There's a quiet, overgrown melancholy to these ruins that differentiates it from the rest of Roosevelt Island, as well as from many places in the constant, bustling, atmosphere of New York. These were built a long time ago, back when the entire five boroughs area was much more agrarian than it is today. When the island was more developed after the end of World War II, slowly being transformed into the lush park area that it is now, these hospitals remained abandoned. They provide a nice, quiet reminder of a bygone world, and it is one that is worth considering and contemplating even as you enjoy the softly rolling hills and regenerating sea breeze of Roosevelt Island.

One of the major highlight of the park is the Smallpox Hospital. Just can’t stop myself from comparing smallpox pandemic in 1800’s with the current COVID-19. Highly recommended! If you are tramway fan, you can take tramway on your way back or ferry if you are ferry fan. But it’s a must visit and plan on spending about 2 hours minimum at this park. ALERT: Park is closed on Tuesday and after 7pm everyday.

Worth stopping on the walk to the memorial. It was interesting to see the structure and read about the history.

So cool. I’ve wanted to come to the smallpox hospital for years and finally got the chance on a beautiful sunny fall day. The architectural history behind the hospital and the adjacent FDR park is fascinating. I love the signs where you can read about the history. Check out the cat refuge nearby as well. Worth a special visit to Roosevelt Island!

Mostly an unstable shell that has been fenced off for safety but it's really cool to see it preserved. It's a piece of history we can all appreciated and it's worth stopping by to take a look if you are ever on the island.

The small pox hospital is romantic and creepy at the same time. I guess Germans would describe it as 'unheimlich'. Getting there is easy: Take the tram from 59th steet and walk South. The easiest way to get there from Queens is via the Ferry (Astoria or Long Island City). I've been there several times and think this is a good site to visit during the winter. Buildings like this deserve a dramatic sky and a cold wind.

Very interesting piece of history and I'm so glad it's been preserved. When we visited it was fenced off due to them working on the structure, but we were still able to get great views (my pictures are from holding my phone through the fence bars I didn't trespass, I promise). Nice views of the city, too.

Interesting history! It was deaignes by the same guy that designed St Patrick's Cathedral. It's about 10 minute walk from the tram and maybe 15 minutes walking from the subway station if you take the subway to Roosevelt Island. Just walk to the south end of the island near the FDR memorial.

These amazing ruins are hidden away on the adorable small community Roosevelt Island. So cool and unexpected. On the way to the actual hospital is an adorable little cat sanctuary for homeless cats! I was disappointed I couldn't get closer and there wasn't any part of the building I could get into for photos, but obviously safety is an issue. It's literally falling apart and being held together by rods and bolts. Still very cool to look at. I took some pictures with my camera through the bars of the fence, but it is fenced all the way around. At the back of the island is also the FDR memorial which is completely clean, white, and minimal in design, in stark contrast to the old hospital. All in all, a lovely place to walk and learn a little history.

What a site to see! I went when it was “closed” but I was still able to walk around the bldg and marvel. The surrounding area of RI is always enjoyable to walk around and relax, too.

Very cool to see the old smallpox hospital where they used to quarantine those who were sick and suffering from very contagious illnesses.

I discovered this place accidentally on my trip to Roosevelt island. I'm so amazed of the hospital, and would love to be able to see it closer. However, it wouldn't be possible because is unstable. Definitely liked it, and would recommend visiting the park that's next to it every day but Tuesdays, which Is when it's closed. (unfortunately I visited the place on a Tuesday)

Such a unique bit of history tucked away on a peaceful island in the midst of a bustling city.

It is great that this piece of NYC history---the shell of it at least---has been stabilized and saved from total destruction. I've both walked the grounds a few times over the years and seen it from my kayak in the East River. There are several interesting landmarks, historic sites and monuments to visit on Roosevelt Island from the Smallpox hospital ruins and FDR memorial on the southern end, to the Blackwell House and lighthouse to the north and northern tip respectively.

Pretty cool ruins to see and signs to read about the history

It’s very Nice place to visit. The garden where the hospital located is very nice and the view of Manhattan skyline is very beautiful. I recommend a visit in spring or early summer. Also I recommend to take the tram (cable car) from Manhattan to Roosevelt Island and the way back, it’s located in the 60th st & third Avenue.

Really interesting historical site just across from Manhattan one side and Queens/Brooklyn on the other. The site is being worked on but you can still enjoy it by walking around it and reading the historical markers/signs.

We took the tram over to the island because we wanted to see the FDR area as well as the small pox area. We didn't know how close we could get but it was still pretty neat. The area is fenced off because of potentially falling ruins. It was still cool nonetheless. Not a must see but if you're on the island, pretty cool piece of history to stop and see. 5/5. Follow me for more reviews, photos and tips.

There’s not very much to do here, but it is incredibly beautiful architecture with good history. It could be worth checking out if you were already on Roosevelt Island, considering the island is so small.

Nice area to ride bike around and sit. The roads are empty. The streets are clean. Great place to live. Many area to sit and watch the skyline and view. There are restaurants available on the island. Not to many tourists. Best time to visit is the early morning.

Eerily out of place just before a beautiful park on Roosevelt Island, the Small Pox Hospital was a recommended must see. While it's a place that was probably mired in history, just being relegated to taking photos of the shell of the building was most disappointing, as it's surrounded entirely by locked, iron gates and "No Entry" signs. This edifice screams potential as a tourist attraction as a museum or haunted House tour or attraction if only the authorities would care to do so.

The hospital is only interesting for a few minutes. Nothing much to do. The real reason you should be here is for the great views of the city. Marvel at the lack of trash and frolic in the nicely landscaped lawns. Enjoy it!

Beautiful island for a walk. For someone in healthcare, the Ruins are an amazing site that allows us to fully appreciate the impact of preventative medicine. It's unfortunate that the building is now unstable and fenced off for public safety.

Once again. What a landmark and a top place that this hospital was for the community. Loads of improvements were made, loads of changes for the greater good, loads of extraordinary men worked inside and outside the premises. The entrance is free and there is a lot to learn with an amazing view.

Interesting hospital ruin in a beautiful park area on the tip of the island. One great way to get there from Manhattan is to use the airial tramway, then walk along the shore to park.

Very nice place Hang out and walk around with amazing view

Currently the building is fenced off and can only be viewed from outside, still hauntingly beautiful. A cooler way to get in (vs cars) is to take the tram from Manhattan off 60th/2nd. Also try the extremely sweet ice cream from Cornell Cafe.

No tickets required. Fenced off as the structure is unstable. Beautiful to look and and a bit eerie. Roosevelt Island has a lot of fascinating history. Walk the entire Island.

I knew people from the 1950s who have been there by boat, my father and uncle had taken their boat there in the early 60s before regulations were put in place, they said it used to be many different things including a prison, and two other types of hospitals. They said the view of the East River was beautiful and showed me pictures from seventy years ago. I have been to the neighboring island veterans hospital.

Such an interesting piece of history right there on Roosevelt Island. It's the gateway to the FDR Four Freedoms Park. It's a really fascinating spot to visit.

We came here to see the cats they say Romeo the island. But was saw no cats. We did see the want was left of ybe smallpox hospital.

Very cool ruin, with some nice informative plaques explaining its importance.

Beautiful setting and architecture definitely a must see on your trip.

The hospital was interesting for like 5min. Very cool that they are preserving it! I hope won’t ever be torn down. I found the trip to the hospital and our stay at the park there with the amazing views made it 100 times better!! But this is just a review solely on the hospital. I feel like they could do more with it.