Roosevelt Island is a Welcome Reprieve from City Life

Jul 11

A jaunt over to Roosevelt Island makes you feel like you’ve stepped out of the city and into the suburbs…but in reality, you’re smack dab in the middle of Manhattan and only 15 minutes from Midtown.

A long, tumultuous history defines the island’s past, but its future looks bright. Once home to the city’s “unwanted” populations of criminals and the mentally and chronically ill, Roosevelt Island, named for FDR (who suffered from Polio), now pays homage to those it once shunned. Both the FDR Hope Memorial and Four Freedoms Park celebrate those struggling with disabilities and a serene walk (or ride) will bring you to both.

*Photo credit:* *Steve Freihon Photography*

Nearby, the Graduate Hotel offers visitors a place to plant their luggage off the beaten path, providing a great alternative for those who don’t quite want to park amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. Inside, you’ll find the Graduate to be a playful hotel, with decor that speaks to both the hotel brand and the surrounding area of Roosevelt Island. Playing up to its college-inspired aesthetic, the lobby is overflowing with shelves of books, a 12-foot statue of artist Hebru Brantley’s iconic Flyboy character, and student ID card room keys.

Throughout the hotels and in the rooms, you’ll find artwork that alludes to the island’s past, including photographs of the Roosevelt family, map renderings of the island, which was formerly called Blackwell Island, and drawings of notable figures like Mae West and Nellie Bly. You’ll also find nods to the Graduate’s neighbor, the Cornell Tech Campus. The bedrooms feature lamps with Morse code of the Cornell fight song, along with neon light fixtures inspired by a science project from a Cornell grad. Keep your eyes peeled throughout your stay, as there are countless design details that allude to the island itself.

The hotel boasts a number of deals to up the ante to your stay, including their City That Never Sleeps Package, which features products from beauty brand Laneige, or the Island Lovin’ Package, which includes a bottle of champagne upon arrival, daily $50 credits at their lobby restaurant, and a complimentary 2 pm late checkout.

panorama room tuna dish and espresso martini — *Photo credit: Amanda Mactas*

Speaking of the lobby restaurant, Anything At All is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It features New American cuisine like duck wings, Malfaldini almond bolognese, and spicy fried bbq chicken. Upstairs on the rooftop, you’ll find the Panorama Room, the hotel’s rooftop bar and lounge. From here, travelers can take in astonishing views of the city’s skyline, the Queensboro Bridge, and watch seaplanes land on the East River. A seafood-heavy food menu (which features raw bar selections, as well as caviar nachos and smoked trout tartine) accompanies its extensive cocktail list, both of which incorporate unique and original flavors.

We recommend capping off your evening with a sunset stroll around the island and taking in its storied history. From the modern architecture of Cornell Tech to the crumbling facade of the Smallpox Hospital, and even a Cat Sanctuary & Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, this island is full of surprises waiting to be discovered.