Manhattan is one of my favorite places on Planet Earth. But it can get stifling in the summertime with the heat, humidity and crowds of tourists swarming around Midtown. Thankfully, a new urban oasis opened up in 2012 that offers a quick solution to escape the hustle and bustle.
I just hop on the Roosevelt Island Tram (you can use a MetroCard) and within minutes, I find myself on a peaceful island in the middle of the East River. Once I get off the tram, I just head to the southern tip of the past a giant construction site and an old, abandoned hospital that is about a 10-minute walk. I arrive at Four Freedoms Park and enter a calm space that offers mind blowing views of the UN and the famous skyline. The park is dedicated to Franklin D. Roosevelt and his goals that he proclaimed in 1941: Freedom of speech, of worship, from want and from fear.
The monument is moving, but it’s the fresh air, serene atmosphere and views that I come for. I feel like I can reach out and touch the city right across the river. There’s never more than a few people exploring this park and very few tour groups make it out here. I’m not about to give up my love of the Conservatory Garden, but expect to see a lot more of me on that red tram in the sky.