Exploring the Seaside Village of City Island

If you think all of New York City is the same, then think again. With the help of a local resident, It's time to hit the streets of a small island in the Bronx to uncover some incredible nautical-themed architectural, cultural, and culinary gems that can't be found anywhere else in the five boroughs.

Join New York Adventure Club for a special access trip to City Island, a small seaside community at the edge of New York City — located just beyond Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx — that was once the location of a thriving oyster business and boat-building industry.

Led by a City Island resident, this experience of one of New York’s most unique communities will include:

• A brief history of City Island and how it has been home to everything from mulberry orchards, to oystering, to boat building
• A rare visit to one of City Island’s most historic private waterfront properties — originally built by the second-in-command at Tammany Hall, this home has been featured in movies including The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) and Long Day’s Journey Into Night (1962)
• A stroll through downtown City Island to highlight everything from historic buildings to great places to grab a seafood meal
• A peek inside the Nautical Museum, which focuses on the island’s development throughout the centuries
• A discussion around what it's like to live on City Island, and the difference between residents who are considered "clamdiggers" or "musselsuckers"

Click here to see pictures from one of our last visits to City Island!

See you there!

*Please bring a water bottle and comfortable pair of shoes as we’ll be doing a lot of walking!

**We recommend eating lunch on City Island beforehand — The Black Whale, Johnny’s Reef, Archies Tap and Table, and the City Island Diner are all local favorites!

Transportation

By Subway: Take the 6 subway to the final stop (Pelham Bay Park), and transfer to the BX29 bus towards City Island outside the station (here is an exact location of the bus stop). Disembark the bus at the City Island Av/Fordham St stop — the museum is a short walk away.

By Car: Parking is available around the museum — allow extra time to find parking.

Testimonials

"It was nice to have someone who was a local point out things in City Island & provide information we would never be privy to just walking around and looking at things ourselves. The guide was very nice and interesting and ended the tour showing us the view from her beautiful home, which was incredible." -Meredith

"We loved learning the history and had several “behind the scenes” experiences where we were invited to photograph incredible views. Would love to go back and explore City Island more." -Lora

"Very knowledgeable tour guide and always wanted to visit City Island! Great experience thank you." -Ginger

"Barbara, the guide, was personable, knowledgable, and entertaining." -Mark

"Barbara was an excellent tour guide - full of knowledge about City Island, and very generous to share it. Very, very enjoyable! Thank you." -Arlene

"I have never spent any time in City Island before. I loved it, it is lovely." -Rick

"Extremely knowledgeable guide. Lots of local info." -Ronald

"We had a very good local guide who had lots of interesting stories about City Island." -Lily

"Destination was new for me and the ease of transit. Also being outdoors in fresher air was great." -Catherine

"Nautical museum docent was welcoming and informative. We loved the entire tour!" -Debbie

"Spending time at tour guides house." -Randee

"The guide is fantastic and this is a corner of NYC few people visit." -Eleanor

"Barbara was a terrific guide!" -Richard

"Barbara was wonderful. She brought the island to life with her stories." -Michelle

"Barbara, the guide, was knowledgeable and interesting. Perfect afternoon." -Helen

"Informative, insider angle especially great." -Zhanna

"Barbara from the Nautical Museum was very knowledgeable about the Island and its history." -Lou

"Hosts were great - super friendly, inclusive and event was very thorough and interesting." -Kathleen

"Knowledgeable guide." -Angela

"Well thought out, organized, informative." -Carol

"The guide was very knowledgable and personable." -Maria

"Speaker was very knowledgeable." -Jim

"Barbara was a local and had lots of inside information on City Island history and current events." -Emily

"It was interesting to visit a place I hadn't been to before. Guide was knowledgeable and personable." -Gregg

" Knowledgeable guide and beautiful water views" -Susan

" Knowledgeable enthusiastic guide" -Angela

" I liked everything!" -Jorge

" I love City Island and Barbara did a wonderful job. She is very knowledgeable and as a bonus, she invited us to her home after the tour." -Richard

" Barbara was a delight. She was so friendly, informative and patient." -R Hollis

" Nice afternoon. Thank you." -Kimberly

" Informative and fun. The guide was amazing." -Maria

" So interesting! Had never been to City Island before, so fun to learn about a part of the city! Guide was fantastic.Thanks to the guide for the special personal touch of showing us where she lives." -Mary

"Very informative with a lot of historical information" -Michael

"Very informative. I liked hearing about the specific sites to visit." -Shalom

"I didn't know much about City island before the event, learned quite a bit. Would like to visit in the near future." -Carole

"Barbara is a truly amazing person — the tour was a gorgeous expression of her knowledge and passion for her community. With her introduction to City Island, I know I’ll be back again and again! She wove together history and the present seamlessly, and she engaged with everyone in a meaningful way. And City Island itself is an amazing place to visit. What a surprise to find this corner of NYC so breathtakingly different. Fantastic to see our nautical roots and all the community aspects that make our city great." -Kirsten

"Barbara was very personable and knowledgeable. Learned a lot about a place I was always curious about." -Lorraine

"Barbara was very knowledgeable and just an awesome person" -Audrey

Disclaimer

Event takes place rain or shine.

By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.

Categories: In-Person, Neighborhood Tours

Host or Publisher New York Adventure Club