PlaceChase Roosevelt Island

Explore NYC best kept secret. Hear incredible stories & see history come alive.

Come explore NYC's best kept secret. It's great day out, and as a bonus, both the aerial tram and the ferry provide stunning city views.

It has been called the Island that Nobody Knows. Once a closed, city-run institution, patrolled by armed guards to keep the islanders in and the public out, it was where NYC’s poorest, sickest and wickedest were sent, particularly women. Come immerse yourself in their tales, everyone from Mae West, Margaret Sanger, Nellie Bly to a whole host of nameless souls whose chief crimes were poverty and the inability to speak English. As you explore the picturesque island and take-in the extraordinary city views, re-live the utopian dreams that fueled a grand social experiment and the dark realities that crushed those hopes. Marvel at the resilience of New Yorkers who despite it all, have made it thrive.

This tour includes 11 Places to discover. We suggest a route, but you may see as many or as few Places as you like, in whatever order you choose. At each Place, enjoy a brief introductory audio overview, and then choose from a menu of deep-dives, incredible stories to explore in greater detail. You may enjoy your Chase in a single session or over time, whichever works best for you. If you choose to see it all, plan on spending two-to-three hours on the island.

To obtain real-time walking directions from your location to any of the Places on the tour or anywhere else on the island, your device’s Location Services/connectivity must be turned on. If you don’t need directions, no internet connectivity is required to enjoy all of the app’s rich content. Once purchased, the tour is yours. You can use it as often as you like and share the experience with friends and family whenever you choose.

There are no in-app purchases, no advertising and, unless you choose to enable your location for Google Maps Directions, we neither collect nor share your data.

Happy Touring from the PlaceChase Team!