From the iconic Yankee Stadium, where baseball fans can catch a game and soak in the electric atmosphere, to the Bronx Zoo, one of the largest metropolitan zoos in the world, there's no shortage of things to see and do. Explore the rich cultural heritage of the borough at renowned institutions like the Bronx Museum of the Arts and the New York Botanical Garden, which boasts stunning gardens and seasonal exhibitions. Whether you're craving authentic Latin American cuisine in Arthur Avenue or looking to unwind in one of the borough's many parks, the Bronx offers endless opportunities for adventure and exploration.
Cooking and culinary experiences
Make dinner the whole of your evening by enrolling in an evening cooking class or a tasting tour. Perfect for date nights or just learning a new skill on your own.
Cooking Classes: Make a meal out of your night
Want to spend an evening learning a new skill in a class that also doubles as your dinner plans? Consider enrolling in one of the specialty cooking courses offered by one of New York’s hundreds of restaurants and teaching kitchens. Whether you want to learn how to make Indian, Thai, Italian, French, Chinese or American cuisine, or you want to learn the fundamentals of cooking, there are a wide array of courses you can take with kids of all ages. Teaching you kids the art of cooking is a great way to teach them important transferable skills and it will help them become more self-sufficient later on in life.
Learn to make pillowy Gnocchi
Master the art of homemade gnocchi and enjoy these favorite Italian pastas anytime. In this hands-on class, you'll learn the secret to making pillowy-soft gnocchi using just a few simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. You’ll learn to roll it out and cut it, and then turn your homemade gnocchi into two mouthwatering weeknight dishes: a cheesy baked gnocchi al forno and a creamy spinach sausage gnocchi. Say to store-bought gnocchi forever—you'll never go back once you've tasted the homemade goodness.
Book a Learn to Make Pillowy Gnocchi Class Now
Food Tasting Tour: Savor Italian Food on Arthur Avenue
Sample the best bites in this bastion of Italian culture—olive bread, prosciutto bread, fresh mozzarella knots, clams on the half shell, cured meats, and of course, fresh-filled cannoli. Italian Immigrants settled Arthur Avenue in the early 19th century and created a mecca of shops and services from the homeland. Today, the street teems with high-quality butcher shops, cheese makers, seafood markets, bakeries, pasta stores, markets, and restaurants. You’ll leave with a full stomach and new appreciate for the delights of Italian cuisine.
Bronx Night Market
The Bronx Night Market isn't just any food event. It’s the longest-running series in the borough, and it's transformed the food scene and become a part of the Bronx's identity. A remarkeable lineup of 50 local vendors offer a diverse range of cuisines and draw over 4,000 guests each time. You don’t want to miss this bustling hub of community and gastronomic bliss. But it's more than just food; the Night Market celebrates the borough's unique identity in a fusion of flavors, cultures, and people. If you want to experience the true essence of the borough, the Bronx Night Market is the place to be.
Do it yourself: art and creative experiences
Learn a new skill and create your own personal masterpieces in any of these creative DIY courses.
Pottery making: Play with clay
Another great activity for anyone looking to learn a hobby and make their own personal work of art is a pottery class. You’ll get hands-on experience working with wet clay and you’ll learn to work like a master in no time at all. Pottery making can be a practical skill as much as an art form, so you’ll be able to make your own pot, vase or mug to put to good use when you take it home. Most pottery wheel events include kiln firing as part of the package, but you’ll need to wait a few weeks to pick up your finished piece.
Book a Pottery Making Class Now
Master your digital camera
Dye, fold, and stitch: Work with textiles
Unique attractions: enjoy everything the Bronx has to offer
The Bronx is a rich and diverse community, where you can explore the arts, savor other cultures, or catch some local hip-hop in the place where it was born.
Spend the night at the zoo
Experience the Bronx Zoo like you’ve never seen it before. Have you ever wondered what the animals are doing at night? You can find out at an adult overnight. Meet the animals up close and personal, explore the exhibits after hours, and wind down with a bedtime snack before you doze off to the night sounds of the zoo. The experience includes breakfast and coffee and a peek at the animals’ early morning routine before the zoo comes back to life with visitors.
Pottery Handbuilding: Play with clay
Another great activity for anyone looking to learn a hobby and make their own personal work of art is a pottery event. You’ll get hands-on experience working with wet clay and you’ll learn to work like a master in no time at all. Pottery making can be a practical skill as much as an art form, so you’ll be able to make your own pot, vase or mug to put to good use when you take it home. Most pottery wheel events include kiln firing as part of the package, but you’ll need to wait a few weeks to pick up your finished piece.
