10 Things to Do On Roosevelt Island on a Cheap Day Trip from NYC

Updated April 2022.

 

With NYC fully open after the 2020 global pandemic and lock down, domestic travel is booming and what better place to explore than less conventional neighbourhoods of the Big Apple, such as Roosevelt Island? Read further for a self-guided tour of this walkable island and an interactive map below.

All Aboard the Roosevelt Island Tram!

I am excited for the top things to do on Roosevelt Island as I plan a self-guided tour of this tiny strip of land between Manhattan and Queens.

I live in New York City and had never been to Roosevelt Island…until June 2018! Shameful, I know, considering that it is right there…wedged between Manhattan and Queens like a toddler sleeping between mum and dad. It is considered a part of the borough of Manhattan.

My good friend, Gladys, and I, decide to take a New York City day trip to Roosevelt Island one steaming Saturday in June when the forecast is 100 F! Yes, you read right. 100 F, which is almost 38 C to our brethren on the metric system. Obviously we survive but not before having the moisture sucked out of us during our perambulation. We enjoy it though. I promise. Lol.

 

#Top Things to do on Roosevelt Island: How Do I Get Here?

If it is a literal island, how do I get there?

Well, sis, there are several modes of transportation to convey your adventurous spirit there and they are:

• The Roosevelt Island Tram on 59th St/2nd Ave
• The F train via old faithful – MTA
• The NYC Ferry
• Driving across the Roosevelt Island Bridge (or Welfare Island Bridge) and,
• Q102 MTA bus from Astoria.

We have never taken the tram so it is a no-brainer in choosing what to take to Roosevelt Island. The tram costs $2.75 and has a turnstile for entry to swipe your Metrocard through as usual.

The tramway is right by the 59th St bridge and it is a literal sight to see this tiny contraption soar on steel cables being held by tensile strength and the Holy Spirit as far as I'm concerned. Click To Tweet

The return tram arrives for us and we step in. For some reason, I assume it is like the subway with at least two carriages but it is just a small triangular-cubed contraption that looks like an overgrown hangar. Huh! Well, too late to back out on our day trip. Adelante!

We step in, doors close on the crowded hangar and off we soar! It is an amazing vantage point and the closest you get to an aerial view of New York City not from a chopper.

We soar over the East River with views of Chrysler building and the United Nations and slowly descend to Roosevelt Island all the while seeing the tram cables slowly wind us towards ground.

That was a fun 5 min “flight”. Lol. We disembark, step out into the blinding sun and just take in our surroundings for a bit before embarking on our self-guided tour of the top things to do on Roosevelt Island.

Roaming Roosevelt Island

Once you step out of the tram and walk down the steps, you’ll find yourself opposite Riverwalk Commons condos with the F train, restaurants and retail around a mini park. Right takes you to the pier for the NYC ferry and left takes you out onto the Main Street.

There is the Roosevelt Island Historical Society Visitor Centre in a very quaint little kiosk under the 59th Street Bridge so look out for the signs pointing to its direction. It is almost easy to miss.

Let me try to give you some orientation. The eastern part of Roosevelt Island faces Astoria to the north and Long Island City (LIC) to the south.

The western part of the island faces Manhattan from the U.N. on 47th St. to the early 80s. The tram station is right under the 59th St. bridge that spans Roosevelt Island from Manhattan to Queens and the Visitor Centre is on the western part of the island.

We go into the Centre, give a donation of $1 and take a map of Roosevelt Island for exploring. The gentleman gives us tips on where to go and just for fun, I ask him how much his rent is on the island.

New Yorkers compare rent like models compare haute couture fashion, only that the winner pays lower rent in a great neighbourhood. Alas! Roosevelt Island rent is more than I expect and he shares an apartment with another for that rate. Sigh.

Roosevelt Island isn’t an adventure island like Governor’s Island Daytripping Activities on Governor’s Island. Instead, it has been through several name changes: Minnehanonck by the Lenape, Blackwell’s Island during the colonial era, and Welfare Island because of the preponderance of institutional buildings on the island between 1921 and 1971.

 

#Top Things to do on Roosevelt Island: The Promenade

 

The Promenade is my favourite top thing to do on Roosevelt Island.

This is a scenic riverwalk down the eastern and western lengths of Roosevelt Island facing Manhattan and Queens. You can walk, bike, sit or take a nap on the many benches present under shade trees here.

Did I mention that it was forecast to be a 100 F?! I’m thankful for the shade trees but the sun was in full blazing force! Do not forget sunscreen, a hat, shades and some liquids if you plan on visiting this, or any, summer.

The Manhattan-facing side is my favourite because of the trees, bridge and the city skyline and it makes for great Instagrammable (or not) shots with the sun as a natural filter and highlight. Lol.

Prepare to walk down the Promenade from the tramway to the southern tip of the island so put on your walking shoes. No cat-walking here. Alternatively, you can skip the long walk south and explore Main Street, which we’ll get to later.

 

#Top Things to do on Roosevelt Island: Southpoint Park/Smallpox Hospital

We keep walking south and if you gulp litres of water because of the heat, you might need to release the lot soon, or in my case, moisture pretty much evaporates in sweat.

