New York Roosevelt Island Tramway and History Tour, 1 hr - Image 1
New York Roosevelt Island Tramway and History Tour, 1 hr - Image 2
New York Roosevelt Island Tramway and History Tour, 1 hr - Image 3
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New York Roosevelt Island Tramway and History Tour, 1 hr

TourTruth score 6.3 out of 10

Average

14 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score

  • New York City
  • 1 hr
  • Updated November 1, 2026

Ride the Roosevelt Island Tramway, explore historic ruins, and uncover the island’s past on a self-guided New York City tour.

About this tour

Ride above the East River and step into a lesser-known chapter of New York City history on this self-guided Roosevelt Island Tramway and history tour. With the Pintours app and guide access, explore at your own pace as you follow the island’s waterfront and historic landmarks.

Begin near the tramway entrance, then take in aerial city views on the scenic ride to Roosevelt Island. Walk along the promenade to the ruins of the Renwick Smallpox Hospital and hear about Nellie Bly’s courageous investigation of the asylum. Continue to The Girl Puzzle, a tribute to women shaped by the island’s past, and finish at the FDR Memorial at the island’s tip. The experience lasts about 60 minutes; the tram fee is not included.

This accessible outing welcomes visitors of all fitness levels, and strollers and service animals are allowed. Bring your curiosity and discover New York Roosevelt Island’s history from a fresh perspective.

Highlights

  • Glide over the East River on the Roosevelt Island Tramway
  • Explore the Renwick Smallpox Hospital ruins
  • Discover Nellie Bly’s asylum exposé and the island’s history
  • Visit The Girl Puzzle and the FDR Memorial

What's included

Included

  • Pintours app and guide access

Not included

  • Tram fee

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

Important information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
Show 4 more
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Start near the entrance to the tramway

How this score is calculated

This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 3.36 from 14 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.

How the score works and rating distribution in New York City
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 6.3.

Provider rating distribution in New York City

How many tours in New York City have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • GetYourGuide
  • Viator

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