City Island is a seaside town in the Bronx. Known for its fishing, seafood, and main street it is a self-contained working-class haven. The buildings range from late 1800's houses to 1960's storefronts, and you can smell the ocean everywhere on the island. Restaurants and local pubs dot City Island Ave, and even the few empty storefronts stay vibrant. 

This place has one of the hottest rooms I've ever been in. The combination of barely being able to breathe from the heat to immediately jumping into a freezing murky pool is addictive. There's also a great roof patio for a change of scenery. A good old school New York spot.

where I walk with my dog near my apartment, is also the remains of what was Fort Putnam in the late 1700’s and later Fort Washington near the Navy Yard. Not the largest park but a regular part of my routine and big enough to feel like you’re still out of the city when you’re in the middle of it.

I live above TriBeCa and take walks into and around this area often. It's quiet, usually on the emptier side, and hosts a few gems of restaurants including Tiny's, Takahachi, and Odeon - all on the same block of West Broadway.

I love sneaking over here in the middle of the day to see a movie - they always have the best selection of films. I recently saw Pina in 3D and The Kid with a Bike here, and another time I saw Bela Fleck play the banjo after a screening of Throw Down Your Heart.