smore-kit included!). In the morning we opted out of the 8am yoga session, but were greeted with a basic, but very yummy breakfast consisting of cheese, fruits, and yogurt with granola. All of this being said, the views alone are worth a stay!
The camp site after nightfall
As nice as the retreat was, Governor’s Island itself won our hearts by storm, too. The island closes at 6pm for day visitors (7pm on weekends), so it feels like being on a private island with just a few other visitors at the camp site. We rented bikes the day we arrived and paid for an overnight fee, so that we could do an extensive bike-tour at sunrise. It’s a small island and easy to explore in an hour and two, with breathtaking views from every angle.
Views of Jersey City from our porch
We stopped at The Hills, and hiked all the way up to Outlook Hill; taking in the view from 70 feet above sea level. We made our way past abandoned buildings, art sculpures, and took a small detour to Hammock Grove. To please our taste buds, we ventured out to Liggett Terrace, an open-air food court with great variety, and went to Taco Vista for some afternoon tacos before departing. Island Oyster, a tropical cocktail bar, was closed during our visit, but I heard they’re specialty drinks- connoisseurs!
To summarize, Governor’s Island meets all the criteries if you’re looking for a socially-distanced and fun getaway. Collective Retreats operates from May-October, and might just be what you need after an exhausting and uncertain year.