Ride a Cable Car Above the East River at Sunset
Board the red cabin gliding over the East River and watch Manhattan's skyline turn gold as the sun drops.
🚡 Riding Above the River
The Roosevelt Island Tramway runs a red aerial cabin between Manhattan and Roosevelt Island, and it climbs high enough to put the whole East River corridor under your feet. Board at the Second Avenue terminal, grab a spot by the glass, and face south toward the Queensboro Bridge.
Aim for the last hour of daylight. As the cabin lifts, the water turns metallic and the towers along both banks begin to glow, and the strongest color comes in the ten minutes right after the sun drops behind Midtown. On a clear evening you can trace the skyline from the bridge down to the river bend.
It runs on the same swipe as the subway, and the ride costs one fare and takes only a few minutes each way. Riders give it 4.7 across more than 9,000 visits. Ride over, walk the island promenade, and catch a later cabin back once the city turns to full night.
