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There are many exciting activities to participate in in The Bronx, so if you’re uncertain about visiting, I recommend checking it out. The Bronx may not be as popular as the tourist hotspots of Manhattan and Brooklyn, but it`s an interesting area that stands out for its rich, unique culture.
The Bronx is known for being tougher than other NYC’s 5 boroughs, but it’s also where legends like Al Pacino, Jennifer Lopez, and Mary J. Blige originated from. This area of the city has its own history and a legacy of artistic exploration and wealth. It’s also full of natural parks and green spaces, as well as some of the oldest homes and monuments in the city.
Additionally, it`s just north of Manhattan, so you don`t have to travel far to experience the top attractions inThe Bronx. If you`re short on time or want to ensure you only visit the safest areas of the borough, consider this combined tour, which also takes you through Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
Naturally, I propose dedicating time to explore this district and its hidden treasures. To assist you in deciding what attractions to see in The Bronx, below are 10 top things to see and activities to engage in.
Table of Contents
1. Visit New York Botanical Garden, the best thing to do in The Bronx
Without question, 🗽 is one of the 🏞️ in The Bronx. It encompasses over 250 acres of themed gardens, walking paths, and greenhouses, making it a lovely place for all ages.
Here, visitors will find a children’s adventure garden as well as lush areas of azaleas, roses, and herbs. This attraction is open year-round, so depending on the time of visit, different seasonal blooms and plant species will be seen.
Be sure to tour the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory showcasing a variety of flora like tropical plants, climbing vines, cacti, and even aquatic varieties, primarily during warmer weather. An outdoor lake features lovely water lilies and lotus blossoms which are quite beautiful in springtime.
Throughout the grounds, visitors will find wooded routes through the arboretum on foot, so this makes for a great place to visit as a date in NYC or with family. This legendary landmark in the Bronx is highly popular, so obtain your ticket here or utilize your New York Pass.
2. Watch a baseball game at Yankee Stadium, something fun to do in The Bronx
For sports fans, Yankee Stadium in The Bronx is a must-visit attraction. This massive sports complex is home to the iconic New York Yankees baseball team, renowned for their 27 World Series championship titles.
Even if the Yankees are not your most loved team, touring the arena or attending a summer baseball match is worth your time. Yankee Stadium has a capacity of over 50,000 people, and hosts facility trips for visitors. Each journey lasts approximately one hour and includes a stop at Memorial Park, the stadium`s open museum.
Check out memorials, plaques, and commemorative granite slabs for famous players like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, and Lou Gehrig. You’ll also see retired jersey numerals and artifacts chronicling the history of the franchise.
3. Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, one of the most famous places in The Bronx, New York
For those who value literary history, the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage is a renowned place in The Bronx to explore. This humble residence in the Fordham neighborhood of The Bronx served as the writer`s final home, shared with his wife and mother-in-law.
During his time here, Poe crafted some of his most notorious literary evaluations, as well as poems like Annabel Lee and Ulalume. Today, the home is a designated landmark and detailed on the National Register of Historic Places.
You can go and see for yourself the humble, colonial-style furnishings and basic ambiance of the house, which surprised many of Poe’s contemporaries at the time. From the outside, the building doesn’t look any different from the other homes in the area, but it holds significant value for fans of Poe and his dreary and mysterious writings.
4. Little Italy, one of the best places to eat in The Bronx
While Manhattan`s Little Italy is likely more familiar, The Bronx additionally has a Little Italy. It surrounds Arthur Avenue, in the Belmont area of The Bronx, housing bakeries, restaurants, pizzerias, and stores.
Little Italy is one of the best neighborhoods in The Bronx for eating, since you’ll find delightful pizza, homemade Italian dishes prepared with care, and scrumptious desserts. Notable spots include Terranova Bakery and Artuso Pastry Shop, famous for freshly-baked bread and sweets, as well as Famosa Pizza and Ivana’s Pizzeria for the most taste New York-style pizza in the locale. Top it off with traditional cannoli, and you’ve experienced a full culinary tour through Little Italy.
In addition, this neighborhood has independently-run shops, markets, butchers, and delis where you can purchase fresh mozzarella cheese, handmade pasta, and more. So, if you’re seeking a Bronx touristattraction that will appeal to everyone, Little Italy is a must-see.
5. Stroll through Wave Hill, something to do in The Bronx as a family
One of the top things to experience in The Bronx is spending time in a park or natural space, and for that, I recommend Wave Hill. This old estate dates back to 1843 consisting of two homes, a conservatory, and lovely public gardens spread across 28 acres.
Wave Hill was originally constructed for a lawyer before being sold to a prominent New York publisher in 1903. Over the years, famous figures rented the home, such as Theodore Roosevelt and Mark Twain. Today, it remains a beautiful landmark in The Bronx, New York open for public visits.
In this location, you are able to inspect the welcome center and explore the wooded pathway for walking, then stroll throughout the public gardens brimming with herbs, perennials, and other blooms. The garden pergola overlooks the major river flowing through New York and into the Atlantic Ocean, so it’s the perfect spot to sit down and spend a few relaxing moments in nature. Keep an eye out for hummingbirds, great blue herons, and bald eagles.
