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Roosvelt Island Tram Way

Roosvelt Island Tram Way (140)

Undoubtedly, the most inexpensive way to enjoy great views of Manhattan is to take the Roosevelt Island Tramway, the cable car linking the island of Manhattan with that of Roosevelt in less than 5 minutes on a pleasant ride above the East River. Not only will you be able to admire the city from above, but, if you decide to take a walk around Roosvelt island, you will also be able to get a great panoramic picture of Midtown New York. A real treat.

Opened on 17 May 1976 and renovated in 2010, the Roosevelt Island Tramway was the only cable car in the United States until late 1984, when the one crossing the Mississippi in New Orleans was completed. Initially, it was built as a temporary solution until the small island had an underground station, but, although the train arrived on Roosevelt island in 1989, the cable car has continued to operate and, at present, it is used on a daily basis by many residents of this small island and also by tourists.

Its characteristic red cabins were bought from the Swiss government and cover a little less than one kilometre and reach a maximum height of 76 metres on its route. The cabin capacity is a little over a hundred people, and, of course, the said cabins are nowadays a Manhattan icon, especially because of their appearance in films and TV shows. Of all these, probably the best known cabin is that of the first Spiderman film in 2002, when the Green Goblin throws Mary Jane from Queenboro Bridge, and Spiderman must choose between saving her or the cable car passengers. But that was not the only time, since the Roosevelt Island Tramway has also appeared in "Nighthawks", starring Silvester Stallone, in 1981, in "Die Hard: With a Vengeance" (1995), when Bruce Willis makes a great jump from the cable car to the Bridge, and even in the "CSI New York" series, among others.

Finally, be advised that this cable car is integrated in the New York Metropolitan Transportation itself, so taking the tram will cost you the same as an underground ticket. 

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