If you find yourself in NYC this summer and are looking for an off-the-beaten-path excursion, look no further than the unexpected urban retreat of City Island in The Bronx. Located just past Throgs Neck at the start of the Long Island Sound, this scenic fishing town is like a slice of New England, and it’s reachable by the local BX29 city bus. With its prodigious piers and seafood shacks, you’ll instantly feel like you’re on vacation as soon as you take one look around.

Although there are many sights and sounds to take in around here as you make your way down toward the shore, Sammy’s Fish Box is a City Island classic that can’t be missed. In addition to their extensive selection of fresh, local seafood, Sammy’s boasts an impressive array of tropical frozen cocktails. On a sweltering summer’s day, you’ll feel as if you’re drifting further and further away from the hustle bustle and humidity of New York with each passing sip.

Their Creamy Pina Colada specialty takes the classic coconut cocktail and kicks it into high gear with some added ice cream. The Frankenstein Monster will meld you into your seat with five different styles of Caribbean rums mixed with fresh fruit juices. Another creative ensemble is their City Island Iced Tea, which meshes just about every spirit behind the bar into a disastrously drinkable outcome. A special Martini menu offers all sorts of curious creations. Yet you can also enjoy all the traditional island classics, like frozen Margaritas, Mojitos, Sex On The Beach, or a sweet strawberry daiquiri—which, as they are quick to point out, is a natural aphrodisiac.

New York is an impossibly expansive urban landscape. Seeing it all is quite a daunting task, even in a lifetime of voyages around the five boroughs. City Island is a rare escape that few New Yorkers ever take advantage of. But once you tune into ‘island time,’ sipping on some potent tropical treats from Sammy’s, you’ll wonder why it took so long to get here. It might take you even longer to leave.