A little less NYC and a picayune more Cape Cod , City Island is a quaint island in the Bronx full of old strait-laced house , squawking seagulls , fresh table salt H2O , a marina full of sauceboat , and enough lobster to overgorge your face for days . While it feel far away from the cacophony of Midtown at lunchtime , the quaint community is less than an hr and a half on the subway , which means it ’s the perfect Clarence Day head trip for when you ’re burn out onbrunch , museums , anddance parties . Just take the 6 train to the last stop ( Pelham Bay Park ) , then take a 10 - minute bus ride on Bx29 to City Island ( or , if you ’re in a car , it ’s just a it ’s 40 - 60 minute drive from Midtown Manhattan ) . From seafood to sailing , here are 10 reasons to escape to City Island this summertime .
The seafood is fresh off the boat
Seafood is one of City Island ’s principal lures , with station likeJohnny ’s Reef , The Lobster Box , Seafood City , andOriginal Crab Shantyall offer that quintessential humbled - key , surf - shanty experience you just ca n’t get in Manhattan . Johnny ’s in particular ca n’t be missed – located right on the water , it ’s sort of remindful of a high schooling cafeteria ( minus the bullies ) , with food served on tray and stack of long blue terrace . Everything from lobster tails and scallops to clams and oysters can be ordered either fried or steam , and there are frozen cocktails aplenty . Also do n’t missLobster House , Sea Shore Restaurant & Marina(where you take to get the clam chowder ) , andSammy ’s Shrimp Box– or if you ’re looking something a little more upscale , The Black Whale .
You can spend a day out on the water
In improver to serve up that New England seafood experience without get to treat with Amtrak , City Island provides plenty of way to get out on a boat for the 24-hour interval . Local shopJack ’s Bait & Tackleoffers four - mortal fiberglass gravy boat for rip on a first - number - first - served basis ( $ 69.99 weekday , $ 99.99 weekends & holiday ) , which are n’t fancy by any means , but still a enceinte time ( so long as the intellection of Long Island Sound water splash on you does n’t freak out you out ) . If you ’re look to drop a little routine more and flex those summer cantonment skills , you may also go sail ( or at least check how to ) withThe New York Sailing Center($395-$795 depend on the course of instruction ) . Just please , do n’t make anyone touch to you as “ The Captain . ”
… and catch some fish
As the name suggests , Jack ’s Bait & Tacklealso sell lure . In fact , it ’s been providing topical anesthetic with bait since 1945 , and its staff will jubilantly run you to the dependable area to enchant porgy , flounder , bass voice , and bluefish ( and you thought the waters of New York were only full of syringes ! ) . For a fancier experience , you’re able to also charter a boat with Jack ’s orIsland Current .
You can party like an ’80s pop star
Got some cash to burn ? Take in the views of Manhattan while cruisingDuran Duran - styleon your very own yacht . Island Currentoffers private party boat renting on boats triple the size of your studio flat – roll from 42 - 76 ft long – that come fit out with a stereo system , a galley , and a radar to find fish , depending on which vessel you choose . If you ’re await to pass a Clarence Day hang out with protagonist on the water , popping Champagne , and blast toRioon repetition all Clarence Day ( colourful suits suggested ) , this is the move .
There’s plenty of history to explore
If your idea of a good time is less hedonistic and more intellectual ( or you just burn really easily ) , there ’s still something for you here . Stop by theCity Island Nautical Museumto find out all about City Island ’s ship building account and to see wooden sauceboat displays and photographs of City Island lifetime from years gone by .
Old-school ice cream shops reign supreme
No fishing township experience would be complete without some meth cream . After you ’ve stuffed your human face with seafood and spent some time out on the piddle , promontory over toLickety Splitfor a scoop of cherry velvet or Birthday Bash . Housed in an former cottage , Lickety Split is the perfect antidote to all the fancy multi - ingredient ice ointment you ’ve been spending far too much of your paycheck on . It ’s the variety of place that brings to mind lazy summertime , when you did n’t have a care in the world , and did n’t make out what artisanal meant .
Even a simple stroll around town isn’t boring
Since City Island is known for it ’s insanely beautiful Victorian architecture , you ’d be remiss not to wander around the muted , picturesque streets and take it all in . Streets and avenue like King , William , Belden , Horton , and Minnieford are idealistic for architectural middle confect that ’s certain to inspire ( and also depress you greatly , once you return to your apartment ) . Make indisputable you check out the Schofield House ( 65 Schofield St ) – build in 1840 , it ’s the old home on the island and arecent NYC turning point . Another gem is the Samuel Pell house , located at 586 City Island Ave ( Pell was a captain and descendent of the Pell family that once have the res publica . Talk about legit . )
There are lots of great local merchants
saunter down City Island Ave , the town ’s independent street , to visit some of the local shops and art gallery unequaled to the island . famish Artist Cafeis a verandah and coffee shop rolled into one , selling cool art books and hand-crafted jewellery . If it ’s old geezer you ’re looking for , Early Ruth Art & Antiqueshas enough bric - a - brac to fill that large country home you do n’t have . Jewelry lovers can head toCalico Juno Designswhich specialize in gemstone and wire designs .
Local theater prices beat Broadway every time
Since you ’re not getting intoHamiltonany time soon , enjoy a child’s play by the City Island Theater Group . They ’ve put on everything fromEvitatoThe Glass MenagerietoSteel Magnolias . Tickets are normally $ 20 , the theater of operations is pocket-sized , and best of all you ’ll feel like you ’re catching a minuscule town work right in NYC .
And, of course, there’s plenty to drink
Like everything else in City Island , booze here is more evocative of a small Ithiel Town experience than any overcrowded , overpriced ginmill in Manhattan or Brooklyn . City Island bars are truly where everybody knows your name , and well-disposed topical anesthetic and cheap drink make for a welcome respite for denizens of the other borough . You ca n’t go incorrect withThe Snug , a popular , no - frills Irish pub that ’s a favorite among locals for its talkative barkeeper ( severely , sit at the bar and just listen to their stories).Fella’sis another great pick – a local nosedive Browning automatic rifle with dear streak food , lots of chinchy beer , and a faculty that ’s been there for ages . For a ( more or less ) fancier choice , head toAlehouse City Island , a gastropub known for its craft beer selection and trivia Nox .
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Flickr/Joseph
Crab Shanty
Jack’s Bait and Tackle
City Island Nautical Museum
Flickr/gr1fter
The Snug
