Not necessarily a tourist attraction, but the views make it one. For the mere cost of a subway or bus ride, you can enjoy a scenic view of the east side of Manhattan and East River.
At the busy foot of the Queensborough Bridge, you can find the tram station. On the NYC grid, it can be found at 2nd Ave and 60th Street. The quick trip, which runs parallel to the bridge, takes only a few minutes. Your travel mates will range from tourists to locals who use it as a regular mode of transit. When going to Roosevelt Island you are actually traveling intra-borough, as it is still part of Manhattan.
Once on the island, you can either turn around immediately and take the next tram back or explore this relatively unknown gem. I would recommend exploring the Franklin Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park at the southern tip of the island. The easy walk is slightly less than a mile from the tram and offers great views of Manhattan and Queens.
As you near the park, you can view ruins of a smallpox hospital which operated from the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. It is fenced off and the outer walls are held up by supports. The park at the far end is logically dedicated to the life and memory of FDR. Enjoy the park and the view that few tourists nor locals ever experience.
Here is a You tube video of my trip on the tram. https://youtu.be/PUFSDJ5rLVw
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