Fret not; there are bathrooms in Southpoint Park and they are very clean so do all your peeing here because there isn’t another bathroom till you get to restaurants on Main Street.

The park was opened in 2010 and has Strecker Lab and the old Smallpox Hospital within it. It is also a gorgeous picnic spot with views of the East River, the U.N. right across and the numerous cruise boats and jet-skiiers sailing by.

At this time, it is so quiet and serene because Cornell Tech is on summer recess and we are two of about 20 people in the general area just ambling about or sitting on the green.

The introvert in me squeals in joy because I can see myself stretching out under a large shade tree reading a book and just re-charging my spirit. This is a literal escape from the city and you'll be forgiven for forgetting that you are still in New… Click To Tweet

Alas! We have no mats to spread and lie down. Mental note for next time: bring food-filled picnic basket like this one and a weather-proof and mold resistant picnic mat to get lazy on here. Bliss!

A bit further down is the old Smallpox Hospital opened in 1854 and it was one of the first nursing schools in the U.S. It was abandoned in the 1950s and is now a padlocked, landmark ruin with nature taking over. It is New York City’s sole landmark ruin.

It is also said to be haunted and maybe the lock is for all the ghostbusters and paranormal seekers with electromagnetic equipment for ghost whispers. Don’t mind me; I love watching those shows and scaring myself silly. Lol.

#Top Things to do on Roosevelt Island: Four Freedoms Park

At the southern tip of Roosevelt island is Four Freedoms Park, with views of Manhattan on the west and LIC, Queens, as you round the bend to the east. Don’t forget that you can literally walk round the island along the promenade on both sides if you have all day to spare and strong calves.

The park has a concrete structure where events hold and we even see a schedule of events for the coming months of July and August. There is also green here with shade trees for relaxation too.

Rounding the tip to the eastern part of the island positions you right across Gantry Plaza State Park  in LIC and the large PepsiCola board next to it.

#Top Things to do on Roosevelt Island: Strecker Lab

We are now on the eastern side of Roosevelt Island, facing LIC in Queens, and we begin our slow trek up north along the Promenade. I hope you still have your bearings. Lol.

The lab was opened in 1892 and was the country’s first institution for pathological and bacteriological research. It makes sense with the Smallpox Hospital nearby that opened in 1854.

The lab is obviously obsolete now and is a substation for the E & M lines of the NYC subway. No word on whether this is haunted too.

 

#Top Things to do on Roosevelt Island: Ed Koch Bridge/ Cornell Tech Campus

We continue our leisurely amble on Promenade East, as I term it, heading towards the northern tip of the island. Along the way, we pass through the large swath of Cornell’s campus which is very, very quiet…and closed.

We get a pleasant surprise on the campus when we see a dual elliptical/cycling bike just placed there for anyone to hop on. You can bet your bottom dollar that we did so in the scorching heat! Smart, huh?! Lol.

After taking the requisite million photos, we carry on exploring till we get to the bridge with its scenic views and framing of Manhattan and the East River.

#Top Things to do on Roosevelt Island: Graduate Hotel/Panorama Rooftop

Since you’re on the Cornell campus, pop into Graduate Hotel and head up to the Panorama rooftop for expansive views of Roosevelt Island, East River, and Manhattan. The roof top is spacious with a balcony and seating for you core instagrammers and picture-taking. Sit at the bar with a drink and bites and pop onto the balcony for sun (in warm weather) and river views.

Don’t forget to browse the library lounge in the lobby before or after the rooftop. As the name says, Graduate Hotels are in University cities thus its ambience relives the glory days of Uni for those of us long gone from academia.

Tip: Take all your instagrammable pics by the library and the giant statue by the front desk.

 

#Top Things to do on Roosevelt Island: Blackwell House

Just off Main Street is Blackwell House. As mentioned earlier, Roosevelt Island was once named Blackwell’s Island, from the Blackwell Family who held the island for 150 years from 1676. It was renamed Roosevelt island after F.D.R in 1973.

This structure is the original farmhouse of the family and was restored years ago for community events.

We don’t go in because of our focus on sustenance but a return trip will see me visiting if it’s open to the public.

 

#Top Things to do on Roosevelt Island: Main Street

By this time, we’re done exploring and require food. Necesitamos comida y agua immediatemente! We are so parched and hot that we take the RIOC* bus one stop from the F train station down Main Street where there are restaurants, apartment buildings and dorms. We really can walk but it is hot, we are thirsty and the bus is right on time.

*RIOC is the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation bus and it is FREE! It is distinguishable from the Q102 MTA bus by its red colour and it circles three-quarters of the island from the Octagon in the north to Cornell Tech down south.

We get off the cool RIOC almost unwillingly to look for food and are blessed by a restaurant right across from our stop.

Kitchen Nisi is cool and inviting and at this point we can devour a horse! We sit in a greenhouse-looking enclosure within the restaurant because we want some sun but not its heat. Makes sense, right? Lol.

I order grilled octopus as a shared appetizer and when it arrives, Gladys is freaked out by all the suckers!

I’m laughing my head off and coax her into trying a couple of bites and not let her imagination run wild. Hilarious!

