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Roosevelt Island

4.2 (166 reviews)

Roosevelt Island Photos

Recommended Reviews - Roosevelt Island

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Fred T.

Fun little stop between Queens and Manhattan. The Island which has schools, parks, and other historical markers oh and did I mention a spooky smallpox hospital. The Island is best walked, and sadly I was there a bit late for many of the areas, it was a fantastic location for shots of the Manhattan and LIC skyline. There are multiple way to arrive on the island including the Subway, buses and the tram which are the easiest modes if just stopping buy

Lighthouse park  3/2025
Sabrina S.

An easy tram ride getaway on a beautiful day! Not only does this small island have housing, it hosts some historical landmarks. We had one sunny day on our visit to NYC and made a day walking along the trails around this entire island. We saw beautiful parks, beautiful 360 degree views surrounding the island, viewed the first smallpox hospital built in the 1800s, walked through the Four Freedoms Park dedicated to FDR, came across a wildlife and cat sanctuary, walked through Lighthouse park, and took pics near the Nelly Bly sculptures. This little island has so much to see and do. Teams of people were playing sand volleyball and the cherry blossom trees were just starting to bloom! A perfect day trip getaway from the hustle and bustle!

Steph H.

STEPH JUDGEMENT: Way more interesting than I expected. We were short on time so we only got to visit the southern part, but we still had a swell time! After we got off the tram we thought it'd be fun to rent electric bikes but alas there was only one that was working so we had to give that up. But a bus pulled up just then and we found out that it was the free island bus so we hopped on. We decided to check out the South Point park, which turned out to be the home of a cat sanctuary (among other things)! A former smallpox hospital used to be a cat sanctuary for the island's feral cat population, but after the hospital was deemed unsafe, the sanctuary was moved to another spot in the park, where volunteers from the Wildlife Freedom Foundation care for and adopt out the cats. We caught a glimpse of some of the sanctuary's content residents on the day of our visit. The smallpox hospital is still around and fenced off, but you can see it through the fence. it is worth a look, as it's a gorgeous ivy-covered gothic ruin like you might run into in a video game (super Elden Ring vibes). Just past the hospital was the Four Freedoms park, which was magnificent, with a giant bust of FDR, expansive walkways, groves of trees, and majestic views of Manhattan across the water. There were chairs and benches everywhere, and wasn't very crowded, as the weather was about to turn. There was a snack bar with some outdoor seating and umbrellas, but those were getting put away by the staff in anticipation of the said weather. We wished we could've seen more of the island, but we were out of time. Oh well, an excuse to return next time!

Roosevelt Island Bridge 2025
Dr. Conrad U.

New York is not just all tall buildings, rat-racing people, luxury brands, wonderful museums and excellent Broadway shows. One of the quiet and warm afternoons, we took the Roosevelt Island Tramway and headed to Roosevelt Island. I was happy to see an island away from the city center, quiet cul-de-sac with clean parks, beautiful flowers and trees and an excellent place to take walks and leisurely runs. Yes, they also have some small restaurants and eateries which allows you to dine over sushi, grilled plates, burgers or just plain regular delights that can please anyone who isn't picky about anything. If you wanted to see a church, they also have them but unfortunately, they were closed for the day. Tram ride is 2.90 each way and is worth the fun for anyone who just wanted to see another side of beautiful New York City. So, if you're in New York, head down to the Roosevelt island Tramway station and travel to an island away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Map
Bradley L.

Had some time to kill so decided to stop by this little island to do some exploring. It's super peaceful here. Low crowds, minimal traffic, and very quiet. We walked along the water front and explored some great parks the island has to offer. We loved the view of the city especially and welcomed the change of pace. There's multiple ways on and off the island, but I'd recommend doing the tram for at least one of them as it is a slightly unique experience.

Yenisel D.

This place is different from the rest of NYC in its entirety. It is not busy, packed or in the center. Offering history through its abandoned buildings, peace through their views, great photos through the scenery and even great picnic spaces. This is also a great place to take pictures with NYC in background that are closer than NYC. The best way to come in is the scenic one which would be through the tramway.

Jeffery B.

A pretty stop away from the hustle and bustle of midtown Manhattan. We visited Cornell Tech, the smallpox hospital, the FDR Four Freedoms Park, The Room, and excellent views of the UN. Wear your walking shoes.

