I grew up on a small island in the middle of New York City.

Sandwiched in between Queens and Manhattan, Roosevelt Island is two miles long and 800 foot wide.

As a kid in the 1980s there were only 6,000ish residents. Today, this hidden New York gem is home to nearly double that.

I can’t count how many New Yorkers I’ve spoken to who have never heard of Roosevelt Island. The most common response I hear is “people live there?” Other times, it’s confused with Randall’s Island and Riker’s Island.

At night, Roosevelt Island is especially beautiful and eerie. Unlike the rest of New York City, which never sleeps, the Island goes to bed pretty early and leaves its streets and courtyards empty.

 

Eastwood and Westview at Night Roosevelt Island
Eastwood and Westview at night

 

The Renwick "Smallpox" Hospital ruins on the southern tip of Roosevelt Island in New York City
The Renwick “Smallpox” Hospital ruins on the southern tip of Roosevelt Island in New York City

 

A covered walkway flanks all of Eastwood (aka Roosevelt Landings)
A covered walkway flanks all of Eastwood (aka Roosevelt Landings)

 

A man smoking a cigarette outside of the Eastwood apartment complex on Roosevelt Island
A man smoking a cigarette outside of the Eastwood apartment complex on Roosevelt Island

 

Reflections of the Westview apartment complex after a thunderstorm on Roosevelt Island
Reflections of the Westview apartment complex after a thunderstorm on Roosevelt Island

 

Gazing out at Manhattan from underneath the Queensboro Bridge on Roosevelt Island
Gazing out at Manhattan from underneath the Queensboro Bridge on Roosevelt Island

 

A view of Big Alice and the 510 Eastwood Courtyard
A view of Big Alice and the 510 Eastwood Courtyard

The 36th Avenue Bridge to Roosevelt Island

The 36th Avenue Bridge, aka the Welfare Island Bridge, is the only way for vehicles to get on and off Roosevelt Island. Years ago, cars also were able to ride down an elevator from the Queensboro Bridge to gain access.

 

A metal walkway runs alongside the 36th Avenue Bridge to Roosevelt Island
A metal walkway runs alongside the 36th Avenue Bridge to Roosevelt Island

 

The 36th Avenue Bridge to Roosevelt Island
The 36th Avenue Bridge to Roosevelt Island

A Visit Home to Roosevelt Island!

I’m really looking forward to going home next week before setting off on an open-ended ticket to India. My Mom still lives there, as do many of my childhood friends. It’s pretty much the best place ever!

For all the latest happenings on Roosevelt Island, check out our most popular blog.

And finally, check out the aerial cable car that I got to ride every day to get to and from elementary school.

The Queensboro Bridge as seen on a snowy Roosevelt Island evening
The Queensboro Bridge as seen on a snowy Roosevelt Island evening