10 Reasons Why You Should Get Lost In The Bronx

For either tourists or locals, the Bronx is not exactly a popular New York City destination. Being the birthplace of hip-hop, a hub for immigrant groups around the world, and home to some of the city’s most historic landmarks, we believe the borough more than deserves your attention. Here, we’ve compiled a list of 10 reasons you should get lost—or get down—in the Boogie Down Bronx.

1. Celebrate spring all year long at the New York Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden, Museum, Park, Zoo

A National Historic Landmark, the New York Botanical Garden has the distinction of being the largest botanical garden in any North American city. The garden lives up to its reputation, hosting both indoor and outdoor displays, live musical performances, visual art exhibitions, and more. Offering programs year-round, the New York Botanical Garden keeps the spirit of spring alive even in the midst of winter.

Enjoy cuisine with character

At menu-less eatery Ebe Ye Yie, diners order by peeking through a Plexiglass window and selecting cooked rice balls, peanut butter stew, chunky sweat-inducing pepper relish, and whatever else the Ghanian kitchen is serving up that day. Meanwhile, at 188 Bakery Cuchifritos, traditional Puerto Rican and Dominican salt-cod pancakes, garlicky mashed plantains, and fried pork chunks are gobbled up by locals and in-the-know foodies. Just two examples of many, the borough is bursting with flavorful ethnic cuisine from independently run restaurants.

Ebe Ye Yie, 2364 Jerome Ave, Bronx, NY, USA, +1 718 220 1300

188 Bakery Cuchifritos, 158 E 188th St #1, Bronx, NY, USA, +1 718 367 4500

2. Enjoy a cold one at The Bronx Brewery

Brewery

The first brewery to open its doors in the Bronx since the 1960s, The Bronx Brewery is a hopping watering hole beloved by beer-loving locals. Boasting a tasting room and a family- and dog-friendly backyard where the venue has been known to host live musical performances, the brewery offers an impressive selection of perennial and seasonal ales, barrel reserves, and—because it’s the Bronx—hip-hop-inspired brews.

3. Broaden your horizons at the Bronx Documentary Center

Art Gallery, Museum

Upon noticing a disconnect between the typical documentary’s poor subjects and its audiences, the Bronx Documentary Center (BDC) formed in an attempt to “bring the world to the Bronx and the Bronx to the world.” Located in one of the city’s most underserved communities, the BDC achieves its goal by hosting free screenings, operating a photography collective open to residents, and empowering the borough’s youth through art-based educational programs.

4. Explore a piece of New York history at Yankee Stadium

Stadium

You don’t have to be a sports fan to appreciate Yankee Stadium, an iconic piece of New York City history. As the Major League Baseball’s record holder for most World Series wins, the New York Yankees have a firm hold on the hearts of locals and baseball enthusiasts around the world, and Yankee Stadium is where the team calls home. The new stadium pays homage to the venue’s original design while incorporating modern elements, a nod to the team’s rich history as well as its bright future.

5. Escape from one island to another

Natural Feature

City Island—a picturesque seaside town that is home to a vibrant boating culture and New York City’s freshest seafood, and entirely unknown to many New Yorkers. Plan your next day trip for this offshoot of the Bronx packed full of Victorian architecture, small-town watering holes, and picture-perfect views.

6. Support the community at The Bronx Museum of the Arts

Museum

In an effort to make art accessible to the Bronx community, The Bronx Museum of the Arts boasts a free admission policy, a Teen Council, and an active Education Department. The museum’s exhibitions, which feature murals, photography, comics, and more, particularly highlight Bronx-based artists and creatives of African, Latino, and Asian descent, a focus befitting an immigrant hub like the Bronx.

7. The Bronx is home to the city’s best-kept secret park

Botanical Garden, Memorial, Park

NYC 6.8 - New York Botanical Garden, The Bronx

At three times the size of Manhattan’s Central Park, Pelham Bay Park is New York City’s largest park property. Hiking trails, two golf courses, a sprawling 13-mile (21-kilometer) shoreline, and a public beach to top it all off make this historic park a favorite for families, athletes, and tourists and locals alike.

8. Explore the home of a literary genius

Museum

A global hub for creatives of all disciplines, New York has always attracted and inspired artists. While the Bronx is most associated with the hip-hop pioneers who’ve come out of it, the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage focuses instead on its namesake 19th-century author who called the borough home toward the end of his life. The cottage, erected in 1812, was the creation site of some of the poet’s most popular works, including “Annabel Lee” and “The Bells,” and continues to be a favorite attraction for the city’s lit-loving set.

9. Discover new tunes at Moodies Records

Shop, Store

Specializing in hard-to-find vinyl, Moodies Records is one of the city’s top destinations for true music fanatics. Reggae, old- and new-school hip-hop, new releases, and more all share space on the shelves at this retro indie record store. The best part about this community gem? In the unlikely event that the shop doesn’t have what you’re looking for, Moodies’ passionate and knowledgeable owner might just track it down for you.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.