Roosevelt Island
Island and Neighborhood
New York
The experts at The New Yorker and Village Voice recommend this place
"amazing Manhattan skyline East River views."(3 Tips)
"You can also get here via the F train."(3 Tips)
"Nice Park, excellent views especially at night"(21 Tips)
"The best getaway from the hustle bustle of Manhattan!"(2 Tips)
70 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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- The best getaway from the hustle bustle of Manhattan! you could take the tram (cable car) over the East River with stunning views, the F train or ferry across the river. It's a quiet hidden gem.
Michelle AlexanderMarch 6, 2015Visit in the Spring or Summer, there are multiple sports fields and bike/running paths around the exterior of the entire island. Nice break from the city with great views!Upvoted 6 days ago- The Corcoran GroupOctober 9, 2013The most fun and different way to travel here is the tram - amazing views of Manhattan. You can also get here via the F train. The island is small, peaceful and very manageable if you want to walk it.
So much history in one small place! From the south park dedicated to Roosevelt to the Lighthouse built by inmates on the northern end of the island, there's a great deal to take in on the island- AstoriawinedivaFebruary 8, 2012Take 59th St 2nd Ave tram across - amazing Manhattan skyline East River views. My favorite getaway from the hustle bustle of the city. Grab bottle vino, book and blanket and enjoy!
Alice NamMarch 21, 2015Quiet island with small pretty parks. Can get a good view of upper east side across the river. Very different ambiance from manhattan
Amy CummingsAugust 28, 2017Honestly so cute. Take the tram over on a nice day and walk around. Great views of the city.
Untapped CitiesNovember 8, 2014The abandoned smallpox hospital was designed by James Renwick and is a landmarked ruin. The team behind FDR Four Freedoms Park hopes to stabilize it for a visitor’s center. Read more
Elen@June 2, 2014Nice place to escape from the noise and crowds. Great views. A bus goes around the island and is free!!!!
IrmaZandl ZandlSlantAugust 7, 2015Such a great hidden gem in the midst of crazy NYC. Great for walking, biking.
- Untapped CitiesAugust 24, 2012As Roosevelt Island changed hands from Dutch to English to American, it subsequently underwent the necessary nomenclature changes—from Manning’s Island to Blackwell’s Island to Welfare Island. Read more
- It's not too often that you can be outdoors in the borough of Manhattan and still manage to only have the EDGE network supplying you with data...but here, you can get it!
Michael Fox-RabinovitzAugust 8, 2015Very convenient enclave between the city and Queens. Nice Park, excellent views especially at night
Bjarke KSeptember 2, 2018Nice views of the city. Take the tram (cable car) here, you can use your metro/subway card.
Mrs Alan CraigMay 26, 2014Beautiful view of the midtown NYC skyline. As of April 2014 all local buses on the island are free!
When visiting, stop off at the only bar (Riverwalk Bar & Grill) on the island for a beer and one of the best burgers you will ever have.- Once the tram re-opens, take a day trip from Manhattan when the weather is nice a walk around the island. Quaint. Stop by Riverwalk Bar & Grill and have the Texas burger. REALLY GOOD!
U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyNovember 27, 2012Photographers! Have you heard of our State of the Environment Photo Project? Check out our blog to learn more about the project and this featured photo submitted by David Wen Riccardi-Zhu . Read more
FilmsquareSeptember 19, 2013As Gerry Lane escapes the zombie infestation in World War Z (2013) he receives a phone call from Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations as he flies over Roosevelt Island in his helicopter.
So interesting to explore. There's a Starbucks, a nice waterfront view, a couple of restaurants. Has potential
Paige CMay 24, 2016Not really much to do here, but come on a beautiful day for a nice walk and some NYC views.
DreamyisaFebruary 13, 2016Come here by the end of the afternoon and take ones of the best photos in the city :)
Robin TaylorApril 20, 2013Great place to go if you want peace and quiet in Manhattan. Yes you CAN have quiet in Manhattan :-)
City of New YorkJanuary 7, 2013Roosevelt Island is the future home of Cornell NYC Tech, a new $2 billion, two-million-square-foot state-of-the-art applied science and engineering campus.
Village VoiceNovember 21, 2011Winner of Best Midtowon Vacation in the Village Voice 2011 Best of Issue! The abandoned smallpox hospital is much more scenic than it sounds.
If you walk along the outside of the island - you see great views of Manhattan. Plus at the north end is a mini-lighthouse.
The rock - the dopest place in the city. Hotter than the sun. And yes the rumors are true - the original stomping grounds of the great m.
This seems to be a cool place to live in NYC. Just one tram ride from Manhattan, but cute and quiet. Lovely view from top floors
Examiner.comMay 17, 2011A great biking destiation, you can get there by via the bridge from Queens on 36th Avenue just north of the Queensboro Bridge. Read more
As of April 1st there is no longer a cost to ride the island red "mini bus" . It's free to ride!
Mary Jane ChenAugust 9, 2013If you're jumping on the ROIC shuttle bus, make sure you have some change on you. It's $0.25 for a one-way ride.
Althea WhiteJuly 5, 2011One of my favorite places to run "in" NYC...one lap around is a little under 4 miles of great views
Paula KigerSeptember 27, 2011I love Roosevelt Island!! Participated in a 5K that went around the perimeter of the island to benefit Women for Women International! Read more
I was the 420th Person to check in to Rosevelt Island and all I have to say is take a stoll. . Great Views, its pretty mellow, very little car traffic.
Amazing thrift store, and an even more impressive gondola.
Cozy and peaceful island. Great views of the city, and is a pleasant 1 hour walk around the whole thing.
Matt KerestesyJuly 15, 2009Go spend the day on Roosevelt Island, make sure to visit the old hospital and other historic sites. Does not feel like NYC, despite being surrounded by it.
BrianOctober 31, 2015Strange place that feels apart from NY. Even have their own buses and police force.- Domenico PalumberiMarch 13, 2012i leave here and i think that is o e of the best place to leave in NYC
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Small Island between Queens and Manhattan.
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- 9.1
"Fun event and beautiful setting. Great way to end the summer."
Debra Wolf 
"Nice island. Great to run around if you want to extend a run along the East River."
Omer Zach
"Awesome place to ride bikes, play sports, have a picnic, and generally just escape the hustle and bustle of Manhattan for a hot second."
Rebecca W
Places people like to go after Roosevelt Island
- 9.2
"Marius Watz: A true hidden gem, this park features monumental architecture with an amazing location in the middle of the East River. The tram across from Manhattan is worth it all on its own."
Marius Watz - 6.8
"The Very Berry Hibiscus iced tea is the best for those who don't like coffee like me :-)"
HorrorFixation - 8.9
"Gloriously devoid of tourists. Peaceful, tranquil, a still undiscovered gem with million dollar views."
Norman Ellis
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