In our summer series New York Offshore, we take a closer look at the islands scattered across New York City’s waterways. Each one carries its own history, landscape, and role in the life of the city, from lively public spaces to quiet, restricted land surrounded by water. This week we explore Roosevelt Island.

Roosevelt Island stretches for about two miles through the East River between Manhattan and Queens, sitting in plain sight yet often overlooked by those passing above it. Over the centuries, it has carried several identities, from a site of hospitals and institutions to a modern residential community with its own distinct pace of life.

In the 1800s and early 1900s, the island was primarily used for public institutions, including hospitals and care facilities. Among the most well-known remnants of that era are the ruins of the smallpox hospital, designed by James Renwick Jr., which still stand today as a preserved landmark at the island’s southern end.

Everything began to change in the 1970s, when the island was redeveloped into a planned residential community. In 1973, the island was renamed in honor of President Franklin D Roosevelt. New apartment buildings, schools, parks, and shops were added, transforming the once-isolated island into a quiet neighborhood in the heart of New York City.

One of Roosevelt Island’s best-known attractions is the Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects it directly to Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The aerial ride offers sweeping views of the East River and skyline, making it a unique experience within New York City’s transit system.

Today, Roosevelt Island offers a slower pace than the neighborhoods surrounding it. Visitors can enjoy waterfront walks, green spaces, and striking views in every direction, making it a unique corner of New York City where history and everyday life come together just minutes from Midtown Manhattan.

photos: Mariusz Lopusiewicz/Shutterstock, quiggyt4 / Shutterstock, Here Now / Shutterstock, Dogora Sun / Shutterstock