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Roosevelt Island: An Audio Tour by a Filmmaker

1 Review 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 1 reviews collected by Cool New York City and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | New York City, USA
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 12 (2.67) days in advance.

45 to 60 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

On this self-guided tour, you'll trace the history of this 'island of the unwanted' to a thriving community today. Experience the magic of GPS playback on this immersive stroll through Roosevelt Island.

Discover the fascinating history of Roosevelt Island, from a sliver of farmland off of Manhattan to the home of New York City’s unwanted: prisoners, the mentally ill, and those with contagious diseases. On this walking tour, I’ll show you the island’s southern end where I’ll unpack some of its complicated 400-year-long history.

Having grown up on Roosevelt Island, I love sharing the amazing history of this place and how it was transformed from the island of the unwanted into a thriving community. While you walk, you’ll see what’s left of its uncomfortable past and find out how hospitals and penitentiaries were replaced with the fabulous Southpoint Park, Cornell Tech facilities and Franklin D Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park.

What's Included

  • Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
  • The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Smartphone and headphones (please bring your own)
  • Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
  • Transportation
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

West Main Street
New York, NY 10044, USA

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

P2XQ+WF
New York, NY 10044, USA

The tour ends at Franklin Delano Roosevelt Statue.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Roosevelt Island (pass by)

Gain a deeper understanding of Roosevelt Island's transformation from farmland to an area designated for the city’s unwanted populations, including prisoners and the mentally ill.
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Roosevelt Island Tramway - Island station (pass by)

Visit the tramway’s island station and learn about its significance in connecting the island to Manhattan and facilitating its development.
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Strecker Memorial Laboratory / CBG 603 (pass by)

Pass by Strecker Memorial Laboratory, once a cutting-edge medical research facility and now a symbol of the island’s medical history.
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Smallpox Memorial Hospital (pass by)

Walk among the ruins of the Smallpox Memorial Hospital, the only ruin in the city listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and hear about its role in treating contagious diseases.
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Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park (pass by)

Stroll through the expansive Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park, dedicated to FDR's famous Four Freedoms speech, and take in the magnificent bronze sculpture of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
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Southpoint Park (pass by)

Enjoy the scenic beauty of Southpoint Park, which represents the island's renewal and transformation into a community-friendly area with green spaces.
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Roosevelt Island Visitor Center Kiosk (pass by)

Stop by the Roosevelt Island Visitor Center Kiosk for more information about the island’s history, current attractions, and future developments.
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FDR Hope Memorial (pass by)

End your tour at the FDR Hope Memorial, celebrating Franklin D. Roosevelt’s legacy and his message of hope and perseverance.
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Show 7 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Roosevelt Island: An Audio Tour by a Filmmaker?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-110804P754

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.00
1 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 1 traveler reviews collected by Cool New York City and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
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4 stars
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3 stars
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1 star
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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 12 (2.67) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
  • The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
  • Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
  • Smartphone and headphones (please bring your own)
  • Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
  • Transportation
  • Food and drinks

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Report Product Issue

Activity name