Rezwana N.

Spring is here on the island! Altho I feel like it's almost gone but seen some colors yesterday. It was overwhelmingly crowded ! So felt like needed to leave & before that took some pics . The island is still clean most of the areas , there are some construction going around which isn't fun ! Posting some pictures from yesterday, if you planning on visiting then you should do so before rest of the blossoms are gone .Btw , I did went on a Saturday so it was my bad, should have went on weekdays ! I did try to post recent pictures on this updated review but it doesn't let me, will try to post them directly through the picture option.

Sarah M.

Come here when the weather is nice and you have some time to walk around. Enjoy the quirky tram ride and pretty views of Manhattan and the East River. Check out the occasional art installations and public parks. Even do some birding. Lots to see nature-wise for a smaller island!

Melissa N.

The majority of visitors come here solely to ride the tram. The tramway provides a breathtaking view of the city. If you're not afraid of heights, I recommend taking it both ways. It's surprisingly sturdy. You could probably walk around the island in about an hour and a half, maybe two. There are plenty of restaurants, if you get hungry. Take a walk along the riverside trail for spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline. You can also see Queens skyline, if you hit the opposite direction. Visit the lighthouse, the beautiful Roosevelt Island Garden Community, the eerie former Smallpox hospital, and the Four Freedom Park. 5 stars.

Red Bus
Mari T.

What a beautiful island! It is a small island that is located between Manhattan and Queens. Quiet neighborhood....there is only one street- "Main Street" that takes you from one end to the other end of the island. It is a nice spot to walk if you want to get away from the city for a bit. There aren't many places to eat around, but you still can find a few restaurants and a Starbucks on the island. To get to Roosevelt Island by public transportation, you can take Q102, or the F train, or the RI tram from 59th on 2nd Ave. There is only one bridge to get to the island by driving. You would have to go through LIC to get to Roosevelt Island. Also, there is a free red RI shuttle bus on the island that takes you from the RI Tram station to The Octagon (last stop). On one end of the island, you can see the lighthouse and the other end has Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park. Best time to visit is during Cherry Blossoms season around March/ April

Montage of images from Roosevelt Island
Ed U.

Even though I've been on the tram just once before in my life, I didn't have a deep level of curiosity that would have led me to get off. I just figured the aerial ride was the main attraction. That was back when I was a twenty-year-old ad agency intern and assumed Roosevelt Island was where the inmates ran the asylum. Flash forward a few eons later, and here I was with Jamie W. when I suggested we take the normally $2.75 tram ride on our limitless Metro pass. This time I was mature enough to explore a bit of the island on our own. It turned out to be more bucolic than I expected with lots of green space across the two-mile length of the island. Walking on the promenades on either side provides great panoramic views of Manhattan and Queens. There's an unexpected state-of-the-art college campus, Cornell Tech. At the southern tip is the FDR Four Freedoms Park, and the northern point is flanked by a small lighthouse. In between there are several historical landmarks including the Octagon (the last remnant of an insane asylum) and an abandoned smallpox hospital. But the island's old reputation as a big institution has long been overshadowed by its gentrification and the resulting suburban vibe - complexes of apartment buildings, at least four restaurants, a Starbucks and a Duane Reade. I'm going to time our next trip in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. RELATED - Exploring NYC? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2ZvQA2F

Roosevelt Island Lighthouse
Bruce K.

We had a fun few hours exploring Roosevelt Island from the top to the bottom and in between. It's amazing that this amount of peacefulness exists alongside Manhattan! Arriving on the tram and being greeted by one of the local buses, it's awesome how the bus is free. It makes a big loop of the island which was great for getting from here to there along the way. The lighthouse, the Octagon, a Starbucks, the Smallpox Hospital, Four Freedoms Park, the cat sanctuary and probably a few more things that will be reviewed in the next day or two. And then instead of taking the tram, we took the metro to Queens. Adventure here is off the charts. Other than ferries, there are only THREE methods to access Roosevelt Island. The Tramway from Manhattan, the Subway (F train) and the vertical lift Roosevelt Island Bridge. Parking on the Island is extremely limited. There are outlets of the Citi Bike or you can take the free bus to get around. [Review 15670 overall - 263 in New York - 1174 of 2021.]

