City Island Offers Bronx Escape with Coastal Charm

A tranquil enclave retains its maritime spirit and small-town feel.

Dead-end streets on City Island reveal glimpses of the water and the scent of seaweed, offering a serene counterpoint to the area’s bustling maritime past.

Island’s Enduring Appeal

This 1.5-mile-long strip of land, situated between the Bronx’s Pelham Bay Park and Nassau County’s Kings Point, provides a tranquil retreat. Eastchester Bay borders its western side, while the Long Island Sound lies to the east. Visitors discover a unique atmosphere, far removed from urban clamor, with plentiful seafood restaurants and historical sites like the City Island Nautical Museum and a waterfront cemetery.

The island’s quiet charm is palpable; the chirping of birds fills the air, and a friendly nod from a local hot dog vendor acknowledges one’s presence. Crucially, street parking remains free, adding to the island’s accessibility.

“People come out here and they go ‘We’re in the Bronx?’ ” recounted **Mike Carew**, a former NYPD detective diver who owns Captain Mike’s Diving on the island. “I grew up in a small neighborhood where everybody knew everybody and they help each other. City Island is like that.”

A Seafood Haven with a Rich Past

City Island Avenue, the main thoroughfare, is dominated by a vibrant seafood dining scene. Originally the heart of the oyster harvesting industry in the early 1800s, the island transitioned into a hub for boat building and ship docking by the late 19th century. It even played a role in maintaining vessels for America’s Cup competitions, as noted by local reporter and City Island Historical Society vice president **Barbara Dolensek**.

“People from all over the Bronx came to work here,” **Dolensek** shared. While those industries have faded, their legacy endures. Boat service businesses still operate, and a community initiative, City Island Oyster Reef, is actively working to restore oyster populations and marine habitats.

The island’s compact size makes it easy to explore without feeling overwhelmed. The nautical museum opens only on weekends, and the historic Pelham Cemetery offers a contemplative space, with graves dating back to the Civil War and poignant 19th-century family stories.

Architectural enthusiasts will appreciate the diverse housing styles lining the residential streets branching off City Island Avenue, featuring charming Victorian and Second Empire homes.

Barbara Dolensek also leads historical walking tours that culminate at her own landmarked 1896 cedar shingle home, a property that has been featured in films, including the 1962 drama “Long Day’s Journey Into Night.”

“Most people like the historic houses,” **Dolensek** added, “but also the sense of City Island as a small town in spite of its being in New York City.” This sentiment underscores the island’s unique ability to offer a secluded, community-focused experience within the vast metropolis. For instance, a 2023 study by the Regional Plan Association found that New Yorkers increasingly seek out such “third places” for recreation and connection, with island communities like City Island seeing a rise in day-tripper visits.

Getting to City Island is often quickest by car, even with tolls, as public transportation from areas like western Nassau can be time-consuming, often exceeding two hours.

Unlike many urban destinations, City Island proudly remains largely free of chain stores, with only a single Dunkin’ franchise present. This commitment to individuality is reflected in its local identity, with residents proudly self-identifying as “clam diggers” while affectionately referring to outsiders as “mussel suckers.”