Things To Do in The Bronx
What is there to do in the Bronx?
The Bronx. It’s the only borough of New York City, that is physically attached to the United States mainland. It’s too remote for many visitors and New Yorkers and it makes it one of the lesser-known areas of The Big Apple. When looking for the best things to do in New York City, the Bronx has to be on your list. The Bronx has linked to many bad stereotypes thanks to the media. But what is Bronx New York known for? Is it safe to live in the Bronx? Find out in this article!
Getting to The Bronx in New York
The borough is huge and there’s a bunch of things to do in the Bronx. Getting there really depends on where you’re trying to go since everything can be spread out. If you want to check out Yankee Stadium, you can take the or the to Yankee Stadium Station/161st Street. Additionally, the train stops at 167th Street and is another station you can stop at if the previous trains mentioned above is nowhere near your vicinity.
What is there to do in the Bronx?
Many New York City visitors won’t have the Bronx in New York on their radar. Some may believe the Bronx is a dangerous place to be at, others simply don’t know about the hidden gems and main highlights this area has to offer. These are my 5 highlights in the Bronx that you should have on your list when coming to the borough.
The Top 5 Things to Do in the Bronx
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01
New York Yankees
Sport Events in Concourse
The home of the Bronx Bombers or officially known as the New York Yankees. They’re arguably the most prestigious baseball team in the MLB. Baseball is part of the New York Culture in the summer and Yankee Stadium is their home. While many only come for beers and the fun of it the stadium itself is already worth the visit.
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02
Bronx Zoo
Other Attraction in Bronx Park
Do you want to experience the largest metropolitan zoo in the US? Then go check out the Bronx Zoo. It’s perfect for families and especially kids. At the Bronx Zoo you can experience your wild side and explore a national treasure in the Bronx.
The Bronx Zoo is known as one of the best in the country and offers many different species from all over the world. The Bronx Zoo is one of my absolute highlights in the area and something you shouldn’t miss.
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03
New York Botanical Garden
Other Attraction in Bronx Park
If you’re making a trip out to The Bronx Zoo, then you should also check out the New York Botanical Garden which is located a little more north in relation to the zoo. The garden is a National Historic Landmark is housing over 1 million different types of plants that are spread over the 250-acre site. The New York Botanical Garden is known for its Orchid Show and many other special events.
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04
Van Cortland Park
Park in Bronx
color autumn forest as nice natural backgroundVan Cortlandt Park in the Bronx is more than a thousand acres big and located atop the ridges and valleys of the northwest Bronx. It is New York City’s third largest park. Van Cortland Park is popular for runners, hikers and families because of the many playing fields and playgrounds that are scattered about the park’s edges.
The park is also home to the country’s first public golf course, the oldest house in the Bronx, and the borough’s largest freshwater lake. Van Cortland Park has many different shades. You can find green fields and forests but also fun cricket plays atop the Parade Ground.
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05
The Bronx Museum of the Arts
Museum in Bronx
At the Bronx Museum of Arts you can learn all about 20th and 21st century American art. In addition, there is a very good insight into the art and design scene from Africa and Asia. Especially exciting is the overview of the creative scene in the Bronx.
Map for the Bronx
Shopping in the Bronx
In the Bronx, you won’t find many or barely any high-end retailers. However, there are some stores in the Fordham area where you can find local stores which is a fun experience if you want to feel like a local in the Bronx. If you truly want to experience shopping in NYC head over to our full guide about shopping in NYC.
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The best Restaurants in the Bronx
Due to its multicultural nature, the Bronx is home to a variety of restaurants. Below is our recommended spots to check out for good eats (or a nice drink).
- Dominick’s – Italian cuisine in the quiet and safe Riverdale, with no menu. Trust the waiter, everything tastes really good here. (Address: 2335 Arthur Avenue)
- Mike’s Deli – Delicatessen shop with a cafe. My tip: Try the Yankee Stadium Big Boy Hero Sandwich! (Address: 2344 Arthur Avenue)
- Mo Gridders BBQ – Urban, very funny location for the best BBQ in the Bronx. (Address: 565 Hunts Point Avenue)
- Yankee Tavern – Nice location to watch a Yankees Game and have beers. (Address: 72 E 161 St)
- Mario’s – The Migliucci family has been at this location since 1919 and serves the finest Italian specialties. (Address: 2342 Arthurs Avenue I)
Hotels in the Bronx or Near the Bronx
Hotels in the Bronx are rare to find and also pretty far out. We recommend finding a place closer to the city since the borough is so far up north. Here is a list of potential hotels for you to look at.
Which are the best museums worth visiting in the Bronx?
Most New Yorkers know the Bronx’s biggest attractions such as the famous Yankee Stadium, the New York Botanical Garden and the Bronx Zoo. Did you know that the Bronx is also home to many beautiful museums and art exhibitions? From the oldest still-standing house to fascinating art museums that are just as worth going than New York City’s big museums like the Met or the MoMA.
