The tiny island in the middle of the world’s richest city you’ve probably never heard of

When people think of rich cities, places like London, Paris, and Dubai often come to mind. But nothing comes close to New York City, which is often regarded as the financial capital of the world and home to more billionaires and millionaires than anywhere else on the planet.

According to Henley & Partners’ World’s Wealthiest Cities Report 2024, New York now ranks as the richest city globally, with 349,500 millionaires, 675 centi-millionaires, and 60 billionaires calling it home. The city’s economy is worth around £1 trillion and is mainly driven by Wall Street, home to the world’s two largest stock exchanges - the NYSE and Nasdaq.

Manhattan, in particular, is packed with luxury real estate, exclusive shops, and the headquarters of massive financial institutions like JPMorgan, Chase and Goldman Sachs.

But hidden among the high-rises, there’s a small island in the middle of the city that many people don’t even realise is there.

Roosevelt Island is tucked between Manhattan and Queens in the East River.

It’s officially part of Manhattan, but feels like a different world entirely.

Just 800 feet wide and two miles long, the island is peaceful, quiet and largely car-free, which is a rare thing in New York.

Travel experts at Lonely Planet say Roosevelt Island was once home to prisons, asylums and a smallpox hospital.

For nearly 150 years, it was used to isolate the city’s sick and vulnerable. Today, it has around 12,000 residents and is one of the most walkable and relaxing parts of the city.

The easiest way to get there is by cable car. The Roosevelt Island Tram takes just a few minutes to cross the river from Midtown Manhattan and climbs 250 feet into the air, offering great views of the skyline.

It’s one of the best-value experiences in the city as it costs just a single MetroCard swipe.

Once there, visitors can explore the island’s intriguing sites. At the southern tip is the ivy-covered ruin of the 1850s Smallpox Hospital, which is a popular photo spot.

Nearby is the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park, designed by architect Louis Kahn.

It includes a bust of the former president and a quiet space called “The Room” with views across to the United Nations.

There’s also the modern Cornell Tech campus, which opened in 2017 and is surrounded by green public walkways.

A full 360-degree perimeter path also makes Roosevelt Island a great place to walk or cycle, with views of the Queensboro Bridge, Manhattan smokestacks, and the Ravenswood power station in Queens.