Book a Pottery Handbuilding Class Now
Learn to Salsa: Dance classes
You won’t feel awkward on the dance floor anymore after you learn to spice up your dance moves. It doesn’t matter if you’re just a beginner or you have two left feet, salsa dancing is all about fun, rhythm, and passion. Learn some sultry moves and fancy footwork and you’ll glide across the floor to the irresistible beats of Latin music. Salsa’s vibrant energy and infectious beats are the perfect way to let loose.
Book a Learn to Salsa Class Now
Dave and Buster’s: Play games and have a few drinks
Dave and Buster’s is a perfect place to spend an evening with friends or a date. Famous for taking the barcade concept to the next level and appealing to adults who want to eat, drink and play games, Dave and Buster’s is essentially designed as an arcade that is also an excellent fast casual restaurant and a full-service bar, making it a great place to spend an evening if you want to escape from your troubles and just have fun. They also host team-building events, birthday parties and other get-togethers, making them the perfect place to host a social function.
Go shopping: The Mall at Bay Place
If you are looking to shop in the Bronx, everything you could need is located at The Mall at Bay Plaza, a modern three-story shopping and entertainment center. Shop at the more than 100 retail stores, nosh on a pretzel or a melt-in-your-mouth Cinnabon, choose from dozens of options in the food court, and catch a show at the AMC theater, Here, you can explore offerings ranging from upscale spots like Swarovski and Micheal Kors, to classic shoes and fashions like Adidas or Express, to Lush for luxury cosmetics. The mall is also home to more relaxed dining establishments where you can linger, like Olive Garden or Red Lobster. Make a trip to The Mall at Bay Place the center of your day or just stop in for some shopping while you are between excursions.
Edgar Allen Poe Cottage
See where Edward Allen Poe wrote some of his best-known works, including “Annabel Lee, ” “Eureka, ” and “The Bells.” Poe retreated to this working-class cottage in 1944 with his wife, Virginia, and Virginia’s mother, Maria Clemm. He hoped that the quiet cottage, set among fields and orchards far from the polluted city, would help Virginia recover from tuberculosis. After Poe’s death the cottage became a literary landmark, and was saved from demolition and moved across the street by the New York Shakespeare Society. The restored cottage is open to the public on Saturdays or by appointment.
MLB: Cheer on the Yankees at Yankee Stadium
With its iconic architecture and electrifying atmosphere, Yankee Stadium is more than just a ballpark—it's a cathedral of baseball. Catch the excitement of America's favorite pastime, and witness the magic of the Yankees firsthand. This baseball powerhouse has shattered records by winning 27 World Series championships, 40 American League pennants, and 20 American League East Division titles. Join the throngs of diehard fans, order a popcorn and soda from the aisle vendor, and see what all the excitement is about.
Tour the Grand Concourse
Everyone in the Bronx knows the Grand Concourse. It was once the swankiest address in the city, known as the Park Avenue of the Bronx. Conceived as a rival to France’s Champs-Élysées, its 5.2 mile course was built on an elevated ridge so it would rise above the surrounding city. The boulevard is home to one of the largest collections of Art Deco apartment buildings in the world, along with iconic buildings like the Concourse Plaza Hotel, Yankee Stadium, and Loew’s Paradise Theater. Today, the portion stretching from 153rd Street to 167th Street was designated as the Grand Concourse Historic District by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. You can take a walking tour or hop on the bus to explore this slice of the Bronx history.
Go back in time—Historical sites in the Bronx
City Island Nautical Museum
A visit to City Island is like stepping back in time. Access to the island is limited by a small bridge and has kept much of this nautical hub from development. The island is famous for its ties to the ocean and its yacht-building past. Photographs, stories, and exhibits showcase the rich maritime history in this cozy homage to the past. You can explore the iconic shipyards, meet the skilled craftsmen, and uncover the secrets behind the construction of legendary sailing and motor yachts. Get an insider's look at the military vessels built during wartime and the sleek 12-meter sloops that dominated the America's Cup. The City Island Nautical Museum is housed in a school building designed by C.B.J. Snyder in 1897, and is now on the National Register of Historic Places and a designated New York City landmark.
Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum
Step back in time as you walk through this preserved mansion. This is the only grand 19th century country house still in existence on Pelham bay. Originally built in the 1830s, this elegant Greek Revival features stunning architecture, fascinating exhibits, and lush manicured gardens. Now, you can take a tour of the mansion and carriage house, and view the collection fo furnishings and art. Stroll the grounds and formal gardens and imagine country estate life on Pelham Bay.
