The Roosevelt Island Tramway

New York can be an expensive place to visit, but there are plenty of things to do on a budget, and here is one you may not have heard of before. The Roosevelt Island Tramway is an aerial tramway that connects Roosevelt Island to the Upper East side of Manhattan and if you look closely at the photo below, you can see the tram approaching!   

This is a great thing for adults and kids alike. You get great views of the river and a totally different perspective of the streets from height. You can either have a wander round Roosevelt Island, or just right the tram over and straight back again. If you do that, you have to change trams at the other side. 

This is not an official attraction, but for visitors it is a fun thing to do. It is transportation for the locals, so you're best to avoid taking the tram in the morning and evening rush hour. 

If you keep your eyes peeled when crossing, you can spot the Empire State Building, and my own favourite in New York - the Chrysler Building - sightseeing from a different angle! 

So where do you catch the tram, and how much does it cost? Head to 2nd Avenue between 59th & 60th Street, and it's the same price as a subway ticket, so if you already have a subway pass, then use that and if feels like a free trip!