Roosevelt island tram

How to escape the island without a boat.

Every couple of minutes the small cars swing out from the upper deck on 60th Street, 27 floors above the East River, and carry riders across the water in a quiet hum of steel.

This isn’t a gondola or a ferry; it’s often counted among the city’s quieter parks, though the ride itself lasts only three minutes and costs the same as a bus ticket. At the end of the line you step into Roosevelt Island’s narrow green spine, where benches face the skyline and the only sound is the wind off the water.

Need to plan the return trip? Call ahead to double-check for any changes. You’ll find the map and current details on the city’s transit page.