another cool thing about the Bronx

City Island is one of those cool, far-away places in the Bronx that isn’t actually all that far away. Hop the northbound six for 30 minutes to the end, transfer right there to the CityIslandBX29 and about 10 minutes later you are crossing the bridge, about 45 minutes in all.

In Summer it’s like our own Martha’s Vineyard if Martha worked in Manhattan, rode the eastside IRT and had a shadowy pal named Vinnie the Keel. ;-)

There are restaurants galore and marinas and piers and beautiful vistas all around. You can walk much of it, too, although taking a bicycle on the subway and then riding the last 3 miles to the bridge is really the way to go. 

City Island is tiny, barely 1/3rd the size of Central Park. On a bike you can own it in a day.

It’s ringed with sailboats and seagulls and the main drag is studded with ship yards, junk shops and antique stores. Some of the “America’s Cup” sailboats have been built here. And the ice cream truck is never far away.

The amazing thing is how quiet it can be and how distant you feel. It’s like going back in time.

The island is home to four yacht clubs including this namesake above, the City Island Yacht Club, located at the red marker on Pilot Street on the map.

Incorporated in 1907 it took its present home in 1921, adding additional property, more waterline and a post-prohibition liquor license in 1930. Yeah baby, rum. 

It’s quite the proper neighborhood.

The club house is nice, too, ClockTowerTenants will do a feature on the interior in the weeks ahead. 

Twice it’s been inundated with storm water.

But the boats are the real reason to go.

Motors and sailboats of all kinds, many up in dry dock for repair or paint…

... or just a wash and wax before heading to the water for the season.

That’s the Throggs Neck Bridge on the horizon.

City Island is well out into the Long Island Sound. It’s odd to still be in the Bronx and feel this green and clean. :-)

City Island New York, another cool thing about the Bronx.


 It’s not actually in the shadow of 

the Empire State Building.

But it sure feels like it.