Get outdoors
Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo isn’t just any collection of animals; it’s the flagship of NYC’s Wildlife Conservation Society. Since it first opened in 1899, the zoo has provided a window into the natural world in the heart of the Bronx. You’ll see over 700 species and exhibits from across the globe, from tiny toads from Tanzania to big cats from the Russian Far East. You can walk into an aviary of free-flying budgies who’ll mug you for a seed snack. The bug carousel takes you for a whirl aboard a praying mantis, a bright green grasshopper, or even a dung beatle. See the park from a bird’s eye view on the bridges and balancing beams of the Nature Trek, or watch feeding time for the penguins or sea lions.
New York Botanical Garden
The Bronx is NYC’s greenest borough, and nowhere is greenery more abundant than at the historic New York Botanical Garden. You could spend days wandering through the 50 beautiful gardens that sprawl across 250 acres. Explore the habitat of rain forests and deserts, a river, waterfalls, and rolling hills without leaving the Bronx. Check out the online bloom tracker to see when plants are bursting with seasonal color.
Pelham Bay Park
At three times the size of Central Park, Pelham Bay Park is the largest park in all of NYC. When you wander through the rocky outcroppings, marshy inlets, and lush forest, you might think you’re in Maine rather than the Bronx. Whether you're into hiking, picnicking, or just soaking up some sunshine, there's something for everyone here. Explore the park's hidden gems, like the historic Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum or the tranquil Thomas Pell Wildlife Sanctuary. With stunning waterfront views of Long Island Sound and plenty of space to roam, Pelham Bay Park is the perfect escape from the concrete jungle.
Wave Hill
You won’t believe you’re still in the city when you venture into this part park, part public garden oasis. From the viewpoint of this 19th-century estate, you can take in the Hudson River below and the Palisades in the distance. Shady trails pass by gazebos and flower beds, and a fragrant herb garden tantalizes your senses. This city-owned escape is so peaceful you’ll think you’ve found your own secret garden.
Van Cortlandt Park
Play a round, learn cricket, go horseback riding, or just wander through the 7.5 mile loop trail. With over a thousand acres to explore, Van Cortlandt park is the city's third-largest park, and it boasts everything from playing fields to playgrounds. Tibbets Brook creates a haven of water sound as it weaves through dense forests. You'll find the nation's first public golf course, the oldest house in the Bronx, and the borough's biggest freshwater lake.
Orchard Beach
Bring your sun hat and your beach towel. Orchard Beach is the Bronx’s only public beach, and at 1.1 miles long, there’s room for everyone. This ambitious public space was proclaimed “The Riviera of New York” when it was created in the 1930’s. Now it features two playgrounds, two picnic areas, and 26 courts for basketball, volleyball, and handball.
Live Shows
Catch a live performance: Lehman Center for the Performing Arts
Catch musicians, a dance performance, or live theatre from around the world at the largest concert hall in the Bronx. This non-profit performance venue is part of the Department of Music, Multimedia, Theatre and Dance at Lehman College, and it showcases culturally-diverse events and concerts at while keeping it affordable and accessible for the community. Thrillist called it one of the best live music venues in New York City.
Bronx Museum of the Arts
Explore more than,000 works of art by talented creators who are either Bronx-based or of African, Asian, or Latino ancestry. The museum strives to offer opportunities and representation for the community and for youth, through immersion in visual arts, culture, and community. Its striking 2004 addition not only expanded the capacity for programs and outreach, it was awarded the “Excellence in Design” prize by The Art Commission of the City of New York. Admission to the museum is always free, as are all programs and exhibitions.
Arthur Avenue Comedy’s Fordham Stand-Up Wednesday
If you’re want to hear top comics from TV and NYC’s major clubs, you don’t need to leave the Bronx. Arthur Avenue Comedy’s Fordham Stand-Up Wednesday features the long sets that other shows don’t give them the time to perform. Past performers include comedians from HBO, Netlfix, Colbert, SNL, the Daily Show, Letterman, the Tonight Show, Comedy Central, and more. Wednesday’s at Arthur Avenue Comedy is your chance to watch comedians flex their muscles and hit their stride on an intimate stage at Clinton Hall. Enjoy delicious craft food and beers on tap, and make it an evening. The show is always free.
Hip hop at Crotona Park
Every summer, this slice of Bronx open space reverts back to the early glory days of hip-hop. The Crotona Park Jams feature such iconic names as Grand Wizard Theodore and Kool DJ Red Alert. And it’s free, a true community event that reflects the deep roots of music in the Bronx.