Visit City Island: A slice of New England in the Bronx

Oysters on the half-shell, lobster by the pound, spectacular views overlooking the water and quaint shop-lined streets. A small, tucked-away New England town, right? Nope! Try our very own City Island, located right off the coast of the Bronx. Pick a weekend before the weather turns colder and take in the sights, sounds and seafood of this Big Apple hidden gem.

DON’T MISS
Much of the activity on City Island appropriately centers around the water, so a day on the island wouldn’t really be complete without some boat gazing. The City Island Yacht Club (63 Pilot St., cityislandyc.org) hosts sailing races from May through September, so try to catch the last of this year’s Sunday Jam Series on Sept. 8.

Not to be missed is the City Island Nautical Museum (190 Fordham St., 718-885-0008, cityislandmuseum.org), which preserves and exhibits City Island’s rich nautical history.

The museum is only open Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m., so plan accordingly.

Before you check out the museum, peruse the plethora of shops that dot City Island Avenue. On your way in, before you hit the actual limits of City Island itself, stop by the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum (895 Shore Rd., 718-885-1461, bpmm.org).

Tucked away in Pelham Bay Park amid the golf courses between the Bronx and City Island, the mansion is the only grand country house left in Pelham Bay, which once was full of elegant country estates. Take a guided tour of the house on Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday afternoons from noon to 4 p.m., or stroll the grounds and check out the formal terraced garden on your own. The fall exhibition, “A Gardener’s Library: Vintage Books from the Bartow-Pell Collection,” opens Friday, Sept. 6, and runs through Nov. 17.

WHERE TO EAT
Finding a place to eat on City Island is not a problem — you’re more likely to have trouble picking just one. And, of course, it’s blasphemous if you don’t try the seafood. For unparalleled views and fried-up goodness, check out Johnny’s Famous Reef Restaurant (2 City Island Ave., 718-885-2086, johnnysreefrestaurant.com). Unpretentious and right on the water, the renowned spot is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

A little up the block is Sammy’s territory, with Sammy’s Fish Box (41 City Island Ave., 718-509-6367, sammysfishbox.com) and Sammy’s Shrimp Box (64 City Island Ave., 718- 885-3200, sammysshrimpbox.com) flanking the street. And for some upscale flare, check out the scene at Artie’s Steak & Seafood Restaurant (394 City Island Ave., 718-885-9885, artiesofcityisland.com).

All the way at the other end of the island is the City Island Lobster House (691 Bridge St., 718-885-1459, cilobsterhouse.com), serving up oysters, shrimp, scallops, catch of the day, crab and, of course, lobster. In nice weather, head to the back and snag a seat at the water’s edge.

Every table gets some scrumptious garlic bread and a starter plate, with cheese, salad and marinated mushrooms to kick off the meal. Lunch items are packed with soup or salad, a choice of fries, baked potato, rice or linguine and a dessert.

HOW TO GET THERE
Take the 4 or 5 train to 125th Street and switch to the 6 up to Pelham Bay Park, all the way at the end of the line. Walk out of the station and hop on the Bx29 bus, which runs straight down City Island Avenue. We suggest taking the bus all the way down and then walking back. The length of the island is about an hourlong walk.