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Roosevelt Island Reviews in Other Languages

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Review Highlights - Roosevelt Island

“Main attractions 1) Lighthouse 2) Southpoint Park & Four Freedoms Park These two points are on opposite ends.”

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Madison Square Park - Park vibes

Madison Square Park

4.4(419 reviews)
3.2 km•Flatiron

This is a big park that is very well maintained. All the lawns are cut evenly. The park has a lot…read moreof trees and there is a big water fountain at the end of the park next to the children's playground called "Police Officer Moira Ann Smith Playground". The playground is very crowded on the weekends and almost every part of the playground is taken. Many kids on the slides and swings. The only area in the playground that is pretty empty is the water area where there are sprinklers coming out of letter and number cubes. The park is somewhat small in my opinion and has 2 entrances/exits. There are some nice artwork statues in the park for the public to enjoy and view like the fire hydrant and hot air balloon. They are large in size to capture the audience. Shake Shack, the first location is also still here. This is the famous Shake Shack that started all Shake Shacks. There are plenty of benches and garbage disposals all over the park for people to sit and chat. It's pretty crowded on the weekends. There are events held in this park from time to time. You just need to see the advertisement posted on the park to see what event is going to be held. This park is just right next to the R and W train station on E 23rd Street. It's one block away from the 6 train station.

A Singapore Rojak ice cream event was here recently, too. While I could've used a more convenient…read moretrash can set up, the foam seats and free taste of rojak in an edible bowl and using an edible spoon was an interesting combination. Lots of dogs in the park and a few chess players, too, but mostly folks walking through for work or hanging out at the Shake Shack.

Photos
Madison Square Park - Calm evening view

Calm evening view

Madison Square Park - Sunny Fall 2024 day

Sunny Fall 2024 day

Madison Square Park - Shake Shack seating

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Shake Shack seating

Bryant Park - Carousel rules

Bryant Park

4.6(1.4k reviews)
2.4 km•Midtown West

Bryant Park in NYC is a great gathering space for enjoying the shaded outdoor area on a nice day…read more There are some delicious places to pick up a coffee or a fresh baked snack and read a book or a newspaper from the communal borrowing bins. Once you arrive, there is a perimeter sidewalk with multiple entrances. There are tables and chairs to sit at as well as benches and in the center, there is a big open grassy area where you can lay out a blanket and relax. Within the park, there are many table top type games that are also communal. There are some historic statues in the park as well as an abundance of signage to help you navigate this pretty large park. I enjoyed my visit and look forward to coming back as the people watching was excellent and everyone was friendly.

If there ever was a true New York hub, then this is it! A really lovely park right in the heart of…read moreeverything. Here are some facts I found out about it. Bryant Park in Manhattan has a rich, quirky history and many surprising secrets -- from its days as a poor person's cemetery to hosting over 12 million visitors a year. Between 1823 and 1840, the site was a potter's field -- a burial ground for the city's indigent. Bodies were later moved to Wards Island, and the land became the Croton Distributing Reservoir. The western lawn sits directly above underground stacks holding 3.2 million books and 50,000 reels of microfilm for the New York Public Library. In the 1920s, during subway construction, a replica of Federal Hall was built in the park to celebrate Washington's bicentennial In 1853, the New York Crystal Palace hosted a major world exhibition here. It burned down in 1858. Tesla spent time feeding pigeons in the park; one white bird allegedly inspired him. The park renamed 40th Street & 6th Avenue "Nikola Tesla Corner" in his honour. The Josephine Shaw Lowell Fountain - Visitors toss $3,000-$4,000 worth of coins yearly into this fountain, all going toward park maintenance. In winter, the park transforms into a Winter Village with an ice rink, shops, and restaurants -- built from scratch in just two weeks. Bryant Park is the most densely occupied urban park in the world, with daily visitors often exceeding 1,000 per acre. Guided tours reveal hidden mosaic installations and even a Buddha statue tucked away in the park.

