Why go to Roosevelt Island?

The views of Manhattan and Brooklyn are the best and walk to the southern part of the island to enjoy the best views. Not just of the skylines but of the small islands that are just south of Roosevelt Island. The best is the tram ride over on a sunny day. This is when you see the best views of the city.



Roosevelt Island is a "hidden gem" in New York City that offers a peaceful escape from the frantic pace of Manhattan. The primary draw is the Roosevelt Island Tramway, which provides a stunning aerial view of the Midtown skyline and the East River for the price of a standard subway fare. Once on the island, you can visit the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park, a minimalist architectural masterpiece designed by Louis Kahn that offers some of the best unobstructed views of the United Nations building. History enthusiasts go to see the Renwick Ruin, the eerie remains of a 19th-century smallpox hospital, and The Octagon, a former asylum turned luxury residence. In 2026, the island is also a hub for innovation at the Cornell Tech campus, featuring futuristic architecture and public art installations like "The Girl Puzzle." It is a uniquely walkable community with waterfront paths, a historic lighthouse, and a vibrant dining scene that feels worlds away from the city just a few hundred yards across the water.

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From Manhattan, you can take the Roosevelt Island Tramway, located at East 59th Street and Second Avenue, for $2.75 one way. If you're coming from Queens, you can drive or walk onto the island via the Roosevelt Island Bridge, or take the Q102 bus line.

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Theodore Roosevelt Island serves as a wilderness retreat for the residents of the Washington, D. C., area and is not a tourist destination. There are a few hiking trails and a memorial to Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, who served from 1901 to 1909.

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

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The F-Train links Roosevelt Island to Queens and Manhattan.

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The Roosevelt Island Tramway provides the most modern aerial tramway in the world, running every 7-15 minutes from 59th Street and Second Avenue in Manhattan to Tramway Plaza on Roosevelt Island.

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Roosevelt Island is part of Manhattan, but it can feel as if it's a world away. It takes a MetroCard swipe to get a lift on the Roosevelt Island Tram, which tracks along the Queensboro Bridge. The F train, Q102 bus, and NYC Ferry also transport neighbors and visitors to the spot in the East River.

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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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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.

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You can drive to Roosevelt Island via the Roosevelt Island Bridge, which can be accessed at 36th Avenue and Vernon Boulevard in Queens.

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Is Roosevelt Island haunted? There's a damn good chance. Known as Blackwell's Island until 1921, it was home to several hospitals, a prison and the 1834-built New York City Lunatic Asylum, which were all well-documented as having horrific conditions for those housed there.

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When you ride with Uber on your next trip from JFK to Roosevelt Island, Manhattan NY, you've got choices. Whether you're traveling alone or with others, find a ride option that fits your needs and budget. If you like to plan ahead, consider scheduling a ride to Roosevelt Island, Manhattan NY in advance.

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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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