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Roosevelt Island

4.2 (165 reviews)

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.]

in front of the subway F

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Roosevelt Island Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Roosevelt Island

From end to end...what's an estimate of how long it takes to walk the island (at a leisurely pace)?

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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(414 reviews)
3.2 kmFlatiron

Bryant what? Central who? Washington Square, why when you can go to Madison Square Park. I keed…read moreabout the other parks. I actually love all of them for different reasons. But Madison Square will always be my favorite. It's kept fairly clean and is a nice size. Mostly for the working professionals and students in the area, it's an awesome spot to eat lunch, with a great food selection in Flat Iron. It's home to the OG Shake Shack, which stands there til this day. There is also an awesome dog park there. This park is great at all times of the year, so don't hesitate to go now.

The most notable thing about Madison Square Park (at least for me) is that it's the location of the…read moreoriginal Shake Shack. Besides that, I never paid much mind to the park, especially in light of the fact that it's not in my stomping grounds. Nevertheless, I had just finished brunching nearby and since it was such a gorgeous day out, I decided to take a walk through the park and check it out. MSP is not large - the center of it is a large green space with paths on the perimeter that contain walking paths and benches. In addition to the Shake Shack, there's also a small seating area nearby where you can sit and eat, or just hang out. The park is ideal of people watching, eating your lunch, or just walking around a space that contrasts the hustle and bustle of the surrounding areas. Because of the weather, it was a little crowded but still pleasant. Overall, MSP is fine - it's not worth coming to unless you're in the area IMO, but a pleasant spot nonetheless.

Photos
Madison Square Park - Sunny June day

Sunny June day

Madison Square Park - Shake Shack seating

Shake Shack seating

Madison Square Park - Sunny Fall 2024 day

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Sunny Fall 2024 day

St. Vartan Park - Stunning high rise right across the park.

St. Vartan Park

4.1(22 reviews)
2.1 kmMurray Hill, Midtown East

Nice big park great for different age groups! Entrance on 1st ave for big playground and bathroom…read more Plenty of benches and equipment to play on. There is also a basketball quart and small field. Pretty clean and safe.

Slowly trying to hoop at all the basketball courts in the city, so I came here after work before a…read morelong weekend. We were on our 4th game of 5 on 5 on this slanted, slippery court with double rims as the Midtown skyline looked over us. We had gone 3-0 and already on wobbly legs but wanted one more to really push ourselves to exhaustion and be WHOOPED. A group of 5 17 year olds showed up and I was lowkey like damn I don't wanna play these little kids for our last game but whatever, they got next. We were going back and forth, and to be fair they were actually pretty good but just too frail to give us any problems. At 5'10 174 lbs, I'm a BIG guard. I'm left handed, but shot a right handed floater fading to my right as I'm trying to get better. If you can hit a weak hand floater on the run you will be tough to stop. I bricked it and this little 17 year old kid goes "that's a TERRIBLE shot" looking at me dead in the eyes. Like bro y'all are losing and you suck why you talking? He woke me up and I started actually trying really hard and lowkey busting their ass... but tbh normally I'm not even that good. It was just one of those days where everything was falling. I hit a 3 and yelled out "THAT'S A LAYUP." I drove hard left, euro stepped and hit a tough finish through 2 and yelled "I"M TOO BIG," while flexing. I switched onto little homie and he took a terrible stepback shot after I turned him 3 times and bricked it. I just whispered to him "I don't even gotta say nothing after that one it speaks for itself" which really pissed him off. Then I hit the game winning 3 and did the Dame wave to him as he walked off the court PISSED as hell. I sat down and then he got the courage to say "STOP TALKING SO MUCH" while he put his hand together to mimic me YAPPING. I almost stood up and said "HOW BOUT U GET WIN?" But then I realized I'm a grown ass man and there is absolutely no reason to be jawing at this little kid on a beautiful Friday in New York City. I just kind of laughed at myself and asked what is wrong with me lol. All in all, these runs were kind of weak and this court is in horrendous condition. The court on the westside highway is still my favorite in the city. IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov_reviews

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St. Vartan Park
St. Vartan Park - Park entrance

Park entrance

St. Vartan Park - Summer colors in 2025

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Summer colors in 2025

Herald Square - Da bar

Herald Square

3.4(93 reviews)
2.9 kmMidtown West

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

I really enjoy coming to this area of the city. So much to do and see, lots of shopping and food…read moreoptions. Madison square garden is also nearby. The historical Macy's Herald sq is here. It's beautiful in this area esp during the holidays. However, expect heavy crowds on weekends or after events like concerts

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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 May 2026

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