The Bronx
United States · Americas
About The Bronx
The Bronx ( BRONKS) is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The Bronx has a land area of 42 square miles (109 km2) and a population of 1,472,654 at the 2020 census. It has the fourth largest area, fourth largest population, and third highest population density of the boroughs. The Bronx is the only borough located primarily on the mainland, bordering Westchester County to its north; the Hudson River and the borough of Manhattan, across the Harlem River, to its west; the borough of Queens, across the East River, to its south; and Long Island Sound to its east. The borough is coextensive with Bronx County, one of the 62 counties of New York State.
The Bronx is divided by the Bronx River into a hillier section in the west and a flatter eastern section. East and west street names are divided by Jerome Avenue. The west was annexed to New York City in 1874, and the areas east of the Bronx River in 1895. Bronx County was separated from New York County (modern-day Manhattan) in 1914. About a quarter of the Bronx's area is open space, including Woodlawn Cemetery, Van Cortlandt Park, Pelham Bay Park, the New York Botanical Garden, and the Bronx Zoo in the borough's north and center. The Thain Family Forest at the New York Botanical Garden is thousands of years old and is New York City's largest remaining tract of the original forest that once covered the city. These open spaces are primarily on land reserved in the late 19th century as urban development progressed north and east from Manhattan. The Bronx is also home to Yankee Stadium of Major League Baseball.
The word Bronx originated with Jonas Bronck, who established the first European settlement in the area as part of the New Netherland colony in 1639. European settlers displaced the native Lenape after 1643. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the Bronx received many immigrant and migrant groups as it was transformed into an urban community, first from European countries (especially Ireland, Germany, Italy, and Eastern Europe) and later from the Caribbean region (particularly Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Haiti, Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados, and the Dominican Republic) and West Africa (mainly Ghana and Nigeria). African American migrants from the Southern United States as well as Panamanians, Hondurans, and South Asians also established themselves in the borough in large numbers.
The Bronx contains what had been the poorest of all 435 U.S. congressional districts, New York's 15th, until redistricting following the 2020 census. The borough also features upper- and middle-income neighborhoods, such as Riverdale, Fieldston, Spuyten Duyvil, Schuylerville, Pelham Bay, Pelham Gardens, Morris Park, and Country Club. Parts of the Bronx saw a steep decline in population, livable housing, and quality of life starting from the mid-to-late 1960s and lasting well into the 1980s, including a wave of arson in the late 1970s. The South Bronx, in particular, experienced severe urban decay. The borough began experiencing new population growth starting in the late 1990s and continuing to the present day.
The Bronx travel guide
Understand
The Bronx, often abbreviated as BX, and nicknamed "The Boogie Down", with a population of 1,472,654 (2020), is the only New York City borough on the mainland of the United States. It was originally part of Westchester County but was gradually annexed by New York City. The Bronx was completely incorporated into New York City in 1898. The Bronx is the only borough with “the” as part of its name. This is because in the early 1600s, a Dutch settler, Jonas Bronck, bought the land from the Native Americans who occupied the territory at the time. Whenever other land owners in the area wanted to travel to that area, they would call it “The Bronck’s Land.” At first, he planned to use the land to grow tobacco crops, but it was too hilly and had marshy terrain.
In time, the Bronx changed the spelling of its name, and flourished into an area with a vibrant and diverse culture. The Bronx has a strong character all its own. It is the birthplace of hip hop music and home to one of the country's most storied professional baseball teams, the New York Yankees, also known as the "Bronx Bombers." Many ethnic groups have called the Bronx home over the years. Arthur Avenue is still a center of Italian American culture in New York, and many claim it has a more authentic feel than Manhattan's Little Italy. The South Bronx is a center of Puerto Rican culture and life, with a growing Mexican community as well. University Heights and Morris Heights are largely Dominican neighborhoods, while Woodlawn maintains a large population of Irish immigrants. While the southern and central Bronx are mostly comprised of apartment buildings and densely built, the physical environment of the Bronx is much more varied than what is normally portrayed in the popular media. For instance, Riverdale is a residential neighborhood of mostly detached single family homes located on bluffs overlooking the Hudson River. It looks more like a quiet suburb than the "big bad" Bronx. Bronx Park and Van Cortlandt Park are two large and notably tranquil green spaces. City Island, located in Long Island Sound but officially part of the Bronx, reminds people more of a small New England fishing village and is worth a visit. And there is a traditional downtown area called "The Hub" at 149th Street and Third Avenue. While not as large or extensive as the downtowns of major American cities, many larger stores are in that area and it is more than just a neighborhood shopping district.