The best Art and Museums in the Bronx
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01
The Bronx Museum of the Arts
Museum in Bronx
At the Bronx Museum of Arts you can learn all about 20th and 21st century American art. In addition, there is a very good insight into the art and design scene from Africa and Asia. Especially exciting is the overview of the creative scene in the Bronx.
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02
Museum of Bronx History
Museum in Bronx
In 1965, the 1758 Valentine-Varian House was donated to The Bronx County Historical Society to
be used as a museum. After restoration, the house was opened in 1968 as the Museum of Bronx History. At the museum of Bronx History you can touch the fieldstones Isaac Valentine used to construct the house and walk on the oak and pine floorboards he fashioned. There are three galleries on the main level that feature a rich rotation of exhibitions as well as a museum gift store. It’s an excellent museum if you’re interested in the past and remarkable history of the Bronx in New York. -
03
Universal Hip Hop Museum
Museum in Bronx
The Universal Hip Hop Museum, dubbed the first-ever museum dedicated to rap music in the Bronx. It is currently operating as a pop-up exhibit in the Bronx Terminal Market ahead of its planned move to the newly developed Bronx Point in 2023.
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04
Van Cortlandt House Museum
Museum in Bronx
Also popularly known as Frederick Van Cortlandt House or simply Van Cortlandt House this is the oldest building in the Bronx. After 140 years of being inhabited by the Van Cortlandt family, the house was sold to the City of New York and made into a public park. You can now explore the incredible property and learn about its history. Please make sure to call before your visit because the museum is sometimes closed due to filming, restoration or other reasons. The museum is a non-profit and private institution that was founded in the year 1896 by the NSCD (National Society of Colonial Dames) in the New York State, a New York City’s licensee.
More Really Cool Things To Do in The Bronx
These are so many other things to do in the Bronx that we recommend if you have more time to spare. The Bronx has so many different cultural influences that you will find something exciting in many different areas of the Bronx. Is the Bronx in New York dangerous? Not as it used to be. The South Bronx is still unsafe in certain areas, especially at night. Other parts of the Bronx in New York are worth visiting though and offer a different perspective about NYC far away from the tourist tracks in the city.
Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum
This museum is the only 19th Century estate remaining on Pelham Bay Park. They work to preserve and maintain the gardens, historic articles and the mansion itself. Make sure to go check it out! (Address: 895 Shore Rd, Bronx, NY 10464, We recommend taking an Uber)
Check out The Hip-Hop Scenery
The Bronx has a lot of cultural history and believe it or not has helped shape modern entertainment. Its influence is so big that this culture can be found in movies, books, and music. It’s pretty much a lifestyle. The music genre hip-hop was founded in the Bronx. Actually, we even have the exact address. Hip-hop was founded right here at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. DJ Kool Herc is said to be the founding father of this popular genre. If you want, there’s also a tour. This Bronx NYC attraction takes you through specific locations in Manhattan that are dedicated to hip-hop.
Hip-hop was and still is a way for an artist to express themselves. What’s so great about this genre is that it’s usually in relation to what’s going on politically and their (the artist’s) atmosphere.
Visit The Bronx’s Little Italy
Situated near Fordham University, Little Italy in the Bronx is a great place to grab good eats. This neighborhood is located on Arthur Avenue and here you’ll see restaurants and more restaurants. It’s not as big as the one in Manhattan but it’s definitely a place worth checking out.
Go See The Hall of Fame for Great Americans
As Americans, when the term “Hall of Fame” is used, we usually attach it to sports. However, this Hall of Fame is completely different and pays homage to Americans that have made major contributions to the nation. This one is the first of its kind in the US and is an outdoor gallery located on the ground of Bronx Community College.
In order to be nominated to be in the Hall of Fame for Great Americans, the person must be a naturalized born citizen of the US, must be deceased for at least 25 years, and must have made major contributions to the nation. For more information please click here.
Art Deco in the Bronx
For you art Deco Fans; a few blocks east of Yankee Stadium is a very special highlight. The long street, “Grand Concourse” in the Bronx is an absolute must-see. Louis Risse designed the concourse in 1892, taking the Paris Champs-Elysée template as a benchmark. Since 1909, the street has been open to the public and has been particularly interesting as a residential area because of the development of the underground subway.
If you run south from 161st Street, you’ll notice the many plaques on the so-called Walk of Fame of the Bronx. Here, you’ll see the names of many famous inhabitants of the Bronx. If you walk north you will encounter buildings from the twenties to the early forties. In addition to Miami’s famous Art Deco district, this one in the Bronx is the largest Art Deco area in the USA. This part of the Bronx is one of the most beautiful in the city and really impressive.
At the Grand Concourse, you will also see a well-known German person in the form of a statue: the Heinrich Heine Memorial. The Loreley fountain, made of white Laas marble, was dedicated to the memory of the famous German poet and writer. Originally, the monument was to be erected in its home town in Dusseldorf but was prevented in 1897. Instead, it was erected two years later in the Bronx (161st Street / Grand Concourse) in the presence of the sculptor, Ernst Herter.
More about the NYC boroughs
Things to Do in Staten Island
Things to do in Brooklyn
Things To Do in Queens
Things to do in Manhattan
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