ROOSEVELT ISLAND

Description

Essentials about Roosevelt Island in brief

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of New York City, but still don’t want to lose sight of the city, you don’t have to go far. Because in the East River between the boroughs of Manhattan and Queens lies Roosevelt Island, which is almost three kilometers long and 60 hectares in size, a true refuge of tranquility. A stroll across Roosevelt Island is absolutely worthwhile, especially because of the excellent view of the Manhattan skyline opposite.

The history of Roosevelt Island

Due to its relatively isolated location, the island originally housed penal and hospital institutions as well as psychiatric clinics. In 1968, then-New York City Mayor John Lindsay initiated the idea of tearing down the unused and decaying buildings and transforming the island into nearly car-free housing. By the mid-1970s, a series of apartment buildings had been constructed on Roosevelt Island, which were to be connected to the rest of the city by subway. When subway construction was massively delayed, a cable car (the Roosevelt Island Tramway) was built in 1976 as a temporary solution and remained the main link until the subway was completed in 1989. Since New Yorkers took the Roosevelt Island Tramway to their hearts over time, the cable car continued to operate even after the subway went into service.

The cable car to Roosevelt Island

So if you want to visit Roosevelt Island, you should definitely take the cable car, because the ride is always more exciting than a normal underground subway ride. From a height of up to 80 meters you can enjoy a great view over the East River to Manhattan. After a five-minute ride, you reach Roosevelt Island.

The view from Roosevelt Island

Most people visit Roosevelt Island for the fantastic view of the Manhattan skyline. Walking along the banks of the East River, you can see almost all of Manhattan’s famous skyscrapers, from the Chrysler Building to the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center. If you walk or bike the entire island, you’ll find a lighthouse built in 1872 at the northern tip and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park at the southern tip, built in honor of the 32nd president of the United States.