City Island, New York

mSo here's the Resident Guide to NYC post about City Island- what some call the Cape Cod of New York City.

City Island is an island in Long Island Sound about 1.25 miles long in the northeast Bronx (NYC) or some like to think the southeast corner of Westchester County. Future posts will talk about the Island's history, but for now NYC visitors might want to know that City Island is a 50+ minute commute from mid-town NYC take the #6 train and then the #29 bus.

My suggestion take the bus to the very last stop, looking out the window- then walk back toward the bridge (City Island Bridge is the connection to the mainland). By riding to the end of the Island first you get a glimpse of what you want to see more of, and the wide variety of eateries - the major draw for visitors to the Island.

When you walk back to the bridge, take a moment sit in Catherine Scott Park and send some good thoughts to Catherine a City Island resident who made major contributions to presevering the history of the Island before her premature passing.

At the bridge area there's at least four seafood restaurants including JP's, Lobster House on the back street not right on the main drag City Island Avenue. My favorite 'big food' restaurant is a few blocks further, Artie's - no not waterfront but consistently good food; yet my overall preference is the several smaller neighborhood restaurants between Fordham and Carroll Streets-- then down 'the end' are the traditional Lobster Box, and the ever people original Sammy's. Johnny's Reef restaurant. The telephone wires around Johnny's home to wild parrots.

Then there's the City Island Nautical Museum on Fordham Street and for historical architecute buffs a significant number of historical homes including 586 City Island Avenue which was home to a sea captain. And recently Island residents reconstructed an historical ship that sits as a monument in front of the public school PS 172 on the Avenue. And of course, Starving Artist Gallery where there's a great music lineup. Music is also on tap across the street from the Tree House Cafe, schedules for both are posted in their windows.

The New York Public Library branch on the Island is home to the largest ship collection in the library system and across the street is Ron Terner's gallery and the lucky lotto store.

Writing this post I'm thinkng City Island and other similar neighborhoods are worthy of their own blogs.

Summer in the City II

Summer in the City II is a continuation of last post. New York City events for August 2009 (plan ahead) include:

FREE Lincoln Center out of Doors events and of course continuatin of films at Bryant Park
with August films including Kramer vs. Kramer, The Magnificent Seven and Close Encounters.

For a New York Resident mini-vacation in July head out to the Tree House on City Island, enjoy a truly amazing dinner, then walk across the avenue to enjoy Saturday Night Jazz. There is a $10 cover at the time of this posting, but if the future July gigs are as good as yesterday's- worth every penny.

City Island is billed as the Cape Cod of the city and accessible by #6 train and #29 bus. Or if you land on another train route #5, #2, #4 or the D then it is the #12 to the #29 connect at Pelham Bay Station- use the MTA map planner on the blog.

Hmm maybe I need a full post on City Island.

Summer in the City

Well last we spoke it was fall and now whoosh it is Summer in the City again. Activities abound and perhaps to jump start I should send you to the River to River Festival

In the spirit of the economic challenges most of us face let's check out free stuff in the city, like the Monday night film festival and after work concert series in Bryant Park.

Bryant Park is located behind the New York Public Library Main Branch at 42nd Street. The library itself is a wonderful Summer in the City excursion and the NYPL website has information about a variety of summertime activities.

Thanks NYC taxpayers and all those who fund these events.