Island Life in NYC

celiclu
Feb 26, 2019
2 min read

Roosevelt Island, the F line stops there and that was all I knew. Growing up in New York or any big city never gets boring. A friend shared once if you get on a train and just get off at a random stop it can be actually fun. As I get older, the more truth there is to that idea.

A bit cold but with the sun out made my Sunday a fun field day. With my go to 24-105mm lens I added a warm filter for fun. What is there exactly to do on the island? You should definitely try the Roosevelt Island Tram first and get the best view of the East River.

The tram opened in 1976 and it's a quick ride operating daily (not 24hrs) that takes your Metro swipe. It's the only thing like it in the city and I wasn't the only one taking pictures.

Roosevelt is two miles long. If you wear the right shoes you can easily walk the whole island. I understand if residents jog why they may like it. The view is amazing! It's between Manhattan and Queens. It's another perspective of Manhattan and it makes you fall in love all over again.

A few spots I recommend is the Octagon Tower, the Blackwell Island Lighthouse, Blackwell House, Four Freedoms Park, RIVVA Art Gallery, and the Smallpox Hospital Ruins. You can start at the Lighthouse and walk your way down.

The Blackwell Lighthouse was built in the late 1800's. It's not recognized as an official Coast Guard Lighthouse but at its time commissioned by the city to help navigate boats to the hospitals. Not too many lighthouses in New York City and being 50 feet tall with its gothic style is not worth missing.

The Octagon Tower is now a New York Landmark. In the early 1800's it was the administrative center for New York City's Lunatic Asylum and in the 1900's became the entrance to Metropolitan Hospital that was known for taking care of tuberculosis patients. The building alone is beautiful but with the quiet streets and tall trees you can't help but feel more calm.

The island was known first as Blackwell Island, named after a family that farmed the island for generations. New York City acquired the island after a foreclosure in the early 1800's and the island housed the first asylum in New York City. Renamed Welfare Island in 1921, it didn't get its name Roosevelt until 1973.

Nature in the city is not very abundant but I did manage to snap a bit more on the island. Less crowds call for more grass and trees! Get the fingers ready.

After walking through there is a Starbucks for a pit stop and a few good spots to eat. I stopped at Fuji East Japanese Bistro where they offer great lunch specials! You'll need a bite after a trip in New York City history.