Geographically, the Bronx has a lot of hills. It is possible to stand on a street corner and look way down over a cliff toward the elev
Getting there
By subway The Bronx is directly connected to Manhattan by the 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , B , and D subway lines. Further extensions of these (with the exception of the 1 and 6 ) can be found in Brooklyn.
By rail The Harlem, Hudson, and New Haven Lines of the Metro-North commuter railway, which originate in Grand Central Terminal, make various stops in the Bronx.
By bus Express buses run from Midtown Manhattan (except for the BxM18, which runs from lower Manhattan during rush hours) to various parts of the Bronx, and are a better bet than a taxi. Local MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority) bus connections with Upper Manhattan and parts of Queens also exist.
By car It is possible to drive across one of the many bridges from Manhattan or the three bridges from Queens, and points north are accessible via several highways (including I-87, Bronx River Parkway, Hutchinson River Parkway, and I-95.
By taxi Taxis from Midtown or Lower Manhattan can be very expensive.
By foot Pedestrians can cross any of the bridges that connect Manhattan with the Bronx.
Getting around
The Bronx has good subway coverage but all lines are mainly north to south, with the subway lines designed more for access to Manhattan than crosstown travel in the Bronx, and many of its bus lines are slow and overcrowded at times. Many people who need flexibility in getting across the Bronx drive; however, the notorious overcrowding on the Cross-Bronx Expressway sometimes reduces such crosstown travel to a standstill. Another option is Metro-North Railroad. It only serves limited sections of the Bronx, but those tend to be the areas without subway service. (There is the Hudson Line in the West Bronx, and the Harlem Line in the central section of the Bronx.) The fares are higher than the subway, and the trains don't run as frequently, but they offer less crowding. On the weekends, a "CityTicket", which allows a trip within the city boundaries, costs $5.00. In general, with sufficient planning and time, you can enjoy the borough through a combination of subway and bus travel and walking. A bus map can be found here. If you happen to be staying in or venturing to the southeast Bronx, consider taking a NYC Ferry to the Soundview (connections to buses Bx39 and Bx27) or Throgs Neck docks (free parking) for a more unique experience than riding the subway underground (you'll do plenty of that in NYC). Along this Soundview route (SV), you will get a unique view from the East River: Manhattan, Hell's Gate, Roosevelt Island, Queens, and Brooklyn. If the salt water views are making you thirsty, grab a drink at the ferry's snack bar. Stops include East 90th St., E. 34th St., Stuyvesant Cove, and Wall Street. The entire route is approximately 56 min. The fare is a flat $4 with free transfers to other ferries for 120 minutes. Check the official NYC Ferry website for current maps and schedules. Separated bikeways connect Pelham Bay Park in the east through Bronx Park in the central Bronx and Van Cortlandt Park in the west. Street bike lanes go most everywhere.
