When you’re a New Yorker, there’s no need to fly to the Caribbean to go island hopping. Along with the city’s two big islands — Manhattan and Staten — there are plenty of smaller ones, each with its own personality, activities and ways to get there.
Here’s a look at what’s going on this summer at three of them.
Roosevelt Island
This 2-mile-long island in the East River was called Varken Eylandt, or Hog Island, by the Dutch, who purchased it from Native Americans in 1637. Over the years, it’s housed an insane asylum, smallpox hospital and prison, and changed its name from Welfare to Roosevelt Island (after FDR) in 1973. Today, about 14,000 call the 147 acres between Manhattan and Queens their home.
This weekend: More than 120 installations will be displayed at the free art festival Figment NYC, in Lighthouse Park, at the island’s northern tip on Saturday and Sunday. One work, “Salvage Swings,” already caught our attention. The project — a dozen rope swings in big-box frames — was upcycled from scrapped wood panels from the University of Arkansas.
“It’s designed to encourage new interactions and conversations between people,” says Charles Sharpless, one of the architects behind the work. Not only that, he says, but “swings make you appreciate your surroundings.”
And there’s a lot of surroundings to appreciate on Roosevelt Island.
“You have beautiful views of Manhattan . . . yet, it’s not crowded,” says Sharpless. “It’s this hidden gem. You kind of feel like you’re away from the city, but in fact, you’re really right in the middle of it.”
Plus: Grab a day pass for the Instagram-worthy Manhattan Park Pool Club ($60 on the weekend for nonresidents), which received its annual refresh from designer Elizabeth Sutton and her 60 gallons of paint in 18 different shades. “I tried to be unique by playing with color,” says Sutton. “We wanted you to feel like you were immersed in the artwork.”
Coming attractions: On June 15, Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park (on the island’s southern tip) will host a free World Pride event featuring food trucks, story time with drag queens and a transformation of the park’s staircase into a giant LGBTQ pride flag.
Fuel up: Check out the stylish Café at the new campus of Cornell Tech (2 W. Loop Road). Open to the public, it offers free Wi-Fi, and serves fresh sandwiches, wraps and pastries.
Fun fact: The late Al Lewis, who played Grandpa on TV’s “The Munsters,” lived on the island.
Getting there: Take the aerial tram from 59th Street and Second Avenue, the F train to the Roosevelt Island stop or the NYC Ferry, on the Astoria line.
Governors Island
Only 800 yards away from Manhattan, Governors Island is a former military base originally named for its use by British governors. Since opening to the public in 2005, the 172-acre island has morphed into a thriving artistic hub and a relaxing getaway.
“It’s only accessible by ferry, so you really feel like you’re transported,” says Sarah Krautheim, vice president of public affairs for the Trust for Governors Island.
This weekend: Check out the Adventure at Governors Island pop-up amusement park, which features a 300-foot-long zip line ($14), an 18-hole minigolf course ($8) and more.
Plus: Ongoing highlights this summer include a comic book exhibit from Art Force 5, where kids can make their own superhero action figures and capes; Slide Hill, with a 57-foot-long slide; and the honeybee sanctuary, which added a new hive this year, bringing the total number of bees to 80,000.
“We have a number of programs focused on the environment,” says Krautheim. “The island can really be this living lab for learning about nature and ecology.”
Coming attractions: This year’s film series — themed “Escape in New York” — kicks off June 14 with “Men in Black.” And the 14th Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party will transport you back in time June 15 and 16.
Fuel up: With its fab view, fresh oysters and creative cocktails, Island Oyster is the place to visit. We’re looking forward to the Spirit Animal (light rum, Aperol, coconut, lemon and strawberry; $14.50) and a couple of Long Island Navy Points ($3 each). Also, the Neapolitan Express truck, making fresh pizzas, is now parked on the island.
Fun Fact: President Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev had a summit on the island in 1988.
Getting there: Take the ferry ($3 round-trip) from Battery Maritime Building (10 South St.) in Manhattan or Pier 6 in Brooklyn.
Randalls Island
Jonathan Randel, for whom the island is named, purchased it in 1784, and his heirs sold the island to the city of New York in 1835 for $60,000. Over the years, it’s been home to asylums, a children’s hospital and a House of Refuge for juvenile delinquents, but the 480-acre Randalls Island is now known for recreation.
“A lot of people know us for our sports fields, but we also have beautiful gardens, an urban farm and two salt marshes,” says Ellen McCarthy, public programs manager for Randalls Island Park Alliance. “It really feels like an escape.”
This weekend: The Governors Ball, New York’s massive music festival, continues through the weekend with headlining performances by Florence + The Machine on Saturday and the Strokes on Sunday (single-day tickets start at $115.
Plus: City kids can learn about where healthy food comes from at the free Urban Farm, open every Saturday and Sunday. They’ll learn how to grow crops, do some watering, plant seeds, make nature-based crafts and even meet some chickens.
Visitors can also work up a sweat every Tuesday and Thursday for free: an outdoor yoga class is open to all ability levels at 6:30 p.m.
Coming attractions: The island’s new Waterfront Festival is on tap for June 23 at the Harlem River Picnic Area (near the ferry dock). Young’uns may enjoy the puppet performance from Arm-of-the-Sea Theater and the bubble shenanigans of Bubbledad. Science learning, crafts, games and face painting will round out the event, along with a live jazz band.
“We have so many miles of coastline, so it’s a way of celebrating our unique location,” says McCarthy.
Outdoor family movie nights will also continue throughout the summer, with a screening of “Mary Poppins Returns” next up on June 8. And there’s free popcorn.
Fuel up: Head to the Courtside Café at the Sportime tennis center, where the grilled chicken sandwich on brioche with chipotle aioli and a side of fries ($11.50) is among the most popular offerings.
Fun fact: The New York Black Yankees, of the Negro National League, played home games on the island in 1938.
Getting there: Take the 4, 5 or 6 train to 125th Street and transfer to the M35 bus at the northwest corner of 125th Street and Lexington Avenue. It’s a 25-minute walk on the footbridge from East 103rd Street.