So, you want to go to an island?

Here are six islands you can reach — and even get there  by public transportation — from Brooklyn. But getaways with tropical drinks and languid days they're not.

Some of these are, seriously, more Destination Islands than others (do we even need to discuss Manhattan's virtues compared to Staten Island's?). Others are places you might want to only take your out of town friends or tourists (the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island, for one.).


Two are high security areas, potential terrorist targets (Manhattan and of course, Liberty Island). You can do significant shopping damage in two of these islands  (Manhattan and Long Island). One (Governors Island) is only open to the public in the summer, and another one (Long Island) has beaches to die for.

If you're longing for an island experience, you don't need to go to an airport. Just try one of these:

1. Manhattan: Well, the biggest Island of all is of course, Manhattan! A landmark itself, Manhattan is New York City's epicenter of commerce, tourism, finance and art. In recent years, it's become a defining counterpoint to emerging, gentrifiying, re-invented Brooklyn, the staid yin to the hip yang, if you will.
2. Governors Island:  Some 90 acres of the former U.S. Army military base and U.S. Coast Guard station are open to the public during the summer when the island becomes the site of cultural events, biking, and picnics. Picturesque on its own, Governors Island also affords amazing views of NY Harbor and three New York City boroughs (Brooklyn, Staten Island and Manhattan). Check listings for concerts, art installations and other attractions.
3. Ellis Island:  Ellis Island,  a historic immigration portal for millions of immigrants coming to America. It is now a historic monument, museum, and property of the National Parks Service. It cannot be reached directly from Brooklyn, only by boat from Manhattan. 
4. Liberty Island: This is a world famous island. The third island visible in NY Harbor is Liberty Island, home to the Statue of Liberty, less than two miles from Ellis Island. You can't see the actual island from Brooklyn --it's tiny — but of course one cannot miss Lady Liberty from many vantage points including the Brooklyn Bridge and many other spots in Brooklyn.
5. Staten Island: Another borough of New York City, Staten Island can  be reached  from Manhattan by the Staten Island Ferry, or by the Verrazano Bridge, which connects Fort Hamilton/Bay Ridge in Brooklyn to Staten Island. Why go? A few good beaches, Snug Harbor and a cute zoo, more affordable real estate, some interesting Italian restaurants...
6. Long Island: Last but not least, nobody in Brooklyn dare ignore Long Island because, geographically speaking, Brooklyn is part of the same land mass, and is, therefore,  part of Long Island. (Check a map.)

Bon voyage!