"It is possible (even likely) to have lived in New York for years without ever having considered visiting Roosevelt Island.  But this quirky strip of land between Manhattan and Queens havs an interesting (and bizarre) history and remnants of some incredible, obscure landmarks, including:  Blackwell House, the vacant home of the island's former owners, th eBlackwell family; ruins of an infamous lunatic asylum; and a decommissioned lighthouse (whose original purpose was not to direct ships but to light up the aforementioned lunatic asylum and prevent escapes).  In the last couple of years, after unrelenting pressure from teh Roosevelt Island Conservancy, the legendary neo-Gothic abandoned smallpox hospital at the southern tip of the island has been landmarked, and the nine acres of land around it turned into South Point Park, making the island even more pleasurable (if slightly less mysterious) to explore.  You can walk from tip to tip in a couple hours, and there's a great guide to the island's landmarks online at www.riwalk.com.  If you get tired of walking, the bus that runs on the island is free.  To get there you can take the tram, drive, or take the F train.  If you ride the tram, you will catch a tantalizing glimpse up and down the East River and over Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens while you glide through the air.  For more information, call 212-832-4543, or visit www.ny.com/transportation/ri_tramway.html." The Best Things to Do in New York.

If that's not enough reason, just check out the music video below!