Earlier this summer, a work trip took me to New York City. Happily, the weekend timing was such that the whole family could come along, and we packed a lot of adventure into a short stay — and all within a fairly small area.

We stayed in the Financial District, which may seem like an odd choice — no, it wasn’t a requirement for the work function — but was fantastic for us. Why? Well, on weekends, the area is not nearly as crowded as more “touristy” parts of town, which reduced anxiety in little travelers unaccustomed to such a big city. Moreover, being at the tip of the island, we were somewhat confined in our wanderings; it was much harder to inadvertently wind up farther from our room than we intended.

But more importantly, there was lots to do, and much of it free!

We took the Staten Island Ferry out and (immediately) back to get a good look at the Statue of Liberty. We had picnics in Battery Park, watching the people and the boats. We rode the SeaGlass Carousel repeatedly. We wandered the neighborhood, keeping an eye out for the pieces of historic Manhattan that have disappeared from most of the island. You can catch glimpses of the Revolutionary-era city in cobblestone streets, or Fraunces Tavern (where my Washington lover was delighted to learn about), or the fence around the Bowling Green.

But easily the greatest adventure of our trip was Governor’s Island. Accessible by ferry from Brooklyn or a facility adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry terminal, the journey is a matter of minutes (honestly, like 8). But you end up a world away from the bustling city, especially if you take the first few ferries of the day, which — bonus! — are free.

Until 1996, Governors Island was primarily a military installation. Colonists built what came to be known as Fort Jay in 1775, with the more formidable Castle Williams added in 1811. Infill from the excavation of the subway system expanded the island, paving the way for a thriving base — almost a small town, as evidenced by the former theaters and chapels now awaiting adaptive reuse — for the US Army and Coast Guard.

So what is on this 172-acre island? Three playgrounds. Splash pads. Multiple restaurants. Art incubators. Nonprofit headquarters. A charter school. Secluded groves of hammocks. Soccer and baseball fields. Bike and kayak Rentals. Festivals virtually every weekend. Mini golf and rock climbing walls. Glamping. Hotel and spa (currently under construction). Several National Park Service outposts. Incredible views of the city. And probably more, but you get the idea — it is amazing.

Verdict: The only negative thing I can say about Governor’s Island is that it isn’t a year-round attraction at this point. Ferries run May 1 - October 31 — and that last month will feature a pumpkin patch, certainly a rarity in NYC. But public access to this parkland only began in 2014, with development still ongoing. So, perhaps that timeframe will continue to expand as additional phases are completed. I sure hope so.