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How far around is Roosevelt Island?

It's about 4 miles around the perimeter, with parks on each end. To access the island by foot you have to cross the Queensboro Bridge over the island to Queens and then double back — about 1.6 miles. More direct access is via tram or subway.



The perimeter of Roosevelt Island in New York City is approximately 3.5 to 4 miles (about 6.4 km). The island is long and narrow, stretching about 2 miles from its northern tip at the Lighthouse Park to its southern tip at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park. A paved, multi-use waterfront path runs nearly the entire circumference of the island, providing a flat and incredibly scenic route for runners and walkers. In 2026, this path is a "hidden gem" for those looking for unmatched views of the Manhattan skyline and the Queens waterfront without the crowds of Central Park. A brisk walk around the entire edge takes about 60 to 90 minutes. For a 2026 visitor, it is a peer-to-peer "pro-tip" to take the Roosevelt Island Tramway from 59th Street in Manhattan for a spectacular aerial view of the island before you begin your walk, or use the "F" train or NYC Ferry for a more traditional arrival at the island's central hub.

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Check out this 4.5-mile loop trail near New York City, New York. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 21 min to complete. This is a popular trail for running and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.

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At 1 ½ miles, this loop trail is the island's longest. It passes through swampy woods and cattail marsh. The trail is part pea gravel and part boardwalk. This short, ? mile trail passes through the heart of the island, including the memorial plaza with its statue and fountains.

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  1. Bus.
  2. Tram.
  3. Subway.
  4. Ferry.
  5. Driving.
  6. MTA 63rd Street Track Replacement Project.


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Blackwell's Island, now known as Roosevelt Island, has a deep connection to disability and incarceration. For much of the early 1900s, New Yorkers nicknamed the island Welfare Island after the asylums, prisons, and almshouses that were built there.

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Not just for fans of FDR, Roosevelt Island has something for anyone looking for views of midtown, and the peace that comes from green spaces surrounded by water. If you are a fan of the man, make a pilgrimage to the tip of the island and Four Freedoms Park.

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On Roosevelt Island, which was developed as a middle-class neighborhood from the ruins of prisons and hospitals, affordable housing was plentiful, thanks to state programs that awarded public subsidies to apartment buildings in exchange for keeping rents low.

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  • Roosevelt Island is two miles long and located on the East River between Manhattan and Queens.
  • It was formally known as Blackwell's Island and Welfare Island.
  • The F line train station on Roosevelt Island opened in 1989.
  • The island can also be reached by the Roosevelt Island Tramway, the ferry and by bridge from Queens.


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Roosevelt Island, island in the East River, between the boroughs of Manhattan and Queens, New York City. Administratively part of Manhattan, it is 1.5 miles (about 2.5 km) long and 1/8 mile wide, with an area of 139 acres (56 hectares).

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Rent Prices. As of November 2023, the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Roosevelt Island, New York, NY is $3,945..

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Roosevelt Island can be reached via the Q102 bus from Queens. RIOC also provides the Red Bus, which is free and makes convenient stops throughout the island. Strollers and shopping carts must be folded upon request of the bus operator.

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While still a part of Manhattan, Roosevelt Island is its opposite: quiet, homely, and mostly green-colored.

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Roosevelt Island Tram Tickets For adults, the ride costs just $2.90 each way. Those with an unlimited MetroCard won't have to pay anything. For a round-trip cost of just $5.80 for an adult, this is an awesome deal for an incredible view!

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Roosevelt Island Bridge The bridge is the only means of vehicular access to Roosevelt Island. Prior to construction, the bridge carried two 17-foot lanes of vehicular traffic and a 6-foot sidewalk. The bridge is used by both pedestrians and vehicles with increased volume during rush hours.

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Roosevelt Island, island in the East River, between the boroughs of Manhattan and Queens, New York City. Administratively part of Manhattan, it is 1.5 miles (about 2.5 km) long and 1/8 mile wide, with an area of 139 acres (56 hectares).

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