Roosevelt Island - LocalApple

SwimCoach · 04-14-2006, 04:31 PM

Roosevelt Island is open to the public? The subway station is local right? How long does it take to walk to the very bottom of the island from the subway stop, is the Tram a better way to get there instead of the subway?

CityGuy · 04-14-2006, 04:33 PM

Roosevelt is very much open to the public, it is simply another part of Manhattan.

The subway stop is literally a few steps from the tram stop as the tram crosses the river at the equivalent of 60th street while the subway crosses at the equivalent of 63rd street.

The island is easily walkable although there is a bus that goes the length of the island for some insanely low price.

SwimCoach · 04-14-2006, 04:34 PM

Is the walk on the west side of the island from the Subway, or Tram, good? How long would it take for a fast walker?

CityGuy · 04-14-2006, 04:36 PM

The walk is especially beautiful in the spring, when the trees are flowering. I have taken the subway from Chelsea, had time for 'the walk', and returned by the tram, being able to use my transfer time on Metrocard. For a first time I would say give yourself an afternoon. Go ahead and walk on the Queens side too (it's good for you ). It's an interesting acivity to do with a companion. The restaurants there are pretty bad but you can go to a convenience store in the center of the island for a refreshment. There is a nice park at the Northern tip where you can lay on the grass.

CityGuy · 04-14-2006, 04:37 PM

Getting there is over half the fun --if you take the tramway. Truly a thrill ride, it parallels the 59th Street Bridge, and the views are spectacular in every direction.

Once you get there, you'll find a slightly better-than-average housing project. At least it has a Main Street of sorts, even if it's dull and a bit dingy. The views from the island's perimeter path are great towards Manhattan and good towards Queens.

There's a neo-Gothic chapel and an incongruous Colonial farmhouse, both restored.

Roosevelt Island was master planned by Philip Johnson, and the better housing was designed by Jose Luis Sert.

SwimCoach · 04-14-2006, 04:39 PM

Should I go there by the cable car and use a token?

I believe its still the only public transport in NYC that takes tokens, invented for convenience and uniformity of tariff some time ago but long since abandoned for simple change.

CityGuy · 04-14-2006, 04:41 PM

Tokens are no longer accepted on the Roosevelt Island tram.

The Tram now uses the simple, universal Metrocard fare system that is accepted by City buses and subways.

Buses take simple pocket change, but subways do not and neither does the tram.

Click here for Metrocard info

04-14-2006, 04:31 PM	#1
SwimCoach Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 284	Roosevelt Island Roosevelt Island is open to the public? The subway station is local right? How long does it take to walk to the very bottom of the island from the subway stop, is the Tram a better way to get there instead of the subway?

04-14-2006, 04:33 PM	#2
CityGuy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Manhatten Posts: 1,327	Re: Roosevelt Island Roosevelt is very much open to the public, it is simply another part of Manhattan. The subway stop is literally a few steps from the tram stop as the tram crosses the river at the equivalent of 60th street while the subway crosses at the equivalent of 63rd street. The island is easily walkable although there is a bus that goes the length of the island for some insanely low price.

04-14-2006, 04:34 PM	#3
SwimCoach Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 284	Re: Roosevelt Island Is the walk on the west side of the island from the Subway, or Tram, good? How long would it take for a fast walker?

04-14-2006, 04:36 PM	#4
CityGuy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Manhatten Posts: 1,327	Re: Roosevelt Island The walk is especially beautiful in the spring, when the trees are flowering. I have taken the subway from Chelsea, had time for 'the walk', and returned by the tram, being able to use my transfer time on Metrocard. For a first time I would say give yourself an afternoon. Go ahead and walk on the Queens side too (it's good for you ). It's an interesting acivity to do with a companion. The restaurants there are pretty bad but you can go to a convenience store in the center of the island for a refreshment. There is a nice park at the Northern tip where you can lay on the grass.

04-14-2006, 04:37 PM	#5
CityGuy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Manhatten Posts: 1,327	Re: Roosevelt Island Getting there is over half the fun --if you take the tramway. Truly a thrill ride, it parallels the 59th Street Bridge, and the views are spectacular in every direction. Once you get there, you'll find a slightly better-than-average housing project. At least it has a Main Street of sorts, even if it's dull and a bit dingy. The views from the island's perimeter path are great towards Manhattan and good towards Queens. There's a neo-Gothic chapel and an incongruous Colonial farmhouse, both restored. Roosevelt Island was master planned by Philip Johnson, and the better housing was designed by Jose Luis Sert.

04-14-2006, 04:39 PM	#6
SwimCoach Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 284	Re: Roosevelt Island Should I go there by the cable car and use a token? I believe its still the only public transport in NYC that takes tokens, invented for convenience and uniformity of tariff some time ago but long since abandoned for simple change.

04-14-2006, 04:41 PM	#7
CityGuy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Manhatten Posts: 1,327	Re: Roosevelt Island Tokens are no longer accepted on the Roosevelt Island tram. The Tram now uses the simple, universal Metrocard fare system that is accepted by City buses and subways. Buses take simple pocket change, but subways do not and neither does the tram. Click here for Metrocard info Last edited by CityGuy : 04-14-2006 at 04:47 PM.

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