Roosevelt Island: An Audio Tour by a Filmmaker
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
- 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
Meeting Location
West Main Street
New York, NY 10044, USA
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
P2XQ+WF
New York, NY 10044, USA
The tour ends at Franklin Delano Roosevelt Statue.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Roosevelt Island (pass by)
Roosevelt Island Tramway - Island station (pass by)
Strecker Memorial Laboratory / CBG 603 (pass by)
Smallpox Memorial Hospital (pass by)
Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park (pass by)
Southpoint Park (pass by)
Roosevelt Island Visitor Center Kiosk (pass by)
FDR Hope Memorial (pass by)
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?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-110804P754
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 1 traveler reviews collected by Cool NYC and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
Similar Tours & Activities
Experience the timeless charm of Central Park with our enchanting horse carriage tour! Step into a world of tranquility as you glide through iconic landmarks,...
$125
Explore the contemporary art galleries in Tribeca, Manhattan's vibrant new gallery district on this 2-hour, small-group walking tour. Discover the city's fastest-growing gallery neighborhood with...
$49
We are New York City's only gallery totally dedicated to holography. Our building has a history and story of its own. We have an autograph...
$50
From rural outpost to what is now one of northern Manhattan's most desirable neighborhoods, Hamilton Heights is named after Alexander Hamilton, one of America's founding...
$30
Experience the timeless charm of Central Park with our enchanting horse carriage tour! Step into a world of tranquility as you glide through iconic landmarks,...
$125
Explore the contemporary art galleries in Tribeca, Manhattan's vibrant new gallery district on this 2-hour, small-group walking tour. Discover the city's fastest-growing gallery neighborhood with...
$49
We are New York City's only gallery totally dedicated to holography. Our building has a history and story of its own. We have an autograph...
$50
From rural outpost to what is now one of northern Manhattan's most desirable neighborhoods, Hamilton Heights is named after Alexander Hamilton, one of America's founding...
$30
Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
New York Catacombs by Candlelight
Enjoy this fascinating 90 minute group tour that introduces you to all of the secrets of the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral. Enter off...
$38
New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour (includes bus, walking tour and ferry ride!)
Experience the best of New York City with a knowledgeable, licensed tour guide by your side. Our guides will make your journey unforgettable as they...
$99
Taste your way through global ice cream flavors, explore immersive installations, ride NYC’s longest indoor slide, dive into the iconic Sprinkle Pool, and create sweet...
$49
The first, the original, the iconic Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises. Visitors’ #1 choice for sightseeing cruises in New York. With over 80 million passengers and...
$35
Enjoy this fascinating 90 minute group tour that introduces you to all of the secrets of the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral. Enter off...
$38
New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour (includes bus, walking tour and ferry ride!)
Experience the best of New York City with a knowledgeable, licensed tour guide by your side. Our guides will make your journey unforgettable as they...
$99
Taste your way through global ice cream flavors, explore immersive installations, ride NYC’s longest indoor slide, dive into the iconic Sprinkle Pool, and create sweet...
$49
The first, the original, the iconic Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises. Visitors’ #1 choice for sightseeing cruises in New York. With over 80 million passengers and...
$35
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool NYC customers.
Filter by:
- 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).
- 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.
The minimum age to participate is 6..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Roosevelt Island: An Audio Tour by a Filmmaker is as follows:
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Roosevelt Island: An Audio Tour by a Filmmaker will be included in your confirmation email from Cool NYC. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What'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
- 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
- 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