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Bryant Park - Fountain view

Fountain view

Bryant Park - Skating rink

Skating rink

Bryant Park - Ice fountain

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Ice fountain

Pier 63 at Hudson River Park

Pier 63 at Hudson River Park

4.6(11 reviews)
5.7 km
•$

Amazingly beautiful pier…read more Some of the best views of the city are from here. I can come by this pier & relax honestly for the remainder of my life. Will for sure be back.

As a park I used to come here all the time years ago when I lived within walking distance. I…read morepractically grew up here and remember when it used to be a roller-blading/ice skating rink. They've since then cleared all that out and created a green and flowery oasis with pleasant concrete walkways that compliment the scenery of yachts, passenger ships and of course the Hudson River (avoid the bodies! Lol, I kid, I kid). I'm reviewing this as purely what it became for the past two weekends. An outdoor music venue. I came here Saturday night for Converse City Carnage featuring The Kills, Black Bananas and Viva Viva. As a venue it was pretty great! The sound was crystal clear, it felt kind of intimate, the weather was perfect. But seriously, can they not afford to find better security? There is a women on their security team (probably doesn't have anything to do with the Hudson River folks or Chelsea Piers for that matter...) but this woman was so incredibly bitter and I was quite happy-go-lucky when she accused me of yelling at her. She'd better hope I never see her again or I may go hulk smash on her. Looking forward to enjoying the greenery this park has, but this one security guard really marred my recent experience here - and I never really let someone affect me as much, but sometimes it only takes that one awful person...

Photos
Pier 63 at Hudson River Park
Pier 63 at Hudson River Park
Pier 63 at Hudson River Park

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Herald Square - Da bar

Herald Square

3.4(94 reviews)
2.9 km•Midtown West

What an amazing hub. I loved it. A wonderful place to people watch and relax. Herald Square is a…read morefamous spot in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. It's a busy intersection where Broadway, Sixth Avenue (also called Avenue of the Americas), and 34th Street meet. This area is named after an old newspaper called the New York Herald. The newspaper used to have its main office here. The intersection is shaped like a bow tie. It has two main parts. The northern part is called Herald Square. The southern part is called Greeley Square. Herald Square has a huge mechanical clock. Its parts were built in 1895 by a sculptor named Antonin Jean Carles. This monument is called the James Gordon Bennett Monument. It features the Goddess of Wisdom, Minerva, with her owls. She stands in front of a large bell. Two bell ringers stand on each side of Minerva. The monument is made of Milford pink granite. The bell was designed to chime every hour. The two bronze figures are seven feet tall. They are nicknamed Stuff and Guff. They look like they are ringing the bell with their mallets. But actually, the bell is rung by mallets hidden behind it. These figures and the clock were first part of the 1894 New York Herald Building. When the building was torn down in 1921, the figures were saved. They were put back in Herald Square in 1940

Ian's Cookie Jar (Located in Herald Square Holiday Market)…read moreW. 35th. St. & Broadway New York, NY 10001 The Bucket Located in the Herald Square Holiday Market adjacent to Macy's is a chocolate chip cookie kiosk. This secret recipe was handcrafted by food influencer Ian Martin and Hungry Gnome bakery owner Danielle Sepsy. All cookies are freshly baked on the spot in these cookie ovens. An entire batch is immediately scooped up with a french fry scooper and handed off for your enjoyment. The Bucket: The primary ingredients in these cookies are all butter, brown sugar, and premium Callebaut chocolate. As soon as you try your first one, you will be far from done. They are warm and crispy on the outside while gooey on the inside. As a bonus, the holiday themed visual design on the bucket was hand drawn by Ian's sister. There is a decent amount of seating at the holiday market for you to enjoy your dessert. Be sure to arrive early because Ian's cookies are immensely popular and they will sell out. Stop by Ian's Cookie Jar kiosk at the Herald Square holiday market and indulge in this warm, gooey treat during the most wonderful time of the year. #ianscookiejar #chefdaniellesepsy #IanMartin #thehungrygnome #TheBucket #chocolatechipcookies #HeraldSquare #heraldsquareholidaymarket #nycholidaymarket #imma_eat_this #callebautchocolate #40cookies

Photos
Herald Square - Christmas day at Macy's

Christmas day at Macy's

Herald Square - 05/02/25

05/02/25

Herald Square - Holiday carousel

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Holiday carousel

Roosevelt Island - parks - Updated October 2026

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