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6 Things to Do on Roosevelt Island with Kids

6 Things to Do on Roosevelt Island with Kids

There is so much to do on this hidden gem island that can still be done safely with your family.


Home to many families, Roosevelt Island has a great selection of kid-friendly activities. Located in between Manhattan and Queens on the East River, the 2-mile Manhattan neighborhood has something for everyone, whether your child wants to run around or loves to relax. Roosevelt Island's Manhattan Park Pool Club just reopened for the season, with a beautiful, colorful makeover done by artist Alex Proba. Here are all of the fun things you can do on Roosevelt Island with kids:

Manhattan Park Pool Club

30 River Road
212-308-4040

The rainbow waterfront pool opens for the summer in Roosevelt Island. Not only is it a perfect place to beat the heat, but also doubles as art. This year’s vibrant mural was painted by Alex Proba, a multidisciplinary designer and art director from Germany . It’s no secret that summers in the city can be unbearable, but a candy-colored pool will do the trick!

Non-Roosevelt Island residents can enjoy access for a fee of $30 on weekdays throughout the season and $50 on weekends.

Roosevelt Island Tramway

First things first, you have to get to the island, and what better way than on the Roosevelt Island Tramway? Conveniently located on Second Avenue between 59th and 60th streets, swipe your MetroCard and enjoy a ride that will make you feel like you’re on an amusement ride, and will offer up some killer views of Manhattan.

Farmers Market

543 Main St.
570-768-6025

For nearly 30 years, brother duo Israel and David Wengerd have been traveling 200 miles to bring fresh produce and other products to Roosevelt Island. Every Saturday, from 9am-3pm, several vendors sell dairy, meat, produce, and more. Whether you’re grabbing a quick snack or you want to grill the freshest foods by the lighthouse on the north side of the island, this is a perfect alternative to dining out.



 

Four Freedoms Park

1 FDR Four Freedoms Park.
212-204-8831

The Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park is a 4-acre memorial to the four freedoms FDR spoke about in his 1941 State of the Union address: freedom of speech and expression, freedom to worship god, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. The freedoms are presented throughout the parks structure. Although the park is small, the beautiful view of the city skyline gives the park every reason to set up events throughout the summer! Whether you’re coming to watch the sunset or participate in activities, this park is the perfect fit for all families!

 

South Point Park

Roosevelt Island, New York
212-832-4540

The 7-acre park with lawns, gardens, and waterfront views is in between the new Cornell Teach Campus and Four Freedoms Park. While South Point Park is perfect for a picnic, a game of catch, or anything else you can think of, it’s also home to the Roosevelt Island Summer Outdoor Movie Series, which features a film, trivia contests, food vendors, and music.

NYC Ferry

Since you got to the island by air, what better way to return home than by water? The NYC Ferry has a landing on Roosevelt Island (on East Main Street, east of Tram Plaza), and has stops in Astoria and Long Island City in Queens, as well as in Midtown East and Wall Street in Manhattan.

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Dasha Kofman

Author: Dasha Kofman, a rising senior at Binghamton University, is an editorial intern for NYMetroParents. When she’s not writing poetry, she can be found researching the best brunch spots in Manhattan to catch up with friends, exploring the vast world of NYC pop-ups, or stuffing her face with any and all types of sushi rolls. See More

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