New York City: Roosevelt Island Walking Tour with Tram Ride.

Explore the eclectic "New Town" Roosevelt Island residential community in the East River and its fascinating history for a 2.5 to 3 hour walking tour.

Tour Highlights

• Take the Roosevelt Island Tram over the East River from Manhattan's East Side. 
• Learn about the history of this planned mixed income residential community. 
• Learn about Cornell Technion's history and computer engineering degree programs. 
• View President Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedom's State Park and memorial sculpture that was constructed to honor FDR's legacy and vision to expand human rights. 

Full tour description

• Enjoy amazing views of the East River, The Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge and Roosevelt Island from the Roosevelt Island Tram, the first commuter Tram in the United States.

• Learn about the history of Roosevelt Island and its original purpose to incarcerate the city's non-violent criminals at Blackwell's Penitentiary and to isolate Smallpox patients at the Smallpox Hospital.

• Learn about the treatment of patients quarantined in the Smallpox Hospital from 1856-75. Learn about the Blackwell's Penitentiary administrators' neglect of the health and safety of prison inmates.

• Learn about President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's 1941 Four Freedom's Speech, view FDR's impressive facial sculpture. View the Four Freedoms State Park that offers panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline.

• View Cornell Technion Institute's innovative flood resistant and energy conservation architecture and learn about its mission to help develop high-tech start-up companies. 

• Blackwell House – View the restored Blackwell family's colonial era farmhouse. 

• Learn about the planning and development of the “New Town” community (1969-1973) that consists of low-moderate income housing and luxury rental and condominium apartments, where the Roosevelt Island's residents live side-by-side.

• The Octagon Condominium Apartments - The original location of the New York City Lunatic Asylum. Learn about investigative journalist Nellie Bly's expose of the systemic mistreatment of female patients by the Asylum's staff during the late 19th Century. 

• The Girl Puzzle - The Nellie Bly Memorial Sculptures (2021). View five sculptures of women's faces that resemble pieces in a puzzle in honor of Nellie Bly's accomplishments in advancing the rights of women prior to women acquiring the right to vote in 1920 and her advocacy for the Lunatic Asylum's female patients' rights. 

• The Lighthouse – View the stone 49' stone Lighthouse. A New York City and National Landmark that was built for East River ship navigation in 1872. 

• Hear the Tour Guide, a Roosevelt Island resident, share his observations and experiences on the Island with tour participants.

• The tour concludes at the The Lighthouse. 

Before You Go
 

• Views of scenic points interest of Manhattan's East Side, the East River, the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge and Roosevelt Island from the Tram may be limited due to the high volume of passengers during weekday commuter rush hours and week-end Visitors to Roosevelt Island. 

Included

• Licensed New York City Tour Guide.
• Small Group tour.

Not included

• Food and drinks.
• Cost of Tram ride to Roosevelt Island.
• Gratuities.

Not suitable for

• Children under 13 years (not admitted to the tour)
• People with mobility impairments

Important information
 

• Wear comfortable shoes
• Umbrella

Other relevant information

• Public bathrooms are available on Roosevelt Island.
• The tour will provide a coffee/refreshment stop during the tour.

Tour Cancellations

Please provide at least 24 hours prior notice to cancel your tour booking.