Walking Route Roosevelt Island in New York

This walking route will introduce you to a completely different side of New York. Although Roosevelt Island is located right in the heart of the city, in the East River between Manhattan and Queens, it feels more like a village. Here, you can enjoy peace and quiet, stunning skyline views, and a surprisingly rich history. I will, of course, tell you all about it along the way. I mapped out and photographed this route myself, and I revisit it regularly to keep everything up to date. With my Eric’s New York app, you can start the Roosevelt Island walking tour whenever you like and at your own pace.

Download the app and buy your walking route for New York here

Highlights of the Roosevelt Island Route

Roosevelt Island is a narrow island about 2 miles (3.2 km) long, and that is precisely what makes it such a special place to explore. Wherever you walk on Roosevelt Island, you are always surrounded by water and stunning views.

As you stroll around the island, you’ll pass the remains of its rich history. Along the way, I’ll tell you the stories behind them, from the buildings that once stood here to what remains to be seen today.

At the southern tip, you’ll find the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park, a monument offering what is perhaps the finest view of the New York skyline.

And then there’s the end of the route, which for me is a real highlight: you can take the cable car, the Roosevelt Tram, back to Manhattan. In just a few minutes, you’ll cross the East River, enjoying a unique view of the city. I can’t think of a better way to round off this Roosevelt Island walk.

At each stop, I’ll tell you what there is to see and why that particular spot is well worth a visit. That way, you’ll discover a side of New York that most visitors never get to see.

Partly on foot, partly by bike

Roosevelt Island is bigger than it seems at first glance, which is why I recommend cycling part of the route. There are CitiBikes available on the island, and I’ll tell you exactly where to find one along the way and where to continue on foot.

It’s therefore best to download the CitiBike app in advance, so that you can set off straight away without having to sort everything out first. This way, you can combine the best of both worlds: the tranquillity of a walk and the convenience of a bike for longer stretches.

A Village in the Heart of the City

What makes Roosevelt Island so special is not only its tranquillity, but also its history. Precisely because it is an island, separate from the rest of the city, it was once used to keep people at a distance. Among other things, it was home to a hospital and institutions where the sick and prisoners were housed, far from the crowds of Manhattan. Traces of that era can still be seen on the island, and I’ll tell you the stories behind them as we go along.

These days, the island is primarily a peaceful place to live, just a stone’s throw from Manhattan. As soon as you arrive, the city’s hustle and bustle falls away: no traffic jams, no crowds, just wide footpaths along the water’s edge with skyline views. It’s the place to go if you’ve had enough of Manhattan but don’t want to travel far.

Practical Information

• Starting point: Roosevelt Island subway station
• Distance: 7 kilometres (4.3 miles)
• Duration: approximately 2 hours
• Price: from £2 as part of a package
• Best time: start the day with this walk

Pairs well with:
With the package, you can explore every part of New York at your own pace. If you take the cable car back to Manhattan, you’ll be not far from the starting point of the Central Park route. It’s a lovely way to continue your day in the city’s largest park after enjoying the tranquillity of the island.

How does the walking route work in the app?

For this walk, all you need is my Eric’s New York App. The route works offline, so even without a signal, you’ll know exactly where you’re going. It’ll be all set up in a few minutes:

1. Download the free Eric’s New York App from the App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Tap the ‘Routes’ icon at the bottom, or the menu button in the top right-hand corner of the home screen.
3. Select the Roosevelt Island walking route.
4. Tap ‘Buy route’ and complete the payment.
5. You’ll now see the full route in the app, with all the points you’ll pass. At each point, you’ll find my stories, tips and photos.
6. On the map, click on the green figure to view the route and your own location. That way, you won’t get lost along the way.

If you buy the route before you set off, you can take your time at home to have a look at what you’ll be seeing along the way. Once in New York, you can then simply follow the map.

If you’re on your mobile, you can open this link directly to the walking routes in the app

Tip: Budget-friendly walking routes through New York

Are you planning to walk more than one walking route during your city break? If so, go for the package in the app. It allows you to buy several routes in one go, which works out cheaper than buying them individually. That way, you can discover the most beautiful parts of New York on foot in just a few days.

View all walking routes and packages in the app