Concourse
Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Museum (free) and the Art Deco apartment blocks of the Grand Concourse.
Borough 04 · The Bronx
The Bronx
Baseball, a world-class zoo, the real Little Italy and the Art Deco grandeur of the Grand Concourse. The Bronx is the borough most visitors skip — which is exactly why it is worth the trip.
The borough
A borough with a story to tell
The Bronx invented hip-hop, built Yankee Stadium, kept Italian-American food traditions alive on Arthur Avenue and is home to one of the largest urban zoos in the United States. It is also the greenest borough per capita.
You do not need long here. One well-planned half-day — the stadium or the zoo, then lunch on Arthur Avenue — is enough to change the way you think about New York.
It is easy to reach: the 4/B/D to 161st Street–Yankee Stadium, Metro-North to Yankee Stadium station, and the 2/5 to Pelham Parkway for the zoo and botanical garden.
1.4Mresidents
265acres of zoo
1904Yankee Stadium since
1real Little Italy
Neighbourhoods
The Bronx, area by area
Most visits cover two of these: the stadium area and Arthur Avenue.
Arthur Avenue
Belmont's Little Italy: the Arthur Avenue Retail Market, salumerias, bakeries and red-sauce restaurants.
Fordham & Belmont
The Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden, with Fordham University in between.
Riverdale
Wave Hill's gardens and views over the Hudson — the quietest corner of the borough.
Mott Haven
Gallery spaces, the Bronx Brewery and a fast-changing waterfront. Best with a local.
City Island
A fishing village inside the city, with seafood restaurants on City Island Avenue.
What to do
The essentials
01
Yankee Stadium
Take the tour on a non-game day, or see a game in the bleachers. The 4/B/D stop is at the gate.
02
Bronx Zoo
265 acres, one of the largest urban zoos in the US. Allow three to four hours and wear comfortable shoes.
03
New York Botanical Garden
Across the street from the zoo: 250 acres, an Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and seasonal exhibitions.
04
Arthur Avenue
The retail market, Mike's Deli, Madonia Bakery and cheese shops. Go for lunch on a weekday.
05
Bronx Museum of the Arts
Free, Wednesday–Sunday, and a five-minute walk from Yankee Stadium.
06
Grand Concourse
Art Deco apartment houses and the borough's grandest boulevard. A short walk, best with a guide.
Where to eat
Arthur Avenue and after
The Bronx's food reputation is Italian-American and it is well deserved — but the borough's Latin American and West African kitchens are just as good.
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Arthur Avenue Retail Market
The heart of Belmont: cheese, cured meat, bread and a food stall or two under one roof.
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Mike's Deli
Arthur Avenue institution for sandwiches and Italian groceries. Cash-friendly and generous.
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Zero Otto Nove
Sit-down Italian on Arthur Avenue; the reliable choice for a long lunch.
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Madonia Bakery
Bread and pastries since 1918. Buy a loaf for later.
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Bronx food halls
Mott Haven and Fordham have newer food halls worth checking if you are exploring beyond Belmont.
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City Island seafood
A different day out: a bus ride to a fishing village and a plate of fried clams.
One day here
One day in the Bronx
Stadium, zoo or museum in the morning; Arthur Avenue for lunch; back to Manhattan by mid-afternoon.
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9:30 · Yankee Stadium or the Bronx Zoo
Game, tour or zoo — choose one and give it three hours.
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13:00 · Arthur Avenue
Lunch at the market or Zero Otto Nove, then a walk through Belmont.
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14:30 · Bronx Museum of the Arts
Free, compact, and near the 161st Street stations.
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16:00 · Grand Concourse walk
Art Deco facades, then the 4 or D back to Manhattan.
Getting there
Getting there
4/B/D to 161 St–Yankee Stadium; Metro-North to Yankee Stadium (from Grand Central, 15 minutes); 2/5 to Pelham Parkway for the zoo and botanical garden. Arthur Avenue is a 10-minute walk from the Fordham Road B/D station or a short taxi from the stadium.
Questions
Bronx questions
Is the Bronx safe for tourists?
The areas in this guide — the stadium, the zoo, Arthur Avenue, the museum — are busy and used by visitors and locals. Use normal city sense and stick to main streets at night.
How long does it take to get to the Bronx?
About 25–35 minutes from Midtown on the 4/B/D, or 15 minutes on Metro-North from Grand Central to Yankee Stadium.
Is Arthur Avenue better than Little Italy in Manhattan?
Most New Yorkers say yes: better prices, better bread, fewer tourists, and shops that still serve the neighbourhood.
Can I combine the zoo and Arthur Avenue?
Yes — zoo in the morning, Arthur Avenue for a late lunch. Give it a full day and wear comfortable shoes.