ABOUT THE TOUR:

Perhaps you've heard about Roosevelt Island but you've never quite made it there.  Well now is your chance!   Formerly the dumping ground for everything (i.e. prisons, asylums, hospitals) this great city wanted to push aside and forget, this is the most fascinating spit of land ever to sit in the middle of the East River.  

On this outing you will:

-see the river coursing all around you - replete with stunning views of Manhattan, Queens, and more as backdrop

-visit the haunting, desolate, ivy-covered ruins of the 19th century smallpox hospital

-observe a wildlife sanctuary for the feral cats who roam the grounds of the aforementioned ruins

-experience the odd anachronistic cold war-vibe of Four Freedoms park - its stark cement edifices serving as bulwark against East River waves

-immerse in Cornell University’s newish 2 million square foot cutting edge high tech campus AND have the opportunity to eat ice cream made fresh from Cornell’s Agricultural College’s dairy farms

-enjoy the traditional small town America feel of Roosevelt Island’s Main Street - replete with historic buildings

-enter the Octagon - a notorious 19th century mental asylum

-hike to the lighthouse at the northernmost point of the island - with a stunning vista northward

Details:

Start: We will be meeting ON Roosevelt Island in front of the giant red letters RI (for Roosevelt Island). They are right in front of the tram, up the hill from the Roosevelt Visitor Center Kiosk. I will be wearing a yellow baseball cap with a Nathan’s hot dog on it.   

You can take the tram (the only amusement park ride in the MTA transit system but note it can be especially crowded at times), subway (F Train but check ahead of time for any subway service changes ), or NYC Ferry to get to Roosevelt Island - but make sure you give yourself extra time for delays or getting lost.

End: We end where we started

Notes:

There is significant walking on this excursion - up to 4+ miles - so be prepared for some urban hiking, and arrive with proper sunscreen and other sun protection (i.e. a hat), a bottle of water, and good walking shoes.

With the above said, we might at times hop on the free bus service provided by Roosevelt Island.  And it will be easy to leave early from most points should you wish to.  

Duration: This tour may last between 2-3 hours

Group size 8 maximum

Dates:

Saturday, July 26 12:30-3:30 PM

Saturday, August 16 12:30-3:30 PM

ABOUT YOUR GUIDE: RICHARD EXELBERT

Richard Exelbert has made New York City his home for almost 28 years and has been an underground (but licensed) NYC Sightseeing Guide for 21 of those years.  Since 2005, on a nearly-monthly basis, he has taken friends and family on explorations to every corner of the five boroughs.  These often-fantastical journeys function more as roving parties on a quest than standard tours.  As such it is very rare that he surfaces to offer his services to the paying public. 

His focus is not on the typical historical and architectural information that makes up most professional tours, but instead full immersion - the aesthetic experience of opening up to anything and everything in new environments, and often letting serendipity take its course. 

Richard has taught a class called The NYC You've Never Seen at the Brooklyn Brainery (as featured on CBS News and The Brooklyn Paper), and released a spoken word album and accompanying album-length video featuring recaps of some of his far-flung journeys.