Manhattan to Roosevelt Island

The Roosevelt Island Tram, opened in 1976, is the only aerial commuter tram in the United States, and it’s definitely the coolest way to get across the East River—at least as far as Roosevelt Island. It was originally built in 1972 and was the only way to get to Roosevelt Island from Manhattan until the Roosevelt Island subway station was built in 1989. The tram’s 25–person cab departs from 2nd Avenue and 60th Street, rises up to 250 feet during the half–mile crossing, and reaches Roosevelt Island in four minutes.