See
1 Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd (can be easily accessed from the 2 & 5 trains at West Farms Square/E Tremont Av, E 180th St, or Pelham Pkwy-White Plains Rd), ☏ +1 718 367-1010. A world-class zoo featuring over 6000 animals. As with any big city, there are occasional break-ins, so be careful with your car and stow or carry valuables with you to help avoid this possibility. Starting at: $28 adult, $26 senior 65 and over, $20 child from 3 to 12, free for under 3. (updated Jul 2020) 2 New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), 2900 Southern Blvd (can be accessed by the 2 & 5 trains at West Farms Square, E 180th St, or Pelham Pkwy-White Plains Rd or by Metro-North at the Botanical Gardens station), ☏ +1 718 817-8700. Tu-Su 10AM-6PM. 48 magnificent gardens and plant collections on a 250-acre historic site. $35/adult, $31/student/senior, $15/child, children under 2 free. (updated May 2025) 3 Wave Hill, 675 W 252nd St, ☏ +1 718 549-3200. Public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River. 4 Orchard Beach. "The Bronx Riviera". 1.1 mi (1.7 km) of artificial beach created in the 1930s. Located in Pelham Bay Park at the western end of Long Island Sound. The Bx5 and Bx12 serve it during the summer. 5 Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, Poe Park, Grand Concourse at Kingsbridge Road (served by the B & D trains at Kingsbridge Road), ☏ +1 718 881-8900. Sa 10AM-4PM, Su 1-5PM. The small wooden farmhouse, built about 1812, once offered unobstructed views of the rolling Bronx hills, perhaps even to the shores of Long Island. It was Poe's home from 1846 to 1849, the last three years of his life. He wrote some of his most famous works there, including "Annabel Lee" and "The Bells." Administered by the Bronx County Historical Society since 1975, the cottage is restored to its original appearance, with authentic period furnishings. There's a film presentation and guided tour. $5/adult, $3/child, $3/senior. (updated May 2025) 6 Woodlawn Cemetery, Webster Ave & E 233rd St (Metro-North to Woodlawn or 2 train to 233rd St for Bx31 bus), ☏ +1 718 920-1470. This 400-acre (160-ha) cemetery opened in 1863 and is one of the largest cemeteries in the city. The final resting place of over 300,000, some of its more famous residents included Joseph Pulitzer, Herman Melville, David Farragut, Duke Ellington, and Frank Woolworth. Call for tour times, and a permit is required for photography. 7 Joker Stairs (Guason Stairs). free. (updated Jan 2020) 8 Fordham University, 441 E Fordham Rd, ☏ +1 718-817-1000. The third oldest university in New York and the oldest Catholic university in the
Do
Sports
1 Yankee Stadium, 161st St and River Ave (Subway: B D & 4 at 161st Street-Yankee Stadium. Metro-North: 153rd Street-Yankee Stadium). Home of the New York Yankees baseball and New York City FC soccer team. The old Yankee Stadium, "The House That Ruth Built", is no longer in use, and has been replaced by the new Yankee Stadium across the street. The site of the old stadium is now Heritage Park, a large baseball and softball field that has a few nods to the old ballpark, like markers in the sidewalk paying tribute to the history of the old stadium and a section of the frieze from the old park. The current stadium has strict security policies, and as such backpacks and camcorders are not allowed inside (only bags under 14" permitted). Monument Park behind center field pays homage to the great, Yankee legends of baseball; it officially closes 45 minutes before game time, but is oftentimes closed sooner if the crowds are large enough. If visiting Monument Park is a priority, best bet is to arrive close to when the gates open. Game tickets are expensive (many go for over $100) and should be bought far in advance. Stadium tours are also available for $20. Riverdale Equestrian Centre, ☏ +1 914 633-0303. Offers guided horseback rides through Central Park, but you must already be at an advanced riding level. (updated Sep 2024)
Events The Bronx has many exciting events and celebrations that occur throughout the year.
Sunday Market, 660 W 237th St. Early Aug-Nov: Su 9AM-2PM. This is a great place for gathering and shopping for the best quality and fresh grown products in the area. Bronx Culture Trolley. Meet the first Wednesday of each month (except Sept and Jan) at Hostos Community College, this is a free tour of the most entertaining and delightful spots in the whole region. This includes when music festivals and street fairs are in progress. Tour De Bronx. Usually in late October, it's New York State's largest free bicycling event. Riverdale Festival of the Arts. In late October, W 256th St (between Delafield and Mosholu Aves). This day is dedicated to all sorts of live music from jazz to rock and will have street merchants and foods. Bronx Week Parade. In late May, marching up Mosholu Parkway, this event gives all Bronxites the opportunity to show their pride. The parade features marching bands, schools, student groups and sports teams.
Parks and gardens
The Bronx has over 75 parks including a few of the largest ones in all of New York State. One fifth of the borough's land is park space.
2 Crotona Park, Fulton Ave. This park c
Buy
The Bronx is known to have the least expensive shopping in all of New York City. Most of the areas are lively and noisy, but don't let that stop you. Shopping at these places (particularly clothing and food) will give you the experience of the Bronx in a nutshell while saving you money.
