More Island Hopping in New York

janet g
Sep 13
3 min read

Whether accessed by ferry or a robust walk, the islands around Manhattan offer greenspaces, walking/biking paths and gorgeous panoramic views.

Wards Island Bridge at 103rd Street and the FDR Drive, this vertical lift bridge is only for pedestrians and cyclists.

How did I spend my summer vacation? Daytripping.

Many day trips were spent exploring some large and small islands around the city. My last post about island hopping was on Governors Island – an extraordinary place to spend the day. But ferry rides or leisurely walks provide access to quite a few other islands worth exploring – among them: Randalls Island, Snug Harbor on Staten Island and Little Island.

Randalls Island

Randalls Island (or more accurately Randalls and Wards Islands) are co-joined islands that are part of Manhattan, with an area of about 530 acres. In addition to Icahn Stadium, and numerous ball fields and picnic areas, the park contains over eight miles of walking and biking pathways that connect with Manhattan, the Bronx and Queens. And then there are the sweeping views of the city, its many bridges and waterways.

One of the access points is crossing the Wards Island Bridge (pictured at top) at 103rd Street and the FDR Drive. This vertical lift bridge is only for pedestrians and cyclists and it serves as a lovely entrance to Randalls Island with 360° views around the city.

A great walking trail, Hell Gate Pathway, is under the fascinating Hell Gate Bridge (a steel-and-stone railroad bridge that opened in 1917). The pathway winds through wildflower fields under the soaring structures of arched stone columns and an intricate system of steel supports for the bridge. Elsewhere there are footpaths that wind north.

It’s a great place to spend the day, I still have two-thirds of the island to explore, and I’m looking forward to going back in the fall.

Snug Harbor on Staten Island

Only a 25-minute free ferry ride from southern Manhattan sits Staten Island. Often considered the forgotten borough (it has attempted secession a few times) of the five that make up New York City, Staten Island is experiencing a resurgence. With new waterfront developments, and an increase in housing and commercial spaces, the borough is slowly becoming a dining and shopping destination.

One of the largest islands in land mass contains acres of national and state parks and is rich in national and local history. While Staten Island remains predominantly a residential borough, some significant historical sites include Historic Richmond Town and the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden. This year on a rare, cool Fourth of July, I visited Snug Harbor for the first time.

A two-mile brisk walk along the north shore from the ferry landing brings you into an astonishing 83-acre historical center amid museums, gardens, fountains and walking paths. Because most of the city’s residents were away for the holiday weekend, the site was nearly empty and perfect for extensive exploration.

First stop: the National Historic Landmark District of Temple Row and Shinbone Alley containing a string of gorgeous Greek revival buildings. It is considered "an incomparable remnant of New York's 19th-century seafaring past." It was amazing wandering through this area, though buildings were closed due to the holiday, you could feel the history of what was. Further on, there are well-preserved Italianate and Victorian buildings, along with a chapel and a sailors' cemetery.

A few rest stops later and meanderings through the east and south meadows of botanical gardens rounded out a full day of learning and wonder. It’s definitely worth the trip, and I imagine the site is magnificent in the fall.

Little Island

Over on the west side of Manhattan off the Meatpacking District sits Little Island at Pier 55. Little Island is a 2.4-acre artificial island and public park largely funded by Barry Diller and Diane von Fürstenberg.

Its design and architecture is strikingly unique: It is supported by 132 tulip-shaped structures suspended above the water. The island seems to float above the Hudson like a wave, supporting multiple lawns, beautiful paths and ever-changing plants.

A 687-seat amphitheater nicknamed "The Amph" hosts low-cost or free performances. This summer, on a steamy July night with a knockout sunset, I enjoyed the Gospel at Colonus, the epic myth of Oedipus, sung and told by a superb cast. Later in the summer, I watched a stunning performance of dance and music, Seven Scenes, by choreographers Bobbi Jene Smith & Or Schraiber and composer/musicians, Ringdown.

With a few steps over a footbridge, Little Island is the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan for a few hours to relax and recharge.