One of the things that I love to write about here on the blog is suggesting not obvious places to go in the city. Manhattan, for example, is not the only island that you should explore – as a tourist or as a resident. Today, I list three small islands that are part of the city and can be very interesting places to visit and see breathtaking views.
Roosevelt Island is a residential island that is located on the east side of Manhattan, near Queens. Despite the fact that F line subway has a station there, the best part of visiting this island it to get a ride at the Tramway, which makes the path from Manhattan to the island. The view is beautiful and the ride is super fast. Once on the island, you can walk towards the south and enjoy the beautiful view of Manhattan while passing by the ruins of the Smallpox Hospital and makes a tour of the FDR Park. Go to the end and enjoy the scenery that will take your breath away (but remember that this park is closed on Tuesdays!). There is a bus that runs the island – which is free!
How to get there: Aerial Tram – 59th Street & Second Avenue (Metrocard). Check my post about the place!
Governors Island opens only during a season (between May and October). It is located in the southern part of Manhattan and has an amazing area for picnics and sports. The view is privileged: you can see Manhattan’s skyline and even the Statue of Liberty. Also, there are restrooms, food trucks and bike rentals. Undoubtedly, a great place to spend a summer afternoon! There are always special events there as well. Governors Island used to be a military base and now is a city’s oasis.
How to get there: the access to the island is made by a ferry every day during the season and the ticket (round trip) costs only $3! The place from where the ferry leaves – and where you buy the ticket – is next to the Staten Island Ferry. The first boat leaves around 10 am.
Last weekend, I wanted to record some videos to my YouTube channel, and as we like to record outside, Thiago suggested Randall’s Island as a location for this time. I already knew the place, but as the day was beautiful, I took some photos for this post. I believe many of you may have never heard of this island. It is located in the north of Manhattan, between Harlem and Astoria. It’s also where Governor’s Ball, famous music festival, takes place every summer. It is one of the city’s main recreation hubs! The Island’s 480 acres once comprised two separate islands, Randall’s and Wards, which for hundreds of years were used not as a public park but as a location for a range of public facilities including a boys’ home, a hospital, and a home for civil war veterans. Manhattan Psychiatric Center is still there. Randall’s Island features Icahn Stadium, an IAAF-certified track & field facility, which was followed by a renovated golf center, nine acres of restored wetlands, a 20-court tennis center, more than 60 playing fields and miles of waterfront bike and pedestrian pathways. The park has hosted major events including Lollapalooza, the Vans Warped Tour, Cirque du Soleil, Panorama, Governors Ball, and the Electric Zoo; since 2012, the Island is home to the first North American installation of the international Frieze Art Fair. There are also facilities like barbecuing areas, baseball fields, Baseball, bicycling and greenways, cricket fields, dog-friendly areas, football fields, kayak/canoe launch sites, running tracks, soccer fields.
How to get there: Take the 6 train to 103rd Street and walk east along 102nd Street to FDR Drive. Then, walk one block north directly onto the crossover leading into the Footbridge. Check my post about Randall’s Island.
Content creator and journalist in New York City. Here, I share lifestyle, beauty, NYC tips, thoughts, and the struggles about living in the most amazing city in the world! I’m not gonna pretend to be another person: I’m a Brazilian immigrant and I think this is my soul, it is part of who I am. I hope you enjoy my content! Follow me on Instagram!
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