Alright guys, buckle up cause I’m spilling all the deets on my Roosevelt Island trip last Tuesday. Woke up stupid early, threw on my walking shoes, and hopped on the F train to catch the tram at 59th and Lex. That cable car ride? Absolute must-do – felt like floating over the East River with Manhattan shrinking below. Pro tip: stand on the right side for jaw-dropping UN building views.
First Stop: The Big Park That Blew My Mind
Straight off the tram, I bee-lined for Four Freedoms Park. That marble walkway cutting toward FDR’s stone head? Goosebumps material. Sat on the granite steps watching tugboats push barges while eating a mediocre bagel (pack snacks folks – island food options suck). Spent a solid hour just staring at midtown skyscrapers across the water.
Creepy Ruins & Chill Greens
Wandered south past Cornell Tech’s fancy glass buildings – students looked stressed, glad I graduated – to the Smallpox Hospital ruins. Total gothic vibes with those crumbling stone walls covered in ivy. Took about fifty pics before realizing my camera lens had fingerprint smudges. Ugh. Further down, Southpoint Park saved me with sunny benches overlooking Queensboro Bridge. Watched three dudes fail at flying a dragon kite.
Midday Realization:
- Comfy shoes aren’t optional – my step counter hit 12K before lunch
- Water fountains are scarce near the parks
- Random wild bunnies hang out by the river path??
Lighthouse Quest Disaster
Got cocky and tried finding the Blackwell Lighthouse without Google Maps. Ended up in a dead-end residential courtyard where some lady yelled at me for touching her rosebush. Finally found the dang thing – cute red tower but the door was locked. At least the pebble beach nearby had smooth skipping stones.
The Island’s Hidden Sandwich Gem
Nearly ate my own arm starving until I stumbled upon this deli under the bridge. Grabbed an overpriced pastrami on rye that miraculously slapped. Sat on a rusty bench watching four tourists argue about tram tickets. Peak entertainment.
Golden Hour Glory
Powered through to sunset at Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial. That angled granite wall turned pink in the light with Manhattan glittering behind it. Perfection. Almost cried when my phone died mid-pano shot. Moral: carry a power bank or live with regret.
Survival Takeaways:
- Tram closes at 2am but feels sketchy walking alone after dark
- Public restrooms exist near the tennis courts (small victory)
- Bring twice the water you think you’ll need
Got the last tram back smelling like river water and exhaustion. Worth every blister. That island’s like Manhattan’s quiet cousin who doesn’t yell in your face. Go on a weekday though – Saturday crowds apparently turn the tram into a sardine tin.