Markets 1 Hunts Point Produce Market, Mrs. del Valle Square Memorial Plaza, Southern Blvd and E 163rd St ( 6 to Hunts Point Ave or B D or 4 to Yankee Stadium. Transfer outside of either station for the Bx6 bus). M-F 10:00PM-noon Su 9:00PM-noon. 2 New York Botanical Garden Farmers Market, Inside the Garden at the Mosholu Gate off of Kazimioff Blvd (take the 2 to Allerton Ave for the Bx25/Bx26 buses or take the B D or 4 trains to Bedford Park Blvd for the Bx25/Bx26 buses). Jun 12–Oct 30: W 10AM–3PM. (updated Apr 2021)
Food stores 3 Garden Gourmet Market, 5665 Broadway ( 1 to 231st St and BX7, BX9, BX10, BX20 buses), ☏ +1 718 796-4209, [email protected]. 6AM-10PM daily. The best place in the Bronx for fresh produce, and is a neighborhood diamond in the rough. They have a diverse selection of cheeses and fresh bread loaves. Homemade dips, salsas, hummus, sushi, and other hot prepared ethnic foods and soups. Organic food for extremely cheap. (updated Apr 2021) 4 Mamma Rosa's Cucina, 1007 Allerton Ave, ☏ +1-718-881-0242, [email protected]. M–Sa 7AM–5:30PM, Su 8:30AM–2:30PM. One of the best delis in the Bronx area. Mamma Rosa knows how to bring Italian culture to the neighborhood. They give generous amount of meats on their sandwiches. Their special pasta sauces are always fresh and delicious, and different ones are made daily.
Shopping centers 5 The Mall at Bay Plaza, Bartow Ave & Baychester Ave (off the Hutchinson Pkwy & I-95), ☏ +1-718-320-8955. M–Sa 11AM–8PM, Su 11AM–7PM. One of the biggest shopping centers in the area, including over 45 stores and 9 anchor stores. They have a handful of restaurants, jewelry stores, electronics and a movie theater. 6 Fordham Road Center, Fordham Rd. This is the place to get trend-setting products for discount prices. Fordham Road extends for over a mile with shops door-to-door. It has it all from cheap furniture to sneakers. Right next to Fordham University, and in the center of the birth of hip-hop, this is an upbeat area with lots to offer. 7 The Hub, 3rd Ave & 149th St. This area is one of the older shopping centers in the Bronx. Street stands pack the sidewalks with discounted products to purchase. This is where bargaining skills would be encouraged and practiced. Music fills the air from the
Eat
1 The Rambling House, 4292 Katonah Ave ( 4 to Woodlawn for Bx34 bus), ☏ +1-718-798-4510. 11AM–4AM daily. Serving the best Irish food in the Bronx. (updated Apr 2021) Great Italian food can be found near Arthur Avenue. Another fantastic hot spot for Italian food is a small neighborhood called Morris Park. The food is all authentic and reasonably priced. 2 Artie's Steak & Seafood, 394 City Island Ave ( 6 to Pelham Bay Park for Bx29 bus), ☏ +1-718-885-9885. Su–Th 11:30AM–9PM, F Sa 11:30–10PM. A good steak, seafood, and pasta place. Reasonable prices. Try the clam chowder. (updated Apr 2021) 3 Lollipops Ice Cream and Gelato, 4120 Baychester Ave (Wakefield/Baychester neighborhood), ☏ +1-718-994-8755. 9AM-10PM daily. Offers 36 flavors of fine gelato, many with Caribbean flavors. Free street parking and a parking lot next door. There's seating inside and out under a tiki umbrella. Very much an island feel. Extensive free tasting with guidance from the friendly staff to help you choose. $3 and up. 4 El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant, 1508 Westchester Ave ( 6 to Elder Avenue), ☏ +1-917-688-1433. 9AM–1:30AM daily. Good chorizo. Plenty of vegetarian options. (updated Feb 2018)
Drink & nightlife
1 Starving Artist Cafe & Gallery, 249 City Island Ave, ☏ +1-718-885-3779, [email protected]. Local artists and crafters sell their unique work here, and musicians and bands play live music at nighttime. This coffeehouse makes excellent fresh cappuccino. 2 Bronx Alehouse, 216 W 238th St ( 1 to 238 St; or drive to 238 st between Broadway and Major Deegan Expy), ☏ +1 718-601-0204. 11 AM - Midnight. This craft beer pub serves all kinds of finger-licking pub food. If you're near the north-northwest corner of the Bronx this place is worth a visit. (updated Aug 2024)
Sleep
1 Days Inn by Wyndham Bronx Near Stadium, 997 Brook Ave, ☏ +1-718-993-6600. 2 Ramada by Wyndham Bronx, 1000 Baychester Ave, ☏ +1-718-862-2000.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.