Quick Links
City Island is a clandestine fishing village hidden in the Bronx, New York City. The Bronx offers plenty of things to do and see and is one of the less visited but most beautiful destinations in NYC, with many places to visit, one of them being City Island. City Island is one of those stunning but hidden gem places that are not easily noticed by the public. It is so obscure that there are people who have lived in New York for many years who have never heard about the village.
Although City Island is a small village, it is full of adventure, and there are exciting activities to enjoy there. One of the best ways to discover the grandeur of the fishing village is by taking a road trip and going on an adventurous scenic drive.
Scenic Stops On A Road Trip To City Island In New York City
City Island is a great escape from the boisterous activity of New York City. The vibe in City Island is quite similar to that of New England because of the harbor, cute houses, the abundance of seafood, small and large boats, and the charming population. There are many exciting sea activities on City Island, but nothing compares to taking a tour of the Island first.
Tourists who would love to visit a similar destination should check out the many beautiful places in New England on an NYC to Boston road trip after visiting City Island. Tourists can also have fun comparing the similarity of both places.
The first highlight of the trip is definitely the sea creatures on the waters of Long Island Sound. Tourists can stop by the waters to enjoy a pleasant moment of watching seagulls and ducks feeding on fish or weeds found on the surface of the water. They can also see some residents having a fun time in the water. Some can be seen fishing, while some would be seen spreading their fishing net for the next catch. Some could also be found sailing on the sea.
Miles away from Time Square, City Island is home to over 3000 residents and impressive small and historical structures in the village. The population is not the only thing small about the village; the houses are too. Tourists can park their cars and take a walk around the Island for a tour of the beautiful and charming small houses, which some tourists would almost confuse for houses in New England.
Some notable houses on City Island that tourists can check out are the following:
- Three-story empire-style frame house belonging to Samuel Pell on 586 City Island Avenue.
- Transitional Italianate-style farmhouse belonging to William Schofield on 65 Schofield Street.
- Houses on King Avenue, Minnieford Avenue, Belden Street, and Horton Street.
Tourists coming in from Pelham Bay will get to see jaw-dropping views of the sea on the way, and if they look closely as they go or take a quick stop, they will see the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline from the Harlem Yacht Club.
Tourists should also check out the cemetery at Pelham for more intriguing island views.
When Is The Best Time To Visit City Island In NYC?
The best time to go on a City Island road trip is definitely before or after summer. May to October is usually very busy on the Island because this is when visitors and tourists troop in. Tourists who are looking to go at a more quiet time when there are fewer people should go in September or anytime before May to October.
Another reason is the one-way bridge. The City Island bridge linking the Bronx with Rodman’s neck is the bridge visitors can take to access the island. This bridge is usually crowded and unavoidably slow when there are many visitors going to the island. To avoid the one-way traffic, tourists can wait till after summer.
What Are The Best Restaurants On City Island?
There are many seafood restaurants on City Island where tourists can enjoy the best food, but the most popular of them all is Johnny’s Reef. Every City Island visitor should visit Johnny’s Reef for delectable fish fries, scallops, lobster tails, shrimp, Pina Colada, calamari, and many more.
Johnny’s Reef is open from Wednesday to Sunday by 11:30 am.
Tourists should also visit the City Island Lobster House to enjoy a lobster feast and other palatable meals on their menu.
Other places to check out are:
Tourists can also cool down with Ice cream after a sunny day on the island at Lickety Split Icecream shop.
After enjoying delicious meals at these restaurants, tourists can take a food tour of the USA cities with the best (and worst) seafood.
Other Things To Do On City Island
Adventure in City Island is not complete without some historical, fun, and recreational activities in the Bronx. Here are the major landmarks in City Island that tourists must definitely visit.
The City Island Nautical Museum
Not too far from Lickety Split is the City Island Museum. It is the best place to learn about the history of the Island and other fascinating stories and artifacts that makes up the island. The museum is easy to find because it is situated in a building that used to be a school and one of the landmarks of City Island. At the Museum, tourists will learn about the Revolutionary War, the island's development, and its connection to the US military through photos, boat artifacts, and voice-overs.
The residents of City Island are approachable and polite people. Tourists can strike up conversations with them to get to know more about the island and to discover more fun and exciting places to see.
City Island Boat Ride Tour And Activities
Tourists can take a boat ride on the sea, go fishing, discover the nightlife on the sea, or watch the sunrise and sunset on the sea at the island. There are several companies on the island that facilitates these tours for tourists. Some of them are:
- Jack’s Bait and Tackle
- Riptide 3
Tourists can also go shopping at retail or antique stores before leaving the island.
Lastly, the adventure should not end here; tourists can go on more New York adventures with a 14-day itinerary or visit any of the most beautiful spring destinations in New York.