This Hidden Island is New York’s BEST Kept Secret!

Let's explore Roosevelt Island, a hidden gem known to few outside of NYC with a long-time resident.

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"More About Here Be Barr"
I'm Jon Barr, an ex-sportscaster turned travel vlogger. If you're looking for waste no-time ,incredibly informative videos loaded with useful travel tips, you've come to the right place! My vlogs are made for the savvy traveler. Subscribe to learn all of my travel tips, tricks, and secrets that have helped me visit 33 countries. Based out of NYC but always on the go.

[Ray__E]

We visited NYC last year for the first time. My wife's friend suggested we visit Roosevelt Island during our trip. We took the tramway and fell in love with the place. Our kids really enjoyed walking around and seeing another side of NY. You got some peace from the city without feeling like you weren't still a part of the city if that makes sense. You can also get some stunning photos of the Queensboro bridge.

[kittenmasaki]

I live in Astoria and have a direct bus link to RI. I go there often to relax and get away from things. It's truly a very peaceful place amongst all the hustle.

[Snowmanse]

I heard from someone who lived there that it was terrible because all the businesses had no competition, since no one wanted to inconvenience themselves by leaving the island, so it didn't matter how bad a store or restaurant was, they all went there anyway.

[Thepoetjewel]

Your guest Miro was so lovely!! Thanks for that information about all points of Rosevelt Island.

[MrRezRising]

Hi.
My family was one of the original families to move to Roosevelt Island in 1976. My mother still lives there.

Gotta add a few thoughts.

The tram's apex is about 250 feet.

Once upon a time, dogs weren't allowed on the island. Neither was roller skating.

Yes, one kid fell from the top of the smallpox hospital, JR. He walks with a cane these days.
We all used to climb all over the Ruins. As a small boy under ten, it was a major perk.
Fun Fact: Those ruins are also the site of the most difficult mission in Grand Theft Auto IV.
Tip? Use a speedboat to escape.😅

Those big wooden steps where you ate lunch are called the Med Steps, or Meditation Steps. Major hang out for teens after dark.

Main Street was the original thoroughfare in the 70s and 80s, before Southtown was built and Cornell leasing their site by the Queensboro Bridge.

The Octagon. Man, what a difference today! It used to be pure wilderness around that building, and it was boarded up and completely falling apart back in the 70s.
Of course we broke in and played there all the time!

Inside of the Lighthouse was a rotted out staircase back then. Totally dangerous and fun.

I would only add to your ruminations on the view, the skyline looks totally different from Roosevelt Island than from anywhere else.
New Jersey, Queens and Brooklyn are at minimun a mile away.
On the island, you're half that distance, and the buildings and Queensboro Bridge tower over you!
As a kid, I'd look across the water, seeing and hearing the most fascinating city just a few thousand feet away, beckoning me for years. My home was all over tv and movies, and everything I read about Manhattan was _right there_ . Waiting.

I'm fifty-three now and NYC still blows my mind.
Roosevelt Island was a great little town to grow up in, almost like a village. It's come a long way.

Great video! Every shot was a walk down memory lane.

Like we always used to say on the Island....

"No roller skating!!"

Cheers.

[travelinggirl]

Having never been to Roosevelt Island and knowing I never will get there, this was a very enjoyable armchair tour. I have the book that you mentioned and it was nice to see where it took place. I think what really stood out at me was when the guest said, "It looks better from the outside than it is on the inside." I love the atmosphere of Roosevelt Island!

[jess.e]

In the late Seventies, I worked at Goldwater Memorial Hospital on Roosevelt Island. I was one of the first to ride the tramway when it opened. The free bus for residents and employees was already available then. One unforgettable experience was when the tramway stopped in the middle of the river for a few minutes on a windy day and the car was swinging back and forth. The island I knew was so different from what you showed in the video. I have to visit it one of these days. I am surprised that it is still a bargain to ride the tramway.

[SLJ]

Visited in May 2018 from London and loved using the cable car (as we called it). Intrigued by ruins and the peace and quiet. Got a bonus free pre-season ferry to Governors Island that trip and nearly had that to ourselves as well.

[thedelaminator]

I went across to Roosevelt Island towards the end of my 5 day trip to New York. It was an amazing experience and provided such a peaceful contrast to the high speed noisy action of Manhattan.

[AverytheCubanAmerican]

So here's the reason why the Roosevelt Island Tramway exists: Before the aerial tramway, there used to be a streetcar line that ran on the Queensboro Bridge stopped in the middle of the bridge at an elevator that took passengers down to the island. Today, the elevator storehouse is now a visitor kiosk next to the tramway station. After the NY state government leased the island from the city in 1969, they opted to build large housing developments and transform it into a transit-oriented community. A new subway station would be built to serve as the centerpiece. However, the Roosevelt Island station that was proposed was delayed. So the temporary solution was to build an aerial tramway! The tramway would open in 1975.

The subway station ended up opening in 1989, however it was decided to keep the tramway open! The tramway was the last to stop using tokens, as it still accepted tokens until March 2004 while the subway stopped doing so in 2003! During the 2005 New York City transit strike, the tramway was one of the few public transportation modes in New York City that continued to operate, transporting three times its typical passenger count! Following two major breakdowns in the mid-2000s, the tramway was rebuilt from March to November 2010.

[CavemanSynthesizer]

I love going to Roosevelt Island. There isn't a ton to do there. An art gallery, a library and some small markets and restaurants, but it is nice to wander the pathways and visit the little parks - the whole Island is basically a park - and then take the gondola back into the city.

[suefitz]

How fantastic is Roosevelt Island….i had no idea. It’s like an oasis in the middle of all the hustle and bustle. Next time I’m in NYC, it’s a must visit. I always love your co hosts, so passionate about their home areas. Love it ❤❤

[CookingwithYarda]

I am glad to see you drinking the best lager in the world !! A Czech one !!!

[tenbroeck]

I want to go there now! I am descended from early NYC people, really back to New Netherlands, or New Amsterdam, so I love exploring almost anything New York related.

[fahimmahtab]

Roosevelt Island was my weekend gateway, was easy to travel by the F train. Hope they open it quickly

[rnbnart]

Born and raised in Queens NY. Lived in NYC for 35 years before I moved and I never thought to go there. Thanks for the virtual tour.

[pacheaco]

Recently took our first family trip to NYC from California and already planning our next trip. Definitely need to add the island to our next trip.

[sugarpuddin]

Roosevelt island was my favorite place to live in NYC. So beautiful and peaceful.

Grandpa from the Munsters would be outside there in front of the diner messing with people.

I truly miss it!

[toddcunningham]

We were in NYC 10 or so years ago, and we always wanted to go to Roosevelt Island. Whenever we talked to people in Manhattan or Queens, they would always say, "Why would you want to go there? There's nothing there."

We went anyways. Now, we make it a point to visit everytime we go there.

[cialex]

I am so blessed to have discovered this island in 2019 and every visit to New York I make the air tram there at least once. It's a gem. In June absolutely beautiful. Cannot imagine what it is like in fall. Have yet to see it in a fall month.