There are other restaurants on Main Street like Riverwalk Bar & Grill, Trellis and Fuji East, and of course, a supermarket, a couple of banks, schools, an organic food store, a NY Public Library, churches and many mixed-income government and market-rate apartment buildings.

 

#Top Things to do on Roosevelt Island: Fields of Green

In addition to Southpoint Park, there are several fields and parks on Roosevelt Island. Near Main Street, there is a baseball park called Firefighter’s Field, Blackwell Park where Blackwell House stands, Cappobianco Field heading north by the Roosevelt Island bridge and Octagon Park and Gardens.

We are on a RIOC bus heading to the northern tip of the island to view the lighthouse present there. It is hard to get lost here as the island has Main Street as its…well, main street, and once you get on it, you can find your way.

It is early evening and even though the sun’s ferocity is lower, humidity is still very high thus we are appreciative of the cool bus. The RIOC terminates at the Octagon where the driver takes a break before turning onto the western side of the island heading south.

We alight at the Octagon, cross Main Street to walk along the East River and see some folks fishing. Yes. Rod fishing with coolers in tow. Interesting.

This part of the eastern length of the island now faces Astoria, Queens, with Socrates Sculpture Park right across. Remember, Long Island City, Queens, is opposite Four Freedoms Park and the Strecker Lab. Hope your orientation still works. Lol.

 

#Top Things to do on Roosevelt Island: Octagon

This institution opened in 1839 as the Municipal Lunatic Asylum, abandoned in 1955 and restored in 2006 as a 500-unit apartment building.

The atrium is octagonal and was believed to hold healing properties for the mentally insane and physically sick. Do you know that Charles Dickens once visited in 1843?

Today, the atrium holds historic photos and an art gallery for people to view and the structure is a NYC designated landmark building.

I wonder if there are ghost stories here too because every single paranormal show I watch involving an asylum has a haunting.

#Top Things to do on Roosevelt Island: Lighthouse Park

Behind the Octagon is Lighthouse Park housing a…you guessed it…lighthouse. There are bathrooms in this area too and the lighthouse is literally at the northern tip of the island.

The park has a lot of shade trees and there are families having BBQs and picnics so this is a great place to escape the summer sun.

The lighthouse was built in 1872 and is 50ft tall. According to Atlas Obscura, legend has it that inmates of the Octagon built it, fearing a British invasion, but the more logical version is that the city built it for vessels to avoid rocks in the… Click To Tweet

The lighthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places and is also a NYC landmark.

In December 2021, Nellie Bly Plaza debuted in Lighthouse Park. It has beautiful bronze sculptures dedicated to Ms. Nellie Bly (and other women), a journalist who faked insanity in order to be sent to an asylum on Roosevelt Iskand (then Blackwell Island). She reported on the mental health conditions of women in the asylum in a time when such topics were not even thought about, let alone spoken of.

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We’re exhausted from all the walking at this point and head back to the Octagon bus stop to catch the RIOC heading to the tram station. If we weren’t so tired, we would’ve walked because really, it is a walkable island.

Since we came on the tram, we decide to leave via NYC Ferry heading to Wall Street. It is night time now and the NYC skyline at sunset and East River views are a sight to behold.

Bonus

Cherry Blossom Festival

Roosevelt Island has an annual Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival in spring and I was fortunate to visit for the first time in spring 2019. It is free to attend from 11 through 4, but here are some helpful tips to ensure your visit is hitch-free:

• If you plan on taking the tram to and from the island, LEAVE EARLY! Don’t arrive at Tramway Plaza on 2nd Ave. at 10 am and expect there not to be lines. We tried to get the tram at 2pm and there was a line literally 3 blocks down!
• You can drive in but parking is extremely limited – it is a strip island! – so arrive very early to snag one or park in Astoria and ferry or Uber it onto the island.
• Bags will be searched on the island for security.
• Bring a blanket, picnic or drinks for everyone in your party as there are few to zero vendors here.
• There is usually a folk dance at Four Freedoms park so head on there early to grab a spot right in front of the stage.
• If you’re going with strollers and small kids that cannot walk, be prepared for the throng of people & zero space to manoeuver in on either the tram or the subway.
• I cannot stress the transit systems enough: make sure to arrive well ahead of start time to escape the rush and leave before closing for the same reasons too.

These are the top things to do on Roosevelt Island to explore if you want an inexpensive day trip from NYC and is why it is mentioned in this post–> Unique New York City: 30 Evergreen things to do this summer

Roosevelt Island is also the perfect place for introverts to recharge and take it easy without running the rat-race like we do daily in the city.

For fellow introverts of two minds about visiting NYC, have no fear! There are several places in the 5 boroughs where you can literally hear yourself think without all the hustle and bustle in addition to enjoying all the affordable freebies that the city offers. I detail them here–>  7 Tips: A Frugal Ambivert’s Guide to NYC

For native New Yorkers, I hope you explore the top things to do in Roosevelt Island and I hope you enjoyed getting to know another part of our city.

See map below to help you out.

 

 

Don’t forget to comment on whether you’ve been or will go and sharing is caring! xoxo

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