The FDR Drive is not only one of the fastest ways to avoid gridlock and travel between uptown and downtown in NYC, but it’s also a beautiful scenic drive along the East side of Manhattan.  We love taking the Drive in the morning, as the rising sun sparkles on the river and reflects off the buildings.

Construction of the East River Drive (later renamed the FDR Drive) began in 1934:

[1934, Beginning construction of the East River Drive. Hugh Johnson, Fiorello LaGuardia and Robert Moses on Grand Street.  source]

This is a great shot of the construction in 1939:

1939- East River Drive Construction

Here’s the same view (looking South from Queensborough Bridge) in 1940:

1940- East River Drive Construction

And the view in 1941:

December 1941- East River Drive

1940s Vintage Postcard, East River Drive

One of our favorite sights along the Drive is the Empire State Building.  Here’s the view in 1941:

2011-Lower Manhattan, Empire State Building

And the view 70 years later in 2011:

2011- Lower Manhattan, Empire State Building

Lastly, a beautiful early morning shot of the Drive:

2011- FDR Drive