About Roosevelt Island
Two miles long and just 800 feet wide, Roosevelt Island runs parallel to Manhattan from East 46th Street to East 86th Street, offering a stunning urban backdrop and unbeatable city access along with a quiet, commotion-free feel.
In addition to the benefits of living on campus, living on Roosevelt Island is an opportunity unlike any other New York experience—offering amazing access to parks, extensive jogging and biking opportunities, spectacular waterfront walkways and incomparable views, all just one subway stop outside midtown Manhattan and Queens.
Shop, Eat & Drink
You’ll never travel far for a place to pick up essentials or to meet fellow peers for lunch, dinner or a drink—Roosevelt Island has an array of options. In addition to The Cafe at Cornell Tech‘s tasty and hearty offerings, the local Starbucks is perfect for a coffee before class, grab a quick sandwich between study sessions at Subway, a bottle of wine for the weekend at Island Wine & Spirits and necessities at Duane Reade, Gristedes or Wholesome Factory, the local pharmacy and grocery stores. You can also find pizza at Piccolo Pizzeria, sushi at Fuji East, and Greek food at Nisi Diner. Visit https://tinyurl.com/RooseveltIslandMap for a map of these options and more.
Recreation
Opportunities to exercise or unwind abound on Roosevelt Island—soccer fields, softball diamonds and a waterfront path around most of the circumference of the island makes a wonderful running route of about four miles.
FDR Four Freedoms Park
Adjacent to South Point Park at the south part of the island, this park was the last work of Louis Kahn, one of the most celebrated American architects of the last century. It offers tree-lined walkways, open green lawns and spectacular city views—the perfect place to find a spot of grass to read or a path to jog.
South Point Park
Composed of seven stunning acres at the southern end of the island, this park features sprawling grassy lawns, gardens and incomparable city and riverfront views.
Lighthouse Park
This park at the northeastern tip of the Island is named for its historic landmark the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse. A great place to meet a friend and have a picnic.
TRANSIT OPTIONS Getting to and from other parts of the city couldn’t be easier.
Located in Riverwalk Commons, the F train will have you at 63rd Street and Lexington in one stop, or Rockefeller Center in three.
Check tram schedules here: https://rioc.ny.gov/tramtransportation.htm
From midtown Manhattan: Head Northeast on Avenue of the Americas toward W 43rd St. Turn right onto W 57th St. Turn left onto Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Upper Roadway.
From Queens: Take 11th St to 43rd Ave. Continue on Vernon Blvd to Manhattan. Continue on E Rd/E Main St. Drive to N Loop Rd.
The island’s mini-transit service, the Red Bus, can get you around the island for free. It completes a two-mile loop multiple times throughout the day. Check bus schedules here: rioc.ny.gov/bustransportation.htm
The Manhattan and Queens bound Q102 bus also makes stops on Roosevelt Island. Check bus schedules here: https://bustime.mta.info/m/?q=Q102
A new Manhattan-bound ferry service just steps from The House.