Roosevelt Island: An Audio Tour by a Filmmaker

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.

From: $0.00

Location: New York City

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
Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

Community Discussion

Q&A

Q: Is there a recommended age for this tour? Can kids join?

A: This tour is generally family-friendly, but younger kids might not fully appreciate the history. I’d say it's best for ages 10 and up. Just keep in mind that some parts of the history might be a bit intense for younger audiences. If you have a curious teen, they’ll probably love it!

Q: Can you do this tour in bad weather? What should I wear?

A: It's a walking tour, so weather can definitely impact your experience. If it’s raining, definitely wear a waterproof jacket and bring an umbrella. There are some covered areas, but you’ll be outside most of the time. If the weather's really bad, you might want to reschedule for a sunnier day to enjoy the views!

Q: How long does the tour usually take? Can it be done in a few hours?

A: The tour length really depends on your pace, but most people take about 1.5 to 2 hours if you stop to enjoy the sights. Since it’s self-guided, you can take as long as you want! If you're on a time crunch, just focus on the highlights, and you can finish it up in under an hour.

Discussions

Considering the Roosevelt Island audio tour as a gift!

Hey everyone! I’m thinking about getting the Roosevelt Island audio tour for my history-loving friend. The idea of exploring a place with such a unique past is super appealing! The fact that it’s self-guided means they can go at their own pace, which is perfect. Anyone tried it? Would it make a good gift?

Has anyone done the Roosevelt Island audio tour? How was it?

I saw this Roosevelt Island audio tour and it sounds interesting! I love that it's led by a local filmmaker. I'm a bit nervous about the logistics though. Is it easy to get to the starting point? Also, how’s the view along the way? I don’t want to miss out on anything good!