The Bronx is a birthplace to so much of NYC's history...and there's so much to be explored in the borough too!
Corey Fuller - Staff Writer•
Packed to the brim with years of history and culture, The Bronx is one of NYC’s essential boroughs! It’s the birthplace of hip-hop music, the home of the largest largest metropolitan zoo in the country, and so many other attractions…there’s so much to discover in The Bronx!
In this guide, we’ll help you decide on the best places to see and do in the area…which ranges from a slice of true NYC pizza in The Bronx’s Little Italy to catching a fly ball at Yankee Stadium. Check out our favorite places to visit in The Bronx below:
1. Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo is the United States’ largest metropolitan zoo, and holds over 6,000 animals and tons of themed exhibits, animal feedings and demonstrations, and attractions like the Jungleworld, Tiger Mountain, and the World of Birds. The zoo spans over 265 acres and additionally hosts educational programs, behind-the-scenes tours, and so much more. Plan your visit to The Bronx Zoo here.
Where: 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx
2. New York Botanical Garden
With over 250 acres of botanical gardens, conservatories, and landscapes, The New York Botanical Garden is one of The Bronx’s most prized possessions. It’s packed full of the most beautiful cherry blossoms, magnolias, daffodils, and lilacs you’ve ever seen! Make your way through features like the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and Native Plant Garden, as well as seasonal displays like the Holiday Train Show (winter) and the Orchid Show (spring). Plan your visit to New York Botanical Garden here.
Where: 2900 Southern Blvd, The Bronx
3. Yankee Stadium
Sports fans can rejoice in The Bronx, because it’s home to Yankee Stadium, home of the New York Yankees. Catch a baseball game here during the season (March – October) or sign up for a guided tour that can take you around one of the most prominent sports arenas in the entire country.
Where: 1 E 161 St, Bronx
4. The Bronx Museum of the Arts
The Bronx Museum is one of our favorite museums in NYC, and it’s a cultural gem that celebrates the borough’s diverse heritage and creative spirit. It’s full of contemporary and modern art, with a focus on artists of African, Asian, and Latin American descent. Their permanent collection, special exhibitions, and education programs aim to “connect diverse audiences to the urban experience”…which we think it does perfectly. Plan your visit to The Bronx Museum here.
Where: 1040 Grand Concourse, The Bronx
5. Little Italy, The Bronx
If you’re looking for some of the best pizza in the Bronx, we’ve got the neighborhood for you. The Bronx’s Little Italy section is a cuisine gold mine, where you’ll be able to sample the best Italian dishes, gourmet foods and local markets and bakeries in NYC. It runs up and down Arthur Avenue in the Belmont neighborhood and makes for the perfect food tour activity. See all of our favorite spots in Little Italy, The Bronx here.
6. Pelham Bay Park
The Bronx’s Pelham Bay Park is the largest park in all of New York City. There’s plenty to do here like hiking, biking, picnicking, and kayaking. Other attractions around the park include Orchard Beach, the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, and the Bronx Victory Column.
Where: Middletown Road & Stadium Avenue
7. Edgar Allan Poe Cottage
Stop by the former home of the renowned author Edgar Allan Poe, where he lived with his family in the mid-19th century. The historic house museum is now a living recreation of his dwelling that tells the legacy of his life and work. Plan your visit to The Edgar Allan Poe Cottage here.
Where: 2640 Grand Concourse, Bronx
8. City Island, The Bronx
City Island is The Bronx’s best kept secret…and it’s a quaint little neighborhood on the shores of the Long Island Sound. It seems so uncharacteristic of typical NYC (thanks to its maritime history and seaside ambiance), but it’s one of our favorite little escapes. Spend a day in the neighborhood taking in the Victorian-style homes and cute shops before ending with a dinner at a tasty seafood restaurant. See our favorite things to do in City Island here.
9. The Bronx Night Market
This open-air night market brings together dozens of local vendors to serve the tastiest food and cuisines from across the borough (and world)! It takes over Fordham Plaza from April through the fall, and welcomes all kinds of crazy concoctions like fried burritos, enormous slices of carrot cake, fried chicken cones, and watermelon pizza! The first edition of 2024’s market will be April 6! Learn more about Bronx Night Market here.
Where: 1 Fordham Plaza, The Bronx
10. Woodlawn Cemetery
Woodlawn Cemetery has been around since 1863, and it’s one of The Bronx’s most serene and beautiful places to visit. The cemetery is the burial spot for many prominent names including Duke Ellington and Miles Davis, and was even named a National Historic Landmark. We recommend checking out their guided tours, educational programs, and cultural events…or just taking a peaceful stroll through this historical grave site.
Where: 4199 Webster Ave, Bronx
See also: The Best Things To Do In NYC For Locals And Tourists