There is additionally a horticultural conservatory with cacti and succulents, and the T.H. Everett Alpine House, which contains mountaineous plants and flora. Generally, this is one of the best spots in The Bronx to visit as a couple for an open air date or serene afternoon.
6. Bronx Museum of the Arts, one of the most popular tourist attractions in The Bronx
For something complimentary to do in The Bronx, I recommend exploring The Bronx Museum of the Arts. This is one of the top gratis museums in NYC and focuses on contemporary art by a diverse group of artists and communities.
The museum possesses various permanent collections of art installations and sculptures, photographs, paintings, drawings, prints, and more. There are also shifting visiting exhibits that you can find here throughout the year, not to mention community happenings like curated tours and family days.
The works explored here cover various themes, ranging from diverse ethnic identities to historic events, in addition to legends and local creators. It’s among the most renowned museums in The Bronx, NY, so if you’re seeking things to do on a rainy day or want to experience unique perspectives, check it out. The museum is open Wednesday – Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
7. Pelham Bay Park, one of the best parks in The Bronx, NY
As mentioned earlier, there are lovely green spaces in The Bronx area of New York City so one cannot visit here without spending some time outdoors. Pelham Bay Park is an excellent location for recreation, people watching and nature walks making it worth exploring during your stay.
Pelham Bay Park covers a sizable area, spanning 2,700 acres and offering different geological areas where you can uncover various flora and fauna. The park dates back to 1888 and has expanded to incorporate two golf courses, an equestrian center, a running track, and multiple playgrounds.
For this reason, it’s one of the most desirable areas in The Bronx to visit as a couple or with children. You’ll constantly find people playing basketball, tennis, or bocce here, as well as folks relaxing in the grass or socializing on benches.
In addition to the leisurely activities, the park offers a respite from the busyness of the city. It’s a popular venue for nature walks and bird-watching since ospreys, loons, and willow flycatchers inhabit the region.
Pelham Bay Park is also home to Orchard Beach, the sole beach in The Bronx and one of the top beaches in NYC. This public, artificial beach nicknamed The Bronx Riviera offers views of Long Island Sound, a scenic freshwater cove, and a waterfront promenade where shopping or dining can be found.
8. Van Cortlandt Park and House Museum, a famous landmark in The Bronx
Another highly recommended park in New York City can be found in The Bronx region. Van Cortlandt Park is a commonly visited park inThe Bronx area known for its relaxing scenery and expansive greenery. Visitors come here to participate in sports, take nature walks, and admire the historic landmarks and constructions.
One of the famous Bronx landmarks is the Van Cortlandt House Museum. Constructed in 1748, it remains the oldest building still standing in the borough and has been officially declared a National Historic Landmark. This home possesses a fieldstone exterior, reflecting the Georgian architectural style and over the eras, the Van Cortlandt family added a grist mill and grain plantation here.
During the American struggle for independence, leaders for example George Washington would remain here, and presently, you can take a self-guided tour to see what the interior of the house would`ve appeared like back in that era. The house museum also possesses some exhibits and historical artifacts that provide you a glimpse of 18th-century living.
Entry charges $5 for adults and $3 for children, but you can go in free on Wednesdays.
9. Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, another museum in The Bronx, NY
The Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum is another historic house museum in The Bronx, New York. It’s in Pelham Bay Park, so if you needed another reason to visit this beautiful green space, this is it.
The estate dwelling is one of the few surviving structures from the mid-19th century in the area and was initially built in 1836. It was originally designed in the Greek Revival style, though later renovations showcase the Federal style. In addition to the main mansion, there is a carriage house and a formal garden containing a terrace and a children’s garden.
Furthermore, the museum houses impressive items like Aaron Burr’s old desk and an authentic Lannuier bed, as well as the Pell family burial sites. The estate also overlooks the bay, so it offers a pleasant place in TheBronx to visit for a change of environment. Admittance to the mansion museum is $10, and you can participate in a guided tour.
10. Visit Woodlawn Cemetery, a unique thing to do in The Bronx, New York
Finally, Woodlawn Cemetery is a scenic attraction for travelers in The Bronx, even though initially it may appear somewhat peculiar. While it serves as a burial ground, this location is equally a National Historic Landmark spread over 400 hectares of lovely natural surroundings, tree-lined paths, and a tranquil environment.
Taking a reflective stroll along the grassy hills and inspecting the memorials, sculptures, and monuments is one of the prime outdoor pastimes in NYC. As one of the largest burial areas in the city, Woodlawn has over 300,000 burial plots and acts as the final resting place for numerous notable figures.
For instance, author Herman Melville, musicians Miles Davis and Duke Ellington, and entrepreneurs Rowland Hussey Macy and F. W. Woolworth have been laid to rest here. You can also visit singer Celia Cruz’s mausoleum and several memorials and war graves from the Civil War era.
Overall, this is a pleasant outdoor area with a peaceful atmosphere that’s quite welcome following a busy day in the city. You can visit independently or sign up for a walking or trolley tour through the cemetery’s website.
Now you comprehend the coolest things to do in The Bronx, NY! I’m leaving a map here with all my recommendations so you can schedule your visit to the best places in The Bronx.
Of course, don’t hesitate to leave me a comment if you have any questions about The Bronx, New York. I would be delighted to help, and I’d love to hear about your favorite aspect to experience in The Bronx.
Until then, have an awesome trip!
