From US$5 per person
Book tickets on Viator (opens in a new tab): Roosevelt Island: An Audio Tour by a FilmmakerYou book and pay on viator.com. Inclusable may earn a commission.
5.0 / 5 from 1 reviews on Viator
- Group size
- Up to 15
- Language
- English
- Rating on Viator
- 5.0 / 5 · 1 reviews
About this tour
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.
Accessibility, as stated by the supplier
The supplier hasn’t provided accessibility details for this tour.
Meeting point: Take the Roosevelt Island Tramway at 59th St. and 2nd Ave to the Island. The tour begins once you get off the tram on the Island. Or you can take the F Train to Roosevelt Island and walk south to the tramway station. The nearest accessible public restroom to the meeting point is about 540 m away in a straight line, from the NYC Open Data public restrooms list.
Provided through Viator and not verified by Inclusable. Ask the supplier about your specific needs before you book.
Itinerary
View itinerary · 8 stopsHide itinerary
- 1
Gain a deeper understanding of Roosevelt Island's transformation from farmland to an area designated for the city’s unwanted populations, including prisoners and the mentally ill.(pass by)
- 2
Visit the tramway’s island station and learn about its significance in connecting the island to Manhattan and facilitating its development.(pass by)
- 3
Pass by Strecker Memorial Laboratory, once a cutting-edge medical research facility and now a symbol of the island’s medical history.(pass by)
- 4
Walk among the ruins of the Smallpox Memorial Hospital, the only ruin in the city listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and hear about its role in treating contagious diseases.(pass by)
- 5
Stroll through the expansive Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park, dedicated to FDR's famous Four Freedoms speech, and take in the magnificent bronze sculpture of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.(pass by)
- 6
Enjoy the scenic beauty of Southpoint Park, which represents the island's renewal and transformation into a community-friendly area with green spaces.(pass by)
- 7
Stop by the Roosevelt Island Visitor Center Kiosk for more information about the island’s history, current attractions, and future developments.(pass by)
- 8
End your tour at the FDR Hope Memorial, celebrating Franklin D. Roosevelt’s legacy and his message of hope and perseverance.(pass by)
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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
Not included
- Smartphone and headphones (please bring your own)
- Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
- Transportation
- Food and drinks
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Nearest accessible public restroom to Take the Roosevelt Island Tramway at 59th St. and 2nd Ave to the Island. The tour begins once you get off the tram on the Island. Or you can take the F Train to Roosevelt Island and walk south to the tramway station.
The nearest accessible public restroom to Take the Roosevelt Island Tramway at 59th St. and 2nd Ave to the Island. The tour begins once you get off the tram on the Island. Or you can take the F Train to Roosevelt Island and walk south to the tramway station. is Queensboro Oval Indoor Tennis, New York, about 540 m away.
Queensboro Oval Indoor Tennis · about 540 m away in a straight line
New York, NY (park)
7:00am-11:00pm — Open seasonally
Source: the NYC Open Data public restrooms list, data as at 30 October 2026. Distances are straight-line, not the walking route, and facilities can change — check before you rely on one.
Location & contact
- Area
- New York
- Meeting point
- Take the Roosevelt Island Tramway at 59th St. and 2nd Ave to the Island. The tour begins once you get off the tram on the Island. Or you can take the F Train to Roosevelt Island and walk south to the tramway station
- Contact
- The tour operator’s own details aren’t published. Questions about access or your booking go through Viator, which handles the booking and passes your request to the operator.
Keep exploring
More wheelchair accessible things to do in New York City
1,111 tours and experiences in New York City where the supplier states wheelchair access, with their own access notes first.
Manhattan Sky Tour: New York Helicopter Flight
New York
4.4 · 1,465 reviews on Viator
Experience the Big Apple from above on a thrilling 12–15 minute helicopter tour departing directly from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. Skip the long drives to out-of-state airports—board right in the heart of NYC for maximum sightseeing efficiency and immediate access to the skyline. Soar in comfort aboard modern, state-of-the-art Bell 407 aircraft as you enjoy breathtaking, panoramic views of Manhattan’s most iconic landmarks. Sweep past a towering Statue of Liberty and historic Ellis Island, take in the sobering view of Ground Zero, and glide over the bustling financial hub of Wall Street. Marvel at the soaring architecture of the Empire State Building before catching a bird's-eye view of lush Central Park. Whether it’s your first time in New York or a bucket-list holiday splurge, this flight offers the premier, hassle-free way to see the city’s crown jewels in record time.
“For passengers with mobility issues, you will need to transfer from your wheelchair to the helicopter seat and be able to sit with your legs bent. For passengers weighing under 150 lbs, our staff can assist you into the helicopter and will ensure your wheelchair is brought to and from the heliport during your flight. For passengers over 150 lbs, you must either be able to transfer on your own or have someone with you who can assist in getting you into the helicopter. Please let us know about any mobility issues in advance”
FromUS$284
View tour
Madame Tussauds New York City Admission Ticket
New York
4.3 · 827 reviews on Viator
Step into the spotlight at Madame Tussauds New York, the world-famous wax museum in Times Square with over 200 lifelike figures of celebrities, athletes, and historical icons. Pose for epic selfies with stars like Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga, and the Kardashians, and explore interactive attractions like the Glow Gala and Broadway experiences. Located in the heart of Manhattan, this unforgettable NYC attraction brings pop culture, history, and entertainment to life in one incredible destination. Experience Jumanji 4D and enter the wild with a fast-paced, immersive safari mission bringing the world of Jumanji to life like never before. With thrilling 4D effects that throw you right into the action, prepare for a safari bursting with laughs, chaos and edge of your seat excitement as the jungle comes roaring to life around you. Every safari promises adventure, and every creature is bigger, louder and closer than you’d ever imagine!
“Madame Tussauds New York is handicapped accessible. Wheelchairs are available upon request at the box office on a first-come, first-served basis”
FromUS$37
View tour
New York Manhattan Scenic Helicopter Tour
New York
4.4 · 818 reviews on Viator
Take to the skies on a helicopter tour to see New York's amazing skyline! On this scenic 18-20-minute helicopter flight you'll soar through the sky and experience a bird's eye view of Manhattan's world famous landmarks. This is the best view you can get of New York City!
“For passengers with mobility issues, you will need to transfer from your wheelchair to the helicopter seat and be able to sit with your legs bent. For passengers weighing under 150 lbs, our staff can assist you into the helicopter and will ensure your wheelchair is brought to and from the heliport during your flight. For passengers over 150 lbs, you must either be able to transfer on your own or have someone with you who can assist in getting you into the helicopter. Please let us know about any mobility issues in advance.”
FromUS$319
View tourFrom US$5
Book and pay on viator.com